Bishops bring many challenges to Ferrum- Panthers look for 8th straight.

Saturday will be Senior Day for the Panthers. The last home game of the season. It will provide a chance to thank those Panthers in their senior year for their dedication to the tradition of Ferrum football. It will be a sad day for many realizing that they may never play another game before the home crowd. It will offer a time to reflect on the many wins and special memories. Senior Day, while important will pale in comparison to the task at hand Saturday.
North Carolina Wesleyan comes to W.B.Adams Stadium looking to play the role of the spoiler. Having lost last Saturday to preseason favorite Christopher Newport University,(27-26) the Bishops find themselves out of the running for the conference crown. Ferrum owns a perfect conference record, and will need to maintain that against NCW.
Wesleyan has a very good football team. The conference statistical rankings bear that out.
Out of 17 categories of team statistics, NCW leads in 7 of the categories. (through 8 weeks) Ferrum leads in 4 categories.

These categories are: Rushing Offense FC 1st NCW 4th ;Passing Offense NCW 1st FC 8th;
Total Offense NCW 1st FC 3rd; Scoring Offense NCW 1st FC 3rd;
Rushing Defense FC 1st NCW 2ndTotal Defense NCW 1st FC 3rd
Scoring Defense FC 1st NCW 4th; Net Punting FC 1st NCW 5th;
Pass Defense NCW 1st FC 6th
Passing Efficiency NCW 1st FC 4th; Tackles for a loss NCW 1st FC 6th

Overall these numbers are nothing more than a possible indicator. What can one draw from them? Well its obvious that if I have the # 1 Passing offense, I would play to the strength of passing. Ferrum is ranked 6th against the pass, and so this is the glaring weakness. Total Offense vs. Total Defense would, by the numbers, give the edge to NCW albeit just a slight edge.

So what will it take to keep the conference record unblemished? These are my 5 keys to a Ferrum win:

First, Ferrum will need to focus on time of possession. If the Bishops don't have the ball, they cannot score.

Second, Ferrum cannot give anything to NCW. By this, I mean turnovers, penalties, or long pass plays. Do not give them a huge cushion. Let the receiver know you are there, but stay penalty free.

Third, Ferrum must keep the Bishops out of the red zone, and force three and outs. This can be accomplished in part by pressuring the quarterback. Ferrum must get to their quarterback.

Fourth, The Special teams must be perfect. Not only extra points and field goals, but also kickoffs, kickoff coverage, punt, and punt coverage.

Fifth, The home crowd must be a factor. ALL bleacher seats must be filled. Pack the Place, and be LOUD!!! Make them think they are the visiting team in the Rose Bowl.

This will not be an easy win, but I think its a game Ferrum can win. Make no mistake...North Carolina Wesleyan is a very good football team. They are the defending USA South conference champions, but they will not repeat. It's time to bring the conference title to Ferrum.

My prediction:

Ferrum 22
NC Wesleyan 21