Strengths · Charleston Southern opened the season with nine consecutive wins, but lost to Big South Conference rivals Liberty and Division I-AA No. 12 Coastal Carolina in the final two games of the season.

Playing Hawaii in the fourth weekend of September is a big step up for the Buccaneers, who were among the conference leaders in nearly every major statistical category.

The Bucs landed five players on the Big South preseason all-conference team, including four on defense.

Senior linebacker Jada Ross is at the head of the fab four class with a team-leading 127 tackles - 11 for loss, including two sacks. Cornerback C.J. Hirchman was also an all-conference selection. He finished second on the team in tackles with 80. Hirchman also had three interceptions and two pass breakups.

WEAKNESS · The Buccaneers lost a lot of firepower on offense. Missing in action is quarterback Collin Drafts, who played this summer for the Tri-Cities Fever in arenafootball2. He was the team’s leading rusher and passer last season.

Conspicuous by his absence will be top receiver Maurice Price. He caught 103 passes for 985 yards and 10 touchdowns, leaving the Bucs in search of a replacement.

Junior Markus Murry does return at wideout.

He finished second on the team in receptions last year with 31 for 460 yards and three touch-downs, but overall, the Bucs will be starting from scratch at several spots on the field.