Southern Conference race is deep once again

Football power poll for the Southern Conference entering the 2017 season.

1. The Citadel

2016 record: 10-2.

Season opener: vs. Newberry, Sept. 2.

2. Samford

2016 record: 7-5.

Season opener: vs. Kennesaw State, Aug. 31.

3. Wofford

2016 record: 10-4.

Season opener: vs. Furman, Sept. 2.

4. Mercer

2016 record: 6-5.

Season opener: vs. Jacksonville, Aug. 31.

5. Chattanooga

2016 record: 9-4.

Season opener: vs. Jacksonville State in Montgomery, Alabama, Aug. 26.

6. Furman

2016 record: 3-8

Season opener: at Wofford, Sept. 2.

7. East Tennessee State

2016 record: 5-6.

Season opener: vs. Limestone, Sept. 2.

8. Western Carolina

2016 record: 2-9.

Season opener: at Hawaii, Sept. 2.

9. VMI

2016 record: 3-8.

Season opener: at Air Force, Sept. 2.

This story was originally published August 15, 2017 at 8:47 AM with the headline "Southern Conference race is deep once again."