SOCON Weekend

Number 10 Appalachian State has not been its impressive self so far this year. This means there is little room for error if they want to win their 5th straight Socon title and get the automatic bid into the playoffs. The defense has proven to be inconsistent as they have had issues lining up, tackling and giving up big plays. On the other side the offense has been impressive with Armanti Edwards back in the lineup after an offseason lawn mower accident. But the team has lacked some of its quick strike ability from the past along with some problems in the red zone. This could be attributed to Scott Satterfield, the former play caller, leaving in the offseason to become co-offensive coordinator in charge of the passing game and qb coach at Toledo. Brad Glenn has taken over the offensive play calling duties. Regardless, look for both sides of the ball to bounce back this week in a homecoming game against 0-5 North Carolina Central at 3:30 pm eastern time. Brian Quick could have a big day as the Eagles have shown mainly man defense all year. This will be the Mountaineer's last non-conference game of the regular season. ASU is now 2-0 in SOCON action.

The other team that has emerged as a front runner for the Socon championship has been number 11 Elon (2-0 in conference). They had a big win against Furman last weeked as they scored twice in the final 2 seconds for a 19-12 victory. Terrell Hudgins set the NCAA Division I mark for career receptions. Furman led 12-10 until Adam Shreiner’s 37-yard field goal gave Elon a 13-12 lead with 2 seconds left. Shreiner’s kickoff was fumbled in the end zone and Elon’s Travis Greene recovered it for a touchdown for the final score. Elon's qb, Scott Riddle was 35 of 48 for 374 yards in the game. Elon will have Citadel (0-1) at home this week, 1:30 pm. The Bulldogs took Appalachian to overtime last weekend in Charleston, SC. We can only hope they can give Elon as much of a test as they gave App last weekend.

I wouldn't count Furman (2-1 in conference) out of the race, yet. The team's only conference loss so far came against Elon last week in a close game and we may end up seeing 3 teams with one conference loss this year. Furman is off this week before playing a strong defensive team in Samford (1-1) next week.

Georgia Southern is 2-1 in conference with their only loss coming to Elon. That loss was sandwiched by wins over Western Carolina and Wofford. They line-up out of conference on Saturday versus a UNC team whose offense has been a mess all season long. It would be great to see the Eagles knock off the Heels. That game will kick-off in Keenan stadium at 3:30 pm.

The final Socon game of the weekend is 1-1 UTC (beat Wofford, but lost to Furman) vs. 1-1 Samford (beat WCU, but lost to App). This one will start at 4 pm in Alabama.

It will be interesting to see how the picture at the top of the conference shakes out going into next weekend where App will have to shake off its inconsistency on both offense and defense if they want to handle 0-2 Wofford coming off a bye week.