Football is less than 3 weeks away and I cannot wait. Time to go on record with your best guess (purple glasses or otherwise) on the upcoming season. I'm choosing unbridled optimism. 9-2
This is how it COULD happen...
NGU (W) - Paladins come out swinging with the new offense and never look back. Defense is rarely challenged and the Crusaders only cross midfield 3 times. CCH pulls his punches out of respect and Paladins win the battle between Christian Knights 38-0
Clemson (L) - Clemson, spoiling a beautiful purple uniform with splotches of orange, makes fewer mistakes than we need them to in order for the Purple and White to keep it really close, but a couple of sacks and a fumble keep FU in the game for a half. Offense rolls out a couple of cool plays for big yardage, but ultimately we can't go the distance. 34-12
ETSU (W) - Roper shows us what he's been holding back and a new QB has a breakout game, connecting with KD twice for TDs. Defense knows what to expect from Quarles and stuffs ETSU's run game and adds 2 interceptions. Roberto hits 100 yds and the Paladins vault into the top 25 after upsetting the top-10 Bucs. 27-20
CSU (W) - Offense struggles in the muggy Charleston air for a half, then finds a rhythm. Defense has its best showing of the season and shuts out the struggling CSU offense. 24-0
Samford (W) -Samford has an axe to grind against FU after years of losing close ones to the Dins. They come out slinging and catch the D napping a few too many times. FU mounts a comeback lead by a deceptive and powerful run game with some impressive pass plays. Ryan Miller again saves the day with 2 TDs and Furman escapes in another close one, 30-27
The Citadel (W) - The Bulldogs throw everything they've got at us, which keeps it close for a half. Defense struggles initially against the option attack but eventually locks down. The 2-headed monster of KD and R. Miller wears down their secondary and FU pulls away in the 2nd half. 27-13
Western Carolina (W) - Glad we have this one at home. WCU impresses with their offensive talents and exploits some weakness in our D with their balanced attack. FU Defense fares better than last season, and keeps the Catamounts under 40. A long, methodical, late drive provides the winning FG from Ryan Leavy and the Paladins win a close one. 41-38
VMI (W) - Still ranked closer to 20 than top-10, FU puts together its most complete game in Lexington. Defense gets 4 sacks and 3 interceptions, and Roberto runs for 150 yards and earns SoCon player of the week. We also get our first KO return for a TD in a long time. 33-10
Chattanooga (L) - Furman, ranked #15, is in the national FCS playoff conversation. Chattanooga rolls into Greenville loaded with FBS transfer talent and dissatisfied with their 5-2 record and waning playoff prospects. A defensive battle ensues, and for some reason our O has temporarily lost its mojo. The Mocs humble a huge homecoming crowd. 13-16
Mercer (W) - Scariest game on the schedule. Drew Cronic knew Quarles' playbook like the back of his hand and his defense has been studying Roper's moves closely. However, the Paladin O throws a few surprises at the Bears and the Furman D returns to form with 3 sacks and a key interception to swing the momentum. An unsung hero in the WR core has a breakout game and Roberto wreaks havoc behind an angry and determined OL and Furman wins a close one in Macon. 21-17
Wofford (W) - The Terriers have improved from last season, but that's not saying much. They attempt to play spoiler to our near-certain playoff hopes, but the Paladin Offense is humming and can smell a SoCon Championship. 45-24
Furman cracks the Top-10 in all polls.
This is how it COULD happen...
NGU (W) - Paladins come out swinging with the new offense and never look back. Defense is rarely challenged and the Crusaders only cross midfield 3 times. CCH pulls his punches out of respect and Paladins win the battle between Christian Knights 38-0
Clemson (L) - Clemson, spoiling a beautiful purple uniform with splotches of orange, makes fewer mistakes than we need them to in order for the Purple and White to keep it really close, but a couple of sacks and a fumble keep FU in the game for a half. Offense rolls out a couple of cool plays for big yardage, but ultimately we can't go the distance. 34-12
ETSU (W) - Roper shows us what he's been holding back and a new QB has a breakout game, connecting with KD twice for TDs. Defense knows what to expect from Quarles and stuffs ETSU's run game and adds 2 interceptions. Roberto hits 100 yds and the Paladins vault into the top 25 after upsetting the top-10 Bucs. 27-20
CSU (W) - Offense struggles in the muggy Charleston air for a half, then finds a rhythm. Defense has its best showing of the season and shuts out the struggling CSU offense. 24-0
Samford (W) -Samford has an axe to grind against FU after years of losing close ones to the Dins. They come out slinging and catch the D napping a few too many times. FU mounts a comeback lead by a deceptive and powerful run game with some impressive pass plays. Ryan Miller again saves the day with 2 TDs and Furman escapes in another close one, 30-27
The Citadel (W) - The Bulldogs throw everything they've got at us, which keeps it close for a half. Defense struggles initially against the option attack but eventually locks down. The 2-headed monster of KD and R. Miller wears down their secondary and FU pulls away in the 2nd half. 27-13
Western Carolina (W) - Glad we have this one at home. WCU impresses with their offensive talents and exploits some weakness in our D with their balanced attack. FU Defense fares better than last season, and keeps the Catamounts under 40. A long, methodical, late drive provides the winning FG from Ryan Leavy and the Paladins win a close one. 41-38
VMI (W) - Still ranked closer to 20 than top-10, FU puts together its most complete game in Lexington. Defense gets 4 sacks and 3 interceptions, and Roberto runs for 150 yards and earns SoCon player of the week. We also get our first KO return for a TD in a long time. 33-10
Chattanooga (L) - Furman, ranked #15, is in the national FCS playoff conversation. Chattanooga rolls into Greenville loaded with FBS transfer talent and dissatisfied with their 5-2 record and waning playoff prospects. A defensive battle ensues, and for some reason our O has temporarily lost its mojo. The Mocs humble a huge homecoming crowd. 13-16
Mercer (W) - Scariest game on the schedule. Drew Cronic knew Quarles' playbook like the back of his hand and his defense has been studying Roper's moves closely. However, the Paladin O throws a few surprises at the Bears and the Furman D returns to form with 3 sacks and a key interception to swing the momentum. An unsung hero in the WR core has a breakout game and Roberto wreaks havoc behind an angry and determined OL and Furman wins a close one in Macon. 21-17
Wofford (W) - The Terriers have improved from last season, but that's not saying much. They attempt to play spoiler to our near-certain playoff hopes, but the Paladin Offense is humming and can smell a SoCon Championship. 45-24
Furman cracks the Top-10 in all polls.
