Mocs prepare for Tide while awaiting playoff fate
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (AP) – Chattanooga heads to No. 1 Alabama to face the two-time defending national champions while wondering about its own postseason fate.
The Mocs squandered an opportunity to clinch their first Football Championship Subdivision playoff appearance since 1984 last week when they lost 17-14 at Samford in overtime. Chattanooga still could earn the Southern Conference’s automatic playoff bid Saturday if Elon (2-9) upsets Samford (7-4). The Mocs (8-3) otherwise must hope for an at-large playoff invitation.
In just about any other circumstance, that uncertainty might distract a team. The opportunity to face Alabama (10-0) on Saturday assures that won’t be a problem in this case. Chattanooga nose tackle Josh Freeman says that “I don’t know how you could focus on anything else” when Alabama’s the next team on the schedule.
