What do we do now? Will a four team conf be allowed to exist indefinitely

[BisonBones]

The OK legislature called for a study on an all OK conference. It didn't mandate one as some have claimed.

And apparently the GAC Oklahoma schools are not interested, Luke McConnell has reported that the whole thing is Oklahoma Christian having some sour grapes about not being in the GAC (the GAC requires football, OCU doesn't have football).

And even if something like this happened or the GAC decided to expand anyway, I really only think the GAC would be interested in Delta State due to travel costs. Having all the other sports have to travel to Pensacola was a driving factor in forming the GAC in the first place. There's also TAMU-Texarkana moving to DII in 2027 and UA-Fort Smith which could also fill out an Oklahomaless GAC if it did happen.

[FormerCrusader#84]

Those schools would have to have the desire and the money to make the move to the NCAA.

You are absolutely correct.

[crixus]

He's posted such nonsense previously. Last season, he posted about ASU and FVSU not being part of the University System of Georgia in 1980s.. They've been USG members since 1931. He also suggested that the state should force ASU and FVSU to leave the SIAC for the GSC. Could you imagine the political fallout of the legislator who introduced such a bill?

You've got a great memory. I can't even remember what I had for dinner last night.

[UNALions]

GSC teams don't need the auto-bid. They are fine as long as they can fill out their schedules with the required amount of games.

[Eagle74]

GSC teams don't need the auto-bid. They are fine as long as they can fill out their schedules with the required amount of games.

For the next 2 upcoming seasons the NCAA is granting the GSC a AQ. Following that, the GSC teams need to chalk up enough wins to get into the playoffs. 2 losses in a season will more than likely mean no invite, which may make things tough based on their schedule.

I recall a local sports reporter asking the coach 'how did he feel playing against a team with such a tradition and history' to which he replied 'to my knowledge, neither tradition nor history has ever played a single snap of football.' As always, with time comes changes.

[canadarican]

GSC teams don't need the auto-bid. They are fine as long as they can fill out their schedules with the required amount of games.

Bingo. Although scheduling is as fun as sandpaper toilet paper.

[crixus]

Bingo. Although scheduling is as fun as sandpaper toilet paper.

Ouch!

[FormerCrusader#84]

GSC teams don't need the auto-bid. They are fine as long as they can fill out their schedules with the required amount of games.

This is true to a point. The assumption is that the 4 GSC teams will be able to fill out their respective schedules. Luckily, there are more options in the southeast than out west where we have seen the demise of the GNAC. My point is that being proactive is the best option and I think the past few years of college football has borne that out regardless of level (i.e., all the changes in conferences, schools dropping football, etc.).

Hope isn't a strategy.

[UNALions]

This is true to a point. The assumption is that the 4 GSC teams will be able to fill out their respective schedules. Luckily, there are more options in the southeast than out west where we have seen the demise of the GNAC. My point is that being proactive is the best option and I think the past few years of college football has borne that out regardless of level (i.e., all the changes in conferences, schools dropping football, etc.).

Hope isn't a strategy.

They have two seasons to figure it out. UWF isn’t likely going anywhere. But, “proactive” doesn’t appear to be in the vocabulary of the GSC front office. That said, even if they have to go home/away round-robin (which I don’t think they will), they will have six of the eight required D2 games to be playoff eligible.

[Eagle74]

Although scheduling is as fun as sandpaper toilet paper.

This is another reason I'm impressed with Lenoir Rhyne's football schedule this year, the Bears really stepped up. 👍

I've seen (with other programs) that putting together enough cream puff OOC opponents to prop up a resume and help pave the way into the playoffs can be difficult (without coming across as totally embarrassing).

[UNALions]

Bingo. Although scheduling is as fun as sandpaper toilet paper.

Yes, exactly, they won't need the AQ. But, you're right, scheduling is one of the reasons that UNA and UWG reclassified.

Yet, the GSC could start to play each other twice in 2027 and have 6 of the 8 required D2 games guaranteed, like the GNAC did several years ago. Scheduling two D2 OOC games wouldn't be an issue at that point. Then, adding a non-D2 OOC game (maybe FCS or NAIA) would get them to the required 9 total games to be playoff eligible.

[Eagle74]

Yes, exactly, they won't need the AQ. But, you're right, scheduling is one of the reasons that UNA and UWG reclassified.

Yet, the GSC could start to play each other twice in 2027 and have 6 of the 8 required D2 games guaranteed, like the GNAC did several years ago. Scheduling two D2 OOC games wouldn't be an issue at that point. Then, adding a non-D2 OOC game (maybe FCS or NAIA) would get them to the required 9 total games to be playoff eligible.

You never can tell, who knows, starting in 2027 the NCAA could give the GSC 2 AQs, and the teams could play each other 3 times each (for 9 guaranteed D2 games) and only need to throw in 1 OOC opponent for a 10 game schedule (or schedule one of the GSC teams a fourth time).
If UWF moves on, then the GSC teams could schedule the other conference teams 5 times each.

[canadarican]

This is another reason I'm impressed with Lenoir Rhyne's football schedule this year, the Bears really stepped up. 👍

I've seen (with other programs) that putting together enough cream puff OOC opponents to prop up a resume and help pave the way into the playoffs can be difficult (without coming across as totally embarrassing).

Bears were very fortunate to be able to find dance partners. Some times it works that way. Other times it does not. Like I said earlier, sometimes you call a dozen plus schools who say no, don't want a home and home, want stupid amounts of money, etc. Hence the sandpaper comment.

[UNALions]

There are several paths for the GSC moving forward in football. It will be interesting to see how it all plays out. But, the new AQ for each conference is basically Earned Access with different wording. The GSC has never needed either in its 55-year history to secure one (and usually) multiple spots into the playoffs.

I’m just glad we get to watch a full slate of games for 2025 in two weeks! Things could be totally different for a lot of schools and conferences by 2027.

[Eagle74]

Like I said earlier, sometimes you call a dozen plus schools who say no, don't want a home and home, want stupid amounts of money, etc. Hence the sandpaper comment.

Might be time to put other D2 schools on speed dial (not just ones that butter the bread) or start answering the incoming calls.