With just 2 weeks left in the 2013 regular season, Charleston Southern, yes Charleston Southern, has forged ahead of the pack with their huge win over Coastal Carolina. CSU, Coastal, and Liberty all still have a chance to win the Big South’s auto-bid.
Note: last week’s ranking in parenthesis.
1. (2) Charleston Southern 10-1, 3-0
Under first year head coach Jamey Chadwell, Charleston Southern has already had the best season in their school history. The Buccaneers jumped out to a 31-6 lead over #3 Coastal Carolina, and CSU was able to hang on for the 31-26 upset of the Chanticleers. If CSU wins out, they will claim their first ever outright Big South football championship, and will advance to the FCS playoffs for the first time in program history.
Next: @ Gardner-Webb
2. (1) Coastal Carolina 9-1, 3-1
The Chanticleers saw their top 5 ranking and unblemished mark fall to rival Charleston Southern. Coastal is all but guaranteed an at-large bid to the playoffs, if needed, as they still have a good chance at winning the auto-bid. That all likely ends with a loss to the 3-6 Presbyterian Blue Hose Saturday.
Next: vs Presbyterian
3. (3) Liberty 6-4, 3-1
Liberty continues their hot play as they have now won 3 consecutive following their home loss to Coastal Carolina. The Flames used a solid rushing attack to hold off Prebyterian 35-14. Liberty steps out of conference this weekend for fairly meaningless game on senior day against Division II Brevard.
Next: vs Brevard
4. (5) Presbyterian 3-6, 1-2
Presbyterian made a game of it deep in to the 3rd quarter, but was unable to make the key plays when they needed to. The Blue Hose look to help Liberty out this week and play spoiler against Coastal Carolina.
Next: @ Coastal Carolina
5. (6) VMI 2-8, 1-4
Kudos to VMI for not cashing in on the season several weeks ago. It would been the easy thing to do, but it’s no surprise they didn’t. The Keydets pick up their fist Division I win and Big South win this season, beating Gardner-Webb 27-9 in their final Big South Conference game. The Keydets finish with two out of conference games before making their move to the Southern Conference next season.
Next: @ the Citadel
6. (4) Gardner-Webb 5-5, 0-3
Wow, what a collapse by the Runnin’ Bulldogs. Gardner-Webb started their season 4-1 with 2 wins over ranked opponents. Now, they look like one of the worst teams in the conference. GWU has lost 4 out of their last 5 with their only win coming against a sub-Division I Warner.
Next: vs Charleston Southern
