Well, we now know that UNA will most likely share the Gulf South Conference title with Delta State, pending the outcome of their game Saturday.

West Alabama will start on the recruitment trail a couple of days before the other three GSC teams that will end their season Saturday. How fitting it was to watch UWA's Kyle Caldwell go out with a touchdown pass on his final play of college football. He, and the other Tiger seniors, should be very proud of what they did in Livingston, including two GSC titles.

The most competitive game Saturday will be down in Melbourne, but the close proximity of the schools in the other two match-ups make them interesting in their own right.

I'm definitely sad to be writing my last preview of the season for a few teams. Savor those last moments of regular-season gridiron action GSC fans!


West Georgia (8-2, 4-2) vs. Shorter (3-6, 1-5) @ 11 AM EST

Breakfast in Rome, anyone? Tailgating with gravy and biscuits doesn't sound half bad, but it's usually only the norm with playoff games or random start times for national TV during the D2 semifinals. Yet, the Wolves will wake up just north of Carrollton for an early kickoff and Will Hall will have his team ready to potentially claim the school's first trip to the playoffs since 2001.

Shorter is led on offense by a trio of rushers, including QB Eric Dodson (4.5 yards per rush and 5 TD's) along with running backs B.J. McCoy (3.5 yards per carry and 5 TD's) and Kirk Wilson (11 yards per carry and 3 TD's). The Hawks defense is still led by stand-out Jordan Shaw (65 tackles with 8 INT's). UWG's Dallas Dickey (1542 all-purpose yards and 14 TD's) is back and healthy and will be at the helm of the offense supported by other talented skill players including RB Seth Hinsley (854 yards and 6 TD's) and WR Shaq Hall (551 yards and 3 TD's). Tyrell Adams (60 tackles with 4.5 TFL, 3 sacks and 1 INT) and Laronji Vason (50 total tackles) lead the Wolves defensive unit.

Playing in morning might have both teams looking sluggish in the first couple of quarters, but I expect UWG to come out after half-time and take care of business.

Wolves 35-7


Mississippi College (1-8, 0-6) vs. Delta State (8-1, 5-1) @ 4 PM CST

While Statesmen Nation will be fired up to renew this in-state rivalry, DSU will mainly be playing for a conference title and a top two finish in the region, which comes with a bye week and hosting privileges in the second round of the playoffs. The Choctaws will be hoping to shock everyone with what would be the biggest upset of the year.

MC's option offense came to life last week against West Alabama and they will look to keep that momentum going. The Choctaws used a balanced attack vs. the Tigers as QB Jonathan Redd had 172 passing yards and 1 TD and 45 rushing yards rushing with 1 TD. Chris Ingram (64 yards and 1 TD) and Kyle Smith (53 yards and 1 TD) were the leading rushers last week. The MC defense is anchored by Reggie Bennett with 80 tackles on the year. The Statesmen are fueled by their up-tempo offense that has rarely been slowed down this season. They are the top offense in the conference averaging 48.6 points a game and QB Tyler Sullivan has 2980 all-purpose yards along with 29 TD's. The defense is led by Richard Nash with 58 tackles.

While the Choctaws may get a few scores in, I don't see this game being close past the first quarter.

Statesmen 45-24


Valdosta State (7-2, 4-2) vs. Florida Tech (6-4, 3-3) @ 6 PM EST

VSU rolls into Florida on a mission. They have reeled off a string of five (mostly-)blowout victories since their bye week after staring 2-2. This game will be what some in Blazer Nation consider their sixth playoff game of the year and that's a pretty accurate description in that VSU has needed to win every week to remain in the picture. What's inaccurate about that is that this will be the first Blazer opponent since UWG that has a winning record.

FIT will be playing for pride in the front of the home crowd and QB Mark Cato will be making his final case for the GSC Freshmen of the Year award, and possibly for the GSC Offensive Player of the Year award. He has 2895 all-purpose yards and 33 TD's going in the game, but will facing the Black Swarm of VSU which is led by Kenny Murphy (64 total tackles) and Justin Williams (61 total tackles). Cato will also try get his other talented skill players involved including GSC-leading RB Trevor Sand (1058 rushing yards with 9 TD's) and GSC-leading WR Xavier Milton (1011 receiving yards and 9 TD's). Chris Stapleton (78 total tackles) and J.J. Sanders (68 total tackles) lead the Panther defense. The VSU offense has been doing pretty well with Kaleb Nobles (701 all-purpose yards and 7 TD's) filling in for an injured Jake Medlock (2005 all-purpose yards and 19 TD's). No matter who starts this week, they will be looking for support from the duo of great rushers Austin Scott (588 yards and 3 TD's) and Cedric O'Neal (575 yards and 6 TD's) along with WR Shane Henderson with 14.2 yards per catch and 8 TD's.

The Blazers are good in the 'playoffs' and should be able to pull this one out to become part of the actual 2014 playoff field.

Blazers 40-32