RFC Small College Preview: Gulf South Conference (GSC)--(NCAA Division II)

Gulf South Conference (GSC)

2014 Football Standings

Looking back: In one of the strangest seasons in Gulf South Conference (GSC) history, both the Delta State University and the University of North Alabama shared the league title in 2014, while the Valdosta State University (Ga.) Blazers and the University of West Georgia Wolves finished in a two-way for third place. All four teams advanced to the NCAA Division II playoffs.

When postseason play rolled around, the GSC proved why it's been one of the strongest conferences in all of D-II, as the two lowest seeds in the Super Region 2 bracket; Valdosta State and West Georgia, pulled off upset wins over the first two weekends of the playoffs to advance to the regional finals.

The fifth-seeded Blazers upset No. 4 North Alabama, and top seed Lenoir-Rhyne, while the sixth-seeded Wolves stunned No. 3 Tuskegee and No. 2 Delta State, to square in the Super Region 2 Final. The Wolves then knocked off the Blazers to advance to their first-ever national semifinal. 

In that aforementioned contest, the Wolves gave eventual national champion Colorado State-Pueblo all it handle, before losing 10-7.

Looking ahead: Don't be surprised if the race for the GSC title goes down to the final week of the regular season. Also, don't be surprised if the GSC gets multiple playoff bids like last season.

Predicted order of finish (2014 overall record in parentheses):

1. West Georgia (12-3): Second-year head coach Will Hall hopes that the signing of multiple transfers and other players will help the Wolves make another deep postseason run in 2015. If that wasn't enough, UWG begins this season as the No. 2 team in the nation, according to Lindy's Sports.

2. Valdosta State (10-3): But with five players being named All-Americans, as well as a pair of Top 15 preseason national rankings, don't count the Blazers out of the Gulf South championship hunt this fall. 2014 Media Guide

3. North Alabama (9-2): If the Lions hope to land in the playoffs this year, they must endure a tough schedule that includes visits to Valdosta State, Western Oregon, and West Georgia, among other places. Oh, and head coach Bobby Wallace will welcome back 15 starters for this potentially incredible ride as well. 2014 Media Guide

4. Delta State (9-2): The Statesmen lost to just one team last year; in West Georgia, with the second loss coming in the second round of the NCAA Division II playoffs, ending their season. They hope to use both losses as motivation for this year.

5. Florida Tech (6-5): The Panthers enter their third season looking to win their first-ever conference championship, and then some.

6. West Alabama (5-6): The Tigers look to rebound after struggling to a 3-4 mark in GSC action last season, as they begin their second season under head coach Brent Gilliland.

7. Shorter (3-8): The Hawks hope to turn the corner after a disappointing 2014 campaign that produced just one GSC win.

8. Mississippi College (1-9):  With nothing to play for aside from pride, the Choctaws main goal in 2015 will be to win their first GSC game since returning to D-II for the first time since 1995.


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