Big Swede's Five Minutes On The Gulf South Conference

((HT: d2Football.com))

This is a reprint of FOSG Big Swede's new column about life in the Gulf South Conference... they got a head start in the recognition department with Shorter's win over Campbell...

The names of programs in transition mean nothing. History is dead. Things are not what they used to be in the Gulf South Conference. That is what we found out last weekend.

GSC teams went 4-2 to open the season. The way the two losses occurred has to have created concern. How much concern is up for debate. This week's power rankings shouldn't come as too much a surprise. Keep in mind, who each school opened with and that program's talent level is a major factor this early in the season.

Power Rankings:

1. West Alabama- My preseason favorite to win the conference and the region showed why with a silly 44-0 domination of Clark Atlanta.

Running back Matt Willis scored three total touchdowns (2 rushing, 1 receiving) and went for 163 yards on just 15 carries. The senior also added two receptions for 73 yards. That's stupid. He's good at football. But most of all, Willis has a serious chance to contend for this year's Harlon Hill Trophy.

Kyle Caldwell was an efficient 12 of 19 for 215 yards and two touchdowns. His continued growth will only further this team's ability. So far in his career, he seems to get better every week. We did see a little of his back up Gary Johnston, but this looks like Caldwell's offense.

Then there was the defense that allowed 78 total yards. I don't care who you are playing, if you can hold an NCAA program to under the yardage amount of the length of a football field, you are pretty special. Especially when a lot of the familiar names on this side of the ball didn't have to contribute much.

2. Valdosta State- Oops they did it again. Valdosta State blew another late lead in the final minutes dropping their opener to Saginaw Valley State 28-24.

Earl Arms has the details and an interesting beginning...
((HT: MINBCNews.com))


One time is expected. Two times is a coincidence. Three times is a trend. But now it's just a concern. But who do you blame? This is an oddity that is tough to explain. So for now, I will point to the only thing glaringly different with the VSU defense; the staff.

The Blazers have two co-defensive coordinators. Seth Wallace and Earl Chambers. Two guys who have paid their dues in this business and two guys I know are capable of leading a defense. But can a defense have two leaders? Can any group? Ask 'The Real Housewives of New Jersey'.

3. North Alabama- How different are things in the GSC this year? North Alabama almost lost to Miles. It took a stop on a 2 point conversion for the win for the Lions to beat a SIAC team. Never thought I'd see the day.

Here's your recap from UNA Athletics their own selves...


In the 31-30 win three UNA players ran for at least 65 yards. That's a new thing but not unexpected with Bobby Wallace at the helm. If Lamonte Thompson can continue to run like he did in the opener (21 rushes for 102 yards and a touchdown) and take pressure off quarterback Chris Alexander, it bodes well for this offense's future.

While the offense was nothing to get overly excited about, the defense was even worse. This unit let David Thomas do whatever he wanted through the air. The Miles signal caller went 23 of 35 for 379 yards and three touchdowns. I didn't know a SIAC quarterback could look so good. Not a good sign for this defense. This was an unimpressive performance, in a win, leaving me to wonder how far this team can go.

4. Delta State- It doesn't seem as though Jamey Chadwell's system has been fully developed in Cleveland, Mississippi. Like a soup without spices, something just seems missing. It doesn't look like it's something monumental but whatever it is, is throwing everything else off.

The Statesmen offense looked great for most of the first half. Trevor Wooden marched the squad up and down the field but couldn't punch the ball in for points on numerous occasions deep in Fort Valley territory. From that failure, it looked like the team lost confidence and carried that with them to an anemic second half of offensive play.

Like UNA, there has to be some concern on defense. They limited Antonio Henton from getting in a passing rhythm most of the contest but in the second half FVSU's quarterback rallied to finish with 234 passing yards and two touchdowns. They also let running back Seth Hill walk all over them for 144 yards and two scores. This is even more concerning than the offensive struggles. Creating a terrible recipe right now. Someone just dropped lamb and tuna fish into this soup instead of spices.

And, then, Fort Valley got back to work...
((HT: 13WMAZ-TV Macon))
5. West Georgia- If you're a West Georgia fan and aren't happy to open the season with a 55-3 win over Point, you're a terrible person. So, go ahead and look... ((HT: gouwgwolves10)) It wasn't so long ago that other teams beat the hell out of the Wolves with no regard for their level of play. Don't be better than scheduling a team to get a win. This has larger ramifications than missing out on contests that impact playoff hopes. Marking down more and more wins in the record books can help with recruiting. The most important aspect of this game was new quarterback Austin Trainor getting acclimated with his new teammates going 11 of 15 for 111 yards and two touchdowns. His development and knowledge of this offense is what can carry this program to the next level. Having a running back like Seth Hinsley rush for 111 yards on just 17 carries with two scores helps any quarterback get in a rhythm. But don't be better than scheduling a team just to get a W. Nobody did that when you were down. 6. Shorter- Welcome to the GSC Shorter.

I normally don't get overly excited when a Division II team beats a non-scholarship FCS program but this was a unique scenario. Shorter is coming up from the NAIA ranks so it's not just playing up one level, or two, it can be portrayed like the Hawks played up three levels.

As long as Shorter can establish their running game, I like their chances to upset at least one of the preexisting GSC teams this year.

New signal caller Eric Dodson was brilliant on offense, throwing for 191 yards and adding a rushing and a passing touchdown. If the sophomore can play like that and continue to grow, this offense could be dangerous in week to week preparations for a lot of teams.