One of the oldest intercollegiate athletic conferences in the nation, with a history dating back nearly a century. the Middle Atlantic Conference currently has eight schools playing football at the NCAA Division III level. All football-playing schools are located either in New Jersey or Pennsylvania.
Delaware Valley (automatic qualifier) and Albright (at-large bid) represented the MAC in the 2009 D-III playoffs. Both teams played each other in round two, where Albright eliminated Delaware Valley, 27-3. The Lions advanced to the quarterfinals the following week, where their postseason run ended with a 55-3 rout by eventual national runner-up Mount Union.
Website: http://www.gomacsports.com
Predicted order of finish (2009 overall record in parentheses, projected conference champion in BOLD type)
1. Delaware Valley (10-2): With 18 starters coming back, and a preseason national ranking as high as No. 7 in two separate polls, it's hard not to bet against Del Val. But the Aggies face some tough challenges to start off the season, playing games against NCAA playoff teams Washington & Jefferson and Wesley before starting MAC play against ECAC bowl participant Lebanon Valley on October 2.
2. Albright (11-2): Expect the Lions to provide the stiffest challenge to an Aggies repeat MAC championship. The two teams square off in Reading on November 6. But the Lions have to pay a visit to Lebanon Valley the following weekend.
3. Lebanon Valley (9-2): A heartbreaking one-point loss to Albright (44-43) cost the Dutchmen an NCAA playoff berth, but did win the ECAC Southwest Bowl, as they defeated Salisbury, 37-21.
4. Lycoming (4-6): The Warriors were 3-4 in games decided by 14 points or less last year.
5. Wilkes (6-4): The Colonels were 5-1 in contests decided by seven points or less.
6. King's (3-7): The Monarchs face an uphill climb after going 2-5 in conference play last season.
7. Widener (3-7): The national championship seasons (1977, 1981) seem to be a distant memory for the Pride. Last year's edition finished on a six-game skid.
8. Fairleigh Dickinson-Florham (2-8): The Devils face three teams that advanced to some form of postseason play in their first six games of 2010.
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5 years ago
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