Bulldogs top Southern Conference summer power poll

1. The Citadel: The Bulldogs shared the conference championship last year with Chattanooga before losing in the second round of the FCS playoffs.

2. Chattanooga: The Mocs lost in the second round of the playoffs last year after winning at least a share of the conference title for the third straight year.

3. Mercer: The Bears have won three conference games in two Southern Conference seasons, including a win over No. 3 Chattanooga last season.

4. Western Carolina: The Catamounts have won seven games in each of the past two seasons after winning six total games from 2010 to 2013.

5. Samford: Macon native Chris Hatcher enters his second season as the Bulldogs’ head coach, finishing last year with three straight wins to end up at 6-5.

6. Furman: The Paladins lost five of their final six games in 2015 to finish 4-7.

7. Wofford: The Terriers haven’t won more than six games the past three seasons after winning nine in 2012.

8. VMI: The Keydets have won two games in each of the past five seasons.

9: East Tennessee State: The Buccaneers make their return to the conference with full eligibility.

Sun Belt Conference summer power poll

This story was originally published July 15, 2016 at 7:46 AM with the headline "Bulldogs top Southern Conference summer power poll."