Last week I said history was dead in the Gulf South Conference. I stand by that statement today. This isn't the GSC of the last ten to twelve years. Those of you failing to see this are looking with fan-colored shades. Take them off and realize that there is a different mood in the conference this year.

Instead of confidence that we will see one of these programs ride deep in the playoffs we are left hoping. Hoping is something we haven't had to do a whole lot of in the GSC. The depth isn't what it used to be.

These teams have exploitable flaws, some are in transitions and others may not be as deep as they used to be. While both West Alabama and Valdosta State look like they hold the hopes for the entire conference, they are not perfect. If enough teams beat up on each other, could West Georgia actually contend for the conference title? OK, I see it there. That was crazy talk. Let's pretend that never happened.

Here are your Power Rankings heading into Week 3:

1. West Alabama- Shame on the coaches voting in the AFCA top 25 for letting the Tigers fall from 13 to 24 after a loss to an FCS program. Samford isn't even a bad FCS team. This isn't some non scholarship DI school. Those guys need to do better.

Nonetheless, that loss shouldn't have any of the UWA pride nervous for the future. This team is fine and still the most complete and balanced team in the GSC possibly the region.

The Tigers were down 28-3 at half time. Matt Willis is their best player. The offensive line is dominant. You can't play to that strength when you are down early. When you can't utilize your greatest weapon against superior talent, things will not go your way.

2. Valdosta State- Remember that time we were all scared Fort Valley might be closing the gap on the GSC? That was cute.

The Blazers thrashing of their in-state foe made everything right in the world. GSC teams are supposed to beat SIAC schools by 30 plus points. This took me back to being six years old, scared of a dark room and my parents turning the light on to show me that there was nothing to fear.

Cayden Cochran is supposed to play this week. Last week VSU fond out they had a quality quarterback backing Cochran up in Graham Craig. They say you should never lose your job because of an injury, but if Cochran has any rust and can't get it done for whatever reason, a quarterback controversy could begin. Why shouldn't the Blazers have not one but two quality quarterbacks? They're back.

3. West Georgia- I can't believe this just happened. If we are talking about power rankings and not expectations then we are going on vibes. With that philosophy you could make the case that nobody has higher vibes than Ryan Reynolds who just married Blake Lively after recently divorcing Scarlett Johanssen. Followed by West Georgia.

Beating good programs like Tusculum is the next step in climbing the success ladder. UWG can hang with quality teams which means they could mess up one of the two team's hopes above them this year.

My favorite part about West Georgia is that they have three running backs who can carry the load. They can play the hot hand, save their legs but still run effectively. That concept results in fresher legs late in the season as well.

4. Delta State- Sure they rebounded with a win last week but the vibes just aren't as high as West Georgia. Things have been somewhat righted at DSU after taking care of Elizabeth City last week but their standards are so high in comparison to UWG's and that plays a role in power rankings.

If Trevor Wooden can torch teams through the air and ground like he did a weekend ago DSU fans could forget all about their opening loss. He needs to be more efficient through the air. 50 percent against this conference won't get it done.

I still don't know what to make of this bunch. We'll continue to learn as the year goes on.

5. North Alabama- Things will be OK with North Alabama sooner rather than later. This year or next year is sooner. Later could possibly be the year after. Bobby Wallace has to get this back to being the program it once was, which will take more than one off season in charge.

Almost losing to Miles (yes I am going to call their first win 'almost losing') then dropping one to Harding is something UNA doesn't do. Scratch that, the UNA we used to know doesn't do that. It's hard to think of this team as one in transition but the truth is, they are.

6. Shorter- They will likely remain at the bottom of these rankings the whole year. The new kid in school doesn't get respected until he gets beat up or beats someone up. Until that happens the Hawks will be bruise free.

Their loss to Newberry was a good gauge for where they are. We knew they could hang with non-scholarship DI schools going into last week. Now we know they can keep up with solid DII programs. Expect these guys to shake things up when they play their new conference mates.


Saturday 1:00 PM Valdosta State vs. Angelo State

The Lone Star Conference is one of the most respected in the nation. The GSC facing off with this conference once a year is good for this level of football. This isn't just about getting to play in a pro stadium. Division II football can show people that there is quality football being played using different styles here.

Valdosta State is trying to get on a roll. They started the season in Michigan, went back to South Georgia last week and they're now in Texas. This could be concerning.

That kind of travel for a DII school is nearly unheard of. Angelo State has less strenuous travel. Combine all of that with a game that has a lot of attention and we should have a close contest with emotions high.

Spread offenses can struggle or look sluggish on the road. When your quarterback hasn't played in two weeks you can expect that. VSU will night to find it's rhythm early or this could be a dramatic one. Since the Blazers are involved maybe that should be expected.

Prediction: Valdosta State over Angelo State 24-20

Saturday 6:00 PM Shorter at Chowan

Picking these games are always fun. One team you're learning about against a team you know nothing about. Stats can only paint so much a picture.

Shorter turned the ball over seven times last week. That is an absurd number. If they protect the football they can hang with most teams. I doubt they come out two weeks in a row kicking the ball around the field.

Chowan beat a non scholarship Division I school last week. I didn't know VMI even played football. I doubt they play it like Shorter does. So that helps me as much as wet one-ply toilet paper.

Prediction: Shorter over Chowan 28-21

Saturday 7:00 PM Kentucky Christian at North Alabama

In the above power rankings I pretty much said that this isn't the UNA we are all used to seeing. With that said, you can expect an old-school Lion beat down this week with Kentucky Christian in town.

What UNA lacks is chemistry, development in current system, the exact puzzle pieces for the roles implemented and experience under their head coach. What they still do have is talent. Talent can win you a lot of games.

I haven't written North Alabama off completely this season, mainly because of their ground game. If this team is going to gradually improve it will be based on how the running attack performs. The better they do, they more they can open up the play book.

This should be the old fashioned UNA beat down we have become used to. Expect the Lions to run all day. Lamonte Thompson is a super star talent getting better every week. Talent like that is too hard to hold down, especially for an NAIA school.

Prediction: North Alabama over Kentucky Christian 35-14

Saturday 7:00 PM Mississippi College at West Alabama

I have always heard about the days Mississippi College was in the GSC. The last time they played UWA was in 1997. Something tells me things haven't changed a whole lot in Mississippi. OK, I know absolutely nothing has changed in Mississippi.

While the career series between these two teams is close, Mississippi College probably doesn't remember a UWA squad quite like this. The Tigers are primed for greatness. I expect them to show their old foe how things have changed for them.

There is no secret to this team's success anymore. Run the ball and play great defense. That is expected out of them at this point. Could this be the right time to add some more wrinkles to the scheme?

Matt Willis should have another banner day. Appreciate him while he's here people.

Prediction: West Alabama over Mississippi College 35-21

Saturday 7:00 PM West Georgia at Miles

Words I have never said before; I am excited for this West Georgia game. I can't believe those words, in that order have been uttered by me.

Early in the season it is so hard to figure who is for real, who isn't, who got lucky and who hasn't figured it out yet. Thanks to similar schedules we can see where UWG is the GSC pecking order. Miles almost beat UNA. If the Wolves beat Miles, can they be placed on par with North Alabama?

Maybe not quite at that level. Or am I once again looking at UNA's history like it's the present?

The running game is great. The defense has a great scheme and is developing chemistry. If they can make some big plays, they can progress to the next level of their development as a team.

Once again I look at Austin Trainor as the Wolves x-factor. He played well last week but still turned the ball over a couple times. If he can tighten it up a little against Miles, UWG can start the year 3-0.

Prediction: West Georgia over Miles 34-28