RFC Summer Semester: Southern Conference Preview (FCS)

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2012 Final Standings

Looking back: Three teams (Appalachian State, Georgia Southern, and Wofford) finished in a three-way tie for the Southern Conference championship in 2012, all finishing league play at 6-2.  If that wasn't enough, another trio of teams (Chattanooga, Samford, and The Citadel) finished one game behind that first trio at 5-3.

The three teams that did share the SoCon crown all advanced to the FCS playoffs last season.  Georgia Southern advanced the farthest of any team in that threesome, losing to eventual national champion North Dakota State for the second straight season.

Looking ahead: Lots of changes are ahead for the SoCon in the coming years.  With their recent decision to move up to the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS), Appalachian State and Georgia Southern were declared ineligible for the FCS playoffs this season.

But wait, there's more! East Tennessee State and VMI are re-joining the Southern Conference in 2014, while Mercer University from Macon, Georgia will also join the SoCon that same season.  However, Elon University out of North Carolina will move on to the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) by 2014.

Predicted order of finish (2012 overall record in parentheses)

Eligible teams only

1. Wofford (9-4):  With Georgia Southern and Appalachian State both being declared ineligible for postseason play, the door to win the Southern Conference crown outright could swing wide open for the Terriers in 2013.

2. The Citadel (7-4):  Coming off their best season since 2007, the Bulldogs hope to take that next step, and contend for a championship in a watered down SoCon.

3. Samford (7-4):  With just 13 starters combined (eight on offense, five on defense), the Bulldogs might find it hard to match last year's mark.

4. Chattanooga (6-5):  The Mocs 2013 schedule includes a season-ending visit to two-time defending FBS (BCS) national champion Alabama.

5. Furman (3-8): Paladins face a long, tough road back to respectability.

6. Elon (3-8): Phoenix will get one last go-round in the SoCon for 2013, before bolting for the CAA in 2014.

7. Western Carolina (1-10):  Catamounts face a whopping 10 teams had winning seasons in 2012. Ouch!

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