**Due to technical issues this blog was lost from months ago, so I have reposted it for all of you. Expect another preview style blog coming soon**

We are just a couple months away from college football kicking off. This means I am almost as excited as every fat housewife is to see this Magic Mike movie.

First off, stupid title.

Secondly, Channing Tatum is an attractive man. I can admit it. Plus did you know he was in the movie Varsity Blues? There I hid that terrible admission with a mention of football. That should help mask it. But you are lying if you say you've never thought about how pretty of a man he is.

Now I grew up a baseball fan. It always came first in my life. Maybe it was moving from the northeast to the southeast or my attention deficit disorder kicking in, but either way I have realized I like life better with football. Which is why I decided to fire this thing up before July 4th.

After submitting my preview for the D2Football.com Preview Magazine here are some random items that stuck out to me:

West Alabama has the best offensive and defensive players in the Gulf South Conference-

Running back Matt Willis and Linebacker Deon Lacey are both getting scouted by all 32 NFL teams. Willis is the conference's best bet to be in the Harlon Hill discussion after averaging 133 yards per game last year while finding the end zone 19 times. Lacey is the reigning conference defensive player of the year after a 97 tackle, four sack, two interception and forced fumble junior season. There isn't an aspect of the game that he isn't dominant in.

The Gulf South Conference is as deep at linebacker as any team in the nation-

West Alabama's pair of Deon Lacey and Gabe Poe headline the linebackers in the conference but every team has game changers at this position. Valdosta State's tandem of Chris Pope and Ryan Smith quietly dominate a game while West Georgia's Bobby Liggins and Teddy Lawrence are flying too far under the radar. And then of course there is the one man wrecking crew that is Delta State's Xavier Triplett.

People ask why the GSC is so dominant; it's because every team has linebackers who can go sideline to sideline, force turnovers, stop the run and defend in pass coverage. These guys can do it all.

What happened to the days of dominant defense linemen?

There was a time when this conference had monsters along the defensive line. Now when I look at the GSC program's depth charts I can't help but notice a lack in defensive line experience and dominance. When I began covering this conference guys like Montrell Craft, Tim Thompson and Cedric Thornton dominated games on the line of scrimmage.

What has happened to the game and specifically this area of the country that each of the GSC teams look to have questions on the line? It's not only at one spot either. Most of the teams lack play makers at tackle and end.

Maybe the coaches have names they aren't revealing yet. With the way offensive line looks in the GSC; teams should be worried about their defenses winning the battle on the line of scrimmage. Outside of tackles Lawrence Virgil (VSU), Dominique Duster (UNA) and Juan Pickett (UWG), this conference leaves a lot to be desired on this unit.

Could the depth at linebacker lead to some speed rushers being moved from that position to defensive end?

There is talent under center but expectations are unknown:

GSC quarterbacks have put up huge numbers over the years, especially recently. From AJ Milwee to Willie Copeland to Scott Buisson, David Knighton, Deon Williams and everyone in between, before and after. But the 2012 rosters feature guys with huge upside but have not proven themselves a whole lot.

UWA's Kyle Caldwell leads the pack as a true sophomore. He should continue to develop and get better but keep in mind that he lost his top targets from his freshman campaign.

Cayden Cochrane is electrifying through the air and the ground but we only saw a nine game sample size last season. Plus he is coming off of season ending shoulder surgery.

Delta State's Spencer Van Brunt played both receiver and quarterback during his time at junior college. His athletic ability makes him intriguing in Jamey Chadwell's system. But a huge unknown.

Then there is UNA's Chris Alexander and UWG's Austin Trainor who we just have not seen enough of to gauge what they can or can't do for their teams.

Valdosta State could be the most balanced team-

They might not be the best team but the Blazers look to have the most balanced roster. Great offensive line, great running game, deep receiving core and a big play threat at quarterback. The defense has elite players at every level with a couple of question marks mixed in. This team looks primed to make a deep run next year. However, VSU finished last in the conference out of five teams a year ago. Can they go worst to first?

No pressure at UNA and DSU?

With new (sort of in North Alabama's case) head coaches leading the way how much pressure is on UNA's Bobby Wallace and DSU's Jame Chadwell. Both have been the premiere programs in the GSC and the South Region over the last four seasons.

Wallace replaces Terry Bowden, who relied on Division 1 transfers. This left a somewhat bare cupboard. Everyone believes he can rebuild this program the right way. Leaving me wondering; what do Lion fans expect this year?

Delta State had two head coaches over the last ten years. Ron Roberts was a disciple of Rick Rhoades, meaning there hasn't been a whole lot of change in Cleveland, Mississippi in a decade. Where should this team be this year in Jamey Chadwell's first season implementing a new system?

Random thoughts I never thought I would be saying when I first began covering the GSC-

West Alabama is the far and away favorite to win the conference.

West Georgia is coming off a season where they did not finish in last place.

Valdosta State is coming off a season where they finished in last place.

North Alabama has less known talent than West Alabama.

Delta State is a team of potential greatness not guaranteed greatness.

There are only five teams for the second year in a row (I know it's in the process of changing but it doesn't make it less weird).

Way too early power rankings:

Team Power Rankings
1. West Alabama
2. Valdosta State
3. Delta State
4. North Alabama
5. West Georgia

Player of the Year Projector
1. Matt Willis, RB, West Alabama
2. Deon Lacey, LB, West Alabama
3. Xavier Triplett, LB, Delta State
4. Chris Pope, LB, Valdosta State
5. Kyle Caldwell, QB, West Alabama

Remember you can voice your opinion in the comment section below. For any other questions feel free to email me throughout the week at [email protected] or shoot me a tweet @dustinswedelson.