Sports Network picks Wofford 6th in SoCon

[BestOfBreed]

Full article:
http://www.sportsnetwork.com/default.as ... apoint.htm

6. WOFFORD TERRIERS (6-5, 3-4 Southern)

COACH (RECORD): Mike Ayers (116-85-1 in 18 seasons at Wofford, 127-106-2 in 21 seasons overall)

STARTERS RETURNING: 10 (5 offense/5 defense)

MAJOR DEPARTURES: RB Gabriel Jackson (627 yards, 3 TD), OT Kevin Hodapp, C Brian Anderson, OT Brad Birrenkott, DT Katon Bethay (64 TT, 15 TFL, 6.5 sacks), LB Jim Thurman (75 TT), DB Dedrick Stuckey (39 TT)

OFFENSIVE STAR: QB Josh Collier (617 yards, 3 TD/530 rush yards, 6 TD)

DEFENSIVE STAR: S Brian Ford (57 TT, 6 INT)

OTHER KEY PIECES: RB Kevious Johnson (1035 yards in 2004), FB Michael Hobbs (518 yards, 6 TD), OG Derek Tiller, OG Marty Bauer, C Corey McKenna, WR/PR Brandon Berry (207 rush yards, 2 TD), DE Layton Baker (31 TT, 4 TFL), DE James Gonsoulin (24 TT, 7 TFL), LB Justin Franklin (72 TT), S Dan Tavani (59 TT, 3 TFL), CB Brian Kemp (16 TT, 2 INT)

SCHEDULE: The Terriers take on a Palmetto State flavor to the schedule with home matchups against South Carolina State and Coastal Carolina, a trip to South Carolina, and home dates with Furman and The Citadel in the first five weeks. Four of the final six are on the road, with trips to Appalachian State and Georgia Southern and visits from Western Carolina and Chattanooga.

PROGNOSIS: Most defensive players at Southern Conference media day were grinning about Georgia Southern’s change in offense, but nobody had a smile wider than Ayers. With the Eagles running a spread approach, the Terriers gain the advantage of having more uniqueness with their wingbone offense. After years where a conference opponent saw the attack a week before, the Terriers’ offense could be potent against defenses that won’t face it in other games. Getting Johnson back in the mix after missing last season is also crucial, and Collier’s grasp of the attack should only get better in his second year as the starter. However, the Terriers have to hope the offensive line can continue to reload talented players with three strong performers gone. The defense has at least one key player back in every area, but could have a tougher time against the run without Bethay in the middle and three starting linebackers gone or out of action. The schedule is tough with some in-state I-AA tests and a trip to South Carolina, but Ayers has produced a winning campaign in six of the last seven seasons. Wofford’s offense will always make it hard to defend and able to pull an upset or two. The lines on both sides aren’t as strong as when the Terriers made playoff runs, but another winning mark is always a possibility under Ayers.

[BossTerrier]

Full article:
http://www.sportsnetwork.com/default.as ... apoint.htm

6. WOFFORD TERRIERS (6-5, 3-4 Southern)

COACH (RECORD): Mike Ayers (116-85-1 in 18 seasons at Wofford, 127-106-2 in 21 seasons overall)

STARTERS RETURNING: 10 (5 offense/5 defense)

MAJOR DEPARTURES: RB Gabriel Jackson (627 yards, 3 TD), OT Kevin Hodapp, C Brian Anderson, OT Brad Birrenkott, DT Katon Bethay (64 TT, 15 TFL, 6.5 sacks), LB Jim Thurman (75 TT), DB Dedrick Stuckey (39 TT)

OFFENSIVE STAR: QB Josh Collier (617 yards, 3 TD/530 rush yards, 6 TD)

DEFENSIVE STAR: S Brian Ford (57 TT, 6 INT)

OTHER KEY PIECES: RB Kevious Johnson (1035 yards in 2004), FB Michael Hobbs (518 yards, 6 TD), OG Derek Tiller, OG Marty Bauer, C Corey McKenna, WR/PR Brandon Berry (207 rush yards, 2 TD), DE Layton Baker (31 TT, 4 TFL), DE James Gonsoulin (24 TT, 7 TFL), LB Justin Franklin (72 TT), S Dan Tavani (59 TT, 3 TFL), CB Brian Kemp (16 TT, 2 INT)

SCHEDULE: The Terriers take on a Palmetto State flavor to the schedule with home matchups against South Carolina State and Coastal Carolina, a trip to South Carolina, and home dates with Furman and The Citadel in the first five weeks. Four of the final six are on the road, with trips to Appalachian State and Georgia Southern and visits from Western Carolina and Chattanooga.

PROGNOSIS: Most defensive players at Southern Conference media day were grinning about Georgia Southern’s change in offense, but nobody had a smile wider than Ayers. With the Eagles running a spread approach, the Terriers gain the advantage of having more uniqueness with their wingbone offense. After years where a conference opponent saw the attack a week before, the Terriers’ offense could be potent against defenses that won’t face it in other games. Getting Johnson back in the mix after missing last season is also crucial, and Collier’s grasp of the attack should only get better in his second year as the starter. However, the Terriers have to hope the offensive line can continue to reload talented players with three strong performers gone. The defense has at least one key player back in every area, but could have a tougher time against the run without Bethay in the middle and three starting linebackers gone or out of action. The schedule is tough with some in-state I-AA tests and a trip to South Carolina, but Ayers has produced a winning campaign in six of the last seven seasons. Wofford’s offense will always make it hard to defend and able to pull an upset or two. The lines on both sides aren’t as strong as when the Terriers made playoff runs, but another winning mark is always a possibility under Ayers.

I'm not suprised. The sports network has never had a clue since Tony Moss left the I-AA world. I don't believe for a second that Wofford will be a 6th place team, however, we do have alot to prove. The bright side is last time we were picked this low preseason we won the conference. The only thing I'll give TSN is they identified our potential weakness, the O Line. Let's prove them wrong!

[BestOfBreed]

I miss Tony Moss.