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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.
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