Southern Conference (FCS)
Overview: Just seven years after restarting their football program (2015), the East Tennessee State University Buccaneers ascended to the top of the Southern Conference summit in 2021, as they outlasted the Mercer University Bears (7-3 overall, 5-2 in the SoCon in 2021) 38-35 on November 20 to clinch their second conference championship under then-head coach Randy Sanders. After rallying in the closing seconds to beat Kennesaw State in the first round of the FCS playoffs, the Bucs' season came to a close in the second round, as they fell to eventual national champion North Dakota State to finish 11-2 overall and 7-1 in Southern Conference play.
If the Buccaneers are to repeat last year's success, they must do so under new head coach George Quarles. Quarles replaced Sanders, who retired after the traditional fall season ended to focus on his family. Even with the coaching change, expectations remain high for the ETSU program, as the Bucs begin the season ranked fifth in the Hero Sports preseason Top 25 poll.
Speaking of high expectations, Mercer, as well as East Tennessee State, will both begin 2022 ranked in the Athlon Sports Top 25. The Bears will begin the season ranked 17th, with the Bucs just behind them at No. 18. Either way, don't be surprised if the showdown for the SoCon championship comes down to both aforementioned teams. Mercer plays host to ETSU on October 15.
2022 Schedules (Teams are listed in alphabetical order, click the links below to access to find the schedules)
NOTE: If the link to the team's schedule is not highlighted, it means that the team has not submitted its schedule for the 2022 season. The link (s) will appear in each blog post when the team's schedule is submitted. Also, please visit the RFC blog at realfootballcentral.blogspot.com for schedules, schedule updates, preseason previews, and much more.
Final (Fall) 2021 Southern Conference Football Standings
Chattanooga
East Tennessee State
Furman
Mercer
Samford
The Citadel
VMI
Western Carolina
Wofford
Follow RFC on Twitter @realfootball.
2022 Schedules (Teams are listed in alphabetical order, click the links below to access to find the schedules)
NOTE: If the link to the team's schedule is not highlighted, it means that the team has not submitted its schedule for the 2022 season. The link (s) will appear in each blog post when the team's schedule is submitted. Also, please visit the RFC blog at realfootballcentral.blogspot.com for schedules, schedule updates, preseason previews, and much more.
Final (Fall) 2021 Southern Conference Football Standings
Chattanooga
East Tennessee State
Furman
Mercer
Samford
The Citadel
VMI
Western Carolina
Wofford
Follow RFC on Twitter @realfootball.
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