2018 College Football Team Previews: The Citadel Bulldogs

The Citadel Bulldogs
Location: Charleston, SC
Coach: Brent Thompson (15-8)
Stadium: Johnson Hagood Stadium (Capacity: 21,000)

CSJ Projections:
5th: SoCon
5th: South Carolina
36th: FCS
153rd: Division I

2017 In A Sentence: After winning two consecutive SoCon championships, in 2017 the Bulldogs all too often wound up red-faced in the Red Zone, losing their final three games to finish at under-.500 for the year. (Granted, one of those three games was against CFP semi-finalist Clemson.)

Biggest Shoes to Fill: DB Kailik Williams his career tied for 11th in program history for all-time career tackles with 240 and forced four takeaways, two fumbles and two interceptions.

Key Player: Head coach Brent Thompson fielded a lot of freshmen last season, but it’s veteran C Tyler Davis that will be critical to having the Bulldogs’ offensive line gel into a unit that can dominate to allow The Citadel’s option offense to thrive. Last year the Bulldogs averaged a little under 300 yards rushing per game – Davis and the offensive line will have to improve on that number if they hope to compete for a SoCon championship or an FCS Playoff berth.

Fearless Prediction: If Thompson’s sophomores, as expected, improve even further this year, this team should compete for the SoCon title deep into November. But they open the season on the road against Wofford, not exactly an ideal spot. Can they upset the Terriers and announce to FCS Nation that they will be a force to be reckoned with this year?

(Courtesy of E.M. Winslow)