Here are our Big South Football Power Rankings as the season draws near its conclusion.
Note: Last week’s ranking in parenthesis.
1. (1) Coastal Carolina 10-0, 3-0
Last week: CCU 59, Charlotte 34
The Chanticleers improve to 10-0 with an impressive win over Charlotte 59-34. Coastal jumped out to a 35-0 lead in the first half and never looked back. The Chants set a school record with 690 offensive yards. Alex Ross threw for 370 yards on 27-of-37 passing. CCU gets 1 more tune-up at home against Monmouth before the regular season finale with Liberty.
Next: vs Monmouth, 3pm
2. (2) Liberty 7-3, 3-0
Last week: LU 34, Monmouth 24
Behind D.J. Abnar’s career-high 39 carries, 164 yards and 2 touchdowns, the Flames beat Monmouth 34-24 to improve to 3-0 in conference play. It didn’t cover the 20 point spread and it wasn’t pretty, but it was a win. As Coach Gill said afterward, “to be a championship football team, you have to win tough ball games.” That’s exactly what his team did Saturday night. One more test against Charleston Southern before the Big South championship game in Conway, South Carolina next week.
Next: vs Charleston Southern, 3:30
3. (3) Charleston Southern 7-3, 2-2
Last week: CSU 44, GWU 14
After blanking Monmouth in New Jersey a week ago, Charleston Southern jumped out to a 34-0 halftime lead over Gardner-Webb. The Buccaneers would go on to win 44-14, and are peaking as they head to Lynchburg to face the Flames. The Bucs racked up nearly 500 yards of total offense behind Christian Reyes’ 163 rushing yards on just 17 carries. Quarterback Austin Brown threw for 239 yards in the win.
Next: @ Liberty, 3:30
4. (4) Presbyterian 5-5, 2-2
Last week: Ole Miss 48, PC 0
Yeah, well at least their name was ESPN’s game tracker all week? I’ve got nothing else.
Next: @ Gardner-Webb, Noon
5. (5) Monmouth 5-4, 0-3
Last week: LU 34, Monmouth 24
Monmouth answered every Liberty score until the 4th quarter. Not a bad showing from a team coming off consecutive losses and dealing with numerous, significant injuries. Coach Callahan and the Hawk’s gameplan put the Flames on their heels and forced Coach Gill and staff to make adjustments. In the end, Liberty’s defensive line was able to take over the game in the 4th quarter. The road doesn’t get any easier for Monmouth as they now head to South Carolina to face undefeated Coastal Carolina.
Next: @ Coastal Carolina, 3pm
6. (6) Gardner-Webb 4-6, 0-3
Last week: CSU 44, GWU 14
The Runnin’ Bulldogs have lost 3 straight games by a combined score of 116-28. The 3 losses have come at the hands of Liberty, Coastal Carolina, and Charleston Southern, arguably the top 3 teams in the conference. GWU finishes with Presby and Monmouth, both winnable games, but will they just pack it in? CSU held Gardner-Webb to just 62 rushing yards.
Next: vs Presbyterian, Noon
