SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Southern Conference placed four teams in the Sports Network preseason Top 25 announced Tuesday (August 13). Appalachian State, Georgia Southern and Wofford, who each earned FCS postseason berths in 2012, appeared in the top 25 along with Chattanooga.
The Terriers were slotted No. 8, one spot ahead of Georgia Southern. The Eagles earned one of the 134 first-place votes. Appalachian State was tabbed 12th, while the Mocs were slotted 24th.
Appalachian State and Georgia Southern are eligible for the Sports Network poll during 2013 as they transition to FBS.
The Terriers, who open the season at Baylor August 31, return just 12 starters from a team that won a share of the league crown last season.
Georgia Southern boasts seven starters on both offense and defense in Jeff Monken’s fourth season at the helm in Statesboro.
Scott Satterfield takes over at Appalachian State, replacing Jerry Moore. The Mountaineers return 10 offensive starters, including Jamal Londry-Jackson who was named the league’s Preseason Offensive Player of the Year.
Davis Tull, the league’s Co-Defensive Player of the Year last season, anchors UTC’s defense which ranked as one of the top defensive units in all of FCS last year. Head coach Russ Huesman returns 10 starters on both offense and defense from 2012.