Again in 2004, the Big South is a very difficult conference to rate, as the number of sub-IAA games are large in number. However, a few of the teams bring some very challenging schedules to light. Let's take a look:

Games of Interest: 9-Oct GW at Hampton; 30-Oct VMI at James Madison; 25-Sep Liberty at Youngstown State; 20-Nov CSU at Coastal Carolina*

1. Gardner-Webb : Again the Bulldogs come to play in 2004 with the most difficult schedule in the conference. In fact, the weakest portion of the schedule are the conference games. In OOC competition, coach Patton's club is the envy of few ... with contests against Furman and W. Carolina; while traveling to Hampton, and Wofford. It would not be surprising for all 4 of these opponents to be in, or around, the top-25.
   
   4-Sep at Tennessee Tech
   11-Sep at Morgan State
   18-Sep FURMAN
   25-Sep WESTERN CAROLINA
   2-Oct at Liberty *
   9-Oct at Hampton
   16-Oct OPEN
   23-Oct VMI *
   30-Oct COASTAL CAROLINA *
   6-Nov at Wofford
   13-Nov at Charleston Southern *
   20-Nov SOUTHEASTERN LOUISIANA
   
   
   
   
   
   
2. VMI : The Keydets also see a very solid 2004, with a 5 game home slate. Coach McCombs club will open at IA Ohio (and may pull off the shocker), then host Richmond. OOC games at William & Mary, James Madison, and also conference power Gardner-Webb will prove most challenging. A regular season final hosting Wofford will be very difficult as well.
   
   4-Sep at Ohio U.
   11-Sep vs Richmond
   18-Sep vs Tennessee Tech
   25-Sep at William & Mary
   2-Oct at Charleston Southern*
   9-Oct at Georgetown
   16-Oct vs Coastal Carolina*
   23-Oct at Gardner-Webb*
   30-Oct at James Madison
   6-Nov vs Liberty*
   13-Nov OPEN
   20-Nov vs Wofford
   
   
   
   
   
3. Liberty : The Flames have another very good schedule in 2004, with several very tough matches. After a DII opener ... the Flames travel to IA Kent St., host Lehigh, travel to Youngstown ... then come home for Gardner-Webb and William & Mary. After an open week, things do lighten up a bit.
   
   4-Sep WEST VIRGINIA TECH
   11-Sep at Kent State
   18-Sep LEHIGH
   25-Sep at Youngstown State
   2-Oct GARDNER-WEBB *
   9-Oct WILLIAM & MARY
   16-Oct OPEN
   23-Oct at Coastal Carolina *
   30-Oct CHARLESTON SOUTHERN *
   6-Nov at VMI *
   13-Nov at Chattanooga
   20-Nov ELON
   
   
   
   
4. Charleston Southern: CSU's schedule still seems to be just short of scholarship I-AA material ... but certainly improving. This should give them a chance to move up in the rankings in 2004. Keep your fingers crossed "Buc" fans.
   
   4-Sep at The Citadel
   11-Sep at Presbyterian
   18-Sep at Jacksonville
   25-Sep Charleston (WV)
   2-Oct VMI*
   9-Oct at Howard
   16-Oct OPEN
   23-Oct North Greenville
   30-Oct at Liberty*
   6-Nov Allen
   13-Nov Gardner-Webb*
   20-Nov at Coastal Carolina*
   
   
5. Coastal Carolina: Again we have a schedule lacking in I-AA scholarship quality here, so it is far too difficult to rate. Don't be surprised if we see something special in 2004 conference play.
   
   4-Sep at Morehead State
   11-Sep DAVIDSON
   18-Sep at Newberry
   25-Sep NORTH GREENVILLE
   2-Oct OPEN
   9-Oct CHARLESTON (WV)
   16-Oct at VMI*
   23-Oct LIBERTY*
   30-Oct at Gardner-Webb*
   6-Nov SAVANNAH STATE
   13-Nov JACKSONVILLE
   20-Nov CHARLESTON SOUTHERN*