2024 Preseason Rankings-Your Personal Opinion

[LeftSider]

HSU getting stomped by UCM points to HU simply being above the rest of the GAC, at least last year. HSU got the playoff nod because they got less dominated by HU than OBU or SAU, losing by 2 scores at home after the HU bus broke down on the way to Arkadelphia.

However, HU rolling through semi and championship game after incredibly tight games in the region tell me that the GAC would probably be winning a good bit more playoff games in any of the other regions.

Honestly, I'm selfishly and perhaps foolishly hoping for the demise of the GSC so Delta State and maybe 1-2 other teams could join a revamped GAC with 2 divisions and out of conference play.

SR3 is by far the toughest region. The top 4-6 teams typically are all viable NC contenders every year. If the GAC was in any other SR, there would more playoff wins. If you look at HU’s losses in the playoffs it’s all NWMS and/or QB’s not playing past the first quarter. I’m still firm that in 2017 if our QB didn’t fail a drug test we would have won a NC.

I think the playoffs are very dependent on when you play teams, SR3 always has to go through the gauntlet… hell, if Harding plays GV in the first round, I’m unsure if we win that one- it’s only after they played murderer’s row of SR3 that HU squeaked out a win.

[walnut100]

Come on, Walnut, hang in there. You and I both know that OC scheduling in the GAC is not going to happen in our “football lifetimes” unless the NCAA D2 Committee mandates it. That said, do you think the GAC is improving overall or was Harding’s NC just a fluke thing or prove that GAC’s top teams have always been good but just didn’t get favorable seating in the POs?

A little bit of both. Harding has pulled away from the pack, Ouachita, Henderson and SAU are better than their 2013 counterparts, the middle of the conference doesn’t look improved to me, Harding showed it last year in the end (it takes luck to win a title but luck alone won’t get you there) and Ouachita has objectively had some rough matchups a few years that were just unlucky draws. I believe all of these things

[BisonBones]

Come on, Walnut, hang in there. You and I both know that OC scheduling in the GAC is not going to happen in our “football lifetimes” unless the NCAA D2 Committee mandates it. That said, do you think the GAC is improving overall or was Harding’s NC just a fluke thing or prove that GAC’s top teams have always been good but just didn’t get favorable seating in the POs?

HSU getting stomped by UCM points to HU simply being above the rest of the GAC, at least last year. HSU got the playoff nod because they got less dominated by HU than OBU or SAU, losing by 2 scores at home after the HU bus broke down on the way to Arkadelphia.

However, HU rolling through semi and championship game after incredibly tight games in the region tell me that the GAC would probably be winning a good bit more playoff games in any of the other regions.

Honestly, I'm selfishly and perhaps foolishly hoping for the demise of the GSC so Delta State and maybe 1-2 other teams could join a revamped GAC with 2 divisions and out of conference play.

[OldBison]

There doesn’t ever seem to be that much to speculate on in this league. The top 4 is always a mix of Harding, Ouachita, Henderson State and Southern Arkansas. Harding has the clear advantage going into this year. I guess you can speculate on who takes 2/3/4 and then 5/6/7 but I mean why bother? Everyone knows if one of the underdogs in the current 2/3/4 topples Harding it’s an upset, same for if 5/6/7 surprises us and takes the 4th spot.

It may not be good for the schools per se but I want to see some OOC games to spice things up a bit

Come on, Walnut, hang in there. You and I both know that OC scheduling in the GAC is not going to happen in our “football lifetimes” unless the NCAA D2 Committee mandates it. That said, do you think the GAC is improving overall or was Harding’s NC just a fluke thing or prove that GAC’s top teams have always been good but just didn’t get favorable seating in the POs?

[Divisiontwo]

Good luck

[walnut100]

There doesn’t ever seem to be that much to speculate on in this league. The top 4 is always a mix of Harding, Ouachita, Henderson State and Southern Arkansas. Harding has the clear advantage going into this year. I guess you can speculate on who takes 2/3/4 and then 5/6/7 but I mean why bother? Everyone knows if one of the underdogs in the current 2/3/4 topples Harding it’s an upset, same for if 5/6/7 surprises us and takes the 4th spot.

It may not be good for the schools per se but I want to see some OOC games to spice things up a bit

[Bisons10]

So glad the season starts Thursday when real games are played and we can see it all on the field. Even the speculation gets same side fans questioning each other.

[LeftSider]

The Bisons 2 best post season runs have been mainly because of absolutely stellar defense. Did they lose much on that side?

Very true- and not really.
Harding’s defense is the reason that they switched offenses. The defense will always be the reason they will make deep runs- the offense basically is there is give the defense a break from playing.

[LeftSider]

I don’t care how plug and play they are. We’re going to a consensus All-American left guard when it comes time to play the kind of defensive personnel GVS and FSU will have.

We had 2 all Americans in 2018 leave LG & C ( the LG’s Twin was the other guard- so realistically there were 3 all American level guys that left. The next year there was very little drop off from a consistency stand point at the end of the season. I think you’re too hung up, there are some DUDES that were waiting behind Hunter Willis.

[OldBison]

Luke, thanks again for doing the homework and giving us a great preview. I’m excited to see the season get under way. I’m curious to see how all the coaching changes affect the GAC programs.

[LukeMcConnell1]

Preview article is up. Finally. Sorry it's taken me awhile to get it all together. Hope you enjoy!

https://www.d2football.com/gac-2024-season-preview/

TLDR of my preseason poll:

1. Harding
2. HSU
3. OUA
4. SAU
5. OBU
6. SEOSU
7. SNU
8. Tech
9. ECU
10. UAM
11. NWOSU
12. SWOSU

Explanation: 2-4 are like splitting hairs. No order of these would surprise me. 5-8, same way. Could see any combination of those in those slots.

[OldBison]

I think the bigger issue in my mind is the number of collective snaps last years OL had together, but even more important the leadership and cohesiveness of that unit. Also the ability to change OL blocking calls on the fly based off of formation changes and stemming along the defensive front will be missed. There is a pro and a con to having a Sr laden off line. Majority of those combo blocks are C-G as well

Excellent points. A lot has changed since I played left tackle in the Wishbone for Harding in 1972.

[BisonOL]

That was my point, BisonOL. Although I trust Coach Chism to have the OL ready to play and a fully expect us to handle any DL in the GAC, when it comes to POs the defensive personnel in the MIAA and GLIAC are at another level. Players like last year consensus All-America left guard are going to missed. If Coach Chism had another 600-pound double team on the left side coming this season, we’ll be just fine by PO time.

I think the bigger issue in my mind is the number of collective snaps last years OL had together, but even more important the leadership and cohesiveness of that unit. Also the ability to change OL blocking calls on the fly based off of formation changes and stemming along the defensive front will be missed. There is a pro and a con to having a Sr laden off line. Majority of those combo blocks are C-G as well

[OldBison]

I agree it can certainly be slowed down. NWM and GVU have certainly proved that. Although the MO has always been to grind down the clock, limit the other team’s off possessions, and depend on a stout D. But although I agree that scheme is vastly important, both you guys and NWM had some dudes too. My son said GVSU had the best Dline he’s played against.

That was my point, BisonOL. Although I trust Coach Chism to have the OL ready to play and a fully expect us to handle any DL in the GAC, when it comes to POs the defensive personnel in the MIAA and GLIAC are at another level. Players like last year consensus All-America left guard are going to missed. If Coach Chism had another 600-pound double team on the left side coming this season, we’ll be just fine by PO time.

[Divisiontwo]

Shhhh. LOL. One still needs some talent, but there is some truth to that.

Like sec talent… but he’s gone.