Greensboro @ Ferrum Game Preview

This Saturday's game has Ferrum at home again hosting the Greensboro Pride. Greensboro (0-6, 0-3) comes to town in the middle of a season that has been a struggle to say the least. Greensboro ranks at or near the bottom in most all of the statistical categories as compared to other conference teams. As they are at the bottom of the conference standings, that would seem logical. The Pride however, while having a forgettable season, is a team that seems to always be well prepared for the Panthers. Over the last few seasons, Ferrum and Greensboro have had a some very intense games. Last year, Ferrum lead GC 21-0, but had to hang on for a 28-20 win. In 2008, Ferrum won the game, 46-21, but Greensboro had no quit in them, and scored in the second, third, and final quarters. While Ferrum leads the all time series 13-2, it was in 2009 that Greensboro came to W.B. Adams field, and defeated the Panthers  Ferrum lead that game 17-0, but Greensboro came back to score four touchdowns...all through the air, and take a 27-17 lead. It turned out that Ferrum would score one more touchdown, but it was not enough, as Ferrum fell 27-24.
That season, Greensboro finished 6-4, and lost to Christopher Newport 14-7.
While that Pride win over Ferrum was just two seasons ago, a lot has changed for both teams. Since that loss, Marcus Mayo is back in the Ferrum lineup, and there has been much growth and maturity on the Ferrum side of the ball. Ferrum is a faster team than in recent years, and under first year head coach David Harper, the Panthers seem to be totally focused.
While I, like everyone else is expecting Ferrum to post another one in the "W" column, I am also somewhat apprehensive about this game. The Pride is a team that can put up a tough fight. They went toe to toe with North Carolina Wesleyan before losing later in the game, 31-19. NCW trailed much of that game.
Ferrum needs to play the strong, and consistent way that they have been playing in recent weeks. They need to play mistake free football, and keep their mind on this game and this game only. Do not look any further than Saturday's game against Greensboro. Get this win, and then you can think about Shenandoah.....but not before the win over GC.

My Prediction:

Ferrum  44
Greensboro 20

As for the rest of the USA South:

SHENANDOAH @ Methodist
Averett @ MARYVILLE
North Carolina Wesleyan @ CHRISTOPHER NEWPORT UNIVERSITY