Wofford football hopes to improve on 1-10 season. Here are our game-by-game predictions.
Wofford football went 1-10 last season, the most losses in a single season since 1987.
Coach Josh Conklin knows this is unacceptable, especially after two Southern Conference championships in his first two seasons in charge of Terrier football.
So he revamped his staff by adding 10 assistants this offseason; including former Colorado, Pittsburgh and Nebraska offensive coordinator Shawn Watson as an assistant head coach, and offensive coordinator and former Clemson aide Andrew Warwick as co-defensive coordinator.
Along with the new blood in the coaching staff, 16 starters return. Given that experience and fresh ideas, Wofford could see its recent downward trend bounce the other way.
With the season set to kick off Saturday at Chattanooga, here are game-by-game predictions for Wofford football:
NEW HIRE: Wofford football hires former Clemson aide Andrew Warwick as co-defensive coordinator
NEW OFFENSE: Wofford football eager to unveil new-look offense after bumpy transition from option days
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Sept. 3: at Chattanooga, 6 p.m.
Last season: Lost 35-10 at home
Wofford starts a tough early season schedule on the road against SoCon foe Chattanooga. The Mocs finished with a 5-3 conference record last season and look to be a difficult opponent yet again for the Terriers.
The Pick: Chattanooga 24, Wofford 14
Week-by-week record: 0-1
Sept. 10: vs. Elon, 6 p.m.
Last season: Won 24-22 at Elon
Wofford's lone win came last season in the opener against the Phoenix in North Carolina. This time, Elon comes to Spartanburg and the result should be the same for the Terriers.
The Pick: Wofford 27, Elon 20
Week-by-week record: 1-1
Sept. 17: at Virginia Tech, 11 a.m.
Last season: Didn't play. Hokies went 6-7 in 2021.
The early season gauntlet continues for the Terriers as they travel to Blacksburg, Virginia, to take on the Hokies — the only Power Five team on Wofford's schedule. Last season, Wofford lost to North Carolina, another ACC team, by 20. Expect that trend to continue against Virginia Tech.
The Pick: Virginia Tech 45, Wofford 17
Week-by-week record: 1-2
Sept. 24: at Kennesaw State, 6 p.m.
Last season: Lost 31-10 at home
After playing their lone Power Five opponent, the Terries will go on the road against the defending Big South champions, Kennesaw State (11-2). This should be a difficult outing for the Terriers.
The Pick: Kennesaw 24, Wofford 14
Week-by-week record: 1-3
Oct. 1: vs. Mercer, 1:30 p.m.
Last season: Lost 45-14 at Mercer
The road doesn't get easier in October as Wofford hosts SoCon runner-up Mercer. The Bears finished 2021 with a 7-3 record and should again be one of the better teams in the conference.
The Pick: Mercer 30, Wofford 17
Week-by-week record: 1-4
Oct. 8: at. Samford, 12 p.m.
Last season: Lost 27-24 at home
After finishing 3-5 in 2021, Samford will host the Terriers in a game that is winnable and marks the beginning of what is expected to be an easier portion of Wofford's schedule.
The Pick: Wofford 24, Samford 20
Week-by-week record: 2-4
Oct. 15: vs. The Citadel, 1:30 p.m.
Last season: Lost 45-44 (OT) at The Citadel
After losing in OT at The Citadel last season, Wofford has the chance the avenge itself at home, and possibly put together a bit of a winning streak.
The Pick: Wofford 34, The Citadel 28
Week-by-week record: 3-4
Oct. 29: vs. ETSU, 1:30 p.m.
Last season: Lost 27-21 at ETSU
Despite winning the SoCon last year, ETSU barely got by Wofford at home. This time the Bucs travel to Spartanburg and could be on the wrong side of an upset.
The Pick: Wofford 21, ETSU 20
Week-by-week record: 4-4
Nov. 5: at Western Carolina, 2 p.m.
Last season: Lost 41-21 at home
Western Carolina finished 4-7 last year as a middle of the pack SoCon team, but boy did they have the Terriers number. Despite the optimism on the Terriers, the Catamounts should take care of business at home.
The Pick: Western Carolina 30, Wofford 14
Week-by-week record: 4-5
Nov. 12: vs. Virginia Military Institute, 1:30 p.m.
Last season: Lost 31-23 at Virginia Military Institute
Against another middle of the pack SoCon team last season, Wofford lost a one-possession game. This season VMI comes to Spartanburg and the Terriers could pick up a bi conference win here.
The Pick: Wofford 21, Virginia Military Institute 17
Week-by-week record: 5-5
Nov. 19: at Furman, 1 p.m.
Last season: Loss 42-20 at home
To wrap up the season, Wofford travels to nearby rival Furman. Even though rivalry games are tough to predict, the Paladins seem to be the favorites in this one.
The Pick: Furman 34, Wofford 21
2022 final record prediction: 5-6
This article originally appeared on Herald-Journal: Wofford Terrier football: Game-by-game predictions for 2022 season
