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Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC)--NCAA Division III
Website
2013 Final Standings
Looking back: The University of Redlands Bulldogs rode a regular season-ending seven-game winning streak--including a stunning upset win over Chapman on the road--to claim the 2013 Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) championship. That came after the Bulldogs finished unbeaten in SCIAC play at 7-0. As for the Panthers, they found themselves sitting at home for the postseason despite an excellent 8-1 overall record.
Speaking of postseason play, the Bulldogs run in the NCAA Division III playoffs was all too brief, as Mary Hardin-Baylor cruised to an easy 35-7 win in the first round.
Looking ahead: Don't be surprised if Redlands runs the table again the SCIAC this season. But there will be plenty of challengers ready to step up if the Bulldogs do falter this fall.
Predicted order of finish (2013 overall record in parentheses):
1. Redlands (7-3): Despite decent preseason national rankings from two different magazines, the Bulldogs will still face a tough early-season schedule, as they take on a Mary Hardin-Baylor team that beat them twice last season, as well as an always tough Linfield squad, in the early portion of their 2014 schedule.
2. Chapman (8-1): Yes, they might have lost only one game all of last season. But it was that one loss that proved costly to the Panthers playoff loss, as the loss to the Bulldogs also denied them an unbeaten regular season. It's something that will hopefully used as a motivational tool for 2014, with six All-Americans being placed on the preseason USA College Football Division III team.
3. Cal Lutheran (4-5): The Kingsmen took a tremendous step back in 2013 after winning four straight SCIAC titles. They hope to bounce back in a big way in 2014.
4. Occidental (5-4): The Tigers enter the 2014 season with cautious optimism after having one of their better seasons in recent memory--finishing tied for third place in the SCIAC at 4-3 at the end of the 2013 season.
5. Pomona-Pitzer (2-7): The Sagehens will open their 2014 season with a rare cross-country trip to New England to face MIT.
6. La Verne (3-6): The Leopards will look to leap forward in the SCIAC standings after a disapppointing 2-5 finish in conference play.
7. Claremont-Mudd-Scripps (3-6): The Stags also face an uphill battle after finishing in a tie for sixth place with La Verne at 2-5 in SCIAC action last season.
8. Whittier (1-8): The Poets hope to move in the right direction under third-year head coach Todd Stratton.
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Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC)--NCAA Division II
Website
2013 Final Standings
Looking back: Azusa Pacific (10-2 overall) claimed the Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC) championship with a 9-1 conference record in 2013. Despite that excellent record, however, the Cougars found themselves on the outside looking in on Selection Sunday, as they were left out of the NCAA Division II playoff field. Still, APU ended the season on a high note, crushing Greenville (Ill.), 67-0, to win the NCCAA Victory Bowl.
Looking ahead: APU will not only enter the 2014 season as the favorite to win the GNAC title, but also hope to solidify themselves as a player on the national scene at the D-II level for quite some time.
Predicted order of finish (2013 overall record in parentheses):
1. Azusa Pacific (10-2): As the start of the 2014 season draws closer, expectations for the Cougars will be high. And the preseason polls seem to indicate just that, as APU comes into this year ranked No. 22 in NCAA Division II by Lindy's Sports, and No. 25 by Sporting News. Still, it's the nationally televised season opener against on September 4 (CBS Sports Network) that could show just good the Cougars really are this fall. If that wasn't enough, they also go into this fall riding a season-ending eight-game winning streak.
2. Central Washington (7-4): But the faithful in Ellensburg can't help but ask the obvious question: "Why not us?" However, if the Wildcats hope to dethrone the Cougars in the GNAC, they must do it under new head coach Ian Shoemaker.
3. Western Oregon (7-4): The Wolves also figure to be a serious contender for the GNAC crown in 2014. The most interesting contest of the season will be played on October 4, when they travel to North Alabama for a rare mid-season non-conference clash.
4. Dixie State (4-7): The Rebels hope to move forward in 2014. In order to do that, though, they must replace 11 seniors from 2013.
5. Simon Fraser (3-7): The Canada-based Clan will begin a new era under new head coach Jacques Chapdelaine.
6. South Dakota Mines (6-4): The Hardrockers will start a new era of their own as associate members of the GNAC this fall.
7. Humboldt State (0-11): The Lumberjacks will look to begin a long rebuilding process after a winless 2013 campaign. From 2010-2012, HSU compiled a combined record of 24-8, which included a 9-1 mark in 2011.
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Northwest Conference (NWC)--NCAA Division III
Website
2013 Final Standings
Looking back: The Linfield College Wildcats continued to make history in 2013, as they clinched their record 58th consecutive winning season: the longest such active streak in all of college football at all levels. They advanced to the quarterfinals of the NCAA Division III playoffs, losing to eventual national champion Wisconsin-Whitewater, 28-17.
Looking ahead: While Linfield should be favored to win the Northwest Conference (NWC) crown again in 2014, they'll also face challenges from teams like Pacific Lutheran (8-2 overall in 2013), Pacific (Ore.)--(7-3) and Willamette (7-3), among others. Also, The George Fox University Bruins out of Newberg, Oregon will take the field for the first time in 2014, giving the NWC eight schools for football.
Predicted order of finish (2013 overall record in parentheses):
1. Linfield (11-1): Head Coach Joseph Smith must replace 32 seniors if the Wildcats hope to make it 59 straight winning seasons in 2014. The Wildcats will begin the year with three straight road games, including a contest against defending Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic (SCIAC) champion Redlands on September 20, followed by the NWC opener at Pacific Lutheran the following week. Smith hopes that a solid recruiting class will lead to yet another banner year for the Cardinal and Purple.
2. Pacific Lutheran (8-2): After having just one winning season from 2005-2009 (7-2 in 2007), the Lutes are moving in the right direction under Scott Westering, who's entering his 11th season as their head coach after replacing his father, the late Frosty Westering. They finally reached the NCAA Division III playoffs in 2013, only to lose to fellow archrival Linfield in the first round. The Lutes will look to build on last year's success after finishing second in the NWC for four years in a row.
3. Willamette (7-2): The Bearcats will look to build on last year's third place finish in the NWC after finishing 4-2 in conference play last season. Their last league title--as well as NCAA Division III playoff appearance--both came in 2008. Their lone losses of last season came to PLU and Linfield respectively.
4. Pacific (Ore.)--(7-3): After just four wins combined over the previous three years, the Boxers finally broke through in 2013, clinching their first winning season since restarting football in 2010. All three losses came by six points or less. Their continued success in 2014 could depend upon how their nine returning starters fare on the field.
5. Whitworth (4-6): The Pirates begin a new era in 2014, with Rod Sandberg becoming their new head coach.
6. Lewis & Clark (1-8): Talk about a tough way to start a season. The Pioneers will begin the 2014 campaign with four straight road games. They'll finally play their first home game on October 11, when they play host to Pacific Lutheran. That contest against the Lutes is one of just three home games on the 2014 season for the Pioneers.
7. Puget Sound (1-8): The Loggers will go into 2014 in search of their first winning season since 2006, when they finished 7-3 overall.
8. George Fox (n/a): When the Bruins play their first game of their inaugural season against Arizona Christian on September 6, it will actually be the first game they've played in over 45 years. Go figure.
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Frontier Conference (FC)--NAIA
Website
2013 Final Standings
Looking back: The Carroll College (Mont.) Saints won yet another Frontier Conference (FC) championship in 2013, going 9-1 in conference play, while finishing 12-2 overall. In the NAIA playoffs, the Saints advanced to the national semifinals before their season ended with a tough 34-27 loss to the University of the Cumberlands (Ky.).
The only other team from the FC to advance to postseason play was the Rocky Mountain College Bears, who fell to Morningside, 40-21, in the first round.
Looking ahead: Carroll once again should be the team to beat in the Frontier Conference going into the 2014 season. In off-the-field news, the College of Idaho joins the league, while Dickinson State out of North Dakota departs to join the fledgling North Star Athletic Association.
Predicted order of finish (2013 overall record in parentheses):
1. Carroll (Mont.)--(12-2): The Saints enter the 2014 season ranked No. 2 in the NAIA spring coaches poll. And with so much talent coming back, including All-Americans such as linebacker Sean Blomquist and running back Dustin Rinker, there's no reason they add yet another Frontier Conference crown this fall.
2. Rocky Mountain (8-4): Believe it or not, however, the Saints will likely have company in the Top 10 to start the season, as the Bears were ranked 10th in that same spring coaches poll. They'll try to build on their first postseason appearance since 1999.
3. Southern Oregon (7-4): And No. 24 makes three. As in three teams from the Frontier finishing in the Top 25 at the end of the spring. Expect the Raiders to make a big push for the league crown, and maybe more, this season, as they hope to earn their second playoff appearance in three seasons.
4. Eastern Oregon (6-5): A season-ending four-game winning streak following an 0-4 start has the Mountaineers and their fans thinking bigger and better things for 2014.
5. Montana Western (4-6): Head Coach B.J. Robertson returns for his second season at the Bulldog helm, hoping that his team can contend for the conference title, as well as a potential playoff berth.
6. Montana State-Northern (4-6): After starting the 2013 season at 4-1, it was "lights out" for the Lights going down the stretch, as they lost five straight games to close out the campaign. It's a situation they must avoid if they have any chance at postseason play at the end of the 2014 season.
7. Montana Tech (3-7): The Orediggers hope to turn things around a disappointing 2013 season which saw them finish seventh (out of eight teams) in the Frontier Conference.
8. College of Idaho (n/a): The 'Yotes, which is short for the Coyotes, will take to the football field for the first time since 1977. Their head coach is former NFL quarterback and UC Davis head coach Mike Moroski.
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Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC)--NCAA Division II
Website
2013 Final Standings
Looking back: Once again, the Colorado State University-Pueblo Thunderwolves breezed through the regular season undefeated, only to see their season end abruptly in the NCAA Division II playoffs. It happened again for them in 2013, as Grand Valley State stunned the Thunderwolves, 34-30, in the second round.
Looking ahead: Expect the rest of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) to chase CSU-Pueblo for the 2014 league title.
Predicted order of finish (2013 overall record in parentheses):
1. Colorado State-Pueblo (11-1): Don't be surprised if the Thunderwolves end up on top of the RMAC pack again this season.
2. Chadron State (8-3): Coming off a two-way for second place in the RMAC last season, the Eagles hope to find themselves in contention for the conference crown again this season.
3. Colorado Mines (8-3): With three players being named to the preseason Beyond Sports Network All-America teams, the Orediggers expect to be a team to be reckoned with in 2014.
4. Adams State (7-4): Coming off a fourth-place finish at 5-4 in conference play last year, don't be surprised if the Grizzlies have a say in the RMAC title/NCAA Division II playoff discussion this year.
5. Colorado Mesa (5-6): The Mavericks will enter 2014 looking for answers after 2013 ended with four straight losses.
6. Western New Mexico (4-6): After their third four-win season in the last four years, the Mustangs hope to finally break above the .500 mark in 2014.
7. Fort Lewis (4-7): The Skyhawks hope to continue moving in the right direction under veteran head coach John L. Smith.
8. Black Hills State (3-8): The Yellow Jackets ended last season with back-to-back wins, which could be a sign of what's to come this season.
9. New Mexico Highlands (2-9): There's "nowhere to go but up" for the Cowboys in 2014.
10. Western State (2-9): Ditto for the Mountaineers, whose 2013 season ended with eight straight losses.
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Lone Star Conference (LSC)--NCAA Division II
Website
2013 Final Standings
Looking back: In one of the most bizarre twists of any regular season in college football history, five of the seven teams in the Lone Star Conference (LSC) won at least seven games--while also losing at least three overall--in 2013. In the conference standings, though, Eastern New Mexico and Tarleton State both shared the conference crown at 5-1, with both teams finishing at 7-3 overall.
Still, it was the West Texas A&M University Buffaloes that advanced to the NCAA Division II playoffs despite finishing third in the LSC at 4-2. They pulled off upset wins over Indianapolis and Ohio Dominican on the road, before losing to Grand Valley State in the quarterfinals.
Looking ahead: Expect another wide-open race for the LSC crown in 2014. Also, McMurry University from Abilene, Texas will play in the LSC for just one season before returning to the NCAA Division III level in 2015. Additionally, in a college football first, the conference will also sponsor its first-ever football playoff in 2014.
Predicted order of finish (2013 overall record in parentheses):
1. West Texas A&M (11-3): The Buffaloes will try to win the 2014 LSC title with Mike Nesbitt becoming the head coach after serving on an interim basis in 2013. They'll be tested right away in the season opener on September 4, when they travel west to face fellow NCAA Division II playoff participant Colorado State-Pueblo.
2. Tarleton State (7-3): The defending LSC co-champion Texans will look to win the title outright, with 29 starters returning, while losing only nine, from last season.
3. Eastern New Mexico (7-3): The Greyhounds hope to have a say in the LSC title race too, as six of their players were named USA College Football Preseason All-Americans. Oh, and they'll enter the 2014 season riding a six-game winning that ended the 2013 season.
4. Midwestern State (7-3): The Mustangs will look for a better ending to 2014 after 2013 ended with back-to-back losses following a 7-1 start.
5. Texas A&M-Commerce (7-5): Despite struggling to a 2-4 mark in LSC play a year ago, the Lions still managed to post their first winning season since 2001. They hope to build on that success this season--as 48 letterwinners, including 14 starters--return for 2014.
6. Angelo State (5-6): A season-ending three-game winning streak has the Rams and their faithful hopeful for bigger and better things to come in 2014.
7. Texas A&M-Kingsville (2-8): Second-year head coach David Calloway hopes to rebuild a once-mighty Javelina program in 2014.
Not eligible for NCAA Division II playoffs
McMurry (3-8): The War Hawks hope to play for pride, as well as a winning season, before they begin the "re-transition" back to the NCAA Division III ranks in 2015.
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American Southwest Conference (ASC)--NCAA Division III
Website
2013 Final Standings
Looking back: The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor Crusaders cruised their way to yet another American Southwest Conference championship in 2013. They've now won or shared 11 of the last 12 ASC titles dating back to 2002.
Additionally, the Crusaders have advanced to the NCAA Division III playoffs 12 times in the last 13 years since 2001. That includes 10 straight trips to postseason play over the last 10 years.
In the NCAA Division III playoffs, UMHB advanced to the national semifinals before losing to eventual national champion Wisconsin-Whitewater in a heartbreaker, 16-15. It marked the second straight season the Crusaders lost to the eventual national champions, as they fell to Mount Union, 48-35, in 2012.
Looking ahead: As recently as 2004, the ASC had as many as 10 member schools. In the last several years, however, the league has been decimated by several defections to other conferences, losing schools such as Austin and Texas Lutheran to the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC), McMurry to the NCAA Division II ranks (only to recently return to NCAA Division III), and now Mississippi College to D-II. That leaves only six ASC members taking to the football field in 2014.
But there's some good news on the way. Not only will McMurry return to the ASC as a full member by 2015, Belhaven University of Jackson, Mississippi will also join the conference, as the Blazers begin their transition to Division III athletics. Those moves will eventually give the ASC eight football-playing schools by 2016.
Predicted order of finish (2013 overall record in parentheses):
1. Mary Hardin-Baylor (13-1): With a preseason ranking of No. 2 by d3football.com, as well as another No. 2 ranking by USA Today, a No. 4 ranking by Sporting News, and No. 6 by Lindy's Sports, the "Cru" will once again be the team to beat in the ASC.
2. Louisiana College (7-3): The only other team in the ASC to finish 2013 with a winning record, the Wildcats hope to end the Crusaders long reign in the ASC after finishing 5-1 in conference play last season, good enough for second place.
3. Hardin-Simmons (4-6): The Cowboys will look to rebuild after suffering their first losing season since 1990, when they finished 3-6 overall. They also finished 2-4 in conference play last season, a similar mark to 1990.
4. Howard Payne (4-6): After back-to-back 1-9 seasons, the Yellow Jackets turned the corner somewhat with a three-win improvement in 2013. They hope to continue to move in the right direction coming into 2014.
5. East Texas Baptist (3-7): The Tigers face a long uphill battle after a disappointing 2013 season that saw them win their first two games.
6. Sul Ross State (1-9): The Lobos have had just one season with at least five wins (5-5 in 2012) dating back to 2008.
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Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC)--NCAA Division III
Website
2013 Final Standings
Looking back: Texas Lutheran (8-1 overall in 2013) went undefeated in Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC) action at 3-0, with TLU winning last year's league title. Yes, they may have lost just one game, but it proved very costly for the Bulldogs and their postseason hopes, as their 73-44 late-season setback to Hardin-Simmons cost them an at-large berth to the NCAA Division III playoffs in 2013.
Looking ahead: Don't be surprised if Texas Lutheran takes home the 2014 SCAC crown.
Predicted order of finish (2013 overall record in parentheses):
1. Texas Lutheran (8-1): If the Bulldogs hope to find themselves competing in postseason play this season, there can no be margin for error whatsoever.
2. Trinity (Tex.)--(5-5): The Tigers hope to return to their winning ways after struggling to a 1-2 record in SCAC play, as well as posting their second non-winning record in the last four years.
3. Austin (5-5): With four straight wins to close out the 2013 season, there's cautious optimism for the Kangaroos and the faithful for the 2014 season.
4. Southwestern (Tex.)--(0-10): The Pirates will enter the 2014 season of play looking to win a game.
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Central States Football League (CSFL)--NAIA
Website
Looking back: Bacone and the Southwestern Assemblies of God both earned a share of the 2013 Central States Football League championship. Both teams finished CSFL play at 4-1. That came about after Langston was forced to forfeit some of its wins from last season, due to a violation of NAIA rules.
Looking ahead: The CSFL will undergo numerous changes for 2014 and beyond, with Arizona Christian joining the conference, while Oklahoma Baptist will leave after this season to begin the transition to NCAA Division II. Additionally, Lyon College of Batesville, Arkansas will be among a growing number of small colleges and universities that will start football programs by 2015.
Predicted order of finish (2013 overall record in parentheses):
1. Bacone (8-3): The Warriors enter the 2014 season as a slight favorite to win the CSFL crown.
2. Southwestern Assemblies of God (6-4): The Lions also benefited from Langston's misfortune, finishing the season as CSFL co-champions. They'll try to win the title outright--the right way--this season.
3. Oklahoma Baptist (4-7): The Bison were surprisingly competitive in their inaugural season, despite an 0-5 start, while also losing four games by nine points or less. They'll look to build on that competitiveness this season.
4. Langston (3-7): The Lions from Oklahoma will look to overcome the forfeits of last season, as five games against NCAA Division II foes await them this season.
5. Texas College (1-9): The Steers will enter the 2014 season trying to snap a six-game skid.
6. Wayland Baptist (1-9): The Pioneers enter their third full season of football having won just three games combined in their first two seasons.
7. Arizona Christian (n/a): The Phoenix-based Firestorm's inaugural season will include games against established NAIA programs such as Evangel, another newcomer in Missouri Baptist, as well as against NCAA Division III newcomer George Fox of Oregon, and NCAA Division II Western New Mexico.
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Great American Conference (GAC)--NCAA Division II
Website
2013 Final Standings
Looking back: The Henderson State University Reddies ran their way through the regular season undefeated, going 11-0 en route to finishing 10-0 in Great American Conference play. But their 2013 season came to a sudden, stunning end in the NCAA Division II playoffs, as they were shocked by St. Cloud State, 40-35, in the second round.
Looking ahead: Expect the target to be on the Reddies backs all season long, as they look to win their third straight GAC title, and fourth in five years.
Predicted order of finish (2013 overall record in parentheses):
1. Henderson State (11-1): With three preseason Top 10 national rankings by three separate publications, as well as the return of All-American quarterback Kevin Rodgers and wide receiver Darius Davis, the Reddies are the obvious favorite to return to the top of the GAC this season.
2. Harding (9-2): The Bisons, however, have a legitimate shot at dethroning the Reddies, especially with five players earning spots on the USA College Football All-America team, as well as two on the Beyond Sports Network squad.
3. Ouachita Baptist (7-3): The Tigers were competitive in every game they played last season, with all three losses coming by eight points or less. They hope to use those close losses as the main fuel for success in 2014.
4. Southern Arkansas (6-4): Head Coach Bill Keopple must replace 20 seniors if the Muleriders have any chance of not only recording a third-straight winning season, but also put themselves in the GAC title discussion for 2014.
5. Southwestern Oklahoma State (6-5): The Bulldogs hope to continue their forward movement under six-year head coach Dan Cocannouer.
6. East Central (5-5): The Tigers hope to move forward as well, after outlasting Southeastern Oklahoma State 23-16 to finish 2013 at .500 overall.
7. Arkansas Tech (5-6): The Wonder Boys 2013 campaign was anything but wonderful, as they struggled to their fourth straight losing season. Still, head coach Raymond Monica appears to be moving the program in the right direction heading into 2014.
8. Arkansas-Monticello (5-6): The Boll Weevils must learn how to be road warriors if they're to finish above .500 this season, as they were 5-1 at home, but winless on the road at 0-5 last season.
9. Northwestern Oklahoma State (2-9): The Rangers hope to celebrate gaining NCAA Division II provisional status by posting a winning record on the field in 2014.
10. Southeastern Oklahoma State (2-9): New head coach Bo Atterberry hopes to change the fortunes of a struggling Savage Storm program that's coming off its fourth straight losing season.
11. Southern Nazarene (0-11): Like their counterparts at NWOSU, the Crimson Storm also took giant steps towards becoming a full NCAA Division II member, as they were recommended for full membership only recently. Now, how about winning some games this season.
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