Written By
Written By
Written By
Written By
Many football programs in the South are braced for the impacts of Tropical Storm Isaias last weekend. While schools mull contingencies and others have moved up kickoffs, the storm only canceled one game.
West Florida canceled last Saturday’s home game with Northeastern State. Making up the game didn’t seem feasible with Northeastern State still having a strong case for the Division II playoffs.
However, West Florida does not have that same issue. The Argonauts are ineligible for the postseason because they began their transition from Division II to Division I this year. Nonetheless, West Florida has plenty of options for a make-up game on Thanksgiving or the first weekend of December.
The list below includes every school that has an 11-game schedule (excluding the Ivy League)
Many of these schools are longshots to accept a road trip to Pensacola, but a few are logical fits. Presbyterian is an eight-hour drive from Pensacola. It would not be expensive to get the Blue Hose to make the drive to give the Argonauts another home game.
Chicago State is another viable option. Although the Cougars are not as close to Pensacola as Presbyterian. Their notoriously cash-strapped athletic department would welcome the guarantee check and even more exposure for its fledgling football program.
A game against West Florida would give the Cougars valuable experience ahead of its first season of NEC play in 2027. Chicago State has already shown improvement throughout the season. In their last game against Tarleton, they marched 95 yards to take an early 7-0 lead and only trailed the # Texans 21-7 at halftime. The Cougars could entertain the Pensacola crowd early if they play West Florida.
West Florida can also turn back the clock with its makeup game and schedule an old Gulf South rival. After dropping to three schools with West Florida’s departure, the Gulf South does not have an automatic bid to the Division II Playoffs.
Two of the remaining schools, Valdosta State and Delta State, are both below the maximum number (11) of games. Delta State sits at 2-3 with four games remaining and little hope of an at-large bid. Valdosta State is 4-1 with four games remaining as well.
Both Delta State and Valdosta State would draw well for a late-season makeup game. West Florida fans are familiar with both schools, and they are nearby, minimizing guarantee costs. Additionally, scarcity is in play. West Florida may not play either school for a while given the divisional difference.
The events surrounding Hurricane Isias were unfortunate for several parties, and football is the least important issue. Nonetheless, West Florida has multiple logical options to make the most of a suboptimal situation.
