During the Great American Conference Football Media Days, commissioner Will Prewitt took the podium to announce a series of substantive rule changes that will affect NCAA Division II football across the conference. The announcements, made in front of media and stakeholders, underscored a commitment to modernize the sport’s governance and enhance competitive fairness.
Playoff Selection Overhaul
A centerpiece of the new framework is the adoption of the NCAA Power Index (NPI) as the sole determinant for playoff selections, replacing the previous regional committee approach. Under the revised system, victories earned on the road will be weighted more heavily than home wins, reflecting a shift toward rewarding travel performance.
In addition, the penalty for offensive pass interference has been trimmed from 15 yards to 10 yards, and targeting infractions will now be confined to the game in which they occur, eliminating carry‑over suspensions. These adjustments aim to reduce the punitive impact on teams while preserving player safety.
Expanded Replay and Fair‑Catch Kick
Coaches will also benefit from a third replay challenge, provided that one of their first two challenges is successful, giving programs an extra opportunity to contest critical calls. Furthermore, a new rule permits teams to attempt a free‑kick field goal immediately after a fair‑catch, adding a strategic option for late‑game situations.
Prewitt used the platform to voice criticism of the existing regionalization model, arguing that a national selection process would better align with the competitive realities of Division II. His stance signals a broader push to centralize decision‑making and increase transparency in postseason qualification.
Preseason Outlook
The conference also released its preseason projections, naming Harding University as the favorite to capture the 2026 Great American Conference title. Harding’s recent dominance, highlighted by two Super Region Four championships in the past three seasons, positions the team as a leading contender heading into the upcoming campaign.