The SoCon is a very difficult conference to gauge, as the "big-3" have a tendency to create an imbalance in the ratings. However, the rise of Wofford did much to help this year's schedule rankings. Another team that had an excellent season, was Western Carolina. This year will be very interesting for the conference, as WCU is back & the Terriers have had a few serious player losses. The conference says good-bye to long time member VMI and welcomes the Phoenix of Elon. There was much argument as to why the conference did not receive 4 play-off bids in 2002. Well, with the depth of the Gateway now finally being recognized and the tremendous increase in the depth of the Patriot League ... being one of the SoCon "Big-3" may not be enough in 2003. Certainly, the schedule will play the most important factor in that battle. Let's take a look:

1. The Citadel: The Bulldogs have, in our opinion, the most difficult schedule in the SoCon ... by a solid margin. Coach Johnson's club play a 12-game slate, with some very challenging conference and non-conference match-ups. The Citadel opens, at home, with Charleston-Southern. Don't let this fool you ... the next two games are road matches against a much improved Delaware and a VERY much improved Maryland. The Citadel will host traditional rival VMI, which is always a great rivalry and a tremendously-difficult game for both clubs. The nice aspect about the conference slate, is that the Bulldogs face Wofford, Furman and Appalachian St. on "friendly ground".
   
   
2. Elon: The SoCon's newest member, the Phoenix, look to make a statement in their first-year. Coach Seagraves' club faces a very challenging non-conference schedule, facing Hofstra, North Carolina A&T, an A-10 ready Towson, in addition to Tusculm. In the conference slate, Elon has a split, with Wofford and Furman on-the-road ... while they will face GSU and ASU at home.
   
   
3. Chattanooga: The Mocs have hosted the championship for several years now, but have yet to make an appearance. Their 2003 schedule is, again, going to make this very difficult. The non-conference slate is favorable with Samford and Tennessee Tech. However, a week 2 match at Vandy and a week 3 contest at Gardener-Webb will prove most difficult tasks indeed. As with Elon, first year head-coach Rodney Allison's team has a even split with the conference's upper-teams, with Wofford and Furman at home ... while facing GSU and ASU on-the-road.
   
   
4. Wofford: The Terriers certainly feel they have something to prove in 2003 ... and with good reason. However, if Wofford plans on seeing a post-season berth, they must face Air-Force and South Carolina St. in OOC play. The fact that they play only 11 games may be an issue .. however, GSU, Furman and ASU also face 11-game slates. Coach Ayers' club will face Furman and GSU on-the-road, while facing the Mountaineers at home.
   
   
5. Furman: The Paladins a very interesting schedule in 2003. Coach Bobby Lamb is now in his second year and expectations are high. In non-conference action, the Paladins will face Clemson, Richmond and Gardner-Webb. Also facing an 11-game slate, the Paladins will see ASU and Wofford at home, while facing GSU away from home.
   
   
   
6. Western Carolina: The Catamounts look to continue their recent improvement with a 12-game slate that really should be considered the most-challenging in the conference. If it was not for the fact that they are one of only conference clubs facing a non-DI opponent, they would be. Coach Kent Briggs will open his inagural season with two IA clubs, including what should be a top-10 North Carolina St. ... followed by Duke. In addition, the non-conference slate features a match-up with Gardner-Webb. Their meeting against the top conference clubs in evenly split ... home vs. away. 
   
   
7. Appalachian St.: The Mountaineers have non-conference slate with games against IA Hawaii and the a game at EKU. EKU is an improved club, but I don't think they are a post season contender. A game against non-scholarship Moorehead also hurt the ASU ranking. ASU is away at Furman and GSU this year. Again, I don't see the 11-game slate being a serious issue for the Mountaineers.
   
   
8. Georgia Southern: The Eagles look to make another post-season run in 2003, with a schedule that should get them their. However, away games at McNeese, Wofford and Appalachian St. will certainly provide a test for coach Sewak's team. Other OOC games against Florida International and Savannah St. should provide wins for the Eagles. However, I would not overlook FIU. Again, we have an 11-game slate.
   
   
9. E. Tennessee St.: The Buccaneers have a good schedule to get "spark" back into the program once again. An opener at IA Eastern Michigan could prove most difficult. EMU has an ex-IAA running back that is putting serious numbers. However, I honestly feel that this is a defining game, as EMU is a "beatable" mid-major program for a solid I-AA club. Other OOC games are also against clubs that the coach Hamilton's club could defeat ... a DII, Tennessee-Martin and Liberty. Although, the Flames could be a "dark-horse" in the Big South. In conference, away games with ASU, Furman and Wofford will be a huge "hurdle".