RFC Summer Semester--Big South Conference Preview (FCS)

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2011 Final Standings

Looking back: Stony Brook not only won the Big South Conference's automatic bid to the 2011 FCS playoffs, the Seawolves also won their first-ever game as an NCAA Division I member, as they outlasted Albany (N.Y.), 31-28, in the first round.  Their season ended in the second round the following weekend, though, as eventual national runner-up Sam Houston State held off the Seawolves, 34-27.

Looking ahead:  Stony Brook will have plenty of challengers, primarily Liberty and Coastal Carolina, in their quest to defend its Big South Conference crown in 2012.
 
2012 Predicted Order of Finish (2011 overall record in parentheses)

1.  Stony Brook (9-4):  The Seawolves face a tough task in repeating as Big South champs in 2012.  Among the non-conference games they must play before beginning defense of that title include a couple of games against two FBS opponents; at soon-to-be former Big East turned ACC member Syracuse on September 15, followed by a visit to Army two weeks later.  That also includes a September 22 home game against Colgate sandwiched in between those contests.  Their conference opener will be at home against Charleston Southern on October 6.

2. Liberty (7-4):  The Flames saw their quest to take home at least another share of their fifth straight Big South Conference title fall by the wayside, losing to Stony Brook title, 41-31, on the final day of the 2011 regular season.  If they're to finally advance to their first-ever FCS playoff in 2012, they must do it under new head coach Turner Gill, who comes to Liberty from BCS Big 12 Conference Kansas.   Additionally, the Flames must also overcome a tough non-conference schedule that includes games against ACC foe Wake Forest, as well as games against 2011 playoff participants Norfolk State, Lehigh, and Montana.  

3. Coastal Carolina (7-4):  The Chanticleers will look to improve on last year's 3-3 record in Big South games from 2011.  They hope a three-game winning streak to end last season will carry over into this season.  Oh, and like Liberty, CCU will enter 2012 with a new head coach in Joe Moglia. 


4. Presbyterian (4-7):  The Blue Hose will also face at least two teams from BCS conferences in Georgia Tech from the ACC, as well as Vanderbilt from the SEC, this season.  Both contests will be played on September 8 and 15, respectively.


5. Gardner-Webb (4-7):  The Runnin' Bulldogs hope to turn things around after struggling to a 2-4 Big South Conference finish last season.


6. VMI (2-9):  A season-ending win over Gardner-Webb capped an otherwise forgettable 2011 season for the Keydets, who are still looking for their first winning season since 1981.


7. Charleston Southern (0-11):  The Buccaneers enter 2012 having lost 12 games in a row.  Their last win came on November 13, 2010, when they outlasted Presbyterian, 42-39.