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2012 Final Standings
Looking back: After a crazy regular season, it was Eastern Illinois (7-5 overall in 2012), that finished on top of the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) at 6-1 in league play last season. The Panthers fell to South Dakota State in the first round of the FCS playoffs.
Looking ahead: Take almost any team in the OVC, and draw their name out of a hat. Really. Go ahead. That's how close the race for the conference crown will be again for 2013.
Predicted order of finish (2012 overall record in parentheses)
1. UT-Martin (8-3): Skyhawks Head Coach Jason Simpson (45-34 overall) needs just five wins to join the 50-win club in the coaching ranks.
2. Eastern Illinois (7-5): Panthers tough non-conference slate includes road games at FBS San Diego State, as well as defending Mid-American Conference (MAC) champion Northern Illinois.
3. Eastern Kentucky (8-3): The Colonels face a few challenging road trips as well, as they must pay visits to defending OVC champion Eastern Illinois, as well as to future ACC member Louisville.
4. Tennessee State (8-3): Tigers hope to bounce back after an 8-1 start turned sour, losing back-to-back to end the 2012 season.
5. Jacksonville State (6-5): Gamecocks enter a new era under new head coach Bill Clark.
6. Murray State (5-6): A season-ending win over Southeast Missouri has Racers fans cautiously optimistic for 2013.
7. Southeast Missouri (3-8): Redhawks return 10 starters, but lose 15 of them, for 2013.
8. Tennessee Tech (3-8): Golden Eagles face a tough road after a rough 2012 season.
9. Austin Peay (2-9): Here's one for the "Ouch" category! The Governors will play their first five games on the road to open the 2013 season. That includes season opening visits to SEC foes Tennessee and Vanderbilt. They don't play their first home game until October 12, against Eastern Illinois.
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2012 Final Standings
Looking back: The inaugural season of Southern Athletic Association (SAA) football was competitive from start to finish, with Birmingham-Southern and Millsaps sharing the first-ever league title. Both squads finished SAA action at 3-1.
Looking ahead: The SAA welcomes two new teams for 2013: Berry College from Georgia, as well as Hendrix College from Arkansas. That brings the total number of teams playing football in the SAA to seven for this season.
Predicted order of finish (2012 overall record in parentheses)
1. Millsaps (7-3): Majors will shoot for their seventh winning season in eight years, all dating back to 2006.
2. Birmingham-Southern (7-3): Panthers 2013 slate includes home games against perennial NCAA Division III power Wesley, as well as SAA adversary Millsaps.
3. Rhodes (6-3): Lynx will try to post back-to-back winning seasons since 2006-2007. They finished 6-4 on both occasions.
4. Centre (6-4): Colonels look to rebound after struggling to a 1-3 mark in their inaugural SAA season.
5. Sewanee (3-7): The Tigers have a tough task to undertake in 2013, as they'll face seven teams that finished with winning records in 2012. Ouch!
6. Berry (n/a): The Vikings will have their work cut out for them in their first football season.
7. Hendrix (n/a): So will the Warriors.
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2012 Final Standings
Looking back: Despite finishing in second place in the Gulf South Conference (while splitting their first four games), Valdosta State (12-2 overall in 2012) did the impossible: win 10 straight games en route to taking home the Blazers third national championship in the last 10 years. Meanwhile, West Alabama (9-4 overall in 2012), finished unbeaten at 5-0 in GSC play to claim the conference crown. The Tigers advanced to the second round of the NCAA Division II playoffs before losing to the Blazers, 49-21.
Looking ahead: Can Valdosta State win a conference title en route to winning back-to-back national championships? Or will West Alabama take home another league crown? Or will another team step up, and challenge both teams? Any or all of those questions could be answered in 2013.
In off-the-field news, Florida Tech will take the field for the first time this fall. The Panthers will join the GSC as associate members for football only.
Predicted order of finish (2012 overall record in parentheses)
1. Valdosta State (12-2): The Blazers hope to become the first team since Grand Valley State (2005-2006) to win back-to-back national championships.
2. West Alabama (9-4): The Tigers return 13 starters for 2013, but lose 12 starters from 2012.
3. North Alabama (5-5): The Lions look to have a better ending to 2013 after a 5-1 start fizzled to an 0-4 finish to end 2012.
4. Delta State (3-7): The Statesmen hope to return to the form that landed them playoff appearances in 2010 and 2011 after a disappointing 2012 season.
5. West Georgia (3-7): The Wolves hope to take the next step under fifth-year head coach Daryl Dickey.
6. Shorter (6-5): The Hawks have a tough row to hoe in 2013.
7. Florida Tech (n/a): Expect the Panthers to face a rough maiden voyage in their inaugural season on the gridiron.
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2012 Final Standings
Looking back: Tuskegee claimed yet another SIAC football championship in 2012, finishing unbeaten in league play at 7-0. The Golden Tigers finished the season with a 28-13 win over Elizabeth City State, 28-13, in the Pioneer Bowl.
Meanwhile, Miles and Fort Valley State both represented the SIAC in the NCAA Division II playoffs, with both teams losing in the first round. The Golden Bears lost to West Alabma, 41-7, while the Wildcats fell to Lenoir-Rhyne, 21-6.
Looking ahead: For the first time ever, Tuskegee will be eligible for the NCAA Division II playoffs, as the Golden Tigers decided to end their long-standing "Turkey Day Classic" series against Alabama State on Thanksgiving Day.
Also, Paine College of Augusta, Georgia, continued a growing trend of smaller schools in Georgia, as they announced that football would return to their campus in 2014.
Predicted order of finish (2012 overall record in parentheses)
East Division
1. Fort Valley State (8-3): The Wildcats hope that the eight players they signed on National Signing Day will help them contend for an SIAC crown in 2013.
2. Albany State (Ga.)--(6-4): The Golden Rams look to win their 14th SIAC title, as well as advance to the D-II playoffs for the 15th time in their program's history.
3. Morehouse (3-7): The Maroon Tigers 2013 slate includes visits to places as far away as Chicago.
4. Clark Atlanta (2-8): The Panthers hope to start fresh under new head coach Kevin Weston.
5. Benedict (1-9): Tigers face a long, tough climb out of the East Division basement.
West Division
1. Tuskegee (10-2): The Golden Tigers have won more than 600 football games, the most all-time among Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU's), heading into the 2013 season. They hope to add to that illustrious record that season.
2. Miles (8-3): Head Coach Reginald Ruffin welcomes back 47 letterwinners, including 15 returning starters, for the 2013 season.
3. Stillman (6-5): Tigers hope to take the next step towards an SIAC title after finishing league play at 4-3 last year.
4. Lane (5-5): Dragons hope to improve on their 3-4 finish in conference play a year ago.
5. Kentucky State (1-9): Thorobreds hope to put the misery of 2012 behind them.
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2012 Final Standings
Looking back: Coastal Carolina, Liberty, and Stony Brook all finished Big South Conference at 5-1 in league games last season. But it was Stony Brook that advanced to the FCS playoffs with the conference's automatic bid. The Seawolves advanced to the second round before losing to Montana State, 16-10, to end their season. Coastal Carolina also advanced to round two of the FCS playoffs, losing to Old Dominion, 63-35.
Looking ahead: The Big South Conference will have one less program in their football circuit for 2013, as Stony Brook leaves to join the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA). But Monmouth (N.J.) will join the league as an associate member for football in 2014. If that wasn't enough, VMI will be leaving the Big South as well, returning to the Southern Conference, also by 2014.
Predicted order of finish (2012 overall record in parentheses)
1. Coastal Carolina (8-5): Chanticleers among the favorites to contend in a watered-down Big South Conference.
2. Liberty (6-5): Season-ending three-game winning streak has the faithful fanning the Flames of cautious optimism for 2013.
3. Charleston Southern (5-6): Tough schedule has the Buccaneers playing three straight road games to close out September.
4. Gardner-Webb (3-8): The Runnin' Bulldogs hope to be in the running for the Big South crown under new head coach Carroll McCray.
5. VMI (2-9): Keydets hope their Big South swan song is a successful one. In the win column, that is.
6. Presbyterian (2-9): Blue Hose face long odds in bouncing back from an 0-6 mark in league play last year.
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2012 Final Standings
Looking back: Three teams (Appalachian State, Georgia Southern, and Wofford) finished in a three-way tie for the Southern Conference championship in 2012, all finishing league play at 6-2. If that wasn't enough, another trio of teams (Chattanooga, Samford, and The Citadel) finished one game behind that first trio at 5-3.
The three teams that did share the SoCon crown all advanced to the FCS playoffs last season. Georgia Southern advanced the farthest of any team in that threesome, losing to eventual national champion North Dakota State for the second straight season.
Looking ahead: Lots of changes are ahead for the SoCon in the coming years. With their recent decision to move up to the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS), Appalachian State and Georgia Southern were declared ineligible for the FCS playoffs this season.
But wait, there's more! East Tennessee State and VMI are re-joining the Southern Conference in 2014, while Mercer University from Macon, Georgia will also join the SoCon that same season. However, Elon University out of North Carolina will move on to the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) by 2014.
Predicted order of finish (2012 overall record in parentheses)
Eligible teams only
1. Wofford (9-4): With Georgia Southern and Appalachian State both being declared ineligible for postseason play, the door to win the Southern Conference crown outright could swing wide open for the Terriers in 2013.
2. The Citadel (7-4): Coming off their best season since 2007, the Bulldogs hope to take that next step, and contend for a championship in a watered down SoCon.
3. Samford (7-4): With just 13 starters combined (eight on offense, five on defense), the Bulldogs might find it hard to match last year's mark.
4. Chattanooga (6-5): The Mocs 2013 schedule includes a season-ending visit to two-time defending FBS (BCS) national champion Alabama.
5. Furman (3-8): Paladins face a long, tough road back to respectability.
6. Elon (3-8): Phoenix will get one last go-round in the SoCon for 2013, before bolting for the CAA in 2014.
7. Western Carolina (1-10): Catamounts face a whopping 10 teams had winning seasons in 2012. Ouch!
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2012 Final Standings
Looking back: Lenoir-Rhyne (9-3 overall in 2012) emerged as last year's football champion after yet another competitive season, top-to-bottom, in the South Atlantic Conference (SAC). The Bears finished 6-1 in conference play, while three other teams: Carson-Newman, Mars Hill, and Wingate, finished in a three-way tie for second place at 5-2.
In the NCAA Division II playoffs, though, the story was very different. As the No. 3 seed out of Super Region 2, Lenoir-Rhyne advanced to the second round before bowing to fellow conference foe Carson-Newman, 38-35. The Eagles then advanced to the quarterfinals, only to be crushed by eventual national champion Valdosta State, 48-26.
Looking ahead: Don't be surprised to see the showdown for the SAC title come down to the final week of the regular season.
Predicted order of finish (2012 overall record in parentheses)
1. Carson-Newman (9-3): Head Coach Ken Sparks made history in 2012, becoming just the 11th coach to record 300 wins (career record is 308-83-2). He hopes to add to that total in 2013.
2. Lenoir-Rhyne (9-3): The Bears will try to extend their streak of 12 straight wins at home in 2013.
3. Mars Hill (6-4): With a brutal schedule that sees them facing four teams that produced winning records, as well as an FCS team in Western Carolina that mustered just one win, in 2012 (Mars Hill was the only team to lose to the Catamounts), the Lions might find it tough to match last year's success.
4. Wingate (6-5): If you think Mars Hill's schedule is tough, the Bulldogs schedule is just as tough, as they'll also take on five teams that finished above .500 last year. The twist, though, is they'll face three of those teams within the first three weeks of 2013. Ouch!
5. Newberry (5-6): The Wolves hope that the 100th season of football on their campus will produce a winning record. It's something that hasn't happened since 2009, when they finished 6-4.
6. Catawba (4-7): The Indians will look to make the most of home cooking this fall, as they play six home games in 2013.
7. Brevard (2-9): With seven road games, two of them against FCS foes Presbyterian and Liberty, the Tornadoes will have their work cut out for them if they hope to win more games in 2013.
8. Tusculum (2-9): The Pioneers face an uphill battle to climb their way out of the SAC basement.
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2012 Final Standings
Looking back: Another competitive season came and went for the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC), as three teams won at least 10 or more games in 2012. Out of that trio, Indiana (Pa.) advanced to the quarterfinals of the NCAA Division II playoffs, where the Crimson Hawks fell to eventual national runner-up, Winston-Salem State, 21-17.
Also, Shippensburg finished unbeaten in PSAC play in winning the Eastern Division crown, at 7-0. The Red Raiders reached round two of the D-II playoffs, only to lose to same Winston-Salem squad, 37-14.
Looking ahead: Don't be surprised to see more intense races in the PSAC for 2013. But LIU-C.W. Post won't be a part of the action, as the Pioneers returned to the Northeast 10 Conference during the offseason.
But the changes don't end there, as the PSAC realigned its divisions during the offseason. Lock Haven will move from the Western to the Eastern Division, while former West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WVIAC) member Seton Hill will replace Lock Haven in the Western Division.
Predicted order of finish (2012 overall record in parentheses)
Eastern Division
1. Bloomsburg (10-2): After an early first round exit to fellow PSAC East rival Shippensburg, the Huskies look to reload for another postseason run. But they must do that under an interim head coach in Paul Darragh, who replaced the recently retired Danny Hale.
2. Shippensburg (11-2): Speaking of the Red Raiders, they won't be sneaking up on anybody in 2013.
3. Kutztown (7-4): The Golden Bears look to regroup after a 3-4 start, only to end 2012 with a four-game winning streak. They face a tough early season test against Bloomsburg at home, however.
4. West Chester (7-4): A season ending win over Clarion to close out 2012 has the Golden Rams faithful cautiously optimistic for 2013. They open on September 7 against defending Northeast 10 Conference champion New Haven.
5. East Stroudsburg (5-5): The Warriors finished in a three-way tie for third place in the PSAC East with the aforementioned West Chester and Kutztown squads. But moving up in the standings in 2013 will be anything but an easy task.
6. Millersville (2-9): The Marauders face an uphill battle after yet another dismal season.
7. Cheyney (1-10): The Wolves managed to pull out a win over archrival Lincoln (Pa.) to open 2012, but lost 10 straight games after that. They'll look to move forward under Head Coach Ken Lockard.
8. Lock Haven (1-10): The Eagles finally won a game, which was the last game of 2012: a 15-7 win over Cheyney. After 52 straight losses, they hope to begin 2013 with a two straight wins.
Western Division
1. Indiana (Pa.)--(12-2): After a season that saw them advance to the quarterfinals of the NCAA Division II playoffs, the Crimson Hawks and Head Coach Curt Cignetti hope to take that next step, and win it all in 2013. With 17 starters coming back from that 2012 squad, don't be surprised if IUP makes another deep postseason run.
2. Mercyhurst (9-2): The Lakers found themselves on the outside looking in when postseason play rolled around, despite a season-ending three game winning streak. They hope to use that snub as motivation for 2013.
3. California (Pa.)--(8-3): After making five straight D-II playoffs appearances from 2007-2011, the Vulcans also found themselves sitting at home come playoff time. They hope to bounce back in 2013.
4. Slippery Rock (6-5): After a 5-2 finish in PSAC West play last season, the Rock hopes to be in contention again this season.
5. Edinboro (4-6): The Fighting Scots lost four of their six games by 10 or more points in 2012. That's a stat they hope to change in 2013.
6. Clarion (4-7): The Golden Eagles also struggled in blowout losses last year, losing five of their seven contests by 10 or more points as well.
7. Gannon (3-8): A blowout win over LIU-C.W. Post ended what was an otherwise disappointing 2012 season for the Golden Knights, who enter their second year under Head Coach Brad Rzyczycki.
8. Seton Hill (0-11): Griffins look to start over in the always tough PSAC.
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2012 Final Standings
Looking back: Winston-Salem State carried an undefeated record, as well as a 14-game winning streak, into the 2012 NCAA Division II national championship game at Florence, Alabama. But Valdosta State ended the Rams quest to take home their first-ever national title with a 35-7 rout.
Looking ahead: Expect WSSU to once again be the team to beat in the CIAA. Until, and unless, some other team proves otherwise.
Predicted order of finish (2012 overall record in parentheses)
Northern Division
1. Elizabeth City State (8-4): The Vikings were one of just two teams from the North to finish 2012 with a winning record.
2. Chowan (6-4): The Hawks were the other team, as they finished CIAA play at 5-2 last season.
3. Virginia Union (5-5): The Panthers were three close losses away from finishing 8-2, instead of right at .500, in 2012.
4. Virginia State (4-6): The Trojans will play only one game outside of the states of Virginia or North Carolina in 2013: a trip to Lincoln (Pa.) on October 26.
5. Bowie State (5-5): Three of the Bulldogs five losses last season came by 16 or more points.
6. Lincoln (Pa.)--(1-9): Lions look to start from scratch under new head coach Ramon Flanigan.
Southern Division
1. Winston-Salem State (14-1): Rams hope to use the sting of last year's national title game loss as motivation for 2013.
2. Johnson C. Smith (6-4): Golden Bulls look to improve on last year's 5-2 mark in CIAA play.
3. St. Augustine's (6-4): Falcons will face five teams that finished with six or more wins last season.
4. Shaw (4-6): Speaking of tough schedules, the Bears will do battle against six teams that posted winning records in 2012.
5. Livingstone (2-8): Blue Bears look to go forward after a dismal 2012 season.
6. Fayetteville State (2-8): Broncos are in a similar boat as well.
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2012 Final Standings (West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference [WVIAC])
What it is: The Mountain East Conference (MEC) became the newest member of the NCAA Division II ranks in February 2013, and will consist of schools in Ohio, Virginia, and West Virginia. Most of the new league's members came over from what is the soon to be defunct West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WVIAC).
In addition to the former members of the WVIAC, the MEC will also consist of two Ohio institutions: Notre Dame College, who will join the league from the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC), and Urbana University, as well as the University of Virginia's College at Wise.
As a new league, expect the members of the MEC to compete for an inaugural conference championship, and not much else.
Predicted order of finish (2012 overall record in parentheses)
1. Shepherd (8-3): Perennial WVIAC powerhouse Rams hope to continue winning tradition in the MEC.
2. Concord (7-4): Mountain Lions have a lot to prove after finishing in a three-way tie for second place (6-2) in the WVIAC last year.
3. Charleston (9-2): Golden Eagles were not only a combined 10 points away from their first-ever unbeaten regular season, but also a likely berth to the NCAA Division II playoffs, in 2012.
4. Glenville State (6-5): Pioneers will play 11 straight weeks without a bye in 2013.
5. West Liberty (6-5): Hilltoppers have a tough row to hoe in a new league.
6. Fairmont State (4-6): Fighting Falcons look to start fresh under new head coach Jason Woodman.
7. Notre Dame College (3-8): Falcons from Ohio also look to start over in a new conference.
8. Urbana (7-4): After finishing third (5-3) in the Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC), the Blue Knights are looking forward to the new challenge that's the MEC.
9. West Virginia Wesleyan (3-8): Bobcats begin a new era in a new league with who else...a new head coach in George Shehl.
10. West Virginia State (1-10): Yellow Jackets have nowhere to go but up after a dismal 2012 campaign.
11. UVa-Wise (3-8): Highland Cavaliers will fight an uphill battle as well.
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2012 Final Standings
Looking back: Bethune-Cookman breezed through the MEAC schedule in 2012, with the Wildcats finishing conference play unbeaten at 8-0. Their season ended with a 24-14 loss to Coastal Carolina in the first round of the FCS playoffs.
Looking ahead: Just about every team will chase Bethune-Cookman for the MEAC crown in 2013. Every team, that is, except Savannah State, whose Tigers were recently banned from postseason play because of a poor APR (Academic Progress Rate).
Predicted order of finish (2012 overall record in parentheses)
1. Bethune-Cookman (9-3): With a solid roster dominated mostly by Floridians, the Wildcats should be the team to beat in the MEAC again this fall.
2. North Carolina A&T (7-4): A four-game winning streak to end 2012 has the Aggies and their faithful cautiously optimistic for 2013.
3. Howard (7-4): With their head coach, Gary Harrell, taking a leave of absence this season, it'll be interesting to see how the Bison will respond.
4. North Carolina Central (6-5): Eagles face a tough slate in 2013, as they do battle with the likes of Duke, Towson, and newcomer Charlotte, as well as a late October trip to Bethune-Cookman.
5. Delaware State (6-5): Hornets will spend the entire month of September on the road, including visits to Towson and two-time defending national champion North Dakota State.
6. South Carolina State (5-6): Bulldogs look to bounce back after a down 2012 season.
7. Florida A&M (4-7): Rattlers hope to improve on a 4-4 mark in MEAC play last year.
8. Hampton (3-7): Pirates will make a voyage west to open the 2013 slate on August 29, as they face Western Illinois on the road.
9. Norfolk State (4-7): Spartans 2013 schedule includes a September 7 visit to future Big Ten Conference member Rutgers.
10. Morgan State (3-8): Bears won't play their first home game until September 28, when they take on Norfolk State.
Not eligible for MEAC title
Savannah State (1-10): As if a banishment from postseason play wasn't enough, the Tigers must also serve that ban with a new head coach in Earnest J. Wilson.
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