It is relieving to finally start a thread with "@ Gardner Webb" in the title. The GW "Road Warriors" finally make it back to Boiling Springs after being away for 5 weeks [one week was a bye]. I am looking forward to a home game for a change.

Charleston Southern [2-3, 0-0] travels to Boiling Springs to take on the Runnin' Bulldogs [3-2, 1-0]. The game is being broadcast on SportSouth and will kick off at 11:30. I like the early kickoff because we can eat breakfast in the shadow of Spangler Stadium, watch the game, and then return to the tailgate for an afternoon smorgasbord. The Dogs are coming off a disappointing trip to Buffalo but should be pretty healthy heading into the weekend. Gardner Webb leads the Big South in 5 NCAA Team Rankings going into Week 7 [Passing O, Scoring O, Rushing D, Turnover Margin, and Tackles for Loss]. Charleston Southern leads the Big South in Total O. The Bulldogs offense has sputtered against D-I opponents [NC State and Buffalo] but has looked good against Mars Hill, Western Carolina, and VMI.

I expect GW's offense to be more productive this weekend than it was against Buffalo. I also expect GW's defense to be more stingy than they were against the Wolfpack and the Bulls. This is a tight contest with GW leading the series 4 - 3 since Charleston Southern joined the Big South. The Bulldogs were disappointed with their 13-10 loss at Charleston Southern last year and will be looking to stay atop the Big South with a W. Should be a close one with GW taking control in the 4th quarter - GW 34 - CS 24.

Go Runnin' Bulldogs!