By Manning Snyder
SouthernPigskin.com

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Manning Snyder previews The Citadel’s game at Wofford.

Overview
The Citadel will be on the road Saturday as they face Wofford in Spartanburg, South Carolina. The Bulldogs (0-9, 0-5) are coming off of their worst performance of the spring season, losing 55-7 to Samford at home. Wofford (1-3, 1-3) was defeated by VMI, 36-31. The Terriers, who were selected to finish first in the 2020-21 Preseason Southern Conference Coaches Poll, have underperformed so far this season. The biggest news of the week out of the SoCon was Chattanoogaxe2x80x99s decision to opt-out of the remainder of the season. The Mocs defeated both Citadel and Wofford this season, but cited health and safety concerns as their primary reason for opting out. Expect The Citadel and Wofford to continue playing this spring, regardless of their respective records. That being said, The Citadel has nothing left to play for this springxe2x80x93xe2x80x93all of their remaining games are just practice runs for the fall slate. The Terriers are seven-and-a-half point favorites heading into the weekend.

Why To Watch
The Citadel has turned to redshirt-sophomore Darique Hampton as their xe2x80x9cQB1xe2x80x9d after the injury to Jaylan Adams. While Adams might continue to get reps under center in the remaining games, I expect the Bulldogs to play Hampton exclusively until Adams is healthy.0 Wofford has been in very close contests this season, with two out of their three losses being within one score. The Terriers and Bulldogs run a similar triple-option offense, yet Wofford has a more active passing attack.

The Citadel Player To Watch
LB Andy Davis
The sophomore linebacker had a breakout game last weekend against Samford, totaling nine tackles (five solo) and recording an interception. The Canton, Georgia, native (6xe2x80x990, 200-pounds) is playing well in the absence of SoCon Preseason Defensive Player of the Year, linebacker Willie Eubanks III. In order for The Citadel to win, Davis and the Bulldog defense must be able to stop the run.

Wofford Players To Watch
RB Irvin Mulligan
The redshirt-freshman running back (5xe2x80x9910, 207 pounds) gained 50 yards and scored a touchdown last weekend against VMI. The Beaufort, South Carolina, native has two touchdowns on the season and is averaging 62 rushing yards per game.

DL0 Michael Mason
The sophomore defensive lineman was named to the SoCon Preseason First Team Defense. The Effingham, South Carolina, native has recorded 18 tackles and three sacks so far this season. Mason (6xe2x80x993, 255-pound) leads a Terrier defense that is seventh in the SoCon in total defense (394.2 yard per game).

Keys to Game
The Citadel has to reduce their turnovers. Last weekend, the Bulldogs committed seven turnovers in the blowout loss. Seven! Forget talking about special teams or offensive and defensive strategy. The biggest key to the game Saturday will be how carefully The Citadel takes care of the ball.

Manningxe2x80x99s Fun Fact
Despite The Citadel’s dismal record, they are number one in the SoCon in rushing offensexe2x80x93xe2x80x93230 yards per game. Yet, unsurprisingly, the Bulldogs are dead last in turnover margin.

Conclusion
Nearly all of my predictions this fallxe2x80x93xe2x80x93mostly an unwavering optimism in picking the Bulldogsxe2x80x93xe2x80x93have been dead wrong. I will save myself from another incorrect projection. Maybe if I pick Wofford, the Bulldogs might…win.