This is my preseason guesstimate of the final 2021 standings following the spring practice. The middle of the pack predictions could change substantially if a quarterback has a breakout year for West Georgia, North Greenville or the Mississippi schools. Half the conference will be starting quarterbacks with little or no game experience and this should make for an interesting and exciting season.
1. West Florida-
The Argos return the top QB, a big and deep DL and nearly the entire secondary. The Covid year allowed the team to find replacements on the OL that have gelled into a cohesive unit and the players report that QB Reed is better and the defense and RB room are substantially improved over the 2019 team. The Argos win their first GSC title to earn a home playoff game and go deep in the playoffs with a good chance to repeat as National Champions.
2. Valdosta State-
The Blazers replace Rogan Wells with experienced running QB Durham on the top running team. The well balanced Blazers will be the top threat to the Argos who historically have struggled with defending a good running QB. The Blazers' top question marks are whether the QB can replicate the passing production numbers of 2019 and if the lightweight DL can hold up over the course of the whole season.
3. West Alabama-
The Tiger return the second most experienced QB and the top kicking and return teams on a well balanced offensive team. The Tigers score more points than anyone except the top two and their average loss in 2019 was 10 points. Their rushing offense and defense are solid, but they must improve their cellar dwelling secondary if they want to make the playoffs.
4. Delta State-
The Statesmen return a top shelf defense that was the best in defensive big plays in 2019. They have a balanced offense, but lack experience at QB with 2 freshmen and a sophomore with limited game experience. The Statesmen's losses in 2019 were the highest among the middle of the packers (Avg. 30 points) and they will only go as far as their QB takes them in 2021.
5. North Greenville-
The Crusaders return the second best kick and return teams on a balanced team that played West Florida and Valdosta the closest of anyone in the conference in 2019. Their average loss margin was 10 points and they return 3 upperclassmen at QB with some game experience. The QB and the offense must score more points (2019 avg. was 17 pts./game) if the Crusaders want to move up in the standings and challenge Delta State and West Alabama for a playoff spot. A breakout year by a QB could drastically change the fortunes of this team.
6. West Georgia-
The Wolves return with an experienced QB, a good passing game and a balanced offense, but need more big plays on defense and an improved rush defense and kicking and return game if they are going to move up in the standings and contend for a playoff spot. In 2019 they scored and gave up about the same amount of points (25-26 pts.), but their losses were by big margins (avg. 26 points). The improvement on the defensive side of the ball will determine the Wolves season.
7. Mississippi College-
The Chocs return a top shelf running offense with middle of the pack defense and bottom of the pack passing and kicking and return game. Their losses averaged 15 points and their collection of 4 underclassmen and 2 junior QB have collectively almost no game experience. Argo QB Reed has more experience and passing production in one half than the entire QB roster of the Chocs.Given the lack of experience at QB I don't see much chance of improvement in the passing game or in the standings as opposing teams will just stack the box on D to stymie the one dimensional Chocs.
8. Shorter-
The Hawks lost their senior QB Pullum to graduation and nearly the whole depth chart at QB during the spring 2021 season, but they did win two games and gained much needed experience and confidence. The Hawks have a new coach and have showed improvement since his hire, but are still dead last in every statistical category except passing, field goals and big plays on D. A breakout QB performance and continued improvement on D in 2021 could move the Hawks up in the standings, but their recent history places them last until they show otherwise.
1. West Florida-
The Argos return the top QB, a big and deep DL and nearly the entire secondary. The Covid year allowed the team to find replacements on the OL that have gelled into a cohesive unit and the players report that QB Reed is better and the defense and RB room are substantially improved over the 2019 team. The Argos win their first GSC title to earn a home playoff game and go deep in the playoffs with a good chance to repeat as National Champions.
2. Valdosta State-
The Blazers replace Rogan Wells with experienced running QB Durham on the top running team. The well balanced Blazers will be the top threat to the Argos who historically have struggled with defending a good running QB. The Blazers' top question marks are whether the QB can replicate the passing production numbers of 2019 and if the lightweight DL can hold up over the course of the whole season.
3. West Alabama-
The Tiger return the second most experienced QB and the top kicking and return teams on a well balanced offensive team. The Tigers score more points than anyone except the top two and their average loss in 2019 was 10 points. Their rushing offense and defense are solid, but they must improve their cellar dwelling secondary if they want to make the playoffs.
4. Delta State-
The Statesmen return a top shelf defense that was the best in defensive big plays in 2019. They have a balanced offense, but lack experience at QB with 2 freshmen and a sophomore with limited game experience. The Statesmen's losses in 2019 were the highest among the middle of the packers (Avg. 30 points) and they will only go as far as their QB takes them in 2021.
5. North Greenville-
The Crusaders return the second best kick and return teams on a balanced team that played West Florida and Valdosta the closest of anyone in the conference in 2019. Their average loss margin was 10 points and they return 3 upperclassmen at QB with some game experience. The QB and the offense must score more points (2019 avg. was 17 pts./game) if the Crusaders want to move up in the standings and challenge Delta State and West Alabama for a playoff spot. A breakout year by a QB could drastically change the fortunes of this team.
6. West Georgia-
The Wolves return with an experienced QB, a good passing game and a balanced offense, but need more big plays on defense and an improved rush defense and kicking and return game if they are going to move up in the standings and contend for a playoff spot. In 2019 they scored and gave up about the same amount of points (25-26 pts.), but their losses were by big margins (avg. 26 points). The improvement on the defensive side of the ball will determine the Wolves season.
7. Mississippi College-
The Chocs return a top shelf running offense with middle of the pack defense and bottom of the pack passing and kicking and return game. Their losses averaged 15 points and their collection of 4 underclassmen and 2 junior QB have collectively almost no game experience. Argo QB Reed has more experience and passing production in one half than the entire QB roster of the Chocs.Given the lack of experience at QB I don't see much chance of improvement in the passing game or in the standings as opposing teams will just stack the box on D to stymie the one dimensional Chocs.
8. Shorter-
The Hawks lost their senior QB Pullum to graduation and nearly the whole depth chart at QB during the spring 2021 season, but they did win two games and gained much needed experience and confidence. The Hawks have a new coach and have showed improvement since his hire, but are still dead last in every statistical category except passing, field goals and big plays on D. A breakout QB performance and continued improvement on D in 2021 could move the Hawks up in the standings, but their recent history places them last until they show otherwise.
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