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Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC)--(NCAA Division III)
Website
2012 Final Standings
Looking back: Widener went unbeaten during the 2012 regular season, and the automatic bid to the NCAA Division III playoffs from the MAC. The Pride advanced to the national quarterfinals, only to be crushed by eventual national champion, Mount Union, 72-17.
Looking ahead: Will Widener wind up on top again in 2013? Or will someone else finish on top of the mountain that is the MAC. It'll be interesting to see how it all unfolds this fall.
Predicted order of finish (2012 overall record in parentheses)
1. Widener (12-1): The Pride will be sternly tested coming out of the right of the gate, when they travel to Dover, Delaware for a date against perennial power Wesley to open the 2013 season on September 6. If they want to advance to the playoffs again, they must do it under new head coach Bobby Acosta. He takes over for Isaac Collins, who moved up one division to take over the helm at NCAA Division II Seton Hill.
2. Delaware Valley (8-3): After finishing 7-2 in MAC play during the regular season, the Aggies completed an otherwise so-so 2012 campaign by outlasting Muhlenberg, 24-21, in the ECAC South Atlantic Bowl. Hopefully, that thrilling win will propel them into an excellent 2013 season. They'll open it at home against Rowan on September 7. Oh, and they hope to win either a MAC or ECAC championship for the sixth year in a row this year.
3. Lycoming (8-2): The Warriors were just five points away from finishing unbeaten in conference play in 2012. But a tough loss to Widener in the closing seconds not only kept from winning that league title, it also likely cost them a trip to postseason play, as they were shut out of the ECAC bowls as well. Hopefully, the sting of being stubbed will be a rallying cry for the Warriors in 2013.
4. Albright (8-3): The Lions are also coming off an ECAC bowl victory, as they defeated Franklin and Marshall, 38-34, in the Southeast Bowl. Don't count out the Lions as being among the contenders for the MAC title this year.
5. Lebanon Valley (6-4): The Dutchmen hope to make it six straight winning seasons in 2013. But they face tough tests to open the season at home against Montclair State on September 7, followed by trip to Widener to open MAC play a week later.
6. Wilkes (5-5): The Colonels are coming off an up-and-down 2012 season, which included nail-biting win over the likes of Morrisville State and Stevenson, while being blown out by Widener, 90-0. They open 2013 with a home game against Morrisville, before opening MAC play at Lycoming the following weekend, followed by a home game against Widener the week after that. Ouch!
7. Fairleigh Dickinson-Florham (2-8): The Devils hope to put the misery of last season behind them.
8. Stevenson (2-8): Same thing goes for the Mustangs.
9. King's (2-8): Ditto for the Monarchs, who haven't had a winning season since 2006 (6-5).
10. Misericordia (0-10): The #1 goal for the Cougars in Year 2: get their first-ever win on the field.
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New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC)
Website
2012 Final Standings
Looking back: The NJAC sent two teams to postseason play in 2012, with Cortland State getting the automatic bid, while Rowan earned an at-large bid. The Red Dragons advanced to round two before being crushed by Wesley, 56-6, while the Profs found themselves in the "one-and-done" after losing to Salisbury, 17-9.
Looking ahead: Can Cortland claim another NJAC title in 2013? Or will Rowan, or maybe someone else, step up and take home the title? Lots of questions yet to be answered. Meanwhile, the departure of Western Connecticut State (now in the MASCAC), as well as the eventual departure of the College of Brockport (formerly Brockport State) will leave the NJAC with just seven schools for football by 2014.
Predicted order of finish (2012 overall record in parentheses)
1. Cortland State (9-2): The Red Dragons managed to finish undefeated in NJAC play at 7-0, despite having their game against William Paterson called off because of Hurricane Sandy. They'll face fellow non-conference, Upstate New York foes such as Buffalo State and St. John Fisher to get ready for what is sure to be yet another tough conference schedule.
2. Rowan (7-3): The Profs were another team that advanced to the NCAA playoffs despite also having one game cancelled due to Hurricane Sandy. Like Cortland, Rowan will gear up for NJAC play by perennial Middle Atlantic Conference power Delaware Valley, as well as defending New England Football Conference champion Framingham State. Oh, and the Profs did punch their ticket to postseason play despite playing just four home games last season (4-0 in 2012).
3. Kean (5-4): The Cougars had a "Jekyll and Hyde" 2012 season. After starting 0-2, they reeled off five straight wins before losing their final two contests. Looks like getting to a fast start is a must if the Cougars have any aspirations of postseason play in 2013.
4. Brockport (6-4): Despite a so-so showing in league play last year (4-4 in 2012), the Golden Eagles still managed to clinch their first winning season since 2004, when they finished 6-4 overall. They hope to make one last serious run at the NJAC crown in 2013, before jumping to the Empire 8 Conference as an affiliate member in 2014.
5. Montclair State (5-5): Back-to-back wins in their final two games salvaged what was an otherwise disappointing season by Red Hawks standards in 2012. Head Coach Rick Giancola hopes they return to the elite status that the locals have been used to in 2013.
6. William Paterson (5-5): The Pioneers have hovered around the four to five win range for the last six years. In order to finally get above that .500 hump that has eluded them over that span, they must overcome an early stretch of games that has them facing the likes of King's, Bridgewater State, and Cortland, all on the road, to start the 2013 campaign.
7. The College of New Jersey (4-6): The Lions will look to get back on the winning track following a disappointing 2012 season. That followed up a 2011 campaign which produced a 7-3 mark. But with a schedule that has them playing against seven teams that won five or more games last season, finishing with that winning record this season might be a tall order for the Lions.
8. Morrisville State (1-9): Can anybody say "nowhere to go but up"? That's the direction the Mustangs want to go in after yet another dismal season. They've never won more than three games since starting varsity play in 2006.
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Liberty League (NCAA Division III)
Website
2012 Final Standings
Looking back: Hobart (12-1 overall) dominated the Liberty League en route to winning that conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Division III playoffs in 2012, finishing unbeaten in league play at 7-0. St. Thomas, though, stomped the Statesman, 47-7, in the quarterfinal round.
Looking ahead: Barring any losses due to serious injury, academic, or other issues, don't be surprised if Hobart ends up making another deep postseason run in 2013.
Predicted order of finish (2012 overall record in parentheses)
1. Hobart (12-1): The Statesmen won exactly 12 games in 2012, thanks to scoring an average of more than 36 points per game. Still, the thumping they took at the hands of St. Thomas in the D-III playoffs has the Hobart faithful hoping for much more this season. If they're to make it at least 13 wins in 2013, the Statesmen must overcome the loss of 13 seniors from that squad, including quarterback Nick Strang.
2. Springfield (8-3): The Pride will look to mount a serious threat to the Statesmen's supremacy in the LL in 2013, under veteran head coach Mike DeLong. But they must overcome an early season stretch of playing three home games in the season's first four weeks if they're to do just that.
3. Union (N.Y.)--(6-4): The Dutchmen overcame an 0-3 start to finish strong, at 6-1 in Liberty League action in 2012. That was good enough for a second place finish in the conference, with the only loss there coming to Hobart. It'll be interesting to see if Union can make a serious run at the crown in 2013, as the Dutchmen will face the Statesmen at home on November 2.
4. Merchant Marine (5-5): The Mariners defeated St. Lawrence, 33-12, to finish 3-4 in LL play in 2012. That's something that the USMMA faithful hopes will carry over into 2013.
5. RPI (5-4): A promising 5-1 start disintegrated into a disappointing three-game losing streak to end 2012 for the Engineers. They hope that new Head Coach Ralph Isernia can get their program back to the days of when they won at least seven or more games seven times from 1999-2008. That stretch included a deep run in the D-III playoffs in 2003, when they fell to eventual national champion St. John's.
6. Rochester (4-5): The Yellowjackets were solid at home in 2012, going 3-1, but not so much on the road, finishing with a 1-4 mark in away games. Winning those games in enemy territory just might be one of the keys to victory in 2013.
7. WPI (2-8): Winning seasons have been few and far between for the Engineers, who have finished above. 500 just twice since 2000. Their last winning campaign was in 2008, when they finished 7-3.
8. St. Lawrence (0-10): What a difference two years makes? In 2010, the Saints were an NCAA playoff team, finishing 5-1 in conference games (5-6 overall). But by the end of the 2012 season, they finished it without a single win. They enter 2013 hoping to win their first contest since November 12, 2011, when they outlasted WPI, 21-14.
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Empire 8 Conference (NCAA Division III)
Website
2012 Final Standings
Looking back: For the second straight season, the Sea Gulls of Salisbury University took home the Empire 8 Conference championship, as well as a second straight automatic bid to the NCAA Division III playoffs.
Unlike 2011, however, (when they advanced to the national quarterfinals), the Sea Gulls were "two and out" in 2012, as they were eliminated by Widener, 28-7, in the second round.
Despite finishing in a four-way tie for third place in the E8 at 4-3, St. John Fisher grabbed a spot in a postseason game, as the Cardinals crushed Castleton State, 63-7, in the ECAC Northwest Bowl.
Looking ahead: Expect the other seven teams to once again chase Salisbury for the E8 crown in 2013.
Predicted order of finish (2012 overall record in parentheses)
1. Salisbury (9-3): The Sea Gulls have been consistent; consistently good, under Head Coach Sherman Wood, suffering just one losing season dating back to 2002. Still, they'll face a tremendous challenge to open the 2013 season, as they play against two teams that advanced to the D-III playoffs last year in Christopher Newport and Wesley.
2. St. John Fisher (8-3): As it hard as it is to believe, the Cardinals last losing season came in 2001, when they finished 3-7. Since 2002, SJFC has had 11 straight winning seasons, including a trip to the national semifinals in 2006. If they're to make it 12 straight winning seasons in 2013, the Cards must get through a brutal schedule that saw eight teams (five in conference play alone) post winning records in 2012. Ouch!
3. Alfred (6-4): Despite struggling to a 1-2 mark in non-conference games last season, the Saxons still managed to finish E8 play in sole possession of second place. Head Coach Dave Murray already has 100 wins in his coaching career. He hopes those winning ways will continue in 2013.
4. Buffalo State (6-4): A low-scoring 7-6 upset win over then-defending national champion Wisconsin-Whitewater on September 15 helped propel the Bengals to their first winning season since 2000, when they finished 7-4. If that wasn't enough, they also ended the 2012 season with four straight wins. Believe it or not, the Bengals will host the Warhawks in a re-match on September 21, 2013.
5. Ithaca (6-4): The Bombers were yet another team that finished in a four-way tie for third place at 4-3, losing their 2012 season finale(in heartbreaking fashion) to archrival Cortland State in the annual battle for the "Cortaca Jug". It'll be interesting to see if 2013 will have a much happier ending.
6. Utica (6-4): The Pioneers carried a 6-2 overall record into final two games of the 2012 season, before losing back-to-back contests to Salisbury and St. John Fisher to end it on a disappointing note. They open the 2013 campaign on September 7, when they play host to Lewis and Clark, in a battle of, you guessed it, Pioneers.
7. Frostburg State (3-7): The Bobcats hope to move forward after yet another disappointing season.
8. Hartwick (3-7): Speaking of disappointing, the Hawks enter the 2013 season looking to snap a seven-game skid, with all of the losses last year coming in conference play. That was after starting 3-0.
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Eastern Collegiate Football Conference (ECFC)
Website
2012 Final Standings
Looking back: Both Mount Ida and Castleton State finished ECFC play at 6-1 in league play. However, because of their 52-28 win over Castleton on November 10, Mount Ida earned the automatic bid to the NCAA Division III playoffs.
While the Mustangs fell to Wesley, 73-14, in the first round of the NCAA playoffs, the Spartans season ended on a losing note as well, as St. John Fisher cruised to a convincing 63-7 win in the ECAC Northwest Bowl.
Elsewhere in the ECFC, the Maritime-Norwich game that was scheduled to be played on November 3, 2012 was cancelled due to Hurricane Sandy.
Looking ahead: Expect yet another wide-open race for the ECFC title in 2013.
Predicted order of finish (2012 overall record in parentheses)
1. Mount Ida (8-3): The Mustangs hope to make to back-to-back ECFC crowns in 2013. They do face one team had a winning record last season to close out their non-conference schedule, as they travel to Springfield (8-3 in 2012) on September 21.
2. Castleton State (7-4): The Spartans carried a 7-2 overall record into their regular season finale against Mount Ida before losing that game, followed by the blowout loss to St. John Fisher in the ECAC Northwest Bowl. They must replace the 19 seniors that helped them earn a share of the conference crown they won last season. If there is one positive for the Spartans, they do get to host Mount Ida on October 12.
3. Galluadet (7-3): The Bison hope to build on last year's 5-2 conference mark. They won back-to-back games over Mount Ida and Maritime to close out the 2012 season.
4. Norwich (7-3): The cancellation of the November 3 game against Maritime forced the Cadets to settle for a 4-2 mark in ECFC play in 2012. If that wasn't enough, they advanced to the ECAC North Atlantic Bowl, where they fell to Endicott, 34-14. Hopefully, 2013 will bring about a different ending for the Cadets: an ECFC title.
5. Becker (3-7): The Hawks lost six games by 10 or more points in 2012. That's a stat that must change if they're to have a winning season in 2013, which would be the first in the program's eight-year history. However, the three wins they did get last season are a school record.
6. Maritime (N.Y.)--(3-6): The Privateers will try to return to the winning form of 2010 (10-1) and 2011 (8-2) after a disappointing 2012 season.
7. Anna Maria (2-8): After winning four games in all the past two years, the Amcats hope to take yet another giant step in 2013: trying to clinch the program's first-ever winning season. But doing that might be easier said than done, as they'll face five teams that posted winning records themselves in 2012. That includes four teams in the ECFC.
8. Husson (2-8): The Eagles hope to notch their first winning season since 2008, when they finished 7-3.
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New England Small Collegiate Athletic Conference (NESCAC)
Website
2012 Final Standings
Looking back: Trinity (Conn.) completed an undefeated season in 2012 by finishing 8-0, making it the Bantams sixth outright NESCAC championship or co-championship dating back to 2002.
Looking ahead: Will Trinity stay on top in 2013? Or will another team step up to dethrone the Bantams?
Predicted order of finish (2012 overall record in parentheses)
1. Trinity (Conn.)--(8-0): With at least 15 seniors gone from last year's roster, the Bantams and Head Coach Jeff Devanney must find other players in hopes of taking home yet another NESCAC title in 2013.
2. Middlebury (7-1): With their game against Trinity being played at home on October 26, the Panthers have a chance to avenge their lone loss of last season: a 45-7 rout in the Bantams favor on October 27, 2012.
3. Bates (5-3): Coming off their first winning season since 1981, the Bobcats hope to take the next step, and seriously challenge for the NESCAC crown, instead of just the CBB title, which they won outright in 2012, thanks to wins over archrivals Colby and Bowdoin in back-to-back weekends.
4. Amherst (6-2): The Lord Jeffs go into 2013 on a roll after knocking off archrival Williams, 23-20, to close out 2012. Head Coach E.J. Mills must replace the 14 seniors who led them to a 28-4 overall record over the past four years. Mills needs just six more wins to join the 100-win club, as his career coaching mark sits at 94-34 going into his 17th season on the sidelines.
5. Williams (4-4): Coming off their worst record since 1987, when they also finished 4-4, the Ephs look to get back on the winning track in 2013. But they face in getting there, as three of their first four games will be played on the road, including visits to Trinity and Middlebury.
6. Wesleyan (5-3): The Cardinals became one of the latest programs to join the 500-win club, clinching their first winning season since 2002, when they also finished 5-3. They'll carry an all-time of 500-497-42 into 2013.
7. Colby (3-5): The Mules look to start anew under new Head Coach Jonathan Michaeles.
8. Hamilton (1-7): The Continentals also look to start over new Head Coach Andrew Cohen.
9. Bowdoin (1-7): The Polar Bears look to rebound after their worst season since 2001, when they also finished 1-7.
10. Tufts (0-8): The Jumbos are looking to win a game, any game, after a winless 2012 season.
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New England Football Conference (NEFC)
Website
2012 Final Standings
Looking back: In what will likely be the final championship game for the foreseeable future, former member Framingham State outlasted Salve Regina, 28-16, for the 2012 NEFC title on November 10. While Framingham State and Bridgewater State both advanced to the NCAA Division III playoffs, Endicott had to settle for a berth in the ECAC North Atlantic Bowl, defeating Norwich, 34-14. Meanwhile, Salve Regina found itself on the outside looking in for postseason play despite winning nine games last season.
Looking ahead: With the defection of eight members to the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) during the offseason, the NEFC will operate with just one division of eight teams, instead of two divisions of eight teams, in 2013. Also, the league has a new commissioner in John Harper, who ironically, had retired as athletic director at Bridgewater State.
Predicted order of finish (2012 overall record in parentheses):
1. Endicott (9-2): After splitting their first four games, the Gulls finished 2012 with a flourish, winning seven straight games, including a win in the ECAC North Atlantic Bowl. Maybe, just maybe, that strong finish will carry over in 2013. Still, they'll get a good indication of just how good they might be when they play host to former NEFC member Framingham State in the season opener on September 7.
2. Salve Regina (9-2): The sting of being left out of postseason play could serve as a motivating factor for the Seahawks this season. Their non-conference schedule, though, will consist of a home game against NEFC runner-up and D-III playoff participant Bridgewater State (September 7), as well as a trip to Montclair State (September 14).
3. Curry (6-4): A three-game winning streak closed out what was an otherwise mediocre 2012 season for the Colonels, who lose 12 seniors from the team that finished third in the Boyd Division last year, at 5-2 in conference play.
4. Western New England (6-4): The Golden Bears will look to get back to the form that put them in the D-III playoffs in 2011 after a disappointing 2012.
5. MIT (5-4): The Engineers hope to build on their first winning season since 1999, when they finished 6-4 overall. They hope to win at least seven games for the first time ever in 2013.
6. Coast Guard (5-4): If the Bears have any hope of contending in the downsized NEFC, they must learn to grind their way through a schedule that includes road trips to Endicott and Salve Regina late in the 2013 season.
7. Nichols (1-9): The Bison enter the 2013 season looking to go nowhere but up, in the win column, that is.
8. Maine Maritime (0-9): The Mariners will try to snap a 12-game losing streak that dates back to October 15, 2011. Their last win came on October 8, 2011, when they defeated Westfield State, 36-34, in double overtime.
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Editor's Note: Welcome to the fourth season of the "RFC Summer Semester", exclusively on Real Football Central. The post you're about to read below will be the first of what hopefully will be many previews to come, covering small college, NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS), and now "Group of Five" football.
For those people reading the blog for the first time, the "Group of Five" consists of the five low-tiered, or mid-major, conferences of the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS): the American Athletic Conference (AAC)--(formerly the Big East Conference), Conference USA (C-USA), the Mid-American Conference (MAC), the Mountain West Conference, and the Sun Belt Conference.
Oh, and we'll occasionally cover all things Arena Football League, Canadian Football League (CFL), and other professional football leagues, indoors and outdoors, that aren't named the National Football League (NFL).
With that said, let's get started, with the all-new NCAA Division III Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC).
Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC)
Website
2012 Final Standings (MASCAC games only)
2012 Final Standings (as members of the New England Football Conference)
Looking back: Framingham State won not one, but two, championships in 2012. Sort of. In addition to winning the NEFC title in their final season in that league, the Rams finished also undefeated against their fellow MASCAC foes, finishing 5-0 in that conference. Also, Bridgewater State carried the banner for the MASCAC last year, as the Bears joined the Rams in the NCAA Division III playoffs. Both fell in the first round, with Framingham falling to Cortland State in a 20-19 heartbreaker, while Bridgewater lost to Widener, 44-14.
Looking ahead: Being new to NCAA Division III football, the MASCAC will not get an automatic bid to the playoffs, despite having nine teams in 2013. In addition to the six schools that played in the MASCAC last year, Plymouth State, UMass-Dartmouth, and Western Connecticut State will also join the conference as affiliate members.
Predicted order of finish (2012 overall record in parentheses):
1. Framingham State (10-2): With six of their 10 games, including three of their first four contests, on the road, the Rams might have a tough row to hoe in winning 10 games again in 2013. If that wasn't enough, the Rams also must pay a visit to Bridgewater State on November. 9, the next-to-last week of the regular season.
2. Bridgewater State (9-2): Speaking of the Bears, they'll open the 2013 season against a Salve Regina team that also finished 9-2 in 2012, but missed out on postseason play, thanks to a 28-16 loss to Framingham State in the NEFC title game on November 10, 2012.
3. Worcester State (6-4): The Lancers will have a difficult debut in the MASCAC for 2013, as they travel to Bridgewater State in their first league contest on September 20.
4. UMass-Dartmouth (5-5): The Corsairs also will have a new conference to adjust to, as they open MASCAC play with road games at Westfield State (September 21) and Framingham State (October 5).
5. Massachusetts Maritime (5-4): The Buccaneers had nine players make the all-NEFC academic team in 2012, with just two lost to graduation. It will be interesting to see if success in the classroom will translate into success on the field in 2013.
6. Westfield State (3-7): The good news for the Owls? They lose just 11 seniors from their 2012 roster. The bad news? They'll likely have to fight for every win in the new-look MASCAC in 2013.
7. Fitchburg State (2-8): The Falcons last winning season came in 2005, when they finished 8-3.
8. Plymouth State (2-8): The Panthers also face an uphill battle in trying to get back to their winning ways. They haven't had a winning record since 2009, when they finished 8-3. Their last NCAA playoff appearance came the year before that, in 2008, finishing 10-2 that season.
9. Western Connecticut State (1-8): The Colonials join the MASCAC from the NJAC, but face a tremendous challenge under second-year Head Coach Joe Loth.
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The Continental Indoor Football League (CIFL) not only has a champion for 2013, but one that has finished its season undefeated. The Erie Explosion edged the Saginaw Sting, 37-36, on Sunday, May 12, to claim the crown. The Explosion finished 12-0 with the win over the Sting.
Post Game Coverage
CIFLFootball.com (click here)
ErieExplosion.com (click here)
GoErie.com (click here)
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CBS Sports Network has announced its NCAA Division II schedule for 2013. And a first-year program will make its national TV debut in those of those games. Click here to find out which games will be carried on the CBS Sports Network, courtesy of ncaa.com/d2football.com.
One of the winningest coaches in all of college football at all levels has called it quits.
Larry Kehres, who won 332 games and 11 NCAA Division III national championship, stepped down as the head coach at Mount Union earlier this month. He'll remain at the school as its athletic director.
Click here for the full story, courtesy of d3football.com.
