GREENVILLE, SC -- Members of the Southern Conference media have selected Appalachian State as the league’s preseason favorite in football, while the conference’s eight coaches have picked both the Mountaineers and Furman to win the SoCon championship. The two groups made their announcement today at the league’s Football Rouser, presented by Carolina Ford Dealers.
The Mountaineers, who return 16 starters from last season’s 12-3 team, received 22 out of 24 first-place votes and 189 total points from the league’s scribes. ASU is led offensively by Preseason Offensive Player of the Year Kevin Richardson. The rising junior rushed for 1,433 yards and 19 touchdowns last season, while on the defensive side of the ball Marques Murrell tied for the league lead in sacks with 13 while forcing a league-best seven fumbles.
The Paladins were picked second, receiving one first-place vote and 162 points and return 14 starters, including eight on the defensive side of the ball. Jerome Felton scored 18 touchdowns on the ground and added two in the air, while wide receiver Justin Stepp led the conference with eight touchdown receptions.
Three points separate third and fourth place in the media polls, as Georgia Southern edged out Western Carolina with 125 points and one first-place tally. Chattanooga, with 98 points, is picked to finish fifth while Wofford (85 points), The Citadel (54) and Elon (29) round out the field.
In the coaches poll, Appalachian State and Furman each received four first-place votes and 46 points. GSU, which returns eight offensive starters and welcomes a new coach in Brian VanGorder, is tabbed for third with 35 points, while Chattanooga’s 26 points edges out Wofford (23) and Western Carolina (22) for fourth. With 19 points, The Citadel is picked seventh, while Elon (7) and first-year head coach Pete Lembo is eighth.
The 85th year of Southern Conference football kicks off on Thursday, Aug. 31 with Western Carolina hosting Chowan and Chattanooga traveling to Tennessee Tech.
2006 Southern Conference
Football Media Preseason Poll
School (1st place votes)... Points
1. Appalachian State (22)...... 189
2. Furman (1)....................... 162
3. Georgia Southern (1)......... 125
4. Western Carolina ............. 122
5. Chattanooga ...................... 98
6. Wofford.............................. 85
7. The Citadel......................... 54
8. Elon ................................. 29
2006 Southern Conference
Football Coaches Preseason Poll
School (1st place votes)... Points
1. Appalachian State (4).......... 46
Furman (4)......................... 46
3. Georgia Southern................ 35
4. Chattanooga....................... 26
5. Wofford.............................. 23
6. Western Carolina................ 22
7. The Citadel......................... 19
8. Elon ................................... 7