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

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2011 Final Standings

Looking back: Delaware Valley was one of four teams that won at least eight or more games in 2011.  However, the Aggies were the only team to advance to the NCAA Division III playoffs, as they won the automatic bid from the Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC).  They advanced to round two of the D-III playoffs, with their season ending in a 27-14 upset loss to St. John Fisher.  Two other teams earned berth in ECAC bowls, with both Widener and Lebanon Valley earning season-ending victories, respectively, while Lycoming found itself on the outside looking in for postseason play despite finishing 8-2.

Looking ahead: Until another team proves otherwise, Delaware Valley will enter the 2012 season as the team to beat in the D-III version of the MAC.  New to the conference is the Misericordia University Cougars out of Dallas, Pa.  That gives the MAC 10 teams for this season.
  
2012 Predicted Order of Finish (2011 overall record in parentheses)

1. Delaware Valley (11-1):  With the sting of last year's playoff loss still fresh in their minds, the Aggies hope to use it as motivation for this year.   If they can stay healthy, there's no reason why the 2012 DelVal squad can't  make another deep playoff run.

2. Lebanon Valley (8-3):  Despite a fourth place finish in MAC action (5-3), the Dutchmen ended the 2011 season on a three-game winning streak, including a season-ending 23-15 win over Saint Vincent in the ECAC Southwest Bowl.  It's the kind of the momentum that the LVC faithful hopes will carry over into the 2012 season.  The Dutchmen will get a stiff season opening test from Montclair State from the NJAC.


3. Lycoming (8-2):  Two losses by a combined total of 10 points, one to Widener (31-28), as well to Delaware Valley (28-21), proved costly to the Warriors postseason hopes, as they sat at home despite finishing tied for second in the MAC (6-2) in 2011.  It'll be interesting to see if they can make another serious run at the conference title in 2012.


4. Widener (9-2):  Like Lebanon Valley, the Pride also ended the 2011 season with a win in an ECAC bowl game, as they crushed Waynesburg, 48-27, to win the ECAC South Atlantic Bowl.  Still, fans in Chester, Pa. would like nothing more than to advance to the NCAA Division III playoffs for the first time since 2007.


5. Wilkes (4-5):  A season-ending 43-34 win over Stevenson gave the Colonels their third season of at least four wins dating back to 2007.  Even so, they would like to the winning ways they experienced in 2006, the year they made their last trip to the D-III dance.


6. Albright (6-5):  An up-and-down 2011 season for the Lions ended with a 14-0 shutout loss to Cortland in the ECAC Southeast Bowl.  If that wasn't enough, they'll face five teams that had winning records last year in 2012.  That includes two teams that reached the D-III playoffs in Delaware Valley and Kean, as well as two teams that advanced to ECAC bowl games in Lebanon Valley and Widener.


7. Fairleigh Dickinson-Florham (1-9):  The Devils surrendered 50 or more points in five of their nine losses last season.

8. Stevenson (2-8):  The Mustangs look to build on their inaugural season mark of 1-7 in MAC play from a year ago.


9. King's (1-9):  The Monarchs were held to single-digit scoring six times in their nine losses last season.  Additionally, they reached the double-digit mark in points scored on just four other ocassions, with only one win to show for it, a 51-26 rout over Stevenson on September 17.


10. Misericordia (n/a):  The Cougars will take the field for the first time in 2012.  Their first-ever game will be on the road against Gettysburg on September 1.


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