2019 Southern Conference Football Predictions

Here’s what my ballot looked like in the media poll

Here’s my ballot in the 2019 Southern Conference football media poll.

As I researched the conference, the demise of the league’s football strength became apparent. No team really stood out, and every team seemed to have some sort of weakness.

This is not the year the Southern Conference rises from the ashes and brags about being the best FCS football conference. Frankly such restoration to glory is unlikely to happen with the current membership, but the conference has enough fan support and talent to make things interesting.

So, in reverse order of projected finish:

9. Samford. Last season the Bulldogs disappointed after being picked to win the conference, finishing 6–5 after a 1–4 start despite the presence of Devlin Hodges, the all-time leading passer in FCS football.

But Hodges is gone and it seems the player everyone is raving about is Chris Shelling. When your best player is a 5–8 wide receiver, I’m inclined to believe there isn’t a whole lot else.

Has Samford really fallen that far or, as this picture of Shelling implies, has Florida State?

8. The Citadel. There’s nothing truly outstanding about the Bulldogs. They have a nice offensive line, but so does just about everyone else in the league. Their best player is arguably sophomore punter Matthew…