RFC Summer Semester--Southern Athletic Association (SAA) Preview (NCAA Division III)

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2011 Final Standings (as the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference)

Looking back: As a member of the former Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC) in 2011, Centre earned its first-ever NCAA Division III playoff berth, advancing to the second round before losing to Mount Union, 30-10.

Looking ahead: Leaving the two Texas schools, Trinity and Austin, behind, the five remaining SCAC members, Birmingham-Southern, Centre, Millsaps, Rhodes, and Sewanee ("aka" University of the South), formed the Southern Athletic Association (SAA) in Septeember 2011. The so-called "Original Five" members of SAA football will take the field for the first time in 2012, with full members Berry College, of Rome, Georgia, and Hendrix College in Conway, Arkansas, both making plans to start their gridiron programs in 2013.  Additionally, the University of Chicago and Washington University of St. Louis will join the SAA as associate members for football only in 2015.

2012 Predicted Order of Finish (2011 overall record in parentheses)

1. Centre (9-2):  Fresh off a postseason appearance, the Colonels will likely be playing for right to become the first-ever football champion of the SAA, and not much else.  The toughest non-conference game on their 2012 schedule is on September 15, when they travel to Virginia to take on Washington and Lee.


2. Birmingham-Southern (7-2):  Back-to-back losses in October doomed the Panthers hopes for postseason play in 2011.  If they're get to finally get there in 2012, they'll likely to have to go undefeated during the regular season.  With a tough schedule includes an October 6 visit to Wesley, that might not be easy.


3. Millsaps (4-6):  The Majors hope to put the misery of 2011 behind them in 2012.  They lost three straight games to end last season.


4. Sewanee (5-5):  Although the Tigers had one of their better seasons in years, they still managed to finish just 2-4 in SCAC action last year.  They'll welcome two teams from the Northwest Conference this season in Puget Sound and Willamette.


5. Rhodes (3-6):  The Lynx face an uphill battle after finishing 1-5 in SCAC play last season.