RFC Summer Semester--Gulf South Conference (NCAA Division II)

Looking back: In the final season with the so-called "Arkansas Six", Delta State, Valdosta State, and Henderson State, all shared the Gulf South Conference title with identical 6-2 marks in conference play.  Additionally, North Alabama received a bid to the NCAA Division II playoffs along with DSU and VSU, despite finishing one game behind that trio at 5-3.  

In the D-II playoffs, Delta State reached the national championship game at Florence, Ala. for the first time in a decade (DSU won a national title in 2000).  The Statesmen gave Minnesota-Duluth all it could handle before losing on a last second field goal.

Looking ahead: The GSC lost the six Arkansas schools (Arkansas-Monticello, Arkansas Tech, Harding, Henderson State, Ouachita Baptist, and Southern Arkansas) to an all-new league; the Great American Conference, during the offseason.  If that wasn't enough, the University of North Alabama recently announced its intentions to pursue NCAA Division I status.  That move will leave the league with just four football playing schools (Delta State, Valdosta State, West Alabama, and West Georgia).  Still, don't count out the GSC just yet, as the conference's board of presidents recently gave the final OK to allow the University of New Orleans to jump on board.  UNO is expected to add football by 2015.  But for 2011, at least, expect the current crop of "fab five" football playing schools to be very competitive, as there likely will be no margin for error for any GSC team that wants to reach postseason play.

Website: http://www.gscsports.org/

Predicted order of finish (2010 overall record of parentheses)

1. Delta State (11-4):  The non-conference schedule for the Statesmen includes a season-opening contest against FCS Southland Conference foe Northwestern State (La.), as well as games against three of the "Arkansas Six."  Head Coach Ron Roberts welcomes back 17 starters from last year's runner-up team/

2. Valdosta State (8-3):  The Blazers had a chance to win the 2010 GSC title outright, before being knocked off by West Alabama in the regular season finale, followed by a loss to North Alabama in the opening round of the D-II playoffs.  Head Coach David Dean and his charges also face a challenging non-league schedule, as VSU will clash against two teams that advanced to postseason play, Wingate and Albany State (Ga.), both on the road.

3. North Alabama (9-4): With the move to NCAA Division I looming, it'll be interesting to see how head coach Terry Bowden and his Lions respond in their final season in the GSC.  One of the key early-season tests for UNA will take place on September 17, when they face perennial Lone Star Conference powerhouse Abilene Christian at Cowboys Stadium.

4. West Alabama (7-4):  After landing back-to-back winning seasons, including a D-II playoff berth in 2009, the Tigers hope to make it a trifecta under new head coach Will Hall.

5. West Georgia (3-7):  As the only current remaining GSC football playing member that suffered a losing season, the Wolves lost five straight games to close out 2010 after a 3-2 start.  They hope to turn around things around in a big way in 2011.