RFC Summer Semester--USA South Athletic Conference Preview (NCAA Division III)

What it is: One of the youngest conferences at the NCAA Division III level, the USA South Athletic Conference has a history that dates back to at least the 1960's. However, most of its member schools have only started playing football within least the last 10 years. Even so, some of those teams have made history, as Christopher Newport became the first, and so far, only team to advance to the NCAA playoffs in its inaugural season (2001). Also, North Carolina Wesleyan became the first No. 8 seed to win a playoff game when the Battling Bishops upset then top seeded and previously undefeated Washington & Jefferson in the first round of 2007 D-III playoffs.

Website: http://www.usasouth.net

Predicted order of finish (2009 overall record in parentheses, projected champion in BOLD type.

1. Christopher Newport (5-5): Last year's 4-3 finish in USA South action (a tie for third place) was the worst in the nine-year history of the Captains program. They missed postseason play for just the third-time ever as a result. They'll face Atlantic Central Football Conference foes Wesley, Frostburg State, and Salisbury in non-conference action.

2. North Carolina Wesleyan (8-3): The Battling Bishops finished USA South play unbeaten at 7-0 en route to their second-ever NCAA playoff appearance. They face an early season test against defending ODAC champion Hampden-Sydney on September 11.

3. Averett (7-3): The Cougars hope to win at least a share of their first conference title since 2006. They shared the crown with CNU that season.

4. Greensboro (4-6): The Pride hope to improve on last season's 4-3 mark in conference play.

5. Ferrum (5-5): The Panthers struggled to a disappointing 3-4 record in the USA South in 2009. They've shared the league title three times (with CNU in 2001-02, and Methodist in 2005).

6. Maryville (4-6): The Scots also finished 3-4 in league play last season. Their last winning season was in 2007, when they finished 7-3.

7. Methodist (3-7): The Monarchs look to move forward after a 2-5 finish in the USA South last year.

8. Shenandoah (1-9): The Hornets finished last in the league at 0-7 in '09.