September 9th, 2026 9:00am
How does Week 2 look across the confines of the GAC?
We had some pretty unexpected upsets in Week One, with both Oklahoma Baptist and East Central not only winning, but controlling the game against quality Arkansas foes. Just like that, the Oklahoma-Arkansas series is tied up, and the conference has a whole new look heading into Week Two.
But as we all know, a new week means every team starts back at 0-0, with another 60 minutes to prove itself. So, with Week Two upon us, let's take a look around the GAC and see how this week might shake out.
Oklahoma vs Arkansas season tracker || Tied 3-3
Thursday Slate
Harding (1-0) at Southwestern Oklahoma State (0-1)
Anyone watching this game probably has the same predetermined opinion that I am about to share: Harding, the No. 2 team in the nation, is very good. SWOSU, a program that has been playing better football over the last two years, is a serviceable team that should win a decent amount of games this season.
Harding is more than likely not one of them.
The Bisons just need to keep doing what they do. Continue running that flexbone offense, rack up something like 700 yards on the ground, and don't let the opposing team pick up a first down. It worked for them in Week One, so why stop now? It seems pretty simple when Harding is doing it.
Now, SWOSU should provide a more quality opponent than Northwestern, and the Bulldogs have certainly shown over the last couple of seasons that they are capable of making things interesting. But even with that, I don't expect this one to make much of a difference in the win-loss column by the end of the night.
Harding 49, SWOSU 17
Arkansas-Monticello (0-1) at East Central (1-0)
East Central was one of the teams to pick up a statement win in Week One, defeating Ouachita 27-17. QB Sergio Kennedy took home GAC Offensive Player of the Week honors for his performance.
The dual-threat quarterback racked up 200 yards through the air while adding another 111 on the ground, accounting for two total touchdowns in the win. Kennedy and the Tigers showed plenty in Week One, and after that performance, I don't have much faith in the Green Team putting up much of a fight on the road.
The Tigers are coming off a win over Ouachita, and I expect them to carry that momentum into Week Two. Arkansas-Monticello still has to find their footing to get their first win under first-year head coach Gary Goff.
East Central 42, Arkansas-Monticello, 14
Arkansas Tech (1-0) at Northwestern Oklahoma State (0-1)
Two teams coming off drastically different weeks. Arkansas Tech had a big win over SWOSU, holding the Bulldogs out of the end zone on three tries from the ATU five-yard line to beat them for the seventh straight time.
Northwestern, well…Enough has been said about how ugly last week was. To be fair, what happened to them could happen to a lot of teams playing at Harding.
Still, Tech has shown they are ready to compete with the teams at the top of the league and Northwestern will have a hard time scoring on their solid defense with a lot of very good athletes on that side of the ball.
Arkansas Tech 45, Northwestern Oklahoma State 7
Saturday Slate
Game of the Week
Oklahoma Baptist (1-0) at Henderson State (1-0)
The one matchup this week with both teams coming off a Week One victory! Oklahoma Baptist surprised us all, taking care of SAU with ease, while Henderson State just won, like the Reddies usually do against the teams they are expected to beat.
This is the most interesting game of Week Two because, well, are the Bison for real? Or was it just a one-week surprise? Henderson State will be a major challenge, especially in Arkadelphia. Oklahoma Baptist allowed just 127 passing yards last week against SAU, but the Bison will have to play even better against HSU, which threw for a league-high 338 yards last week.
In the end, I think Henderson State should come out on top. But if Oklahoma Baptist can open the year 2-0, the GAC is in for a wild season.
Henderson State 35, Oklahoma Baptist 28
Ouachita Baptist (0-1) at Southeastern Oklahoma State (1-0)
How will the Purple Tigers respond after last week's disappointment? That will be on the mind of everyone who follows the GAC, and this game will absolutely be a test.
Southeastern didn't look amazing against UAM, but the Savage Storm got the job done and never trailed in the game. Southeastern managed the game well, which is one thing that Ouachita definitely did not do with its three fumbles.
Tre Nichols will have to be productive through the air if the Tigers want to have a chance to bounce back, but I think the Southeastern defense will come to play in its home opener.
In the end, I think Southeastern gets the win and sends Ouachita home still searching for answers after a disappointing start to the season.
Southeastern Oklahoma State 21, Ouachita Baptist 17
Southern Nazarene (0-1) at Southern Arkansas (0-1)
Now we get to the matchup where both teams lost last week.
Southern Nazarene's loss was expected. Henderson State outmatched them by a good amount. Southern Arkansas, on the other hand, got outplayed by a team that was expected to be near the bottom of the conference, and it wasn't particularly close.
I expect the Muleriders to bounce back, especially at home, but it might be a little ugly. Their quarterback play was not good last week, and if they cannot get going early, this could turn into an interesting game late.
Southern Arkansas 24, Southern Nazarene 17