A look around the Big South Conference as we begin conference play this week.
1. Stony Brook 4-1
Stony Brook is clearly the class of the league this year. Fresh off the school’s first ever FBS win over Army this past week, SBU turns its attention to conference play and the Big South Auto-bid. The conference schedule is tough for the Seawolves with the top 3 challengers (Coastal, Liberty, Presbyterian) all being faced on the road. SBU is clearly a top 10 team, and could make a serious run in the FCS playoffs. At 9-2, SBU would still have a great shot at an at-large if they somehow fail to get the auto-bid.
This week: vs Charleston Southern 6:00
2. Coastal Carolina 2-3
New head coach Joe Moglia has gotten off to a solid start at Coastal. The Chanticleers just got pummeled by Appalachian State at the Rock 55-14, but now shift their focus to the Big South and Stony Brook. Coastal is off this week as they prepare for their big showdown at the beach on October 13 vs Stony Brook. Coastal must win if they want the Big South’s auto-bid.
3. Liberty 0-4
Liberty is 0-4, but they still have superior athletes than most of the Big South brethren. Turner Gill should have his troops fired up coming off the bye week as they hope to get into the win column for the first time this season. If Liberty loses to Gardner-Webb this Saturday at homecoming, they may as well pack it in for the rest of the season.
This week: vs Gardner-Webb 3:30
4. Presbyterian 2-3
Yes Presby has 2 wins, but they came against Brevard College and non-scholarship Davidson. It is still a bit of a question mark as to how good Presby is this season since they only had one real FCS challenge against Furman (where they lost 31-21). It won’t take long to figure out where they rank as the Blue Hose host Liberty on 10/13. First, they must travel to Lexington and face VMI.
This week: @ VMI 1:30
5. Gardner Webb 0-4
Can head coach Ron Dickerson already be on the hot seat in just his 2nd season? The Bulldogs have been no challenge for any of the teams they have faced thus far, and they get a stiff challenge in Lynchburg this weekend facing a Liberty team hungry for a win. Their 2nd Big South game is on Long Island against Stony Brook on 10/20. Long days on campus in Boiling Springs.
This week: @ Liberty 3:30
6. VMI 1-3
VMI’s lone win came against Chowan where they barely sneaked out a 24-17 victory. In their last 2 games, the Keydets have a combined 9 points. That won’t get it done against anyone. VMI does have a chance early in the conference slate to prove their metal as their first 2 games are home against Presbyterian and then at Charleston Southern.
This week: vs Presbyterian 1:30
7. Charleston Southern 1-3
At least Charleston Southern has a victory, their first since November of 2010. However, the win came against Shorter College 23-20. Their competition will increase significantly this week as they head to New York to face conference favorite Stony Brook. CSU does get VMI, Presby, and Gardner-Webb at home, so they have a chance to pull out a conference win or two this season.
This week: @ Stony Brook 6:00
