As usual the football teams of the Gulf South Conference are off to a roaring start. With three teams in the top 10 the conference looks to be on track to once again have possibly the best conference in America. The teams in the top 10 are #3 North Alabama, #5 Valdosta State, and #8 Delta State. There are surprisingly no other teams in the top 25, but there are a few schools that have gotten votes this year.
Southern Arkansas was getting votes before they recently lost. Ouachita has also been receiving votes, and still is despite the loss to #5 Valdosta State. Despite the lack of other teams in the top 25, keep an eye on it because that will probably change. Many of the Gulf South Conference teams have played at least one Division IAA opponent, which hurts the win loss record.
There are still three undefeated teams in the Gulf South, naturally the teams in the top 10. Also, all teams boast at least one win. Harding, West Georgia, The University of Arkansas at Monticello, and West Alabama are all 1-3, but look to improve the rest of the year. There are two teams at 2-2, Henderson State and Southern Arkansas, with one of Henderson’s losses coming to #8 Delta State and one of Southern Arkansas’ coming to Division IAA Sam Houston State. Ouachita sits at 3-1 with a loss to #8 Delta State. Ouachita is joined at 3-1 by Arkansas Tech, led by Cole Barthel who became only the 12th Gulf South quarterback in history to pass for six touchdowns two weeks ago; he also added one on the ground. Arkansas Tech’s only loss comes to #5 Valdosta State by a score of 28-27.
In conference play most teams are sitting at 1-1. Those teams are Ouachita, Arkansas Tech, Southern Arkansas, Arkansas-Monticello and Henderson State. West Georgia has played just one conference game and lost that one. Harding and West Alabama are both at 0-2 in conference play. At the top it’s no surprise that North Alabama and Delta State are at 2-0. Valdosta is close on their heels at 1-0. As shown by the standings the middle of the conference should be a battle all season. One would expect to see the top three teams still on top at the end of the season, but after that it’s anyone’s guess.
