RFC Summer Semester--Big South Conference (FCS)

Looking back: A competitive season in the Big South Conference resulted in a three-way tie for first place.  When the dust finally settled, Coastal Carolina emerged with the league first-ever automatic bid to the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (formerly NCAA Division (I-AA) playoffs.  The Chanticleers beat out Liberty and Stony Brook in the three-way tiebreaker by winning four straight games to close out the regular season.  If that wasn't enough, Coastal gave Western Illinois all it could handle, before losing to the Leathernecks in the first round of the FCS playoffs.

Looking ahead: Can Coastal Carolina take that next step?  Can Liberty finally break through after multiple near-misses.  Or, can Stony Brook finally seal the deal?  Lots of questions, the answers are still to come, as the 2011 season approaches.

Website: http://www.bigsouthsports.com/

Predicted order of finish (2010 overall record in parentheses)

1. Liberty (8-3):  Tough non-conference losses to James Madison, and Robert Morris, as well as costly in-conference loss to Coastal Carolina down the stretch, doomed the Flames chances of landing their first-ever FCS playoff berth.  The 2011 non-league slate isn't any easier, as they face the likes of NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (formerly NCAA Division I-A)-- (BCS) North Carolina State from the ACC, as well as contests against JMU, Robert Morris, and Lehigh.  Having said that, LU will be shooting for a fifth straight season of trying to win eight or more games. That's not to mention the Flames will play for at least a share of a fifth straight Big South title.

2. Stony Brook (6-5):  The Seawolves also fell short of reaching postseason play, as a loss to Liberty kept them on the outside looking in.  They face non-BCS FBS squads, UTEP and Buffalo, on the road, to open up 2011.

3. Coastal Carolina (6-6):  The Chanticleers advanced to the FCS playoffs for just the second time in their eight-year history.  As a new season approaches, Coastal won't be sneaking up on anyone, especially with road trips to Liberty and Stony Brook looming.


4. Gardner-Webb (4-7):  The Running Bulldogs were recognized by the FCS Athletic Directors Association (FCS ADA) for having top academic progress rate (APR) in the Big South Conference.  Now, if only that success in the classroom could translate into success on the field.

5. Charleston Southern (3-8):  The Buccaneers have played the most opponents in the FBS among current Big South Conference members since 2005, according to their website.  And this year appears to be no exception, as they open the season on the road against defending Conference USA and Liberty Bowl champion UCF, as well as Florida State from the ACC, respectively, on the road.

6.  VMI (3-8):  The Keydets suffered through yet another miserable season, closing out the 2010 campaign with four straight losses after starting a respectable 3-4.

7. Presbyterian (2-9):  The Blue Hose hope the momentum from a season-ending win over Davidson will carry over into 2011.