By Russell Varner
SouthernPigskin.com

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With Appalachian State and Georgia Southern early FCS favorites to go deep into the playoffs, it’s going to be a wild ride in the SoCon.

We stand less than two weeks away from the start of the 2011 football season. Teams are nearing the end of training camp. Grills will soon be fired up and Saturdays across America will be taken over and football games and tailgates. But there are still some major questions left to be answered by all members of the Southern Conference.

Appalachian State: Will the move to a 3-4 pay off?

For years, Wofford was the only team that used a 3-4 defense as their base defense. Not anymore. This offseason, the Mountaineers decided to switch from their traditional 4-3 defense to the three down lineman, four linebacker base defense as well. The move could be a sign of the times at Boone, as the move was made to better fit the new class of athletes Coach Jerry Moore has. The key to the D could rest in Lanston Tanyi, who missed all of last season with a left foot injury and is moving from the defensive line to linebacker.

The Citadel: Will the triple option offense break out?

It is well known how the Bulldogs struggled on offense last season, their first in a triple option scheme. But Coach Kevin Higgins believes that could very well change this year, after the team has spent a full season practicing the complex offense and recruiting players better suited for it. Ben Dupree has stepped up and taken over the quarterback position, which should help the offense immensely as last year, when the team switched between multiple quarterbacks.

Elon: What can we expect from the Phoenix this year?

Not much is known about the Phoenix coming into the 2011 season. Gone are quarterback Scott Riddle and Coach Pete Lembo and in their place are Thomas Wilson and Tyler Smith, who continue to battle for the starting quarterback position, and first year head coach Jason Swepson. There are known talents on the team, like receiver Aaron Mellette and guard Rodney Austin, but apart from that, the Phoenix remain major unknowns this year, particularly on defense, where they have just one senior starter.

Furman: What can we expect from the Paladins this year?

Just like Elon, the Paladins remain a big question mark coming into the year. For the first time since 2001, Bobby Lamb will not be leading the Paladins on Saturdays. That honor now belongs to Bruce Fowler, the former Vanderbilt defensive coordinator. Fowler will have plenty to work with on Furman’s defense, which sports two of the best at their positions: linebacker Kadarron Anderson and cornerback Ryan Steed. The bigger questions remain on offense. Receiver Adam Mims is gone and some are still waiting for junior Chris Forcier to show some of the potential many expected when he first transferred to the team. Others are ready for senior Cody Worley to take over full-time.

Georgia Southern: Was it a fluke?

Georgia Southern ended last season on a magical run, winning six straight games en route to a semifinal appearance in the FCS playoffs after starting the season 4-4 before. This season, the Eagles will be sneaking up on no one and will have a bulls eye on their back every game, much like their rivals in Boone. The Eagles return almost every starter from last year’s squad and have one of the most dominant players in the nation lining up at defensive tackle, Brent Russell. Can the Eagles avoid a letdown in 2011?

Samford: Who will replace Chris Evans and Bryce Smith?

Gone are two of the best players in Samford history, running back Chris Evans and linebacker Fabian Truss. The Bulldogs are left with the always unenviable task of replacing two of the best players the program has seen. Sophomore running back Fabian Truss showed plenty of promise last season and should be fine taking over for Evans, but Bryce Smith left some big shoes to fill. It could take a replacement-by-committee approach, led by sophomore Justin Shade and junior Keith Shoulders. The play of these two linebackers could determine how well the defense does this year.

Tennessee – Chattanooga: Can they get over the hill?

The past two seasons have been great for the most part for Moc fans, but ended in 6-5 campaigns for the team. For the team to make the next step and make the playoffs, they will need at least seven wins, if not more. Coach Russ Huesman has taken the program light years from where it was when he first took over as coach. Now, with quarterback B.J. Coleman entering his final season, it could be now or never for the Mocs. 2011 could be the best chance for the team to make the playoffs.

Western Carolina: How much difference will the pistol make?

The Catamounts’ offense will have a new look this year, and it’s not just the personnel. The offense does return nine of 11 starters, but they will be playing in a new pistol offense this year, Coach Dennis Wagner’s latest attempt to jumpstart Western Carolina’s offense. This could be Wagner’s last run in Cullowhee. Entering his fourth year at the helm, he has a record of 7-27 with the Catamounts, which equates to a winning percentage of just over 20 percent. Will the pistol help save his job?

Wofford: Will they prove worthy of the ‘dark horse’ title?

For whatever reason, Wofford is the forgotten son of the Southern Conference. All the team does is win and Coach Mike Ayers returns a majority of his starters, including quarterback Mitch Allen, fullback and Preseason Offensive Player of the Year Eric Breitenstein and defensive end and Co-Preseason Defensive Player of the Year Ameet Pall. On top of that, they host their two toughest competitors, App State and Georgia Southern at home, though that may not be a good thing with the Eagles – the road team has dominated the series recently. Wofford has been tabbed the ‘dark horse’ of the Southern Conference, and rightfully so. Can they live up to their potential and win another conference title?a