RFC Summer Semester--Middle Atlantic Conference (NCAA Division III)

Looking back: Delaware Valley was the class of the MAC in 2010, as the Aggies advanced to the second round of the NCAA Division III playoffs, before bowing to eventual national runner-up Mount Union, 31-3.  Del Val was the lone team in the conference to win at least eight games last season.

Looking ahead: The MAC's membership increases by one program in 2011, as Stevenson University from Maryland begins its inaugural season.


Website: http://www.gomacsports.com

Predicted order of finish (2010 overall record in parentheses)

1. Delaware Valley (9-3):  The Aggies begin the 2011 season as one of the nation's premier programs, as they have been mentioned by multiple national preseason magazines in terms of national rankings.  The biggest question mark, though, is on the offensive side of the football, as Del Val must replace nine starters lost due to graduation, according to the Sporting News.  

2. Lebanon Valley (6-5):  The Flying Dutchmen overcame a 1-4 start to finish in a two-way tie for second place with Wilkes at 5-2 in MAC play last season, which ended with a loss to Johns Hopkins in the ECAC South Atlantic Bowl.  Although they'll welcome 14 starters, they also lose 15 of them.


3. Wilkes (6-5):  The Colonels also played in an ECAC postseason game, losing 26-14 to Moravian in the Southeast Bowl.


4. Lycoming (5-5):  The Warriors face two teams that won at least nine games last season: Rowan (9-1) and Delaware Valley (9-3).  Both games will be at home this season.


5. Widener (5-5):  The Pride won back-to-back games finish the 2010 season on a high note. They not only avoided a sub-.500 season by winning their final two games, it also gave them a winning record in conference play at 4-3.


6. Albright (5-5):  The Lions followed up a 2009 quarterfinal playoff appearance with a so-so showing in 2010, finishing 3-4 in MAC action.  Lion fans hope that 2011 will mark a return to the top.


7. King's (1-9):  The Monarchs may have won just one game in 2010, but it was a big one, as they crushed FDU-Florham, 45-14, in the next-to-last game of last season.  


8. FDU-Florham (3-7):  Bob Surace replaces the retired Rich Mosca as the Devils head coach.  Surace inherits a program that lost seven straight games after a 3-0 start last season.

9. Stevenson (n/a):  Ed Hottle was named the Mustangs first head coach prior to the start of this season.  He'll try to build a fledgling football program from scratch.