After jumping into Southern Conference play a week ago, the Elon University football team will jump right back out again to play its final non-conference game of the 2013 season. Coastal Carolina University will bring a 4-0 (0-0 Big South Conference) record from Conway, S.C. to Rhodes Stadium for a 1:30 p.m. matchup Saturday, Sept. 28.

The No. 11 Chanticleers, while undefeated, have yet to play a team currently holding a winning record. It is obvious to point out that Elon (1-3, 0-1) will not buck this trend, but the Phoenix believes it has what it takes to pull the upset. With a large Family Weekend crowd sure to be on hand, here are the keys to the game:

Elon Offensive X-factor: Rasaun Rorie and Kierre Brown, WRs

A week ago, senior wide receiver Rasaun Rorie and junior wide receiver Kierre Brown had six catches each in Elon’s loss to Appalachian State University. Between those 12 catches, Elon gained 127 yards, an average of 10.6 yards per catch. The ability of junior quarterback Mike Quinn to spread the field and move the chains with these two targets is critical.

Coastal Carolina Offensive X-factor: Alex Ross, QB

Coastal Carolina sophomore quarterback Alex Ross has taken the reins to the Chanticleers’ offense full time in 2013, and has already improved on a solid 2012 season. He has upped his completion percentage to 64.5%, thrown for an average of 205.8 yards per game, and led Coastal Carolina to a 4-0 record.

The Elon secondary has struggled at points this season, meaning Ross has the ability to increase his numbers in a hurry if he can read the defense early in the game.

Elon Defensive X-factor: Defensive front

When the game was on the line against Appalachian State, the defensive front could not wrap up freshman running back Marcus Cox. Cox’s individual 75-yard drive late in the fourth quarter was the culmination of a day of domination of the defensive front. A few mistimed blitzes and an inability to get a third-down stop truly cost the Phoenix. This unit will need to have a bounce-back game on Saturday.

Coastal Carolina Defensive X-factor: Secondary

The Chanticleers utilize a 4-2-5 defensive scheme, which matches up well with Elon’s spread offense. As mentioned above, the pass is Elon’s bread and butter on offense. If Coastal Carolina can shut down the passing game for the Phoenix, it will be a long and tough day for Elon. This will likely be Coastal Carolina’s biggest key to going 5-0 on the season.

Prediction

Last week, I said Elon would lose by 10. I was right. However, the momentum that Elon gained near the end of the Appalachian State game was invaluable. The Phoenix was a third down stop away from a legitimate chance at defeating a team that is on its way to the Football Bowl Subdivision. By translating that strong finish into a strong start this week, Elon will be able to bring Coastal Carolina down to Earth and turn around the course of the season.

Elon 31, Coastal Carolina 27