GAC - Week 1

[OldBison]

HU has NWOSU for week 1.

I think there's a 100 % chance of a Bisons win at home.

HU questions...
- New OCs, OL coach
- Very little experience at QB
- New punter, kicker, LS, kicking game coach
- Unknown effect of not having Wheaton in the press box on game day

HU strengths...
- Experienced defense
- Experienced OL
- Proven offensive and defensive schemes
- Alll-American FB

Maybes...
- A whole stable full of experienced and inexperienced slot backs

[Mulerider]

I think for SAU it will be the QB situation (like most years). If there is solid play there, SAU will be just fine. Hotshot freshman out of Benton, AR (Drew Davis), D1 FBS transfer (CJ Montes), and Adam Parker (3rd year player), will be fighting for time. I just sure they give Drew Davis a valid shot and not automatically redshirt him.

[BisonBones]

HU has NWOSU for week 1.

I think there's a 100 % chance of a Bisons win at home.

HU questions...
- New OCs, OL coach
- Very little experience at QB
- New punter, kicker, LS, kicking game coach
- Unknown effect of not having Wheaton in the press box on game day

HU strengths...
- Experienced defense
- Experienced OL
- Proven offensive and defensive schemes
- Alll-American FB

Maybes...
- A whole stable full of experienced and inexperienced slot backs

Malik Young has "very little experience at QB" compared to a 4-year starter, but he's run the offense quite a bit as a back up. There's still the question of how he performs in the big moments.

[OldBison]

Bisons Sr. FB, Andrew Miller, makes 1st Team RB spot on D2.com Elite 100 list and Bruce Felman’s All-College Freaks list:

https://hardingsports.com/news/2026/...eaks-list.aspx

Hoping for another 2,000+ season for him.

[OldBison]

Ok. Let’s get this going. Two weeks from tonight the GAC season kicks off. Here are my predictions:

HU over NWOSU (48-3) - Not much is going to be determined from this game. Going into the SAU game in Week 2 we’re still going to be asking if an offensive backfield made up of Andrew Miller, Malik Young and a host of experienced and inexperienced slots can come close to equaling the 7,000+ yards of offense put up in 2025 by Miller, Keylon and Jay. HU will probably be testing several young players late in the game against a Ranger squad that’s still looking to become competitive in the GAC.

OBU over ECU (37-19) - OBU should have no trouble in this one in Arkadelphia. We’ll get a chance to see if OBU’s sophomore QB, Tre Nichols, and senior RB, Henley, can take the Purple Tigers to “The Promise Land” this year. We’ll get to see just how OBU has replaced some missing pieces on defense. John Litrenta’s Orange Tigers were 6-6 in 2025 and return Sergio Kennedy, who was the second leading passer in the GAC (58%, 2,609 yds., 17 TDs, 7 int.). Too bad they’re not playing this one in Ada. I’m sure we’d get to see more video of the new locker room.

HSU over SNU (37 -17) - The Reddies return 10 starters and will have no trouble taking the struggling Crimson Storm in Bethany. HSU will be starting 5th-year backup QB, Ledbetter. They return 3 of their top 4 wide receivers from last year. They should continue the momentum they gained from winning the BOTR and be trying out less experienced players in the second half against a SNU squad picked to finish in the GAC cellar.

SAU over OkBU (38-21) - Picked to finish 3rd in the GAC I expect the Muleriders to have this one under control by the second half. If there’s high pressure and a south wind in Shawnee, I expect SAU Elite 100 punter, Jay Todd Baker, to average of 50-yards a punt. If in fact he has to punt more than twice.

ATU over SWOSU (22-19) - This one could go either way. With the game being in Russellville, I’ll give the Wonderboys the nod. Too bad this game is in Week 1 because it features two of the most improved teams in the GAC. Roy Thompson returns 15 starters (7 offense, 8 defense) off a squad that tied OBU for 4th place in the GAC last year. Andrew Rice, in his 3rd season with the Bulldogs, has got them believing in themselves again in Weatherford. Watch out!

UAM over SEOSU (21-19) - The Savage Storm travels to Monticello to take on a Bollwevil team led by new head coach, Gary Goff. Will Golf be able to resurrect a UAM team full of new faces? I won’t bet against him even though SE returns 9 starters including Levy Duncan, who seems to have replaced last year’s starter, Luke Honenberger, at QB.

[ReddieMade]

I think for SAU it will be the QB situation (like most years). If there is solid play there, SAU will be just fine. Hotshot freshman out of Benton, AR (Drew Davis), D1 FBS transfer (CJ Montes), and Adam Parker (3rd year player), will be fighting for time. I just sure they give Drew Davis a valid shot and not automatically redshirt him.

Have heard that the freshman Davis is the likely starter there and has been running with the 1s

[Boltsup]

Give me a SNU upset over Henderson.

[Tech Boys]

Why did no one take advantage of playing in week zero again this year?

The final season of the silo schedule.

[GorillaTeacher]

Why did no one take advantage of playing in week zero again this year?

The final season of the silo schedule.

Did you guys expand or are teams leaving?

[Tech Boys]

Did you guys expand or are teams leaving?

The new rule requiring non-conference games.
At least one in football. The new policy goes into effect for the 2027-28 school year.

Lone Star Conference baseball is also a silo schedule. With the new policy, baseball requires 6 non-conference games.

[GorillaTeacher]

Was that actually voted on, or just proposed?

[Tech Boys]

https://ncaaorg.s3.amazonaws.com/com...JuneReport.pdf

It's the non-legislative item [f] on page 5.

[GorillaTeacher]

https://ncaaorg.s3.amazonaws.com/com...JuneReport.pdf

It's the non-legislative item [f] on page 5.

So as of June its currently a recommendation, hasn't been voted on? When would it be put on the agenda? Isn't there a meeting in the winter?

[Tech Boys]

Finchwidget can correct or confirm this. I don’t think non-legislative items get voted on. It would pass through committee then the D2 Management Council will decide to approve or not.

[Bisonfan from FLA]

Ok. Let’s get this going. Two weeks from tonight the GAC season kicks off. Here are my predictions:

Thank you Old Bison for getting this going. I think you did a fine job and appreciate your efforts. Look forward to seeing your work each week.