Here are our Big South Football Power Rankings which we will update each week during the season.
Note: Last week’s ranking in parenthesis.
1. (1) Coastal Carolina 6-0
Last week: CCU 37, Furman 31 2OT
The Chanticleers needed two overtimes to defeat Furman Saturday night. Quarterback Alex Ross threw three touchdown passes including the winner to running back De’Angelo Henderson. Needing overtime to defeat a 2-4 Furman team who has already lost to Presbyterian, South Carolina State, and Western Carolina bears noting. Still, the Chanticleers found a way to win, on the road. CCU is 18-2 in their last 20 games against FCS opponents.
Next: @ Presbyterian, 2pm
2. (2) Charleston Southern 5-0
Last week: OPEN
How good is Charleston Southern? Yes, they’re 5-0, but only 2 of those wins came against teams who hand out scholarships. Those 2 wins came by a combined 8 points with last week’s win over Charlotte being decided in overtime. The Buccaneers face a 1-5 Vanderbilt team this week. Sure, Vandy will likely beat CSU by several scores, but if the Bucs ever had a chance to compete with an SEC team it would be this game. Vandy’s only win came against winless UMass, 34-31.
Next: @ Vanderbilt, 7:30
3. (4) Monmouth 4-1
Last week: Monmouth 51, Robert Morris 20
Monmouth rolls Robert Morris 51-20 to improve to an impressive 4-1 mark on the year. The Hawks led 37-0 late in the 3rd quarter before RMU got on the board. MU was led by Brandon Hill’s 331 yards and 2 touchdowns. Lavon Chaney filled in for the injured KB Asante and rushed for 113 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Next: vs Columbia, 1pm
4. (3) Liberty 3-3
Last week: Richmond 46, Liberty 39 2OT
The Flames’ John Lunsford nailed a 60 yard field goal as time expired to send the game into overtime, but it would not be enough. Ultimately, Liberty could not stop Richmond in either overtime, as the Spiders scored touchdowns on both of their overtime possessions. Former Liberty head coach Danny Rocco has now swept the 2 game series against his former team with no additional games scheduled at the present.
Next: @ Appalachian State, 3:30
5. (6) Presbyterian 3-2
Last week: PC 19, Western Carolina 14
The Blue Hose got a 32 yard interception return by Deonte’ Davis with less than 2 minutes to play to give PC the upset over Western Carolina. Regular PC starting quarterback Heys McMath missed the game due to a minor hand injury. Kaleb Griffin performed favorably in his replacement throwing for 133 yards. Presbyterian was outgained in total yards 359-222 and was held to just 89 yards rushing. We’ll see what Presby is made of next week as they play Coastal.
Next: vs Coastal Carolina, 2pm
6. (5) Gardner-Webb 3-3
Last week: Gardner-Webb 27, Charlotte 24
Impressive win for the Runnin’ Bulldogs over a struggling Charlotte squad. GWU jumped out to a 14-3 lead in the 1st quarter and led 27-17 in the 4th quarter. Lucas Beatty attempted 47 passes and threw for 362 yards to lead Gardner-Webb to the victory. Both teams put up over 400 yards of total offense.
Next: OPEN
