SAPAKOFF COLUMN: Citadel, CSU coaches worth new contracts

Not only has Citadel head coach Kevin Higgins made steady progress over the last two seasons, but the Bulldogs are also fun to watch.

At 6-4, The Citadel has clinched its first winning season since 2007. The Bulldogs today at Furman have a shot at the school's second 7-win season since 1992.

But Higgins' contract runs out after the 2013 season. He needs an extension to sell to recruits, and deserves it.

Charleston Southern, per school policy, will not reveal head coach Jay Mills' contract status. But safe to assume Mills was scrutinized after going 0-11 in 2011.

Even if the Buccaneers (5-5) don't win the regular-season finale today at Coastal Carolina (6-4), Mills also is worthy of a deal beyond 2013.

Yeah, we all covet progress. Fellow Pigskin Picks expert Warren Peper matched my 6-4 record last week, which means almost everyone in the Lowcountry won bumper stickers.

I blame Nick Saban.

The week before Braggin' Rights Week:

Wofford at USC

Back-to-back 100-yard receiving games for South Carolina's Bruce Ellington, locked in All-SEC mode.

Sapakoff pick: USC, 31-7

Peper pick: USC, 34-12

N.C. State at Clemson

The Tigers seem to know N.C. State is where things started to unravel last season, and this time Sammy Watkins is healthy.

Sapakoff pick: Clemson, 31-17

Peper pick: Clemson, 44-21

The Citadel at Furman

How many times have the Bulldogs defeated Georgia Southern, Appalachian State and Furman in the same season? Once: 2003, when Ellis Johnson in his final year as head coach went 6-6.

Sapakoff pick: Citadel, 24-21

Peper pick: Citadel, 27-24

Savannah St. at S.C. State

S.C. State (4-6) will have the first losing season in Buddy Pough's 11 years as head coach.

Sapakoff pick: S.C. State, 35-14

Peper pick: S.C. State, 24-14

Chas. Southern at Coastal Carolina

Ex-Gamecocks QB Aramis Hillary earned national honors for compiling 342 yards of total offense with five touchdown passes in Coastal Carolina's 65-7 win at Presbyterian.

Sapakoff pick: Coastal Carolina, 42-24

Peper pick: CSU, 24-20

Ole Miss at LSU

Zach Mettenberger has been a much better quarterback in the two games since LSU's bye week.

Sapakoff pick: LSU, 24-13

Peper pick: LSU, 30-12

Tennessee at Vandy

Vanderbilt (6-4) closes at Wake Forest next week and can have its first 8-win season since 1982.

Sapakoff pick: Vandy, 28-17

Peper pick: Vandy, 22-20

Virginia Tech at Boston College

Steely effort by Steele Divitto and the Boston College defense in a 21-6 home loss to Notre Dame.

Sapakoff pick: Va. Tech, 21-17

Peper pick: Va. Tech, 27-20

Duke at Georgia Tech

Duke controls its ACC Coastal Division title destiny, but must win here and next week at home against Miami.

Sapakoff pick: Ga. Tech, 44-41

Peper pick: Ga. Tech, 31-19

Oklahoma at W. Virginia

Remember when Geno Smith was the Heisman favorite?

Sapakoff pick: Oklahoma, 30-20

Peper pick: Oklahoma, 34-28

Last week: Sapakoff 6-4, Peper 6-4

Season: Sapakoff 81-29, Peper 74-36