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  • 2021 Preseason Predictions

    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.

  • #2
    While I definitely think UWF and VSU are the top two teams in the conference, who knows where teams will be mentally and physically with such a long layoff?
    Last edited by Rational Observer; 08-02-2021, 08:36 PM.

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    • #3
      I would put the Choctaws at 3rd.or 4th.
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      • #4
        Originally posted by Wide_Right View Post
        I would put the Choctaws at 3rd.or 4th.
        I struggled with the order of #3-7 and a good argument can be made for multiple variations of this ranking order. The Choctaw QB inexperience combined with middle of pack D and bottom of pack kick and return game compared to others in #3-7 led me to put them at #7.

        Like I noted at beginning of post, good QB play can reshuffle this order and who knows what QB transfers may appear in fall camp for the teams needing an experienced QB. Teams without good QB play are multiple scores behind at opening kickoff absent multiple turnovers in their favor.

        Comment


        • #5
          Yes, thanks for posting this,.
          <>

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          • #6
            Originally posted by Argonut View Post
            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.

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            • #7

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              • #8

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                • #9
                  Haha you are weird. Why are you acting like he invented the idea for a pre-season poll on a message board? You said if he "had any class or backbone at all he would put another team #1." Haha, what?!? How is putting a team that isn't #1 in the #1 spot a show of class or backbone? West Florida is the defending national champion and all logical views can be made that this team could easily be better than that 2019 team. Does anyone know that for sure? No, that is why everything this time of year is giving opinions and predictions. Maybe to show class he should have put West Georgia at #1. Why not? You don't put the best team at #1 in a pre-season poll, you put an inferior team there to show class. So in that case I think West Georgia should be #1.

                  I'll correct his write up on West Georgia to show the class and backbone you want.

                  Coming in at #1...

                  #1 West Georgia

                  The Wolves come in at #1 following trying really hard against West Florida the last time the two teams squared off. Despite not being able to get a field goal or a touchdown in 4 quarters vs the Argos (the team we have 9th in our pre-season poll to show extra class) the Wolves did muster a safety in the battle that went down to the wire in Carrollton, GA. The final was 30-2 in favor of West Florida but the real winner was West Georgia. In other news, Superwolfe has decided to change his name to MediocreWolfe to better represent himself and his football team.

                  Its a pre-season prediction on a message board you bum, anyone following D2 football at all has West Florida #1 in the country let alone the conference.
                  * 2022 BACK 2 BACK GSC CHAMPIONS and D2 FINAL 4
                  * 2021 GSC CHAMPIONS
                  * 2019 D2 NATIONAL CHAMPIONS
                  * 2017 D2 NATIONAL RUNNER-UP

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Originally posted by West Florida View Post

                    Haha you are weird. Why are you acting like he invented the idea for a pre-season poll on a message board? You said if he "had any class or backbone at all he would put another team #1." Haha, what?!? How is putting a team that isn't #1 in the #1 spot a show of class or backbone? West Florida is the defending national champion and all logical views can be made that this team could easily be better than that 2019 team. Does anyone know that for sure? No, that is why everything this time of year is giving opinions and predictions. Maybe to show class he should have put West Georgia at #1. Why not? You don't put the best team at #1 in a pre-season poll, you put an inferior team there to show class. So in that case I think West Georgia should be #1.

                    I'll correct his write up on West Georgia to show the class and backbone you want.

                    Coming in at #1...

                    #1 West Georgia

                    The Wolves come in at #1 following trying really hard against West Florida the last time the two teams squared off. Despite not being able to get a field goal or a touchdown in 4 quarters vs the Argos (the team we have 9th in our pre-season poll to show extra class) the Wolves did muster a safety in the battle that went down to the wire in Carrollton, GA. The final was 30-2 in favor of West Florida but the real winner was West Georgia. In other news, Superwolfe has decided to change his name to MediocreWolfe to better represent himself and his football team.

                    Its a pre-season prediction on a message board you bum, anyone following D2 football at all has West Florida #1 in the country let alone the conference.

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Originally posted by Argonut View Post
                      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.
                      For an early analysis, this was good. Thanks for taking the time to write up!

                      (I love the way this site keeps logging me out.)

                      #BlazerNation

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        The Statesmen are going to surprise some folks this year. I think we're going to struggle to make playoffs just due to scheduling, but it's going to happen. Can't wait!

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          GSC preseason coaches poll for 2021 is as follows:

                          1. West Florida 47 (5)
                          2. Valdosta State 45 (3)
                          3. Delta State 33
                          4. West Alabama 30
                          5. West Georgia 26
                          6. Mississippi College 22
                          7. North Greenville 14
                          8. Shorter 7

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            For those who like more meat on the bone, here are my preseason opinions on the 2021 Argos. The 2021 roster is mainly Floridians, but includes players from 12 states, two foreign countries and transfers from 30 different D1, D2 and Community Colleges, including D2 rivals Valdosta State, Florida Tech, Wingate and Indiana (Pa.). I would encourage fans of other teams to do the same so we can all benefit from insider knowledge.

                            Coaching A+

                            The Argos return award winning and defending national champion coach Shinnick and replace the OC and WR coaches with OC coach Carlton and WR coach Dickerson, Jr. Carlton was a QB for Shinnick at Azuza Pacific before he became the OC and HC for Azuza prior to the program ending in 2020. He knows how to run a Shinnick offense and should be a seamless fit as an OC. Dickerson has coached at all levels including the development of All-American WR at Ole Miss. Shinnick has known the Dickerson family since his college days at Colorado and Dickerson says the Argo WR room has a lot of talent that he is excited to coach up. The unprecedented road playoff run to the title in 2019 proves that this staff knows how to coach a team deep into the playoffs in all kinds of weather and is arguably the best in D2 at this time.

                            QB A

                            The Argos return the GSC passing leader Reed who the coaches and players all say has improved since 2019. Top NFL draft pick Trevor Lawrence also says Reed is a top 5 QB in college regardless of classification after working out with him this summer. The Argos are 5 deep with inexperienced underclassmen and one graduate transfer with experience behind Reed and rate only an A instead of an A+ for this reason.

                            RB A

                            The Argos return all of their top producers from the 2019 team that was 8th in yards in the GSC, but 2nd in TDS behind only conference leading Valdosta State. The 8 deep roster includes two seniors who primarily run north/south and 6 scatbacks consisting of D1 transfers, experienced underclassmen and a 3 star 2021 recruit from Alabama. This is the deepest and most talented RB room the Argos have ever possessed and their performance in the spring has the whole team excited about their use in the fall. The heavy emphasis of scatbacks on the roster may reflect a change in play calling from the between the tackles plays of the past to a more explosive variety, which may be why the team is so excited about the RB. OC Carlton ran more of a run heavy offense at Azuza than the Argos have run recently, so that may be another factor in a revamping of the run game at West Florida for 2021.

                            OL B

                            The Argos return two preseason all conference OL and a preseason all conference TE for 2021. They have reportedly settled on the replacements for the other 3 OL from their 17 deep roster of recruits and D1 transfers that average 6'3" and 300 lbs. They have been practicing against the biggest and deepest DL in the GSC this past year and have also gone up against the run oriented team of Albany State and FCS Florida A & M in the spring, who list 10 DL over 300 lbs. The fact that the whole team is very excited about the performance of the running backs indicates that the new OL has been performing well and should be ready to go in the fall. This unit rates a B since there are no games to evaluate them accurately at this point of the season.

                            WR/TE A

                            The Argos lose 3 of their top 5 producers from 2019, but return a preseason all conference TE and WR and gain a top shelf WR coach, an all conference FCS WR and another D1 TE from West Virginia. The Argos have 13 WR 6'0" or taller and 8 WR 6'2" or taller, which is taller than the 2019 roster. The Argos are two deep with 6'2" or taller WR and only Valdosta State, West Ala. and Delta State can match the Argos height with experienced DB starters and no one can match the Argos two or three deep with height. This advantage will play out in the second half when the fresh rotating Argo WR can outrun and outleap the tired starters of the opposing team or their smurf replacements, especially with the dangerously accurate QB Reed slinging it to them all over the field. The Argos WR unit is arguably better than the 2019 team given the coaching change, the improvement of Reed at QB and the height and experience of the entire roster.

                            Returners B

                            The Argos improve their middle of the pack GSC return game with two all conference D1 kick returners from Troy State and Mercer. The Argos tried a number of players at punt returns in 2019 with no one claiming the job outright. The two D1 kick returners immediately improve the return game and the offense's field position, but they did not return punts for their prior teams and we will have to wait for the fall to see who the Argos use for punt returns and the effectiveness of this position.

                            Kicker/Punter B+

                            The Argos lose their starting punter and kicker from the 2019 team and replace them with a total of 6 kicker/punters that include experienced returners and D1 and D2 all conference transfers, one of whom ranked #6 in D2 for FG. Two of these kickers are from France and Australia for some international flavor in the kicking game.The Argos were 12-22 on FG in 2019 so there is a lot of room for improvement and the 2021 roster has an excellent chance to improve on those numbers.

                            DL A+

                            The Argos lose two starters from the 2019 team, but return multiple starters from the 2019 team including a preseason all conference DE and add multiple D1 transfers on the biggest and deepest DL in the GSC. The Argos list 20 players on the DL with 10 over 300 lbs. and 17 over 270 lbs. The bigger, deeper and turnover forcing DL of the 2019 team was a major factor in their championship run and the 2021 team is deeper and bigger than the 2019 team. The DL is a major strength of the 2021 team and rates the highest grade on the D.

                            LB B+

                            The Argos lose all conference player and defensive leader Duncome to graduation, but return preseason all conference nickel Archie and freshman sensation Laurent who took over Duncome's position when he was injured during the 2019 season. They also pick up multiple D1 transfers, including Shea Cambell from West Virginia who has taken over Duncome's defensive leader role on the D. The Argos return 8 players from the 2019 team and pick up 9 players by transfer or as freshmen and one of the transfers is a graduate transfer from Valdosta State, Stephon Williams. The improved play of the linebackers is one of the reasons why the players say the 2021 defense is better than the 2019 team.

                            DB A

                            The secondary is another strength of the Argos and also why the players believe the 2021 defense is better than the 2019 team. They return three preseason all conference players and only lose one player to graduation. The roster is a mix of experienced players that outnumber the new freshmen (11-8) and also includes a couple of experienced D1 transfers new to the team. This group practices against the best passing offense in the GSC and can only get better with more playing time.


                            Conclusion

                            It can be argued that the 2021 team is better than the 2019 team given the same and improved coaching and improvements on every unit of the team. The preseason polls reflect this opinion with the Argos picked first in the GSC coaches poll and first or second in the national D2 polls. The early schedule is brutal with away games against FSC McNeese State and Texas A & M Commerce and how the team performs in these two early games could set the tone for the rest of the season. A more exciting and explosive running game is the most interesting change in the team and I'm hoping the fans are allowed to attend the games to cheer on the teams in person. GOOO ARRRGGGOOOSSS!!!!!!
                            Last edited by Argonut; 08-04-2021, 12:54 PM.

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                            • #15
                              I guess everybody else will be playing for 2nd.
                              <>

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