By Southern Pigskin Staff
SouthernPigskin.com

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Tackling the Southern Conference’s off-season storylines.

nBy Robbie Ross

n1. Can Chattanooga Stay on Top?
nThe Chattanooga Mocs enjoyed a school record ten wins, their first-ever outright SoCon title, a narrow defeat in the NCAA FCS quarterfinals and a school record #8 final ranking in both FCS final polls in 2014. The Mocs see All-Americans Davis Tull, Tommy Hudson and Faysal Shafaat, along with 1,000 yard rusher Keon Williams, graduate but return two-time SoCon Offensive Player of the Year quarterback Jacob Huesman, who rushed for over 1,000 yards and passed for over 2,100 yards, leading the SoCon in total yardage. Chattanooga opens the 2015 season at home against Jacksonville State on September 5th.

n2. Can Mercer Continue to xe2x80x9cBuild the Bearxe2x80x9d?
nAfter an inaugural ten-win season as a non-scholarship member of the Pioneer League in 2013, the Mercer Bears debuted in the SoCon in 2014, able to notch two league wins and six wins overall. Coach Bobby Lamb, still operating with less than the full allotment of scholarships, looks to see even more improvement in 2015. Offensively, John Russ will be starting his third season at quarterback after passing for over 2,100 yards last year and 1,100-yard rusher Alex Lakes returns at running back. Defensively, leading tackler from 2014 Tyler Ward returns to anchor the Bear Defense. Mercer wraps up spring practice on Wednesday, March 4th.

n3. Is the “Hatch Attack” Ready to Get Going at Samford?
nSamford is enjoying its best run as a football program since the early 1960xe2x80x99s.xc2xa0 Four winning seasons in a row, along with winning seven or more game three seasons in a row for the first time since 1962, new head coach Chris Hatcher is walking into a good situation.xc2xa0 Hatcher is no stranger to the SoCon, having coached Georgia Southern for three seasons (2007-2009) before leading Murray State for the past five seasons. Under Hatcher, the Racers were 2nd in FCS passing for 327 yards per game and 15th in FCS with 468 total yards in 2014. The “Hatch Attack” era begins in Birmingham against Central Arkansas on Thursday, September 3rd.

nxc2xa04. Is Western Carolina Ready to Take the Next Step?
nWith 20 returning starters from a 7-5 2014 Catamount team, head coach Mark Speir has a lot to look forward to in 2015. After a combined four SoCon wins from 2006 to 2013, the Catamounts jumped up into a contender in 2014, winning five league games which was good for a 2nd place finish in the standings.xc2xa0 In 2015, the Catamount offense will be led by All-SoCon selections wide receiver Spearman Robinson, quarterback Troy Mitchell and running back Detrez Newsome. The defense will be anchored by All-SoCon picks defensive lineman Derrick Davis, linebacker Daniel Riddle and linebacker Sertanouse Harris. The 2015 schedule begins with a home matchup with D-II Mars Hill on September 5th and features two match-ups with SEC schools, September 19th at Tennessee and November 14th at Texas A&M.xc2xa0

n5. Can Furman Rebound From a Disappointing 2014?
nComing off of a SoCon title in 2013, the Furman Paladins were looking to take the next step in 2014 back to the upper echelon of FCS football programs. Injuries sidetracked the Paladins’ hopes in 2014, leading them to a 3-9 record. Coach Bruce Fowler has made some coaching staff changes, which include new defensive coordinator Kyle Gillenwater, along with Furman Hall of Famer Brian Bratton as wide receivers. The sledding will be tough early for the Paladins in 2015 as they open the season hosting #5 ranked Coastal Carolina followed by back to back trips to FBS opponents Virginia Tech and Central Florida, a game that was recently added replacing Jacksonville State.xc2xa0 Furman opens the 2015 SoCon schedule at home against VMI on September 26th.xc2xa0 Furman could be facing another schedule change if the South Carolina Legislature decides to close South Carolina State University for two years, which would leave the Paladins looking for an opponent on October 3rd.