What is the Future of GSC Football?

[TheBraveWolf]

How long can GSC survive regarding football? Four football teams is not a conference. The future for these four teams maybe in FCS Division 1. Any comments?

[BisonBones]

My understanding is that UWF has been driving to FCS for awhile. And I’ve heard it’s on Valdosta’s radar. IDK about West Alabama or Delta State.

Part of me wishes the Oklahoma legislature was more successful in a having their own conference so the Arkansas schools could add in UWA and DSU for a pretty good 8 member conference.

[baldereagle]

I can't speak for DSU but I believe most UWA people would like that, but for football only.

[Larold]

I can't speak for DSU but I believe most UWA people would like that, but for football only.

Youse guys may want to wait til Harding moves up!! lol

[baldereagle]

Youse guys may want to wait til Harding moves up!! lol

No kidding

[FoothillBison]

Sad knowing the greatness this Conference once was..

[UNALions]

How long can GSC survive regarding football? Four football teams is not a conference. The future for these four teams maybe in FCS Division 1. Any comments?

Review about 10 threads on this topic that currently exist. The facts are that the GSC has another year on the waiver to get the newly established auto-bid for conferences, which was an interesting twist this year. Of course, we all know the GSC has never needed an Earned Access/Auto-bid to get one or more teams into the playoffs. Even when the waiver expires, the conference can continue to have a conference champ no matter how many schools are playing. That champion just won't get an automatic spot in the postseason. For general playoff eligibility, a team must schedule 9 total games with 8 of them being D2.

So, the GSC schools will continue to thrive in a stable 12-school conference while football has to get creative in filling out the schedules.

At the current time, UWF is the only school being discussed as potentially going to D1. They were one of three schools to notify the NCAA a few months ago before the moratorium went into affect (through Jan 2027) that they had been in touch with a D1 conference - which would allow them begin a transition during that timeframe. As I hear it now, UWF is still trying to figure out what they want to do. They are having administrative controversies and would need a financial commitment for several facility upgrades. I think they are likely 50/50 right now.

[Finchwidget]

Review about 10 threads on this topic that currently exist. The facts are that the GSC has another year on the waiver to get the newly established auto-bid for conferences, which was an interesting twist this year. Of course, we all know the GSC has never needed an Earned Access/Auto-bid to get one or more teams into the playoffs. Even when the waiver expires, the conference can continue to have a conference champ no matter how many schools are playing. That champion just won't get an automatic spot in the postseason. For general playoff eligibility, a team must schedule 9 total games with 8 of them being D2.

So, the GSC schools will continue to thrive in a stable 12-school conference while football has to get creative in filling out the schedules.

At the current time, UWF is the only school being discussed as potentially going to D1. They were one of three schools to notify the NCAA a few months ago before the moratorium went into affect (through Jan 2027) that they had been in touch with a D1 conference - which would allow them begin a transition during that timeframe. As I hear it now, UWF is still trying to figure out what they want to do. They are having administrative controversies and would need a financial commitment for several facility upgrades. I think they are likely 50/50 right now.

Well said!

[Predatory Primates]

Would any of the conferences in that area take them in for football only?

[Rational Observer]

Hey, look!! Another thread on this topic!!

[FoothillBison]

Hey, look!! Another thread on this topic!!

GSC is dying a slow, ugly death. It will be discussed everywhere…

[the Northeasterner]

The big problem they have is they won't be able to go in as a group of four. If you split up to West Alabama and Delta and then West Florida and Valdosta then you might be able to see them get in as an associate member somewhere.

But if West Florida goes up which everybody here has always speculated that they want to then it changes the nature of it. Valdosta could easily slip into Carolina conference or the sac. If West Alabama and Delta could either talk to the lone Star or the GAC. And a Harding exit would definitely make that happen relatively quickly. So could a GAC non-silo schedule.

I just don't know if the GSC is going to get the time to make these decisions and I don't think they can do it as a group of four I think each one's going to have to find their own path

[Divisiontwo]

The big problem they have is they won't be able to go in as a group of four. If you split up to West Alabama and Delta and then West Florida and Valdosta then you might be able to see them get in as an associate member somewhere.

But if West Florida goes up which everybody here has always speculated that they want to then it changes the nature of it. Valdosta could easily slip into Carolina conference or the sac. If West Alabama and Delta could either talk to the lone Star or the GAC. And a Harding exit would definitely make that happen relatively quickly. So could a GAC non-silo schedule.

I just don't know if the GSC is going to get the time to make these decisions and I don't think they can do it as a group of four I think each one's going to have to find their own path

There won't be Harding exit. I'm very very confident in that.

In a perfect world, which we clearly don't live in, I'd love for NSU, UCO, Delta, West Al to join gac and split into divisions. That's obviously not very likely, but it'd be great.

[OldBison]

We can only dream of the day when those three schools and the six Arkansas schools would make up the conference. Would bring an end to the silo schedule, allow each team to schedule two OC opponents and usher in respectability for the GAC.

[WVIAC-F-EVER]

If the bottom of conference Carolina jump to the SAC - then the SAC - GSC football could form