November 6th, 2024 6:00am
Just two weeks remain in the regular season and three teams are vying for the Gulf South crown and a shot at the postseason. The first Super Region 2 rankings were released this week, putting West Alabama (2) and Valdosta State (3) comfortably in the mix - for now - while West Florida (10) was the last team to be mentioned with an outside path to the playoffs. The Blazers and Argos will have their hands full this Saturday before squaring off in the season finale next week as we enter the home stretch of the 2024 calendar.
Week Nine Results (home team in bold)
No. 17 West Alabama 17, North Greenville 14*
West Florida 70, Erskine 0*
No. 3 Valdosta State 52, Chowan 0*
Week Nine Schedule (all times Eastern)
*indicates Gulf South Conference game
No. 14 West Alabama (7-1) at Shorter (3-4)
Saturday, Nov. 9 | 12:00 pm | Rome, Ga. | Stats | Video
The Tigers survived a scare last week, coming away with a three-point victory over North Greenville at home in a low-scoring affair. The two sides combined for less than 600 total yards of offense as West Alabama struck gold on a pair of 60-yard touchdowns, one in each half. UWA has allowed just 14 points over it’s last two games and rank 9th in NCAA Division II with 13.3 points allowed per game.
Shorter returned to the win column last week, defeating NCCAA program Virginia University of Lynchburg by a 55-0 count. Quarterback Josh Brown tossed four touchdowns in just three quarters of play and the defense limited VUL to 99 total yards of offense in the victory. On the season, the Hawks are 1-3 against NCAA Division II competition - all against Gulf South members - averaging 19.5 points per game in the fourth contests while giving up an average of 32.5 points per game to its former leaguemates.
The numbers speak for themselves in this matchup and West Alabama is the heavy, heavy favorite. I would be surprised to see Shorter get on the scoreboard in this one as the Tigers will pull away early before cruising to victory on the road.
My pick: No. 14 West Alabama
Northeastern State (2-7) at Mississippi College (1-7)
Saturday, Nov. 9 | 1:00 pm | Clinton, Miss. | Audio | Stats | Video
It has been a rough season for Northeastern State to say the least with just two tallies in the win column for a team giving up over 35 points and 400 yards per game to the opposition. On the plus side, the RiverHawks’ offense has put up over 30 points per game, but 18 turnovers (nine interceptions and nine fumbles) to go along with 23 sacks allowed has kept the unit from creating consistency week-to-week. Sophomore quarterback Dureun Dortch has found his groove of late, tossing 11 touchdowns over his last five games while adding three more scores on the ground.
Mississippi College found its footing in late-October, collecting its first win of 2024 with a 42-7 rout of Erskine on October 26 before getting a bye last week. The Choctaws put up 400 rushing yards and six touchdowns without attempting a pass as the recent switch to a Wildcat-style system has seen MC average 255.3 rushing yards over the last three games. A week ago, Lamonte James and Marcus Williams combined for 304 yards and accounted for all six MC scores while averaging 7.8 yards per carry.
We could see a surprisingly high-scoring affair in Mississippi on Saturday if the Choctaws keep up the momentum on offense. Northeastern’s front seven allows over 170 yards per game on the ground, leaving the door wide open for MC to keep the ball on the ground and control the clock en route to a non-conference win.
My pick: Mississippi College
Erskine (1-6, 0-4 GSC) at Chowan (2-6, 1-4 GSC)*
Saturday, Nov. 9 | 1:00 pm | Murfreesboro, N.C. | Stats | Video
Erskine’s losing streak has now reached six games in a row after last week’s 70-0 drubbing at the hands of West Florida. The Flying Fleet just don’t have the talent to keep up with the bigger, faster, more experienced teams in the Gulf South. Erskine will not have as tough a task this week, but with just two games to go on the schedule they are just trying to make it to the finish line.
The Hawks’ offensive struggles continue, having scored just six points across the last three games albeit against the likes of Valdosta State, West Alabama, and West Florida. Despite last week’s setback, quarterback Maurice Smith did find some success with 139 passing yards and 79 rushing yards on just 12 attempts. The competition gets much easier at home this Saturday and Chowan should be able to find some offensive success.
Chowan is fortunate to have Erskine on the schedule for its annual Senior Day celebration as the upperclassmen will have a chance to go out in style in their final home game. I’m not so sure this will be the prettiest game on film from either side, but the Hawks are strong enough on defense to put the offensive playmakers in position to find the endzone with ease.
My pick: Chowan
No. 2 Valdosta State (8-0, 4-0 GSC) at Delta State (5-3, 2-2 GSC)*
Saturday, Nov. 9 | 3:00 pm | Cleveland, Miss. | Audio | Stats | Video
Last week’s 52-0 win over Chowan was a good tune up for the Blazers heading into the final two weeks of the regular season as the offense and defense continue to fire on all cylinders. VSU has outscored its opponents 354-64 on the season, spearheaded by running backs Blake Hester (597 yards, nine touchdowns) and Alfonso Franklin (402 yards, 9.1 yards per carry, seven touchdowns) and quarterback Sammy Edwards (68.1%, 2,108 yards, 20 touchdowns). Safety Larry Elder (53 tackles, eight tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, one interception) leads a defensive unit that has accounted for 69 tackles for loss, 25 sacks, and 15 turnovers.
Delta State had last week off to recover from a devastating 47-45 loss to North Greenville in quadruple overtime. It has been an up-and-down year for the Statesmen as they haven’t been able to string together more than two wins in a row despite averaging over 35 points per game. Inconsistency has been DSU’s achilles heel, averaging 468.8 yards of offense in its five wins and 354 yards of offense across three losses
Saturday’s road contest is the first of two pivotal games for Valdosta State to end the season with the Gulf South Championship on the line as well as seeding in the Division II Playoffs. The Blazers are on full upset alert as Delta State comes into the game with nothing to lose and one win over a Top 25 opponent already this season, but I expect Tremaine Jackson and his staff to keep VSU’s eyes on the prize and come away with a road win.
My pick: No. 2 Valdosta State
North Greenville (4-4, 3-2 GSC) at West Florida (6-2, 4-1 GSC)*
Saturday, Nov. 9 | 3:00 pm | Pensacola, Fla. | Audio | Stats | Video
North Greenville did all it could to pull off an upset last week on the road, but a comeback fell just short against then-No. 17 West Alabama. Playmakers Dre Williams and Ahmari Coats were held to just 64 combined receiving yards and quarterback Dylan Ramirez went without a touchdown pass for just the third time this season, while the defense held UWA to under 300 yards of total offense and just eight first downs. NGU’s demise came at the hands of its inconsistent kicking game as two missed field goals kept six critical points off the board.
The Argos are fresh off a 70-point outing and have scored 30 points or more in each of its last five contests. Not to be outdone, the UWF defense has held the opposing team to just 15.2 points per game this year as Ralph Ortiz (38 tackles, nine tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, one interception, one forced fumble) and Traevon Mitchell (37 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks) lead a front seven that has tallied 99 tackles for loss and 32 sacks in just eight games.
West Florida still has a shot at claiming the GSC crown as well as a spot in the Division II playoffs, but those hopes and dreams could be dashed with a loss to NGU this weekend. The Trailblazers’ offensive line will have its hands full against an aggressive UWF defensive front, but North Greenville has the horses to make big plays down the field in the passing game. IF turnovers can be avoided, give me NGU to play spoiler to West Florida’s postseason aspirations.
My pick: North Greenville