SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Athlon Sports released its FCS Preseason Top 25 on Tuesday, which included three Southern Conference squads in Furman, The Citadel and Wofford.
 
Furman checked in at No. 18 in the poll, while The Citadel is ranked No. 21. Three-time defending SoCon champion Wofford is right behind the Bulldogs at No. 22.

Furman is coming off an 8-5 campaign in 2019 that saw it post a 6-2 SoCon slate en route to an at-large berth to the FCS playoffs. The Paladins return 14 starters and 47 lettermen from that squad, which finished the season ranked inside the top 25 nationally.
 
The Citadel went 6-6 overall and 4-4 in league play last season, downing FBS Georgia Tech in overtime for the only FCS win over a Power 5 opponent last season and winning four straight SoCon games midway through its league schedule, including a 27-10 win at then-No. 8 Furman.
 
Wofford went 8-4 overall last season and won its final seven SoCon contests to clinch its third straight SoCon title and make its fourth straight FCS playoff appearance. The Terriers finished the season ranked inside the top 20 nationally.
 
Furman hosts Wofford to open the season in a clash of ranked teams on Sept. 5 at 1 p.m., while The Citadel hosts Elon that day at 2 p.m.
 
For the full Athlon Sports release, click here.
 
Athlon Sports FCS Preseason Top 25
1. North Dakota State
2. Northern Iowa
3. Weber State
4. James Madison
5. Montana State
6. South Dakota State
7. Montana
8. Villanova
9. Illinois State
10. Kennesaw State
11. Central Arkansas
12. Sacramento State
13. Austin Peay
14. Nicholls
15. New Hampshire
16. Sam Houston State
17. Southeastern Louisiana
18. Furman
19. Southern Illinois
20. Eastern Washington
21. The Citadel
22. Wofford
23. Albany
24. Jacksonville State
25. Towson