Carolina Football Conference Preview

Welcome to the Carolina Football Conference preview.  Can you believe we are one day away from season 4? Here is the much-anticipated CFC preview.  We will start with the North:

North Carolina Central looks to defend their conference title this year. After winning most valuable team and offensive team of the Year, they are trying to become the first back to back champion in CFC history. Lead by Head Coach Juni, some would argue the not corrupt coach would be the favorite. However, after drama in the schools first playoff appearance, some experts have concerns about NCCU. Their cross-conference schedule is a tough one, playing Wofford, Charleston Southern and South Carolina State. Gardner-Webb was a win and some help away from making the Conference Championship Game. Before the season started, there new coach had stepped down. The new new coach has experience in from NIU. Playing South Carolina State, The Citadel and Charleston Southern puts Gardner-Webb in a great position to make the CCG if the team can rebound from this coaching change. Davidson is a returner from last year in which they put a solid season together. Looking to build on a solid 8-4 performance, Davidson is looking to make the CCG and Playoffs this year. Their 4 losses came against strong teams. If Davidson can navigate their early conference schedule (@Gardner-Webb, vs. The Citadel), they could potentially enter the NCCU game with a chance for the CCG. North Carolina A&T is returning this year and looking to make a splash. It will not be easy though. Opening against NCCU will be a huge test this year. They also have Presbyterian, Gardner-Webb, and Wofford in consecutive weeks. If NC A&T does not win a game in this four-game stretch, it would be difficult for them to make the CCG. Their coach is in it to win it though. Elon is looking to improve on their season 3 woes. Going 2-10, they are primed for a bounce back season. They have an easier cross conference schedule, which should help with the win total. Finally, Western Carolina is under new leadership this year. Improving from a 1-7 record should be their primary goal.

The North division as of today is a three-horse race between NCCU, GWU and Davidson.  It is hard to against North Carolina Central to win the North in back to back years. Gardner-Webb plays NCCU at the end of the year where NCCU is victorious to represent the north. 

North Division Winner: Gardner-Webb

In the Race: North Carolina Central, Davidson

Dark Horse: North Carolina A&T

Most Improved: Western Carolina

Now on to the south division, where it is literally anyone’s division:

We start with Charleston Southern who won the south division last year over South Carolina State. It was a close race, with CSU squeaking over SC State in the last week of the season. Their cross-conference schedule includes Elon, NCCU and Gardner-Webb. Charleston Southern looks to make it back to back years in the CCG. In their way is a division that could potentially make noise nationally. Starting with Furman, returns a coach who joined last season. They have made huge strides in strengthening the way they operate. With cross-conference games against Western Carolina, Elon and Davidson, Furman could be in the thick of things this year. Next we go to Presbyterian; this is an unknown coach who they signed late in the process. It will be interesting to see how they play matching up with a new SC State coach and a then playing North Carolina A&T. Those two games should show us what this team is made of. South Carolina State is also a new coach. A team who narrowly missed the CCG last year looks to make a run at things this season. They have a gauntlet of a schedule though. Their first three games of the conference schedule are against Presbyterian, Gardner-Webb, and Charleston Southern. They also end the season with NC Central, The Citadel and Wofford. For them to be in the race, they will have to win 4 of these games at minimum. Off to the military academy we go, where the new coach of The Citadel is ready to go. It’s a known fact that he wants Bama. He really should want Northern Iowa. Their schedule is balanced where an early loss could be made up through the season. Look for them to compete for a spot in the CCG. And finally we go to Woof-Ford…..I mean Wofford. If there is one interesting team it’s the Terriers. Lead by a first-time head coach, they look to make a splash in the South. They face an early test against NC Central, which could set which way their season goes. A win there could potentially set a show down against CSU in Week 12.

There are a ton of competitors in the south division.  Charleston Southern won last year, but the path is not any easier this season.  I see race between Wofford, CSU, and Presbyterian.  However, The Citadel and Furman could play a factor here.  We have to make tough decisions, so we give the South to Wofford.

South Division Winner: Wofford

In the Race: Charleston Southern, Presbyterian

Dark Horse: The Citadel

Most Improved: South Carolina State