Looking back: In a tight, competitive Centennial Conference race, three teams; Johns Hopkins, Muhlenberg, and Ursinus shared the league title, finishing 7-2 in conference play. Muhlenberg won a three-way tiebreaker to take the automatic bid from the CC, and advance to the NCAA Division III playoffs.
Looking ahead: Expect at least one of the three teams mentioned above to emerge as this year's automatic qualifier to the D-III playoffs.
Website: http://www.centennial.org/
Predicted order of finish (2010 overall record in parentheses)
1. Johns Hopkins (8-3): The Blue Jays look to return to the NCAA playoffs after crushing Lebanon Valley, 44-14, in the ECAC South Atlantic Bowl last season.
2. Muhlenberg (7-4): The Mules bewildered the so-called "experts" in 2010, as they won the CC's automatic bid to the D-III playoffs after being picked to finish sixth in the preseason poll. The question for 2011 is this: Can they do it again?
3. Moravian (7-4): The Greyhounds have made five appearances in ECAC bowl games dating back to 2002, but have advanced to the NCAA playoffs just twice (1988, 1993), while winning just two conference titles (1970, 1988). They hope to change that this season.
4. Ursinus (8-2): Despite an eight-win season, and a three-way share of the CC title, the Bears were snubbed for postseason play in 2010. They hope to get over the hump in 2011. They were unbeaten at home (5-0), but struggled on the road (3-2).
5. Franklin & Marshall (6-5): The Diplomats hope to return to being a serious contender in the CC after struggling to a 5-4 finish in conference play last year, which ended with a 54-41 loss to Washington & Jefferson in the ECAC Southwest Bowl. Also, they're still chasing that seemingly elusive first-ever D-III playoff berth, despite winning multiple conference championships, as well as more than 500 games, over the years.
6. Gettysburg (6-4): Barry Streeter begins his 33rd season as the Bullets head coach. Hopefully, it will end with the program's first NCAA Division III playoff appearance since 1985.
7. McDaniel (5-5): The Green Terror got off to a 4-1 start, but faltered towards a 1-4 finish down the stretch.
8. Dickinson (3-7): The Red Devils were held to under 20 points in four games last season. They were 0-4 in those contests.
9. Susquehanna (2-8): The Crusaders hope their second season in the CC is better than the first, as they struggled to a disappointing 1-8 finish. However, they did end 2010 on a winning note, as they downed WPI, 14-7, in the season finale.
10. Juniata (0-10): The Eagles have lost 12 straight games dating back to October 24, 2009. They defeated Moravian, 10-3, that day.
4 years ago
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