Week 1 GAC Rankings and Predictions
GAC WEEK 1
PREDICTIONS
RANKINGS (Arkansas teams)
- Harding
- Ouachita Baptist
- Southern Arkansas
- Henderson State
- Arkansas Tech
- UA Monticello
HOOTENS.COM GAME OF THE WEEK
No. 3 SOUTHERN ARKANSAS at Oklahoma Baptist (Thursday, 7 p.m.)
Southern Arkansas (8-3 last season) opens 2026 at Oklahoma Baptist with the profile of a conference contender. The Muleriders tied for second in the Great American Conference and have won 27 games over the past 3 years. Coach Brad Smiley returns 38 lettermen and an offense that ranked fourth in the league at 401.3 yards per game.
Junior quarterback Adam Parker knows the system after appearing in all 11 games last fall, while senior C.J. Montes brings extensive experience, having played at New Mexico, Fordham and Kent State. Freshman Drew Davis also impressed during the spring. Whoever wins the job will work behind a veteran line led by all-conference tackle Connor Hagerty, who has started 34 consecutive games.
SAU can ease that transition with a deep backfield, led by senior Arkez Gomez (562 rushing, 5.5 yards per carry, 257 receiving) and sophomore Katrevion Thomas (450 rushing, 8 TDs). Tight end Jacob Trussell, receiver Cooper Sanders and transfers Isaac Norris and Kolby Thomas give the Muleriders multiple ways to create favorable matchups in the passing game.
The defense allowed 20.8 points per game and intercepted 16 passes, tied with Harding for the GAC lead. Linebacker Kendrick Juniel (65 tackles) and ballhawking safety Tutt McGlothan (4 interceptions) spark the defense. Senior punter Jay Todd Baker (44.7 yards per punt) gives SAU another major advantage in an opener where field position could decide momentum.
SAU handled the Bison 49-14 in last year’s opener, and the Muleriders have enough experience on the line, depth at the skill positions and playmakers in the secondary to manage an early road test.
WEEK 1 PREDICTIONS
(Favored team in ALL CAPS and HIGHLIGHTED IN ORANGE)
NW Oklahoma State at No. 1 HARDING
Harding begins a new chapter under first-year head Coach Roddy Mote, but the program’s identity is not changing. Mote takes over after serving as defensive coordinator since 2017, and the Bisons enter 2026 after a 15-1 season, a trip to the national championship game and a run of 2 title-game appearances in 3 years.
The flexbone remains the foundation. Harding led NCAA Division II with 6,942 rushing yards last season, an average of 433.9 per game, and scored a school-record 88 rushing touchdowns. Senior Andrew Miller returns after setting the program’s single-season rushing record with 2,048 yards and 28 touchdowns. Josh Strickland, Josh Evans-Pickens and Ben Boehm give the backfield proven depth around new quarterback Malik Young.
Three starters return on the offensive line, including center Cobe Williams, guard David Gomez and tackle Isaac Gray. The passing game will be selective, but Brady Barnett (11 catches, 217 yards) gives Young a proven target when defenses overload the run.
The Bisons’ defense was the best in the GAC, allowing 12.8 points and 283.1 yards per game. Ends Justin Sobczak and Kaden Spencer combined for 15.5 sacks, linebacker Jordan Mays (71 tackles) returns, along with safeties Deion Campbell and Zac O’Day.
Harding beat Northwestern Oklahoma State 49-7 last season, and the Bisons should dictate the pace with Miller operating behind a proven offensive core and a defense built to control the game from the opening series.
East Central at No. 2 OUACHITA BAPTIST (Thursday, 7 p.m.)
Ouachita Baptist (7-4 last year) closed last season with a 6-game winning streak to extend its streak of winning seasons to 17, the longest active run among college football programs in Arkansas. Coach Todd Knight enters his 27th season with 197 wins.
Sophomore quarterback Tre Nichols (535 rushing, 5 TDs; 1,136 rushing 6 TDs) gives Ouachita a true dual threat. Running back Chris Henley (595 rushing, 12 TDs) also returns.
The receiving group is deep, led by Carter McElhany (37-772 receiving, 8 TDs), Bo Baker (18 yards per reception) and Nate Stafford (267 receiving). Transfer AJ Jayroe gives the Tigers another big target, while the return of guard Isaiah Simpson strengthens the line.
Ouachita forced 26 turnovers last season, including a league-high 19 fumbles. Linebacker Justin Crutchmer forced 7 by himself, and Kahlil Smith (57 tackles, 4 sacks as a freshman). A deep group of defensive ends should help the Tigers pressure East Central without sacrificing coverage.
East Central beat Ouachita 24-22 in last year’s opener, so the Tigers have an obvious point to correct. This time, Ouachita has Nichols established as quarterback, more explosive options around him, and the home-field advantage.
No. 4 HENDERSON STATE at Southern Nazarene (6 p.m.)
Henderson State (8-3 last fall) enters 2026 after its sixth consecutive season with at least 8 wins. The Reddies return 7 offensive starters and 5 on defense. Coach Greg Holsworth continues pushing the program toward its first GAC championship since 2015.
Senior Austin Ledbetter takes over at quarterback after completing 9 of 12 passes for 177 yards and 2 touchdowns in limited action last season. He will be protected by 4 returning offensive-line starters, including all-conference center Gabe Hernandez, and will have one of the league’s most promising young receiving groups.
Maddox Davis led the GAC with 51 receptions as a freshman and scored on a 94-yard catch. Taylin Paskel adds breakaway speed, while SAU transfer DeAndra Burns brings another experienced option. Running backs Chris Gannaway and Trent Haygood can contribute both as runners and receivers.
Defense should give Henderson stability while Ledbetter settles at quarterback. The Reddies ranked second in the GAC in scoring defense at 20.2 points per game and recorded 29 sacks. A deep front led by Mulumba Wa-Kalonji, Braxton Nixon, Braxton Baker and Ben Quinlan should create favorable situations for an experienced secondary.
Henderson beat Southern Nazarene 48-13 last season. The road setting adds a challenge, but the Reddies’ line experience, receiving speed and defensive depth make them the more complete team.
SE Oklahoma State at No. 5 ARKANSAS TECH (Thursday, 7 p.m.)
Arkansas Tech opens Year 2 under Roy Thompson after producing its first winning season and postseason appearance since 2017. The Wonder Boys went 7-5, won 3 consecutive games twice and return 16 starters from a team that established a stronger week-to-week identity.
Redshirt junior QB Carter Hensley started the final 6 games last season. He passed for 1,121 yards and eight touchdowns and attempted 42 passes in the Heritage Bowl. Sophomore Tracy Daniels steps into the lead running back role after providing some of Tech’s most explosive plays as a reserve.
The offensive line is the unit Thompson expects to set the tone. Four starters return, led by junior tackle Andrew Hellman. Young receivers Austin Marshall and JD DeCausmaker gained valuable experience as freshmen, giving Hensley a more developed group around him than Tech had at the start of last season.
Nine starters return on defense. The line is deep, the linebacker group adds experience with Julien Lopez and Tyriq Taiwo, and an experienced secondary features Kylan Crite, Tyrique Jones and Caleb Arnold. Tech held Henderson State to 6 points and shut out Northwestern Oklahoma State last season, showing the ceiling of the unit.
The Wonder Boys won 32-10 at SW Oklahoma State last year, and with more stability at quarterback, a seasoned offensive line and 9 returning defensive starters, Tech should be prepared to start 2026 cleanly at home.
SE OKLAHOMA STATE at No. 6 Arkansas-Monticello (Thursday, 6 p.m.)
Arkansas-Monticello begins the Gary Goff era with 73 new players and a complete offensive reset. Goff brings an Air Raid background shaped by Hal Mumme and Mike Leach, and his task is to revive a program that finished 2-9 last season and has not posted a winning record since 2008.
Senior transfer Drew Forkner won the quarterback job after passing for 1,852 yards and 17 touchdowns at Saint Anselm last season. Receivers Chasden Collins and AK Hazley return, Isaiah Roberts arrives from Jones College and tight end Stran Smith offers versatility. Transfers Davion Alston and Braylon Henry should also improve a running game that ranked near the bottom of the league.
The immediate concern is pass protection and cohesion. UAM allowed a GAC-high 37 sacks and committed 30 turnovers last season. Three experienced linemen return, but the Boll Weevils must learn a new system quickly while integrating one of the largest roster makeovers in the conference.
Defensively, all-conference tackle Keith Wells and senior safety Cayden Dominey provide building blocks. Cornerback Charles Thomas adds physicality, but UAM surrendered 425.4 yards per game and a league-high 34 rushing touchdowns last season, leaving Goff’s staff with substantial ground to make up.
SE Oklahoma State beat UAM 44-13 in last year’s opener. The Boll Weevils should become more dangerous as Forkner grows comfortable in the Air Raid, but Week 1 is a difficult stage for a team combining a new staff, new quarterback and 73 newcomers.