South Florida

http://nooga.com/156021/mocs-2012-op...south-florida/

How will it play out?

UTC’s FBS opponents over the last three years have included Auburn, Alabama and Nebraska. South Florida doesn’t have the name recognition or the talent level of those traditional powers, but the Bulls will still be heavily favored in this game. Chattanooga is getting paid to make the trip to Tampa, and shouldn’t expect to come back with much more than a big check.

Jacksonville State

http://nooga.com/156075/mocs-2012-op...onville-state/

How will it play out?

It should be a tight game, and the Mocs may have a slight advantage because of an experienced defense.

Glenville State

http://nooga.com/156105/mocs-2012-op...enville-state/

How will it play out?

the talent gap between Division II and the FCS level is enough to make the Mocs a heavy favorite. A victory should be expected, if not almost assured, and anything less would be a shock for Chattanooga.

App State

http://nooga.com/156163/mocs-2012-op...lachian-state/

How will it play out?

Lucky breaks could determine the winner, but home-field advantage swings momentum, at least slightly, toward Chattanooga.

The Citadel

http://nooga.com/156360/mocs-2012-op...d-the-citadel/

How will it play out?

If the Mocs' new offensive style works as advertised, they should be able to score in bunches and put the Bulldogs away early. The 27-point comeback The Citadel managed last season isn’t likely to be duplicated.

If the offense struggles, though, the Bulldogs have the kind of run game that can drain the clock and keep the game close into the fourth quarter.

Furman

http://nooga.com/156371/mocs-2012-op...-ahead-furman/

How will it play out?

On paper, Chattanooga looks like an easy winner. The strength of an underwhelming Furman defense from a year ago is gone, while the Mocs should be getting more comfortable in their new offense by the midway point in the season. Furman will be relying on an inexperienced quarterback, while the Chattanooga defense returns almost all of its SoCon-best 2011 squad.


Last season’s game, though, should serve as a warning. The Paladins committed just one turnover to UTC’s four and walked away with a 14-7 victory after a scoreless first half. Furman is almost never a bad team—the program has had just one losing season since 1998—and surprises are likely to emerge. Injuries, notably to B.J. Coleman, impacted last season’s matchup, and there’s no way to tell how they’ll spin the 2012 tale.