2014 Southern Conference football season
The 2014 Southern Conference football season was the 93rd season of college football for the Southern Conference (SoCon) and formed a part of the 2014 NCAA Division I FCS football season. It was the first season for two newcomers: the Mercer Bears, who previously played in the Pioneer Football League, and the VMI Keydets, who had an 80-year stint in the SoCon before joining the Big South Conference in 2003. The additions of Mercer and VMI, along with East Tennessee State, who is bringing back football in 2015, replaced the departure of Georgia Southern  and Appalachian State who joined the Sun Belt Conference, as well as Elon who left for the Colonial Athletic Association. Previous season. In 2013, both Appalachian State and Georgia Southern were ineligible for postseason play due to their transition to the FBS in 2014. Both schools had down years, each going 4–4 in conference play, with Georgia Southern posting a 7–4 overall mark to Appalachian State's 4–8. At the top of the conference was a three-way tie between Chattanooga, Samford, and Furman, who all posted 6–2 conference records. The three schools were declared co-champions, though only Samford  and Furman were selected to participate in the FCS tournament. Samford, who finished ranked #18 in the coaches poll, was defeated in the second round of the playoffs by Jacksonville State on the road, 55–14. Furman, ranked #22, beat South Carolina State in their opening round game in Orangeburg by a score of 30–20. They were knocked out the following week by North Dakota State, who went on to win their third straight national title. Newcomer Mercer finished their tenure in the Pioneer League on a high note, going 10–2 and 6–2 in conference play, narrowly missing out on the  playoffs. VMI was 2–10 in 2013, including a 1–4 mark in Big South play, beating Gardner–Webb. Preseason poll results. "First place votes in parentheses" Regular season. All times Eastern time. Rankings reflect that of the Sports Network poll for that week. Week One. Players of the Week Week Two. Players of the Week Week Three. Players of the Week Week Four. Players of the Week Week Five. Players of the Week Week Six. Players of the Week Week Seven. Players of the Week Week Eight. Players of the Week Week Nine. Players of the Week Week Ten. Players of  the Week Week Eleven. Players of the Week Week Twelve. Players of the Week Week Thirteen. Players of the Week