The Citadel - Oct. 16

[The Jackal]

What's better than beating Wofford?

Beating the Citadel the next week.

[The Jackal]

Bulldogs are a little tough to figure out.

They were blown out by Coastal Carolina in week 1.

They lost to Charleston Southern team by 17. The Bucs' only win is over the Citadel.

They beat VMI in Charleston and then were blown out in Johnson City yesterday.

[Furmanoid]

I think they are bad. I guess beating VMI meant something but the only reason to think VMI is good is the win over UTC. But then again the only reason to think UTC is good is their good loss to UK. I’m gonna go ahead and put all 3 of those guys in our win column along with good ol WCU. That’s a pretty good recovery from last 2021.

[The Jackal]

Interesting matchup Saturday.

From what I've seen this year, the Citadel is still running the option. Unlike past seasons, they are relying more heavily on a "full house" backfield. Even as option teams go, this scheme is pretty old school and rarely seen at the D1 level.

Unlike a lot of option teams, they really aren't putting anyone in motion. The three running backs are lining up next to one another in the backfield. In most instances, all 11 offensive players are brought in tight. Unlike Samford, who wants to spread you out, the Citadel wants the defense to play in a phone booth.

Offensively, you've got to stop the QB, Jaylan Adams. He's not a big guy at 5'10 165, but he's an excellent runner and the Citadel isn't afraid to ride him on offense. He rushed 28 times against VMI and is effectively more of a 4th running back than QB. He's not a particularly impressive passer, having completed fewer than 50% of his throws for about 93 yards a game.

Furman will still need to worry about Raleigh Webb, the big WR, who feels like he's been at the Citadel forever. He's their major red zone threat and is a guy they try to get involved in the passing game. His size makes him a tough matchup for DBs and he has enough speed to house the ball from anywhere on the field.

Defensively, they still have Willie Eubanks, their excellent linebacker. Outside of Eubanks, though, there's not a ton to write home about. El Cid is giving up 35 points and 455 yards per game. They are giving up 264 yards passing a game, which may bode well for Furman, one of the SoCon's better passing offenses. Of course, they weren't good defensively in the spring either and we struggled on offense.

[apaladin]

It says Bouncing off tacklers for his first TD. Did anyone touch him?

[The Jackal]

I have this thing during games where I like to see London Lewis standing next to more normal sized humans. The kid is massive.

[The Jackal]

Here's Lewis' sack.

Strange play for Wofford.

I know their coaching staff wants to get away from the option offense, but in exchange for this? Lewis obliterates the center. The RT holds Hope. The RG is illegally downfield. The two OGs are playing patty-cake with Furman defenders (while illegally downfield). The "blocking TE" pulls around and does exactly nothing. The one man the QB has to throw to is well covered.

About the only dude doing anything worth a darn on that play is the LT, who gets a nice block on Coleman.

[purplehorse]

Citadel has beaten us 5 of the last 7. This is a dangerous game for us and a must win if we want to have a successful season.

[The Jackal]

Citadel has beaten us 5 of the last 7. This is a dangerous game for us and a must win if we want to have a successful season.

There really isn't a scenario where Furman loses this game and hits their goals. We blew a lot of our elbow room with the weak showing against Mercer.

Furman, as they were against Wofford, is the better team. If we come out and play to our capabilities, we should win. The Citadel has given us fits for whatever reason, so we need to exorcise some demons.

[youwouldno]

The recent losses have a pretty simple explanation - the Paladins didn't have good offenses. They have been a little extra bad against Citadel, but that doesn't necessarily mean anything of relevance now.

I like the matchup for the Paladins defense . . . there's a chance for a 17-13 type of game, with the run chewing up clock being a factor as well. Preferably, the Wilson-led offense picks up where it left off and builds an early lead.

[Roundball]

Furman - 41
The Citadel - 10

[The Jackal]

Incidentally, if the offense can get it rolling, remember that only three starters against Wofford are seniors (Deluca, Daniels, Wynn).

[Furmanoid]

Yep. We could end up winning this thing this year, but it is a tough ask. We need to win out (which we can) and we need help with Mercer. It’s more likely we lose one or two more. But now we may be on track to be REALLY good for the next few years. We need Wilson to get better, but not too much better.

[The Jackal]

Yep. We could end up winning this thing this year, but it is a tough ask. We need to win out (which we can) and we need help with Mercer. It’s more likely we lose one or two more. But now we may be on track to be REALLY good for the next few years. We need Wilson to get better, but not too much better.

We won't need help from Mercer to reach the playoffs. Keep winning and we'll be in.

I may stand corrected, but I don't think Mercer goes undefeated.

I expect Furman will likely be favored in every game from here on out with the exception of ETSU. ETSU is essentially the same team we beat in Johnson City last spring. We get them in Greenville.

[youwouldno]

Favored by Jackal perhaps, but the computer ratings (the main ingredient in FCS over/unders) currently have the Paladins as slight underdogs in 3 remaining games - ETSU (2 points), @ UTC (5 points), and @ Samford (3 points).

A strong showing against Citadel would change that, possibly making the Paladins favorites in all remaining games. It also depends on what happens in the other SoCon games, of course.

Overall there's not a lot of separation in the SoCon this year. There are a huge number of scenarios that could realistically play out. No SoCon team is heavily favored throughout its remaining schedule.