Hurricane Helene continues to affect the Gulf South Conference football schedule. In Week 5, West Alabama's matchup with Shorter has been put on hold until November. Meanwhile, defending GSC champion Delta State — which had its conference opener against Erskine canceled last week — jumps into the league fray in Week 5. 

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The Plainsmen's delayed conference opener pits them against Chowan in one of two GSC matchups set for Oct. 5. A third contest set for Week 5 has Valdosta State visiting a familiar foe to the GSC.  It's a matchup of two undefeated teams with the 4-0 Blazers rolling, having not allowed a point in its last two games, visiting 2-0 Shorter. 

Mississippi College at West Florida  

West Florida finds itself in a rare spot for the program during its short time in existence: The Argonauts head into Saturday's matchup with Mississippi College on a losing skid. 

UWF faced a pair of nationally ranked teams over the last two weeks, dropping a 35-33 decision in double-overtime against West Alabama. The Argos followed that with a 31-7 setback against GLIAC powerhouse Grand Valley State, which has separated itself in a class with reigning national champion Harding as perhaps the class of Div. II. 

Jump-starting an uncharacteristically inconsistent offense is vital for UWF to rejuvenate its playoff aspirations. Week 5's home date with Mississippi College provides a get-right opportunity for the Argos. 

Winless Mississippi College struggled mightily in its first three games, losing to Shorter, Texas A&M-Kingsville and North Greenville by a combined score of 85-19. The Choctaws failed to score more than seven points in any of the losses. 

Last week saw Mississippi College play its best game of the 2024 slate so far, nearly erasing a two-score deficit to upend Chowan. The Choctaws' furious fourth rally fell short, but MC showed life offensively. Committing six turnovers, however, proved insurmountable. MC's 14 total turnovers are tied for third-most in Div. II, and the only two teams to have coughed up more — Northwest Missouri State and Morehouse — have played five games. 

PREDICTION: West Florida 48, Mississippi College 10

Chowan at Delta State 

Chowan's played no shortage of thrilling games in 2024. The Hawks' first three contests were decided by a total of nine points. After heartbreak in decisions of 12-9 and 24-20 against non-conference opponents Elizabeth City State and Barton, Chowan finally broke through with last week's GSC opener against Mississippi College. 

The connection between quarterback Maurice Smith and receiver Jakobe Lane that Chowan showed off in Week 4 is something to keep an eye on when the Hawks visit Delta State. Smith found Lane for five receptions, including a pair of touchdowns. Smith also hooked up with Gabrial Jackson in the senior quarterback's best performance of 2024. 

Smith showing off some command on his passing touch bodes well for Chowan giving Delta State a more varied look. The Hawks can and will attack with the run, especially using the powerful Smith as a ball-carrier. Against a talented and feisty Delta State front seven, however, Chowan will need to spread the field with an effective pass. 

The Plainsmen defense features no shortage of difference-makers who can cause havoc in the backfield. Chris Bonner is one of four Delta State defenders with three or more tackles for loss — all of his coming on sacks. Mario Martin adds another 2.5 sacks and two quarterback hurries, while Joseph Burton has three quarterback hurries and a sack. 

Delta State's ability to cause consistent pressure creates takeaway opportunities — and Jairus McFarland has been the nation's best in that regard, boasting three interceptions in four games. Meanwhile, the Plainsmen offense features its own standout dual-threat quarterback in Cole Kirk, Delta State's leading rusher at a hair less than 70 yards per game. 

Kirk has 11 touchdowns on the season between the run and the pass. Chowan's defense must find ways to limit Kirk's explosive rushing ability and garner some takeaways, otherwise it will be a long day in Cleveland. 

PREDICTION: Delta State 30, Chowan 14 

AFCA NCAA Division II Football Rankings In Week 5

1. Harding (Ark.) (4-0)
2. Grand Valley St. (Mich.) (4-0)
3. Valdosta St. (Ga.) (4-0)
4. Colorado School of Mines (4-0)
5. Ferris St. (Mich.) (3-1)
6. Lenoir-Rhyne (N.C.) (4-0)
7. Minnesota St. (5-0)
8. Kutztown (Pa.) (4-0)
9. Slippery Rock (Pa.) (4-0)
10. Pittsburg St. (Kan.) (3-1)
11. Central Washington (3-1)
12. Central Missouri (3-1)
13. Western Colorado (4-0)
14. Ouachita Baptist (Ark.) (4-0)
15. West Alabama (4-0)
16. Charleston (W.Va.) (4-0)
17. Central Oklahoma (4-0)
18. Colorado St.-Pueblo (4-1)
19. Emporia St. (Kan.) (4-1)
20. Delta St. (Miss.) (3-1)
21. Indiana (Pa.) (4-0)
22. Indianapolis (Ind.) (3-1)
23. Findlay (Ohio) (4-0)
24. Johnson C. Smith (N.C.) (5-0)
25. Carson-Newman (Tenn.) (4-0)

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