By THOMAS STOKES
SoCon Power Rankings
It’s really a four-team race in the Southern Conference at this point with the three Tennessee schools (Tennessee Tech, ETSU, and Chattaooga) and Mercer as the season winds down. Mercer has the inside track and controls its own destiny as the Bears finish their conference season playing all three of those teams in a row. If Mercer goes 3-0 in that time frame could they jump up into the Top 8 conversation?
1) Tennessee Tech: The Golden Eagles take the first spot over after beating ETSU 24-17 on Saturday. Two games left in their conference schedule, one being with winless VMI, sets up a huge match against Mercer on November 14. Will the Golden Eagles win the SoCon in their first year?
2) Mercer: The Bears have some momentum, so they slide up to two.
3) ETSU: After scoring 17 unanswered points to take a 17-7 lead over Tennessee Tech, ETSU then allowed 17 unanswered to lose the game and the inside track to the conference. The Bucs will look to bounce back against a Samford team that they should beat on senior day and have to hope for some results around the conference in the next few weeks while taking care of business against Wofford and Mercer on the road.
4) Chattanooga: Still alive in the conference championship race, but needs help. A huge game for the Mocs on Saturday against Mercer at home.
5) Western Carolina: The Catamounts had to escape on the road with a last-second field goal against Furman. Postseason chances are over, but WCU plays out the string against some of the bottom half of the conference, so a winning season is still possible and a good stepping stone into 2027.
6) Wofford: With the upset loss against Samford this past weekend, the Terriers are out of the running for the conference title and a playoff berth. With an upcoming game with ETSU they can play spoilers like Samford did against them.
7) Furman: Heartbreaking way to lose a game after an emotional week where Clay Hendrix announced he is not returning. Furman has one of the easiest schedules remaining based on winning percentage of its opponents so they have a shot to end the season on a good note.
8) Samford: What a great momentum win last Saturday for the Bulldogs. Now they could possibly spoil senior day against ETSU and all but knock out the Bucs from contending for the conference championship. Can they finish a rough 2026 season strong and get into position to carry over some momentum into 2027? Time will tell.
9) The Citadel: The Citadel had a lead at half against Mercer but was unable to keep it. Buc fans were watching this game closely as a Mercer loss would have helped a lot in the picture of the conference. The Bulldogs were unable to complete the upset as Mercer raced back to win in the second half. The Bulldogs now finish the season with two of the three being big rivalry games in Furman and the Silver Shako with VMI before ending the season against Western Carolina. I hope the SoCon schedule makers will put the Silver Shako in a weekend during a ETSU bye, as I would love to attend that rivalry one day.
10) VMI: The Keydets could be very helpful to other SoCon contenders if they shock the world on Saturday upsetting Tennessee Tech. The likelihood is slim they are probably looking at a 0-12 season.
FCS Viewing Guide
All times Eastern, Rankings using Stats FCS Poll)
#23 Abilene Christian vs #1 Tarleton State (7:00 PM, ESPN+)
A huge game this weekend in the United Athletic Conference. The top team in the nation faces a team that cost them the conference championship last year. Will the Texans get their revenge this year? Can ACU repeat and assure the UAC a second bid in the playoffs?. If Tarleton State wins this should help its case for a Bo. 1 1 seed, which seems useless as the committee believe a one-loss team is better regardless of the Texans being undefeated. If you haven’t watched Tylan Hines check this game out only for him. He is a great explosive back in FCS and has helped Tarleton State get to 9-0 this year.
#14 Mercer vs #25 Chattanooga (1:00 PM, ESPN+)
If Mercer can go 3-0 in the next three weeks the Bears should be considered for a Top 8 seed. They Bears have the toughest schedule remaining in the SoCon based on winning percentages (20-7 record for those final three foes. Win out, and the Bears will win the conference again for the third year in a row. The mission starts on Saturday against one of the toughest defenses in the SoCon. This will be the toughest game on the Mocs’ remaining conference schedule, and they have an FBS game against Alabama to end the season.
Auto bid Clinching Opportunities
Two teams can clinch a spot in the playoffs this week. We will keep track throughout the next few weeks as the season winds down for the playoffs, SWAC Championship and the Celebration Bowl.
Coastal Athletic Association
Team: Monmouth
Scenario: Monmouth Wins against North Carolina A&T AND Campbell loses to Stony Brook AND Albany loses to Bryant
Southland Conference
Team: Stephen F. Austin
Scenario: A win against Lamar will clinch the automatic bid