RFC Summer Semester: Mid-States Football Association (MSFA) Preview (NAIA)

Mid-States Football Association (MSFA)--(NAIA)

Website

2013 Final Standings (Mideast League)

2013 Final Standings (Midwest League)

Looking back: The Grand View University Vikings made history in 2013, as they became the second team in as many years to win their first-ever NAIA national championship.  The Vikings downed the University of the Cumberlands (Ky.), 35-23, to take home the title, finishing unbeaten at 14-0.

Looking ahead: The Vikings will have the target on the backs, as they try to defend their title in 2014.

Predicted order of finish (2013 overall record in parentheses):

Mideast League

1. St. Francis (Ind.)--(9-3):  With lots of returning players--and a No. 6 ranking the NAIA spring poll, the Cougars hope to make yet another deep postseason run in 2014.  Oh, and recently inducted NAIA Hall Of Fame member--Head Coach Kevin Donley, is back for his 17th season at the Cougar helm.

2. St. Francis (Ill.)--(7-4):  With the addition of quarterback Mitch Brozovich from NCAA Division II Minnesota State, the Fighting Saints hope to build on last year's success, and take a giant step towards a playoff berth this year.

3. Marian (6-5):  After winning the NAIA national championship in 2012, the Knights struggled in 2013, barely finishing above .500 overall, while finishing 4-2 in conference play. They hope to bounce back in 2014.

4. Taylor (5-5):  The Trojans face a challenging schedule in 2014, highlighted by visits to NCAA Division I FCS Southern Illinois and Division III Anderson, as well as games against perennial MSFA powers St. Ambrose, St. Francis (Ind.), and St. Francis (Ill.).

5. Robert Morris (Ill.)--(7-4):  The highlight of the 2014 schedule includes the season opener at D-III Wisconsin-Oshkosh on September 6, as well as home games against both St. Francis teams later in the season.

6. Siena Heights (5-5):  Despite struggling to a 2-4 mark in MSFA play last season, a season-ending upset win over Robert Morris allowed the Saints to clinch their first-ever .500 season in their brief history. They hope that the third time will be the charm, as they look to clinch their first-ever winning season in 2014.

7. Concordia (Mich.)--(1-9):  The Cardinals face a long uphill battle after a dismal 2013 season.

Midwest League

1. Grand View (14-0):  With 14 starters on both sides of the football coming back, the Vikings might be tough to beat in 2014.


2. St. Ambrose (7-4):  But after a 5-1 finish in conference action a year ago, it would be foolish to count the Bees out of the postseason picture competely.

3. St. Xavier (7-4):  After a down 2013 season where they lost all four games by double digits, the Cougars look to bounce back in 2014.

4. William Penn (5-6):  The Statesmen will play one of their most challenging schedules in their program's history, as they'll play three straight games on the road in September.

5. Trinity International (5-5):  If the Trojans hope to be serious playoff contenders in 2014, they must learn to win the close games that eluded them in 2013, as they lost three of their five contests by seven points or less last season.

6. Olivet Nazarene (3-8):  The Tigers face a long uphill climb in the standings after struggling to a 1-5 record in league games last year.

7. Waldorf (1-10):  Speaking of uphill battles, the Warriors enter the 2014 season hoping to snap a six-game skid to end the 2013 season.

Follow RFC on Twitter @realfootball.

RFC Summer Semester: Great Lakes Valley Cofnerence (GLVC) Preview (NCAA Division II)

Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC)--(NCAA Division II)

Website

2013 Final Standings 

Looking back: The University of Indianapolis Greyhounds advanced to the NCAA Division II playoffs for the second straight season, finishing unbeaten in Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) at 7-0 to win the conference title.  The Greyhounds were ousted by West Texas A&M in the first round to finish the 2013 season at 10-2 overall.

Looking ahead: The GLVC will field nine teams for football, thanks to an unusual scheduling alliance with the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA), for the 2014 season. In are Lincoln and Southwest Baptist from Missouri, out is Kentucky Wesleyan as an associate member.

Predicted order of finish (2013 overall record in parentheses):

1. Indianapolis (10-2):  With an overall record of 20-5--and two NCAA Division II playoff appearances over the past two years, the Greyhounds have established themselves as the premier program in the GLVC.  But in order to make it three straight postseason trips in 2014, they must replace a 16-member senior class that compiled a program-record 33 wins over the past four years.  Not only that, they also face a tough early non-conference schedule that includes three straight road games to open the season: at fellow D-II playoff participant Saginaw Valley State, perennial NAIA power St. Xavier, and Southwest Baptist in their GLVC opener.

2. St. Joseph's (8-3):  After having their best season since 2006, the Pumas hope to take that giant step towards winning their first-ever GLVC title. But that would mean having to dethrone UIndy in 2014. The Pumas and Greyhounds will square off in Indianapolis on October 30. It's a game that will be nationally televised on the CBS Sports Network.

3. Truman State (7-4):  Had it not been for back-to-back close losses to St. Joseph's and UIndy, respectively, to close out the 2013 season, the Bulldogs not only would have finished 9-2, but also could have put themselves in the postseason discussion, as well as taken home at least a share of the GLVC crown. It's something they hope to rectify in 2014.

4. Missouri S&T (6-5):  After a 10-win season in 2012, the Miners fell back to earth in 2013, finishing in a three-way tie for second place in the GLVC at 5-2. New head coach Tyler Fenwick must replace 14 seniors who helped them force that tie with Truman State and St. Joseph's, respectively, in order to contend in 2014.

5. McKendree (4-6):  Head Coach Mike Babcock hopes that the signing of 31 players will help his Bearcats get over the hump this season. They finished 3-4 in conference games last season.

6. William Jewell (3-8):  The Cardinals 2014 slate includes five teams that finished 2013 with a winning record.

7. Quincy (2-9):  Hawks face a tough task after suffering their fifth straight losing season.

8. Lincoln (Mo.)--(3-8):  The Blue Tigers hope that back-to-back wins to close out 2013 will carry over into 2014.  

9. Southwest Baptist (1-10):  Can anyone say "nowhere to go but up" for the Bearcats?

Follow RFC on Twitter @realfootball.

 

 

 

 

 

Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Cofnerence (GLIAC) Preview (NCAA Division II)

Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC)--NCAA Division II

Website


2013 Final Standings

2013 Media Guide

Looking back: In one of the most bizarre football seasons in its long history, the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC), saw Ohio Dominican (10-1 overall in 2013) go undefeated during the regular season, only to stumble in the NCAA Division II playoffs.  On the other hand, despite two regular season losses, Grand Valley State (12-3 overall in 2013) managed to reached the national semifinals before losing to eventual national champion Northwest Missouri State.

Looking ahead: Expect to see a crapshoot for the GLIAC gridirion crown come 2014.

Predicted order of finish (2013 overall record in parentheses):

1. Grand Valley State (12-3):  Don't be surprised if the Lakers make yet another deep postseason run this year. They'll open 2014 on the road against Azusa Pacific in a nationally-televised game on the CBS Sports Network on September 4, before opening GLIAC play on the road against defending conference champion Ohio Dominican the following week.


2. Saginaw Valley State (9-3):  With most of their 27 signees coming from their home base in Michigan, the Cardinals could be serious challengers for the GLIAC title in 2014. But with 18 seniors gone from the 2013 squad that ended its season with back-to-back losses to GVSU, getting back to postseason play might prove to be a tremendous challenge.

3. Ohio Dominican (10-1):  The sting of last year's upset playoff loss to West Texas A&M could serve as motivation for the Panthers this year.  Still, don't expect them to sneak up on anyone.

4. Ferris State (8-3):  The Bulldogs hope to go into 2014 with lots of momentum after ending 2013 with four straight wins.  But with three of their first four on the games on the road, as well as another away game against Ohio Dominican later in the season, matching last year's win total won't be easy.

5. Findlay (8-3):  Under Head Coach Rob Keys, the Oilers have gone 21-11 over the last three years.  Like Ferris State, his 2013 squad ended the season with four straight wins, and hopes to build on last year's solid ending this year.

6. Hillsdale (5-6):  The Chargers hope to return to prominence after a mediocre 2013 season in which they finished 5-4 in GLIAC action.

7. Michigan Tech (6-4):  The Huskies look to move forward in 2014 after finishing in the middle-of-the-pack in the GLIAC in 2013.

8. Ashland (5-5):  After advancing to the D-II playoffs in 2012 (11-1 overall), the Eagles fell back to earth in 2013, finishing 5-4 in GLIAC play.  They'll look to soar again in 2014.

9. Lake Erie (4-7):  After three consecutive 3-8 seasons, the win total for the Storm actually improved by one game in 2013.  Now, the focus for head coach Mark McNellie is to earn the program's first winning season since 2009, when they finished 7-4 overall.

10. Walsh (3-8):  The Cavaliers will face five teams that finished 2013 at .500 or better in 2014. Ouch!

11. Northern Michigan (3-7):  The Wildcats look to right the ship after four straight losing seasons.

12. Wayne State (Mich.)--(3-8):  The Warriors return 14 starters in all, while losing eight, from their 2013 team.  The 2014 slate includes a non-conference clash with Carson-Newman on September 13.  If that wasn't enough, this year's edition of the Warriors will have 20 newcomers.

13. Malone (2-9):  The Pioneers struggled in close games last year, losing five games by 11 points or less.  They were one of three teams to finish GLIAC play at 1-8 in 2013.

14. Northwood (2-9):  The Timberwolves were the second team.

15. Tiffin (2-9): And the Dragons make three.

Follow RFC on Twitter @realfootball.

RFC Summer Semester: Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC) Preview (NCAA Division III)

Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC)--NCAA Division III

Website

2013 Final Standings

Looking back: The Franklin College Grizzlies advanced to the NCAA Division III playoffs as automatic qualifiers for the fourth straight season in 2013, becoming the first program in Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC) history to do so. They eliminated Washington (Mo.), 17-10, in the first round, only to be crushed by eventual national champion Wisconsin-Whitewater, 33-3, in the second round.

Looking ahead: Look for the Grizzlies to get a stiff challenge from Rose-Hulman for the 2014 HCAC championship, as the Engineers shared the 2013 crown with Franklin, with both teams finishing conference play at 7-1.


Predicted order of finish (2013 overall record in parentheses):

1. Franklin (8-4):  If the Grizzlies are to advance to the NCAA Division III playoffs for the fifth straight season, they must replace the 18 seniors that led them to a combined 36-11 overall mark dating back to 2010. That record includes suffering just one conference loss over that four-year period. If that wasn't enough, they also must face 2013 D-III playoff participant Illinois Wesleyan, as well as defending national champion Wisconsin-Whitewater in succession starting on September 6. Oh, and they'll begin the 2014 season ranked No. 12 in the nation by Lindy's Sports.

2. Rose-Hulman (7-3):  The Engineers had a season to remember in 2013, winning their final three games to claim a share of the HCAC title, which was their first conference championship since 1988.  Now going into 2014, they hope to not only win back-to-back league titles, but also snag that coveted automatic bid to the D-III playoffs with it. 

3. Mount St. Joseph (6-4):  The Lions look to thrust themselves in the HCAC title discussion after finishing 5-2 in HCAC action last season.

4. Hanover (5-5):  The Panthers overcame an 0-4 start to finish the 2013 season at 5-3 in HCAC play. Hopefully, that momentum will carry over into the 2014 campaign.

5. Bluffton (4-6): After finishing the 2013 season with three straight wins--including a stunning upset win over Franklin--following a 1-6 start, the Beavers are moving forward into the 2014 season with a new head coach in Denny Dorrel.

6. Defiance (3-7):  The Yellow Jackets are also looking to put 2013 behind them after finishing 3-5 in league games last season.

7. Manchester (3-7):  The Spartans will begin the 2014 season with three straight home games. Hopefully, that will give them the spark they need to contend for the HCAC title this season.

8. Earlham (2-8):  After winning only three games combined over the last four years, the Quakers hope to continue their climb upward in 2014.

9. Anderson (0-10):  Can anyone say "nowhere to go but up" for the Ravens?

Follow RFC on Twitter @realfootball.

RFC Summer Semester: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) Preview (NCAA Division III)

Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA)--NCAA Division III

Website

2013 Final Standings 

Looking back: The Albion College Britons (8-3 overall in 2013) cruised through Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) action undefeated, finishing league play at 6-0 to claim yet another conference championship: their 35th overall. Their run in the NCAA Division III playoffs was cut short in the first round, however, as North Central cruised to an easy 63-7 win, ending the Britons season.


Looking ahead: Albion looks to be the favorite to win their 36th MIAA title of all time going into 2014.

Predicted order of finish (2013 overall record in parentheses):

1. Albion (8-3):  Barring any serious injuries or other issues, don't be surprised if the Britons win their 36th MIAA title.

2. Hope (7-3):  With so many returning players, the Flying Dutch might have a say in who comes out on top in 2014.

3. Adrian (6-4):  After advancing to the NCAA Division III playoffs in 2012, the Bulldogs struggled in 2013, finishing at 3-3 in MIAA play.  They hope to win their second conference crown in three years by the end of 2014.

4. Kalamazoo (6-4):  After finishing in a second-place tie with Hope at 4-2 in conference games last season, the Hornets hope to take the big step towards their first outright MIAA championship since 1961, when they finished unbeaten at 8-0.

5. Olivet (6-4):  Despite finishing 2-4 in MIAA play--after starting 5-0 overall--the Comets responded with their best overall finish since 2007, when they finished 6-5 overall. 

6. Trine (4-6):  The Thunder hope to bounce back after a disappointing 1-5 finish in MIAA games last season.  That fall from grace came after they compiled six straight winning seasons from 2007-2012.

7. Alma (1-9):  A season-ending win over Trine will give the Scot faithful some cautious optimism heading into 2014.

Follow RFC on Twitter @realfootball.

RFC Summer Semester: Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) Preview (NCAA Division III)

Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC)--(NCAA Division III)

Website

2013 Final Standings

2013 Media Guide 



Looking back: For most of the last 30 years, it has become an all too familiar sight: Mount Union not only winning the Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) football championship, but also making a deep run in the NCAA Division III playoffs, winning 11 national championships dating back to 1993.  And 2013 proved to be no different, with the Purple Raiders winning their 19th straight outright OAC crown.

To no one's surprise, perhaps, the Purple Raiders advanced to yet another Stagg Bowl, losing to Wisconsin-Whitewater, 52-14.

Looking ahead: Can anyone put an end to Mount Union's long-standing run of dominance in the OAC? The answer could come during the 2014 season.

Predicted order of finish (2013 overall record in parentheses):

1. Mount Union (14-1):  The last time the Purple Raiders failed to win at least a share of the OAC championship was in 1991, when Baldwin-Wallace won the title outright. As he begins his second season at the helm, Vince Kehres finds himself sitting in the shadow his father, Larry Kehres, who has won all 11 national championships between 1993 and 2012.  Having said that, the Purple Raiders are still the team to beat until, of course, another squad proves otherwise.

2. John Carroll (9-2):  The Blue Streaks will look to end the Purple Raiders long reign atop the OAC, with a roster that includes more than 30 seniors going into the 2014 season. 

3. Heidelberg (8-2):  The Student Princes could have a say in the OAC title discussion as well, but will be tested early in their league opener at John Carroll on September 20.

4. Ohio Northern (6-4):  Thanks to the return of d3football.com All-North Region kick returner Devon Price for his junior season, don't be surprised if the Polar Bears win at least seven or more games in 2014. 

5. Baldwin-Wallace (6-4):  The Yellow Jackets have had 44 winning seasons over the past 48 years. In order to make it 45 out of 49 in 2014, they must replace multiple players lost because of graduation, including d3football.com All-American punter Matt Harmon and offensive tackle Jason Cook, as well as academic All-Americans David Flegal and Zack Barley.     

6. Otterbein (5-5):  Warning to 2014 opponents: Don't find yourself in a close game against the Cardinals! They won three of their five games in 2013 by eight points or less.  However, they lost all five games last year by 18 or more points.

7. Capital (3-7):  The Crusaders hope to put a disappointing 2013 season behind them. One way to do just that is to hit the recruiting trail; hard, with 86 players taking the field in 2014. 

8. Muskingum (2-8):  The last 18 years have not been kind to the Muskies, as they're still searching for their first winning season since 1995, when they finished 6-3-1 overall.

9. Marietta (1-9): The Pioneers hope that this will be the year that they finally get a winning season under their belts, as their last winning campaign came in 2006 at 6-4.

10. Wilmington (0-10):  Former NFL player turned D-III head coach Stacey Hairston will try to rebuild a Quakers program that has struggled to win games in recent years. In fact, they've won just two games overall over the past five years.  They went winless in 2013 despite having one of the top passing offenses in the OAC.

Follow RFC on Twitter @realfootball.

RFC Summer Semester: North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) Preview (NCAA Division III)

North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC)--NCAA Division III

Website


2013 Final Standings

Looking back: The 2013 campaign saw two teams from the North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC): Wittenberg and Wabash, finish 9-1 at the end of the regular season.  But in the one game that decided the league title, it was the Tigers that outlasted the Little Giants, 35-17, on November 9.  That win give Wittenberg the NCAC's automatic bid to the NCAA Division III playoffs, while sending the Little Giants home with the loss.

In the Division III playoffs, the Tigers cruised to a convincing 59-17 win over Lebanon Valley in the first round, before being blown out themselves by Mount Union, 56-21, in the second round.

Looking ahead: Expect Wittenberg and Wabash to do battle for the 2014 NCAC crown.  But at least two other challengers--Wooster and Denison--could give them a run for their money.

Predicted order of finish (2013 overall record in parentheses):

 

1. Wittenberg (10-2):  In 18 seasons as the Tigers head coach, Joe Fincham has a compiled a career record of 164-37, while not finishing with a sub-.500 record during that span. It's a trend that he hopes to continue in 2014.

2. Wabash (9-1):  The Little Giants hope to use the sting of last year's loss to Wittenberg as motivation for this year.

3. Wooster (7-3):  The Scots hope that a four-game winning streak to close out 2013 will carry over into 2014.

4. Denison (7-3):  The Big Red faithful are looking for bigger and better things as well, after their squad finished 2013 with three straight wins.

5. Ohio Wesleyan (5-5):  Tom Watts will start his second season at the Battling Bishops helm with four of their six games on the road.  Can anybody say "Ouch!"  At least they play Wittenberg and Wabash at home.

6. DePauw (4-6):  The Tigers look to reverse a trend of three straight losing seasons dating back to 2011.

7. Kenyon (4-6):  A once promising 4-2 start disintegrated into a season-ending four-game skid for the Lords.  That's something they hope to rectify in 2014.

8. Oberlin (3-7):  Jay Anderson was named the new head coach for the Yeomen in February 2014. He'll look to turn around a program that has struggled to get wins for quite some time.

 

9. Hiram (2-8):  Want to find the last time the Terriers had a winning season? Try 1988, when they finished 6-3.  Reversing that trend in 2014 won't be easy however, as they face four teams that had winning records in 2013, all in NCAC action.

10. Allegheny (0-10): A once-proud Gators program--which finished 13-0-1 overall en route to winning the 1990 NCAA Division III national championship--dropped all the way into the NCAC cellar in 2013, going winless in all of their games. Needless to say, they'll have work out cut for them just to win a game in 2014.

 

Follow RFC on Twitter @realfootball.

 

RFC Summer Semester: The Sun Conference Preview (NAIA)

The Sun Conference (NAIA)

Football Launch Press Release (Courtesy of The Sun Conference)

Overview: Founded in 1990 as the Florida Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, later the Florida Sun Conference, the Sun Conference will sponsor football at the NAIA level for the first time in 2014. Six schools will play in the Sun's first football season: Ave Maria, Edward Waters, Southeastern, Warner, and Webber International, all in Florida, plus Point in Georgia.

Predicted order of finish (2013 overall record in parentheses):

1. Webber International (5-5):  The Warriors were beasts at home, going 4-1 in their backyard last season, but struggled mightily on the road, finishing just 1-4 in away games.  Winning on the road will be a must if they're to finish above .500 this season.


2. Ave Maria (8-2):  A funny (but good) thing happened on the way to the end of the Gyrenes 2013 football season. They actually won eight straight games after an 0-2 start. That's a remarkable improvement from the combined 1-16 mark they had stretching into the 2011 and 2012 seasons, respectively.  Now, the challenge heading into the 2014 campaign is this: can the Gyrenes carry over that momentum from last season?  Three straight road games against NCAA Division II North Greenville and Florida Tech, as well as FCS Mercer, will provide some very stiff tests.

3. Warner (1-10):  The Royals will have a lot of room for improvement between year one and year two.  Their only win of 2013 came in the last game of their inaugural season: a low-scoring 13-7 win over Concordia (Ala.) on November 16.

4. Point (3-7):  The Skyhawks struggled to score in 2013, as they were held to under 20 points in all of their losses.  The schedule doesn't get any easier in 2014, as they play just three home games this fall.

5. Edward Waters (n/a):  The Tigers enter the 2014 season with a new head coach in Alvin Wyatt.

6. Southeastern (n/a):  The inaugural season for the Fire includes games against another newcomer in NCAA Division II Limestone (S.C.), as well as second-year NCAA Division III program Berry (Ga.).

Follow RFC on Twitter @realfootball.