Welcome to the first of weekly SoConversations this football season between The Citadel beat writer Jeff Hartsell of the Charleston Post and Courier, Elon beat writer Adam Smith of the Burlington Times News and UTC beat writer John Frierson of the Chattanooga Times Free Press.
Each week the three veteran Southern Conference writers will share their thoughts on what’s happening with the teams they cover and within the league.
What’s the biggest story heading into the 2011 season?
JEFF: I kind of like the idea of the SoCon being on public television alongside Masterpiece Theater and Live from the Met. It lends the league a bit of class. But off the field, the big story has to be App State’s potential move to the FBS and what that might mean for the SoCon. Would the league reconsider Charlotte? Would The Citadel, Wofford and Furman ever go along with inviting Coastal Carolina?
And is it the right thing for App State? I don’t think there would be as much buzz on The Rock if the Mountaineers were a middle of the pack team in Conference USA instead of competing for national titles in FCS.