SAMFORD PICKED TO WIN THE SOCON in 2017

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Samford is a paper tiger. They are a team that looks great on a stat sheet, but seemingly folds every year at crunch time.

In 2016, their defense surrendered over 27 points and 420 yards a game. The Bulldogs also have the luxury of not playing their offense. That is, they were one of the SoCon's worst defenses despite not ever playing the league's best offense (their own).

Can anyone in good conscience pick a team that doesn't play any defense and has a tendency to fall apart late in the season?

When the preseason picks come out, I would be stunned to see anyone pick them above Wofford, Citadel, and Chattanooga. They will certainly have a QB that is going to put up stellar numbers, but so did Elon. That may be enough to get you to the post season, but it sure isn't going to be enough to win when you get there.

Excellent points. All are true. A couple of key points to consider....... What caused Samford to fail in close games was lack of a running game, which hurt in two ways: first, time of possession and second, kept their defense on the field way too long. That will change this year. The preseason OLINE average 6-5 315 (not 308) is fast, stronger and meaner than last year. A transfer running back from Tennessee, a transferring O linemen from Miami, the #33 center in the nation in High School in 2016 (now a sophomore), will all contribute to moving the ball on the ground. This makes their already stellar offense and all american quarterback even better. Their defense will be significantly improved overall as well. Transfers from Arkansas and stellar linebackers returning, more speed and size in the secondary make for an improved defense. I expect Samford to be in the top 25 nationally in the preseason polls and finish 9-2 over all. That should get them a SoCon title. They do have a difficult schedule though (The SOCON always is) but they are playing 5 top 30 teams in the FCS and that does not include their game against the University of Georgia this year. Georgia is ranked somewhere between 7th and 17th depending on which poll you read. Tough road ahead, but they are prepped to move to the top.