Samford’s football schedule this year has eight SoCon games, one FCS non-conference matchup, one non-D1 opponent, and one FBS opponent.
Here are game-by-game predictions for the Bulldogs, who are ranked No. 8 in HERO Sports’ FCS Preseason Top 25.
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vs Shorter
Samford puts up 70 points against D2 Shorter in a game that is completely irrelevant in the playoff committee’s eyes. As the Bulldogs seek a high playoff seed in November, having one less D1 win will be a factor.
Win
at Western Carolina
WCU expects to be a dark horse SoCon squad this fall, good enough to be a top-four team in the league. I already have WCU upsetting Furman. I don’t see two Top 10 wins for WCU. Samford wins here in a game that could resemble 48-35.
Win
at Auburn
Stay healthy. Compete and don’t get embarrassed with a 40-point loss. And collect a half million dollars.
Loss
vs Chattanooga (Received Votes)
A good test for Samford here. Playing a P5 team is going to stress a team physically, and sometimes mentally. Now the Bulldogs face a Chattanooga squad that has been on the playoff bubble in recent seasons, and also a team that wants to physically establish the run.
Getting tougher defensively is key for Samford to take another step nationally. They do so and get a win here. Five of its six FBS transfers and five of its eight FCS transfers are on defense.
Win
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vs ETSU
ETSU should be a bit better than last year in George Quarles’ second season as head coach. But Samford will be too much here.
Win
at Wofford
Shawn Watson has some rebuilding to do in his first season as head coach. Wofford finished 1-10 in 2021 and 3-8 last year.
Win
vs No. 5 Furman
Samford went undefeated vs. FCS opponents last regular season. Furman’s only FCS loss came against Samford, losing 34-27. The game featured a controversial call, resulting in a statement from the SoCon office that said: “There were significant errors in the officials’ approach and final ruling.” Furman’s starting QB Tyler Huff also did not play.
This matchup has huge SoCon title and playoff seed implications. In a back-and-forth game, Furman’s experience (18 starters and 38 players on the 44-man two-deep returning) wins out.
Loss
at VMI
VMI went 0-8 in SoCon play last year. It will be a large rebuilding job for new head coach Danny Rocco.
Win
vs The Citadel
Maurice Drayton looks to build The Citadel back into a contender. It will be a transition year as the offensive scheme changes.
Win
at No. 19 Mercer
This was a helluva battle last year. Samford won 50-44 in double overtime a day before Selection Sunday, sealing a playoff seed and knocking Mercer to the wrong side of the bubble.
Mercer has some offensive firepower back with wide receivers Ty James and Devron Harper. So does Samford with QB Michael Hiers and WR Chandler Smith.
This very well could be a second SoCon loss for Samford. Furman-Samford-Mercer could do a circular firing squad on each other. But we first have to see what the QB play looks like for Mercer. Samford also has a bye week to prepare for this game.
Win
vs UT Martin
A potentially huge regular-season finale.
Samford is playing for a seed. And UT Martin could be playing for an at-large bid if it doesn’t earn the Big South-OVC’s auto-bid. SEMO and Gardner-Webb look to be top contenders for that AQ. UT Martin missed last year’s playoff by losing an auto-bid coin-flip tiebreaker with SEMO.
The Skyhawks will have talent. If they aren’t in the Top 25 by this point, they’d be in the 26-35 range. With who Samford has returning, some solid FBS and FCS transfers coming in, being at home, and a day before the playoff bracket is set, the Bulldogs will be favored here.
Win
Regular-Season Record Prediction: 9-2
