With the D2 season wrapped up for the year and finals over, I thought I'd send out grades for the Gulf South Conference this season.

It seems the goals of most all teams are three-fold. The first two goals are to become conference champion and, then, to make the playoffs. The third and ultimate goal is to become the national champion or at least advance far into the playoffs. My grades are based mostly on this criteria.

There are four teams on the honor roll, and I guess we'll continue on with another year of the 'Big 4' consisting of DSU, UNA, VSU and whatever team Will Hall is coaching. Three of these teams will order themselves championship rings, while the other advanced to the regional final after two playoff wins. In the middle of the pack was the surprise season of FIT, while the bottom three squads, interestingly, all run the option.


West Georgia

After going 5-6 in 2013, Will Hall came in, took the talent from the Dickey era and filled the gaps with some quick recruits. He then schooled them for the entire year and had the best season in University of West Georgia history in D2. The Wolves finished 12-3 and advanced to the national semifinals as SR2 Champions in a season that included two wins over Delta State and a revenge win over Valdosta in the regional final. The only reasons for not giving UWG a higher grade is the egg they laid in Valdosta earlier in the season and the bit of a letdown performance in Colorado. After seeing the title game, I don't see any reason why the Wolves couldn't have been national champs if they'd been able to focus just a bit more on two or three key plays in that semifinal contest.

Grade: A


Delta State

Coach Todd Cooley improved upon his first season's success with a regular season record of 9-1 and being the Gulf South Conference Co-champions. Finishing the season 9-2 with wins over UNA and VSU, the only thorn in their side this season was West Georgia. The Statesmen seemed almost unstoppable at one point this season and then fizzled a bit in the end. I truly think their schedule and draw in the playoff field was a negative for them. Finishing with two lack-luster opponents and having a week off made them rusty to playing tough competition. Thus, they were shut down in the second half of that playoff game vs. UWG after not having to really play full games for so many weeks prior to that contest.

Grade: A-


North Alabama

In Coach Wallace's third season back, things seem to be back to normal for North Alabama. As in the normal where the Lions get through the season with an excellent record, even after battling certain adversatives through the year, and then finding a way to fizzle in the post-season. But, that's not truly fair to this year's Lions. That playoff game vs. Valdosta was a wonderful battle of two good teams and came down to the very end. Nothing to hang heads about after a year with regular season wins over UWG and VSU and becoming Gulf South Conference Co-champions, especially after having both of the top quarterbacks hurt for a series of weeks and losing other key players to injury.

Grade: A-


Valdosta State

The season that started with two disappointing GSC losses, seemed to be having the turnaround winning streak to national champs we all witnessed in 2012. Yet, the string of wins was snapped by their hungry in-state rival in the regional finals and, I'm sure, ended the season on a bit of a downer for some Blazer fans. I can certainly understand why because I, frankly, feel that if Jake Medlock were 100% during the playoffs that VSU could have been national champions again. Things were clicking so well for so many weeks but when the beast's legs weren't totally there, the Blazers suffered and the train stopped a bit earlier than many Blazers had hoped and expected.

Grade: A-


Florida Tech

FIT shocked many in the conference by being competitive in almost every game this year in just their second season of football. Yet, they weren't able to get a win vs. this year's Big 4. However, they certainly played well with several standout players.

Grade: B-


West Alabama

The departure of Will Hall left the two-time defending conference champs in a bit of an awkward position with several returning key players for the Tigers, yet having to learn a new coaching philosophy. That made for a topsy-turvy year for UWA under first-year head coach and Tiger alum Brett Gilliland.

Grade: C-


Shorter

The season started off better than normal for the Hawks including a win over Mars Hill from the SAC, but ended where it usually does near or at the bottom of the conference.

Grade: D+


Mississippi College

This season was a harsh welcome and rude awakening for the Choctaws back to the Gulf South Conference and D2. However, I do think MC improved as the season progressed and I expect them to do exceedingly better in Coach Bland's second year.

Grade: F