GAC Preseason Coaches Poll

[RamFan06]

1. Henderson
T2. OBU
T2. East Central
4. Harding
5. Arkansas Tech
T6. UAM
T6. Southeast OK State
T6. SAU
T6. Southwest OK State

So does tied for 6 mean, we dont know which of you will be worse, so we will just lump you all together.

[Wahls]

They do the voting based on points, so apparently they all tied on points.

ECU is pretty solid and I think they'll be Henderson's biggest competition this year.

[RamFan06]

They do the voting based on points, so apparently they all tied on points.

ECU is pretty solid and I think they'll be Henderson's biggest competition this year.

I was just making a slightly sarcastic commentary on the level of play at one of those schools in particular. I actually went to a game at ECU last year, they are BIG and play hard nosed football. They are going to be hard to beat.

[jdragsd]

If Harding can reduce the turnovers from last year (+11 in their 4 wins; -16 in their 7 loses) they'll be tough to beat. 

Defense should be solid again. 

Offensively, it'll be tough to put up the rushing numbers they did last year, and the passing game can only get better.   

Plus they have Henderson and ECU at home. 

[Big Fan]

UAM will be much better than last year.  More experience and a ton more depth than last year. 

Plus, this will be the first year since 2005 that the coaching staff returns intact from the previous year.  Hard to build a program when you are constantly hiring coaches.  Coach Jackson has righted the ship.

[Valleysports]

Tech will be a lot better as well, this year, if they score more points than their opponents!

[LJ06]

UAM will be much better than last year.  More experience and a ton more depth than last year. 

Plus, this will be the first year since 2005 that the coaching staff returns intact from the previous year.  Hard to build a program when you are constantly hiring coaches.  Coach Jackson has righted the ship.

I honestly think UAM is ranked a little low in that poll.  They should def be better than last season.  They surprised quite a few last year so I guess they'll have to do it again.

[Valleysports]

What kind of schedule did UAM play last year.  Tech's schedule was ranked number 1 in DII football, around week 8 or 9 last year, only playing a few GAC Teams.  Just wondering about the rest of the teams.

[Big Fan]

What kind of schedule did UAM play last year.  Tech's schedule was ranked the hardest in DII football last year, only playing a few GAC Teams.  Just wondering about the rest of the teams.

Here's the 2011 schedule.  Valdosta was the #4 team in the nation at the time UAM beat them.

http://www.uamsports.com/schedule.aspx?path=football&schedule=14

[Valleysports]

Lot of the same - Tech had #10 Delta State, West Alabama, #1 North Alabama, and we sure didn't need that.    I think we'll go .500, as the Freshmen & Sophomores gain experience.  Could be in some high scoring games, if they can convert from the red zone.  Look forward to hosting UAM Oct 20...

Update:
I'm losing confidence fast in anything short term - just going to have to be patient....

[jdragsd]

OK, everybody has at least one game under their belts.  What can we tell after two weeks?

Can we tell anything about Henderson or OBU after their first two games?  Are they that good or are the teams they've played the first two weeks that bad?

What about Harding dominating UNA?  I'm a Harding fan and I was pleasantly surprised at how easily they handled the lions.

Is UAM going to be competitive after their showing against an FCS opponent? 

And SAU beating what I suspect was a weak Texas College team.  Anything that can be taken from that game or do they need to show something against a stronger opponent?

Whats up with Tech?  Not sure how good the Missouri S&T was, but I was surprised they didn't handle Bacone any better than what they did.

And then the Oklahoma schools, anybody got any thoughts on them?

It's still early and everybody still has alot to work on, but looks like it could be an exciting year!

[OPoraquê]

OBU's opponent last night at least had one prior win (over Central State of Ohio, which got blown out 59-0 by much larger Northern Iowa yesterday).  Their win last week lost yesterday but in a much more competitive game than vs. OBU.  Since the Tigers have lost their projected starting QB/returning conference OPOY I'm still tempted to take them with a grain of salt, but it's hard to sneeze at beating two opponents (one on the road) by an average of 43-2.  I doubt seriously that will hold vs. the rest of the schedule, though.  Hopefully they can stay competitive.

[OPoraquê]

Here's a wild one: Ouachita Baptist is ranked #15 in NCAA D II right now, and probably will be around that for at least one more week as they're off this weekend.  However, according to this document, the team that played OBU's first week opponent is now ranked #3 in the nation, and the score was a bit closer though there was a solid win.

That appears to be D II football.  I expect a wild ride ahead, as you said, and anything can happen in this league.  Would love to see HU, ECU and HSU in that poll to make four GAC teams in the top 25.

[MHSGrad]

With sau being 4-0, are they just hot or legit?

[OPoraquê]

Right now you've got four undefeated teams in the GAC, all from Arkansas.

This possibly will be fun...

[OPoraquê]

Right now it's Ouachita Baptist #11, Henderson State #14, with Harding two spots out of the top 25.  Happy October 1st, 2012.

[RamFan06]

With sau being 4-0, are they just hot or legit?

Hate to be this way but I wont believe they are legit until they beat somebody. The four teams they have beaten this year have a combined 2 wins.....one of them being the NAIA team. So, they have beaten four teams who have combined to beat 1 division 2 team in the last 4 weeks. I am sure this team has gotten better since last year, you have to with players like Mark Johnson returning, but they still have the same coaching staff doing the same tired old thing. The dream ends for SAU this week against Harding. It is time to come back to reality.

Actually, after posting this I looked at the results of UAM, they beat another NAIA team also. That makes it more glaring. The teams they have beaten have combined to defeat 0 division 2 opponents so far this year.

[pathos]

The teams they have beaten have combined to defeat 0 division 2 opponents so far this year.

Southwestern Oklahoma State beat East Central.

Henderson's opponents aren't exactly the cream of the crop, though they have been impressive wins. OBU has a bit better resume.

Harding, by far, has the best, imo.

[jdragsd]

The teams they have beaten have combined to defeat 0 division 2 opponents so far this year.

Southwestern Oklahoma State beat East Central.

Henderson's opponents aren't exactly the cream of the crop, though they have been impressive wins. OBU has a bit better resume.

Harding, by far, has the best, imo.

I've seen Harding play this year.  They're legit.  Defense is tops in DII and who would want to face that option offense with only one week to prepare.  I still believe the key to Harding continuing to win is they have to hang on to the ball.  Last week against ECU, they put the ball on the ground several times in the 1st half (one returned for a TD) and were down by 7 at half.  2nd half was all HU though.

Next three weeks, Harding plays SAU (@ El Dorado), HSU & @ OBU. 

We'll see.......

[RamFan06]

The teams they have beaten have combined to defeat 0 division 2 opponents so far this year.

Southwestern Oklahoma State beat East Central.

Henderson's opponents aren't exactly the cream of the crop, though they have been impressive wins. OBU has a bit better resume.

Harding, by far, has the best, imo.

Sorry, missed that one. Still, one win against a DII opponent isn't a great strength of schedule.

[Wahls]

I doubt, and I mean really doubt, that OBU beats Henderson having watched both teams this season.

[OPoraquê]

I doubt, and I mean really doubt, that OBU beats Henderson having watched both teams this season.

Depends on whether OBU is suiting up the tuba player at QB.

Playing their third-string QB plus several d guys who'd been injured at SESU's place, they still kept their defense in the nation's top 5 while holding SESU to a couple hundred yards less than they ran up against HSU.

[Wahls]

Playing their third-string QB plus several d guys who'd been injured at SESU's place, they still kept their defense in the nation's top 5 while holding SESU to a couple hundred yards less than they ran up against HSU.

HSU's pace they play at gives the other team the ball every 5 seconds. So that's not surprising.

Like I said, I really doubt OBU beats HSU.

[Valleysports]

OBU beat TECH, Henderson thrashed TECH.  IMO Henderson will run over OBU like a freight train.  Just the way I, and everyone who's seen both teams play, look at it. 

[OPoraquê]

Well, HSU was picked first place at in the preseason GAC.  And the game is at their place. 

Everyone thought Bentonville was going to beat Fayetteville last year for the state championship as well (and based upon their meeting in September 2011, they had very good reason).  I've heard people close to the program saying this is one of if not the best OBU teams in the past three decades.  Also heard others say that probably every OBU game is going to be close this season, but that the Arkadelphia Tigers are going to have a chance to win every game until the last minute this season.  It is admirable that they've been able to not fall apart after losing their starting QB/Conference OPOY on their very first series of their very first game.

Hope they can keep the score respectable vs. HSU.  We'll see.

[Wahls]

Well, HSU was picked first place at in the preseason GAC.  And the game is at their place. 

Thank God. That high school stadium is embarrassing.

[OPoraquê]

Respectfully said...this is Division II.  We'll see if OBU ever spends money to upgrade it.

Don't know if you're a HSU fan, but one thing that would be a bit troubling in the stats is that HSU is ranked currently #107 in the nation in defense.  Reminds me of Mike Leach's "old" (last decade) Texas Tech teams that would lead the nation in offense, post a winning record, but get hammered 3-4 times a year by someone.

(By those same numbers, Harding U looks like "the real deal" so far, with a defense now better (#1) statistically than OBU's (#5) and offense a few slots behind HSU.

Frankly, there'd be nothing that would be better than to have HU, HSU and OBU be ranked throughout the season.  Hope they can stay ranked for some time to come after that (and may one of them get to go far in the postseason sooner or later on equal frequency).

[phdefense]

(and may one of them get to go far in the postseason sooner or later on equal frequency).

It's going to take a resurgence by Tech for that to happen or for UCA to drop back down.

[Wahls]

Henderson's defense appears to be lacking because if I remember right, 90% of their offensive scoring drives are under two minutes.

Their defensive unit is fine. They give up lots of yards because the pace they play at.

[Busman]

As an old Reddie, I am looking forward to a meaningful HSU/OBU game like they were in the 70's. In my four years, they played 3 of the 4 at HSU as a joint homecoming.

[OPoraquê]

As an old Reddie, I am looking forward to a meaningful HSU/OBU game like they were in the 70's. In my four years, they played 3 of the 4 at HSU as a joint homecoming.

What a fascinating idea (and I wonder how many other American universities/colleges ever had such conjoined homecoming events).

[Busman]

It was really good.  There only concession I recall was that OBU always sat on the visitor's side, which at Haygood-Carpenter is adequate with about 4,000 seats. Otherwise, traded home and away jerseys, press box was run by the home team, tickets taken by home team staff, gate receipts rotated every other years.  Homecoming parade in downtown Arkadelphia (think Animal House, without the Delta's).  It was the last game before the NAIA playoffs started and everyone figured that was the game everyone wanted to watch, so why not?  But, all good things come to an end.  OBU alum got tired of not playing on their field, so it stopped after 4 or 5 years.  In 1976, they had over 10,000, which was announced as the largest crowd in Arkansas Collegiate history in a game not involving the Hogs.  Don't know if that was true, but that was the legend.  Both teams 9-0, ObU comes back from 20-7 defecit to win 21-20 and qualify for NAIA playoffs, breaking HSU's three year undefeated AIC streak.  HSU went to the Bicenntenial Bowl in War Memorial Stadium and beat East Central Oklahoma on a rainy/sleety day in front of about 2,000 people.

[OPoraquê]

OBU #11.
HSU #12
HU in the Division II Top 25 now, too.

WTG.

[pathos]

OBU #11.
HSU #12
HU in the Division II Top 25 now, too.

WTG.

SAU is also receiving votes.

[OPoraquê]

OBU #11.
HSU #12
HU in the Division II Top 25 now, too.

WTG.

SAU is also receiving votes.

Indeed they are.  Arkansas is representing well (only three other states with 3 or more schools in the DII Top 25). 

[RamFan06]

OBU #11.
HSU #12
HU in the Division II Top 25 now, too.

WTG.

SAU is also receiving votes.

As much as I am anti-SAU at the present time, I was impressed with how well they did against Harding. I hope, for the players, they can keep it up.

[Wahls]

HSU vs. OBU has the potential to be really one sided.

[OPoraquê]

HSU vs. OBU has the potential to be really one sided.

Guess we'll find out, won't we, Wahls?  In the meantime, isn't it great to have multiple Arkansas schools, two from Arkadelphia to boot, in the DII Top 25?

[Wahls]

HSU vs. OBU has the potential to be really one sided.

Guess we'll find out, won't we, Wahls?  In the meantime, isn't it great to have multiple Arkansas schools, two from Arkadelphia to boot, in the DII Top 25?

Meh.









I'm just kidding. It's cool!

[Wahls]

HSU - 38
Harding - 10

Final.


Harding is every bit as good on defense as OBU is. HSU goes well over 500 yards of total offense. Score could have been a lot worse.

[OPoraquê]

HSU - 38
Harding - 10

Final.


Harding is every bit as good on defense as OBU is. HSU goes well over 500 yards of total offense. Score could have been a lot worse.

OBU barely escaped Monticello yesterday (feel for those guys because they've been through a bunch of quarterbacks as well...they'll be back).  Took my OBU son up to my wife's Dad's a-frame lake cabin in SW Missouri over fall break.  Big news from yesterday was that Pittsburg State (#1 and undefeated) lost to NW MO State, and also Top 10 Missouri Western was beaten by MO Southern (go Lions - more than one Bentonville kid has gone there).  Should mean a possibility for HSU or OBU or both to move into the top 10 this week.

Hope OBU can do well against HU next week...this is now OBU's fifth consecutive winning season and for a lot of high school and college football teams even back-to-back winning seasons aren't easy to put together.  I'll say it, Wahls...hope OBU can do well the rest of the season also, but if they don't - wouldn't break my heart to see HSU take Pitt State's (with a LOT of Bentonville kids) national championship place.  Bring that trophy to Arkansas some way!

BTW, speaking of "Bentonville", has Dallas Hardison gotten to play for ya'll yet this season in mopup, or is he redshirting?  He's a GOOD one (5,000 - 7,000 passing yards for Bennie's 25-1 teams in the '10 and '11 seasons, came within a couple of plays (had he not gotten pulled because BHS was so far ahead so many times) of being #2 in all-time high school passing yardage completion percentage behind Tim Couch).  Want to see him get some quality time for your team.

[OPoraquê]

WTG Wahls, HSU/OBU and HU.  OBU #10, HSU #11, HU still in at #25!  Shows how much voters think of both the "H" teams.  Now we'll see how good the (still relying on its 3rd string QB for the most part) "O" team is or isn't this Saturday...

[Wahls]

Hardison is getting the shirt. Ryan Black is the backup.

[OPoraquê]

Wahls, OBU went down at home in flames to HU this afternoon, so your guys are in the driver's seat.  Probably will drive OBU into the ground.  Hopefully the Arkadelphia Tigers can stay competitive through the rest of the season.  Had a feeling this was coming.  Oh, well...

[Wahls]

Like I said, after watching OBU earlier in the year that result makes a lot of sense. I had a feeling that HSU vs. OBU would be really one sided.

Didn't get to make the game today, but the score was:

HSU - 49
ECU - 14
Final.

[Ken Griffey Jr.]

Been a while since I have posted, but go Bisons!  What are the chances that both Henderson and Harding make the playoffs?

[3cats]

Been a while since I have posted, but go Bisons!  What are the chances that both Henderson and Harding make the playoffs?

If they win out it seems to be very good.

[Busman]

I think Henderson would have to lose, but they could take two.  I've seen them take three from the same conference before (W. Georgia, Delta State and Valdosta from the GSC).

[Wahls]

I think Henderson would have to lose, but they could take two.  I've seen them take three from the same conference before (W. Georgia, Delta State and Valdosta from the GSC).

Henderson could have realistically made it that year as well. They were a bubble team and had a share of the title.

[Wahls]

That said, if Harding wins out, they have a shot.