Front Porch FootballWofford vs Furman 2019 Preview
by Joe James, Guest Writer
Showdown in the Upstate. The Battle of I-85. The Old South’s REAL Oldest Rivalry. The One Game Season. Whatever you want to call it, Furman and Wofford are facing off on the gridiron as they did 130 years ago. This time, a Southern Conference title and playoff position is on the line. The winner gets hardware. As if Wofford vs Furman need any more excitement to it.
Furman’s trying to leave No Doubt.
Last season, the Paladins finished the season 6-4, including winning six of their last seven games. One of their games, against future-playoff-seed Colgate, was canceled, leaving the Paladins with less of an opportunity to strengthen their resume.
The playoff committee passed on them, and ever since then, the Paladins have played by the motto of “Leave No Doubt.” They don’t want to leave their playoff hopes in the hands of a committee. They want the automatic bid, and they’ve been working for this opportunity for almost a year.
Through eight FCS games, Furman has beaten seven of their eight opponents by an average margin of 27 points. More impressive, they played two FBS teams, Virginia Tech and Georgia State, led them by two scores at certain points, and only lost to those teams by seven points or less.
Led by two redshirt freshmen quarterbacks, a running back fast approaching the century mark, a veteran offensive line, and a suffocating defense that sometimes bends but almost never breaks, the Paladins are coming to Spartanburg looking for their first unshared Southern Conference title since 1990 and to clinch their first playoff seed since 2004.
Wofford’s Seeking Redemption
A few weeks ago I wrote a piece for Front Porch Football, which documented how Wofford has turned around their season this year. After beginning the year with a disappointing 0-2 start, the two-time defending Socon champions have won six consecutive FCS games by an average of 26 points. The Terriers have done it by getting a little better each week, improving weaknesses, and slowly progressing into an offense that can pass the ball.
Not only are they trying to prove the early season naysayers wrong with another southern conference title and playoff berth, but they want to avenge a 20 point loss against Furman last season in Greenville. Had the Terriers not lost that game, they may have captured a seed in the playoffs and a bye week, but instead they were playing on Thanksgiving weekend against Elon and had to travel to Kennesaw.
If they Terriers can win this one and their next against the Citadel in Charleston, there is an outside shot that they steal a seven or eight seed and earn that valuable bye. This Terrier team wants to take the next step as a program, advancing past the quarterfinals, which a seed, home game, and bye week would help tremendously to that goal. But if they lose, it would put them squarely on the bubble with a possibility of sitting at home for the postseason.
The Matchup: Wofford vs Furman
These teams are mirror images of each other, sitting at 1 and 2 in total offense and defense in the conference. Both teams are in the top five in the nation in rushing top 50 nationally for passing efficiency.
On defense, Furman is a slightly better at limiting scoring opportunities, letting up only 15 points per game against FCS opponents, while Wofford is letting up about 19. In terms of total yardage, the Terriers are much better. Wofford has let FCS opponents accumulate less than 300 yards per game, including just under 200 yards passing and around 100 yards rushing, while Furman has let up a respectable 338 per game against FCS competition, including 177 on the ground and about 160 through the air.
So, to put it simply: Furman’s defense is more bend but don’t break, but it doesn’t break often, where Wofford’s defense is more high-risk, high-reward, more likely to shut down a defense, but also more likely to let some scores by.
But another key difference arises in run defense. Against common opponents, Furman is letting up about 4.5 yards per carry compared to Wofford’s roughly four yards per carry.
Special Teams is a draw, with maybe a slight edge to Wofford, as both teams have great kickers who both punt and place kick in Luke Carter and Grayson Atkins, who both own multiple school records. D’Mauriae VanCleave, Wofford’s electrifying Swiss Army Knife may be the difference maker in the return game, but at the same time, the Terrier’s kick coverage has looked vulnerable at times.
The Pick: Wofford vs Furman
This one is going to be a good old fashioned slobber knocker, between the Southern Conference’s two flagship programs. This game will feature the best offenses, the best defenses, the best kickers and players that will make your jaw drop between D’Mauriae VanCleave, Devin Wynn, Joe Newman, Adrian Hope, Jireh Wilson and Thomas Gordon.
In my opinion, both of these teams deserve a shot at the FCS playoffs, and the winner earns a seed. But at the end of the day, someone has to lose. I think that will be Furman. Both teams are on a mission, but look for Wofford’s improved offense and slightly better defense to put this one away 27-21 at home.
Joe James is a graduate of Wofford College and the University of South Carolina. He is a Southern Conference reporter for FCS Nation radio and a cohost of the Socon Pigskin Podcast.
Good article with fair approach! Can’t believe you’re picking against the #7 and reigning Socon champs….we got rocked last year in the playoffs and it is time to outright win our crown back against the rivals!
#RollDins