If you didn't already know, the biggest game of the week in the Gulf South Conference is this Saturday, Nov. 9, at 3:00 p.m. ET at Parker Field at McCool Stadium in Cleveland, MS, between the No. 1 team in Division II, the Valdosta State Blazers, and the Delta State Statesmen.  

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Not many people realize how much of an impact the outcome of this game can have, so here are five things to know about Valdosta State vs. Delta State.

1. Valdosta State Football Can Show They Are The Favorite

• The Blazers may have a challenge in their final game against currently No. 17-ranked West Florida. This Saturday is presumably the most difficult remaining game of the year when going into rival territory at Delta State. 
• With the Statesmen defeating a top team earlier in the season in West Alabama and knowing the hype around Valdosta State coming into the game, if the Blazers can sustain the dominance they have displayed throughout the season on the road against a solid conference opponent then what else do you need to see that doesn't already tell you, the Valdosta State Blazers are the favorite to become the champions of Division II for the first time since 2018.

2. The Winner Of This Game May Determine The GSC

• Even though Valdosta State is at the top of the Gulf South with an undefeated conference record of 4-0, No. 12 West Alabama is only a game behind them at 4-1. 
• If Delta State can beat the No. 1 Blazers, the Tigers have a bleak chance of winning the conference title. Their final two games are winnable, as they are against unranked opponents, and only one is against a Gulf South team in Erskine.
• However, the Blazers have the best odds to win the conference with wins this week because they have won every Gulf South meeting and finished the season undefeated.

3. Expect This Game To Go The Distance

• Delta State is coming off a bye week after losing to North Greenville in a 4 OT loss on October 26. This will be the team's first game at home since they "upset" West Alabama, where the defense played well, only allowing six points.
• The defense will be critical in this matchup, as it could turn into a game between Valdosta State's offense and Delta State's defense. In a season where we have not seen a team figure out the offense of the Blazers, led by Sammy Edwards, it will take another big performance by the Statesmen D.

4. It Should Not Be Considered An Upset If Delta State Football Wins

• Now, hear me out. Valdosta State will be the prohibitive favorite going into the game, and rightfully so. However, regardless of what the outsiders think, Delta State believes they can win this game, and who are we to tell them they can't?
• The Statesmen have been highly competitive in every game against ranked opponents this season. After two weeks of preparation for Valdosta State, they can put up a great fight against them and could quickly come away with the win if underestimated.

5. This Is A Make Or Break Game For The Statesmen

• For the Statesmen, this is a must-win game if they want to make the Division II playoffs, with the selection show about a week away.
• In last week's rankings, Delta State was one of the teams to drop out of the top 25 after the tight loss to North Greenville. They have shown the potential to be one of the best teams in Division II, but they have not been able to stay consistent throughout the season.
• The rankings from last week also showed that, for the second time, the team fell out of the top 25 after a loss. They lost to West Florida after being unranked. Could the Statesmen gain one last big win to assist their playoff chances?

How To Watch Valdosta State Football Vs. Delta State

Valdosta State vs. Delta State will be streamed live and archived on FloFootball and the FloSports app.

AFCA NCAA Division II Football Rankings In Week 11

1. Valdosta St. (Ga.) (24) 8-0 - Prev. 1

2. Ferris St. (Mich.) (6) 8-1 - Prev. 2

3. Kutztown (Pa.) 9-0 - Prev. 4

4. Harding (Ark.) 8-1 - Prev. 6

5. Grand Valley St. (Mich.) 8-1 - Prev. 7

6. Charleston (W.Va.) 9-0 - Prev. 9

7. Colorado St.-Pueblo 8-1 - Prev. 10

8. Central Oklahoma 8-1 - Prev. 13

9. Ouachita Baptist (Ark.) 8-1 - Prev. 3

10. Slippery Rock (Pa.) 7-1 - Prev. 14

11. Western Colorado 8-1 - Prev. 8

12. West Alabama 7-1 - Prev. 15

13. Pittsburg St. (Kan.) 7-2 - Prev. 5

14. Colorado School of Mines 7-2 - Prev. 18

15. Indianapolis (Ind.) 8-1 - Prev. 19

16. Augustana (S.D.) 7-2 - Prev. 20

17. West Florida 6-2 - Prev. 21

18t. California (Pa.) 7-1 - Prev. 23

18t. Minnesota St. 7-2 - Prev. 22

20. Emporia St. (Kan.) 7-2 - Prev. 11

21t. Carson-Newman (Tenn.) 8-1 - Prev. 24

21t. Lenoir-Rhyne (N.C.) 7-2 - Prev. 12

23. Angelo St. (Tex.) 7-2 - Prev. NR

24t. Findlay (Ohio) 8-1 - Prev. 25

24t. Wingate (N.C.) 7-1 - Prev. NR

Dropped Out: Johnson C. Smith (N.C.) (16), Central Washington (17)

Others Receiving Votes: Johnson C. Smith (N.C.), 74; Central Washington, 41; Virginia Union, 40; Sioux Falls (S.D.), 24; Fort Hays St. (Kan.), 23; Ashland (Ohio), 18; Colorado Mesa, 15; Central Missouri, 13; Saginaw Valley St. (Mich.), 7; Southern Arkansas, 7; New Haven (Conn.), 4; Miles (Ala.), 1.

When Do The 2024 Division II Football Playoffs Start?

The Division II playoffs begin on November 23, 2024.

The 2024 Division II College Football Championship game will be played on December 21, 2024, at McKinney ISD Stadium in McKinney, Texas.

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