July 26, 2010

Furman Consensus No. 3 In SoCon Preseason Polls

GREENVILLE, S.C. -- The Southern Conference football coaches and sports media association have selected Furman to finish third in this year's league race in separate preseason polls released today.

Appalachian State, the defending league champion, was picked No.1 in both polls, followed by Elon, and then Furman —the exact order of finish in 2009.

From that point, the polls differed, with the coaches picking Samford fourth, Chattanooga fifth, and Wofford sixth. Georgia Southern, Western Carolina, and The Citadel rounded out the coaches tab.

In the media poll, Chattanooga was the fourth place pick followed by Wofford fifth, and Samford sixth. Georgia Souhern, The Citadel, and Western Carolina were selected seventh, eighth, and ninth, respectively in the media poll.

Furman is coming off a 6-5 campaign in 2009 that included a 5-3, third place finish in the SoCon.

The Paladins return 12 starters off last year's team, including six on offense and defense.

Furman opens the 2010 season on Sept. 11 versus Colgate.

2010 SoCon Football Preseason Coaches Poll

1) Appalachian State (7) 63

2) Elon (2) 58

3) Furman 41

4) Samford 39

5) Chattanooga 37

6) Wofford 36

7) Georgia Southern 25

8) The Citadel 14

9) Western Carolina 11

Note: Coaches are not allowed to vote for their own teams

2010 SoCon Football Preseason Sports Media Association Poll

1) Appalachian State (22) 259

2) Elon (6) 231

3) Furman (1) 197

4) Chattanooga 157

5) Wofford 152

6) Samford (1) 141

7) Georgia Southern 116

8) Western Carolina 52

9) The Citadel 45

(#) First Place Votes