Furman football game-by-game predictions in 2023: Can the Paladins meet the preseason expectations?
Expectations are even higher for Furman this college football season in 2023 than last year, when the Paladins went 10-3, including 7-1 in the Southern Conference, and reached the second round of the FCS playoffs.
Furman has 18 starters returning, including quarterback Tyler Huff, a graduate student in his second year after transferring from Presbyterian.
The Paladins, in this seventh year under coach Clay Hendrix, were picked in separate preseason polls by media members and head coaches as the top team in the Southern Conference, tied with defending champion Samford in the latter. It's the first time the Paladins have been No. 1 in both rankings since 2005, when they went it all the way to the FCS semifinals.
Samford is No. 7 in the national coaches' preseason poll and Furman is No. 10. Southern Conference teams Mercer and Chattanooga are also ranked, No. 21 and No. 24 respectively.
Furman's season kicks off Thursday night at Paladin Stadium. Here are game-by-game predictions for the 2023 season.
Aug. 31: Tennessee Tech
Last season: Did not play. Tennessee Tech finished 4-7.
The buzz: This should be an easy one for Furman and a good way to ease into the season. Tennessee Tech, from the Ohio Valley Conference, didn’t score against the Paladins two years ago and will find points hard to come by again.
The prediction: Furman 42, Tennessee Tech 10
Sept. 9: at South Carolina
Last season: Did not play. South Carolina went 8-5.
The buzz: After the warmup opener, things immediately get intense for Furman against a South Carolina team that also has high expectations, especially after beating Clemson in last year’s regular-season finale. If this is even competitive, it’s great news for Furman.
The prediction: South Carolina 38, Furman 24
Sept. 16: at Kennesaw State
Last season: Did not play. Kennesaw State went 5-6.
The buzz: Kennesaw State is playing as an FCS independent this season as it makes the transition to FBS. The Owls are allowed more than the 63 scholarships at the lower level, but many of those will be redshirts.
The prediction: Furman 35, Kennesaw State 27
Sept. 23: Mercer
Last season: Furman won, 23-13.
The buzz: Furman’s opening game in the Southern Conference should be a terrific matchup of ranked teams. Mercer’s offense features a pair of NFL prospect wide receivers, and that will be a problem. But Furman finds a way at home.
The prediction: Furman 27, Mercer 24
Oct. 7: The Citadel
Last season: Furman won, 21-10.
The buzz: Furman will have a bye week to get ready for this rivalry game sandwiched between two ranked opponents. The Citadel hasn’t had a winning season since going 8-0 in the SoCon in 2016. Former Bulldogs player Maurice Drayton is the new coach, but they aren’t at Furman’s level.
The prediction: Furman 31, The Citadel 14
Oct. 14: at Samford
Last season: Samford won, 34-27.
The buzz: Here’s where things get sticky. Samford has an elite quarterback in Michael Hiers, who was the 2022 Southern Conference offensive player of the year after throwing for 3,544 yards and 36 touchdowns. Samford was the No. 1 passing team in the SoCon and Furman was last against the pass.
The prediction: Samford 38, Furman 34
Oct. 21: at Western Carolina
Last season: Furman won, 47-40.
The buzz: This seems like a dangerous spot for the Paladins regardless of how the Samford game goes. Western Carolina has strengthened its defense with transfers, especially at linebacker, and also brought in former Harvard standout quarterback Charlie Dean.
The prediction: Furman 27, Western Carolina 24
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Oct. 28: East Tennessee State
Last season: Furman won, 27-14
The buzz: Homecoming should be an enjoyable day for Furman. East Tennessee State was 1-7 in the Southern Conference last season after winning the league in 2021 for the first time in program history. Things fell apart quickly for the Buccaneers, and some key players have transferred out.
The prediction: Furman 38, ETSU 14
Nov. 4: at Chattanooga
Last season: Furman won, 24-20.
The buzz: Chattanooga has not had a losing season in the Southern Conference since 2017, which came on the heels of a three-year run in the playoffs. The Mocs have remained competitive but haven’t quite had enough to make a real splash in recent years. It seems like that will happen again.
The prediction: Furman 28, Chattanooga 24
Nov. 11: at VMI
Last season: Furman won, 41-3.
The buzz: VMI struggled mightily last season, going 0-8 in the Southern Conference and getting outscored by an average of 39-15. New coach Danny Rocco went 121-65 at Liberty, Richmond and Delaware since 2006. He’s got his work cut out at VMI, though.
The prediction: Furman 48, VMI 17
Nov. 18: at Wofford
Last season: Furman won, 63-28.
The buzz: This season-ending rivalry game used to be the most highly anticipated of the season. No longer. Wofford as a perennial power disappeared quickly after the retirement of legendary coach Mike Ayers, dipping to 0-8 in the SoCon two years ago. The Terriers did win three of the last five in 2022 after Shawn Watson took over.
The prediction: Furman 42, Wofford 24
Season prediction
Furman finishes 9-2 (7-1 in SoCon).
This article originally appeared on Herald-Journal: Furman football game-by-game predictions for the 2023 season
