Citadel picked to finish 8th in SoCon football

SPARTANBURG — Southern Conference football coaches and media aren’t convinced that The Citadel is ready for a breakthrough season in year three of the Bulldogs’ return to the triple-option offense.

Both the coaches and the media picked the Bulldogs, 4-7 overall and 2-6 in the SoCon a year ago, to finish eighth in the nine-team league. It’s the fifth straight year The Citadel has been tabbed to finish in the bottom two.

Citadel center Mike Sellers, defensive end Chris Billingslea and punter Cass Couey were named to the coaches’ first-team preseason all-SoCon squad. Fullback Darien Robinson and defensive tackle Derek Douglas, who suffered a torn ACL in spring practice, made the second team.

SoCon coaches poll:

Team (First-place votes) Points

1. Georgia Southern (7) 63

2. Appalachian State (2) 57

3. Wofford 48

4. Chattanooga 44

5. Furman 36

6. Samford 27

7. Elon 24

8. The Citadel 17

9. Western Carolina 8

Media poll

1. Georgia Southern (25) 266

2. Wofford (4) 225

3. Appalachian State (223)

4. Chattanooga (163)

5. Furman (152)

6. Samford (1-5)

7. Elon (104)

8. The Citadel (79)

9. Western Carolina (36)