Elon University’s 28-25 win over Furman University last Saturday means a lot more than it appears on the surface. Pessimists point to Elon’s 2-4 overall record, defensive struggles and offensive lapses. Optimists, however, now have fuel for their fire.

The winner of the Southern Conference earns an automatic berth to the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision playoffs. Elon’s conference record sits at 1-1 with plenty of winnable games ahead. The first of those games is Saturday at Wofford College. It’s the second triple-option test of the year for the Phoenix, and the last one didn’t fare so well, a 70-0 defeat against Georgia Tech.

Let’s get to the keys of the game.

Elon Offensive X-factor: Running backs

Elon spent much of spring practice running a lightning-fast, pass-based offense. Elon ran 69 plays, 35 of which were passes, in the season opener in Atlanta against Georgia Tech, but the Phoenix only ran 58 plays, a mere 17 passes, a week ago. The difference is obvious. Elon has gone from a passing juggernaut to a run-heavy team. Redshirt freshman B.J. Bennett did not play a week ago with an ankle injury, so sophomore Tracey Coppedge earned carries against Furman. He only played through the third quarter, when he fumbled for the fifth time in six games. The constant in the equation is junior Karl Bostick, who scored a pair of touchdowns in the win at Furman.

If these three can keep their pace this week. which would involve Bennett returning from injury and Coppedge holding onto the football, Elon will continue to have offensive success.

LAST TIME OUT: Elon tops Furman for first SoCon win

Wofford Offensive X-factor: Donovan Johnson, HB

It’s no secret Elon’s defense has struggled, especially stopping the run. It’s also no secret Wofford runs the ball a lot and struggles to pass. All the pieces are in place for senior halfback Donovan Johnson to have a monster day for Wofford. He averages 118 yards per game so far, though his season high is 150 yards. If Johnson torches Elon the way that Lorenzo Taliaferro of Coastal Carolina University or Marcus Cox of Appalachian State University did, it will be a long day for Elon.

Elon Defensive X-factor: Defensive line

Senior defensive lineman Tony Thompson went down with an injury for the second time this season in the win over Furman. That injury left a struggling defensive line even more depleted than before. As mentioned above, Wofford is a running team. But, if Elon can contain the one-dimensional Terriers, the Phoenix has more than a chance. Wofford is only 27-of-59 through the air all season long for a mere 417 yards through five games. Wofford’s two losses saw them score three and zero points, respectively.

MORE: No Eric Breitenstein, no problem for Wofford thus far

Wofford Defensive X-factor: Defensive line

Just like Elon above, Wofford’s top defensive focus will be stopping the run. Schematically, Wofford’s defense is similar to that of Appalachian State, which Elon tore up in the second half. Elon, unlike Wofford, has the passing game to fall back on if the run game is unsuccessful. The last two weeks have been run-heavy for Elon, so another big week of runs should be expected for Wofford.

Prediction

Was last week’s win big? Yes. Does it instill confidence in the Phoenix? Yes. Can Elon potentially win this week? Again, yes. But, Wofford is better on paper, and Elon has not proven they can stop a triple option in a long time.

Wofford 42, Elon 21