4 years ago
Thursday, August 14, 2014
Wednesday, August 13, 2014
RFC Summer Semester posts suspended for rest of 2014
Due to circumstances beyond our control, the remaining RFC Summer Semester for 2014 have been suspended. We're sorry for any inconvenience this may cause. In the meantime, we hope your favorite team does well this fall. Thank you.
Follow RFC on Twitter @realfootball.
Follow RFC on Twitter @realfootball.
Saturday, August 09, 2014
RFC Summer Semester: The Division I Previews--Southland Conference (SLC)
Southland Conference (SLC)
Website
2013 Final Standings
2014 Media Guide
Looking back: The Southland Conference (SLC) had yet another banner year on the gridiron, with three of its teams advancing to the FCS playoffs in 2013. Postseason play, however, wasn't as kind to the faithful of this powerhouse FCS conference.
After stomping Southern Utah, 51-20, in the first round, the Sam Houston State University Bearkats gave Southeastern Louisiana all it could handle, in second round FCS playoff action, before rallying in the closing seconds for a dramatic 30-29 win.. The Lions season ended at the hands of New Hamphsire in a stunning 20-17 quarterfinal loss the following week. McNeese State also fell in round two, with Jacksonville State crushing the Cowboys, 31-10.
Looking ahead: Southeastern Louisiana will enter the 2014 season as the team to beat in the SLC, but Sam Houston State and McNeese State will almost surely be in the mix as the year progresses. Especially with all three teams beginning the year ranked in The Sports Network Top 25 preseason poll. Meanwhile, Houston Baptist will begin its first full season as a member of the SLC this fall.
Predicted order of finish (2013 overall record in parentheses):
1. Southeastern Louisiana (11-3): With a solid group of quarterbacks in tow, there's no reason why the Lions shouldn't be favored to finish the 2014 season on top of the SLC.
2. McNeese State (10-3): The Cowboys will have a say in the SLC title race, as head coach Matt Viator welcomes back 51 letterwinners, including 16 starters, for this season.
3. Sam Houston State (9-5): The Bearkats hope to reach the FCS title game for the third time in the last four years following their second round playoff exit last season.
4. Central Arkansas (7-5): The Bears will look to build on last year's successful finish with a new head coach in Steve Campbell. He replaces Clint Conque, who resigned to become the head coach at SLC rival Stephen F. Austin.
5. Northwestern State (6-6): The Demons hope to make an impact in the SLC this fall, with head coach Jay Thomas returning 20 starters from last fall.
6. Lamar (5-7): If the Cardinals are to consider themselves serious contenders for the SLC championship in 2014, they must learn how to win on the road, as they finished a dismal 1-5 away from Beaumont, Texas.
7. Nicholls State (4-8): The Colonels will go into 2014 trying to snap a six-game skid that closed out 2013.
8. Stephen F. Austin (3-9): The Lumberjacks will look to rebuild under new head coach Clint Conque.
9. Houston Baptist (3-4): The Huskies will have their work cut out for them in their first full season of football this fall.
Not eligible for SLC title
Abilene Christian (6-5): The Wildcats hope to continue their high-scoring ways in 2014. In 2013, they scored 60 or more points in four games, all wins.
Incarnate Word (6-5): After three straight sub.-500 seasons, the Cardinals finally broke through in 2013, clinching the five-year old program's first-ever winning season. Still, they'll likely have a tough row to hoe in 2014.
Follow RFC on Twitter @realfootball.
Website
2013 Final Standings
2014 Media Guide
Looking back: The Southland Conference (SLC) had yet another banner year on the gridiron, with three of its teams advancing to the FCS playoffs in 2013. Postseason play, however, wasn't as kind to the faithful of this powerhouse FCS conference.
After stomping Southern Utah, 51-20, in the first round, the Sam Houston State University Bearkats gave Southeastern Louisiana all it could handle, in second round FCS playoff action, before rallying in the closing seconds for a dramatic 30-29 win.. The Lions season ended at the hands of New Hamphsire in a stunning 20-17 quarterfinal loss the following week. McNeese State also fell in round two, with Jacksonville State crushing the Cowboys, 31-10.
Looking ahead: Southeastern Louisiana will enter the 2014 season as the team to beat in the SLC, but Sam Houston State and McNeese State will almost surely be in the mix as the year progresses. Especially with all three teams beginning the year ranked in The Sports Network Top 25 preseason poll. Meanwhile, Houston Baptist will begin its first full season as a member of the SLC this fall.
Predicted order of finish (2013 overall record in parentheses):
1. Southeastern Louisiana (11-3): With a solid group of quarterbacks in tow, there's no reason why the Lions shouldn't be favored to finish the 2014 season on top of the SLC.
2. McNeese State (10-3): The Cowboys will have a say in the SLC title race, as head coach Matt Viator welcomes back 51 letterwinners, including 16 starters, for this season.
3. Sam Houston State (9-5): The Bearkats hope to reach the FCS title game for the third time in the last four years following their second round playoff exit last season.
4. Central Arkansas (7-5): The Bears will look to build on last year's successful finish with a new head coach in Steve Campbell. He replaces Clint Conque, who resigned to become the head coach at SLC rival Stephen F. Austin.
5. Northwestern State (6-6): The Demons hope to make an impact in the SLC this fall, with head coach Jay Thomas returning 20 starters from last fall.
6. Lamar (5-7): If the Cardinals are to consider themselves serious contenders for the SLC championship in 2014, they must learn how to win on the road, as they finished a dismal 1-5 away from Beaumont, Texas.
7. Nicholls State (4-8): The Colonels will go into 2014 trying to snap a six-game skid that closed out 2013.
8. Stephen F. Austin (3-9): The Lumberjacks will look to rebuild under new head coach Clint Conque.
9. Houston Baptist (3-4): The Huskies will have their work cut out for them in their first full season of football this fall.
Not eligible for SLC title
Abilene Christian (6-5): The Wildcats hope to continue their high-scoring ways in 2014. In 2013, they scored 60 or more points in four games, all wins.
Incarnate Word (6-5): After three straight sub.-500 seasons, the Cardinals finally broke through in 2013, clinching the five-year old program's first-ever winning season. Still, they'll likely have a tough row to hoe in 2014.
Follow RFC on Twitter @realfootball.
Wednesday, August 06, 2014
RFC Summer Semester: The Division I Previews--Big Sky Conference
Big Sky Conference
Website
2013 Final Standings
2014 Media Guide
Looking back: Just how strong was the Big Sky Conference in 2013? How about five teams finishing the season with winning records strong--in Eastern Washington, Northern Arizona, Montana, Southern Utah, and Montana State. Two other teams--Cal Poly and Portland State, finished at 6-6 overall last year.
The Big Sky also came up big in the FCS playoffs last year, with four teams--Eastern Washington, Northern Arizona, Montana, and Southern Utah--advancing to postseason play. EWU made the deepest playoff run of that quartet, advancing to the national semifinals before being stunned at home by eventual national runner-up Towson.
The other three playoff teams--Montana, NAU, and SUU--all had their respective postseason runs cut short after just one game. The Lumberjacks and Thunderbirds both fell in the first round, respectively, while the Grizzlies were ousted by an upstart Coastal Carolina squad in the second round.
Looking ahead: Don't be surprised if Eastern Washington repeats as Big Sky champions--and then some--in 2014. But as always, there will be plenty of challengers--especially Montana and Northern Arizona, among others--just waiting to knock them off of that lofty throne.
Predicted order of finish (2013 overall record in parentheses):
1. Eastern Washington (12-3): With a preseason No. 2 ranking behind three-time defending national champion North Dakota State in the FCS Coaches Poll, the Eagles have an excellent chance to win their second national championship in five years, with their first-ever crown coming in 2010. With 45 letterwinners coming back, there's no reason why EWU can't make yet another deep postseason run at least.
2. Montana (10-3): But the Grizzlies will plenty to say in who might go all the way this fall. And with a No. 5 preseason ranking by the FCS coaches, this pack of Big Sky bruins will provide stiff competitions for many an opponent this season.
3. Northern Arizona (9-3): After an early first round exit at the hands of South Dakota State last season, the Lumberjacks will be hungry for more this season. But with eight starters on defense gone due to graduation, repeating last year's success might prove to be very difficult at best.
4. Southern Utah (8-5): Coming off of the program's first-ever postseason appearance in 2013, the Thunderbirds hope to soar to even bigger and better heights in 2014.
5. Montana State (7-5): The Bobcats will play four straight home games in September, including a date with Eastern Washington on September 20. They might need that home cooking down the stretch, as four of their final seven games will be on the road, including the finale at Montana on November 22.
6. Cal Poly (6-6): After finishing in a four-way tie for fourth place in Big Sky play last season, the Mustangs hope to prime themselves for a possible banner year this season.
7. UC Davis (5-7): Head Coach Ron Gould hopes that the return of 18 starters will help propel the Aggies into Big Sky and FCS playoff contention this year.
8. Sacramento State (5-7): The Hornets head into a new era with Jody Sears signing on as their new head coach.
9. Portland State (6-6): The Vikings hope to stay on track towards respectability under head coach Nigel Burton.
10. North Dakota (3-8): Head Coach Bubba Schweigert comes on board from NAIA Jamestown to try and winner in Grand Forks.
11. Weber State (2-10): The Wildcats will look to rebuild under new head coach Jay Hill.
12. Idaho State (3-9): The Bengals will open the 2014 season with back-to-back road games against Utah from the Pac-12, and Utah State from the Group of Five Mountain West Conference.
13. Northern Colorado (1-11): The Bears will begin this season with 11 straight losses after a season-opening win to begin last season.
Follow RFC on Twitter @realfootball.
Website
2013 Final Standings
2014 Media Guide
Looking back: Just how strong was the Big Sky Conference in 2013? How about five teams finishing the season with winning records strong--in Eastern Washington, Northern Arizona, Montana, Southern Utah, and Montana State. Two other teams--Cal Poly and Portland State, finished at 6-6 overall last year.
The Big Sky also came up big in the FCS playoffs last year, with four teams--Eastern Washington, Northern Arizona, Montana, and Southern Utah--advancing to postseason play. EWU made the deepest playoff run of that quartet, advancing to the national semifinals before being stunned at home by eventual national runner-up Towson.
The other three playoff teams--Montana, NAU, and SUU--all had their respective postseason runs cut short after just one game. The Lumberjacks and Thunderbirds both fell in the first round, respectively, while the Grizzlies were ousted by an upstart Coastal Carolina squad in the second round.
Looking ahead: Don't be surprised if Eastern Washington repeats as Big Sky champions--and then some--in 2014. But as always, there will be plenty of challengers--especially Montana and Northern Arizona, among others--just waiting to knock them off of that lofty throne.
Predicted order of finish (2013 overall record in parentheses):
1. Eastern Washington (12-3): With a preseason No. 2 ranking behind three-time defending national champion North Dakota State in the FCS Coaches Poll, the Eagles have an excellent chance to win their second national championship in five years, with their first-ever crown coming in 2010. With 45 letterwinners coming back, there's no reason why EWU can't make yet another deep postseason run at least.
2. Montana (10-3): But the Grizzlies will plenty to say in who might go all the way this fall. And with a No. 5 preseason ranking by the FCS coaches, this pack of Big Sky bruins will provide stiff competitions for many an opponent this season.
3. Northern Arizona (9-3): After an early first round exit at the hands of South Dakota State last season, the Lumberjacks will be hungry for more this season. But with eight starters on defense gone due to graduation, repeating last year's success might prove to be very difficult at best.
4. Southern Utah (8-5): Coming off of the program's first-ever postseason appearance in 2013, the Thunderbirds hope to soar to even bigger and better heights in 2014.
5. Montana State (7-5): The Bobcats will play four straight home games in September, including a date with Eastern Washington on September 20. They might need that home cooking down the stretch, as four of their final seven games will be on the road, including the finale at Montana on November 22.
6. Cal Poly (6-6): After finishing in a four-way tie for fourth place in Big Sky play last season, the Mustangs hope to prime themselves for a possible banner year this season.
7. UC Davis (5-7): Head Coach Ron Gould hopes that the return of 18 starters will help propel the Aggies into Big Sky and FCS playoff contention this year.
8. Sacramento State (5-7): The Hornets head into a new era with Jody Sears signing on as their new head coach.
9. Portland State (6-6): The Vikings hope to stay on track towards respectability under head coach Nigel Burton.
10. North Dakota (3-8): Head Coach Bubba Schweigert comes on board from NAIA Jamestown to try and winner in Grand Forks.
11. Weber State (2-10): The Wildcats will look to rebuild under new head coach Jay Hill.
12. Idaho State (3-9): The Bengals will open the 2014 season with back-to-back road games against Utah from the Pac-12, and Utah State from the Group of Five Mountain West Conference.
13. Northern Colorado (1-11): The Bears will begin this season with 11 straight losses after a season-opening win to begin last season.
Follow RFC on Twitter @realfootball.
Tuesday, August 05, 2014
RFC Summer Semester: The Division I Previews--Colonial Athletic Association (CAA)
Editor's Note: With August now here, we here at Real Football Central will switch gears slightly, with "The Division I Previews."
What are "The Division I Previews"? They're simply a brief outlook on the 18 non-Power 5 conferences that make up the NCAA Division I ranks: 13 at the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) level, as well as the so-called "Group Of Five" conferences: American Athletic, Conference USA, Mid-American, Mountain West, and Sun Belt.
With that said, what are we waiting for? Let's get started!
Colonial Athletic Association (CAA)
Website
2013 Final Standings
2014 Media Guide
Looking back: Building on its reputation as one of the premier conferences in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS), the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) saw eight of its 11 teams finish the 2013 season with a .500 or better record. Three of those teams: Maine, New Hampshire, and Towson, won at least 10 or more games while advancing to the FCS playoffs. Out of that trio, Towson (13-3 in 2013) advanced to the FCS title game in January 2014, losing to North Dakota State, 35-7.
New Hampshire and Maine also advanced to the FCS playoffs last season, with the Wildcats pulling off multiple upsets en route to the national semifinals, where they fell to that same NDSU squad, 52-14. As for the Black Bears, despite winning the CAA crown, as well as earning the No. 5 overall national seed for the FCS playoffs, their postseason run was cut short by the Wildcats in a 41-27 upset loss in the second round.
Looking ahead: Expect another competitive race in the CAA from start to finish this fall. Meanwhile, Elon University out of North Carolina will join the league this season from the Southern Conference. That gives the CAA a total of 12 schools for football.
Predicted order of finish (2013 overall record in parentheses):
1. Towson (13-3): The Tigers are of one six CAA teams to begin the 2014 season ranked in the FCS Preseason Top 25, starting at No. 7 in the Coaches Poll. Of course, whether or not they can stay on top will depend upon they can get the always-tough conference schedule unscathed.
2. Maine (10-3): The Black Bears will start off this season as the No. 20 team in the nation in that same FCS Coaches Poll. They and their faithful are hopeful that 2014 will have a happier ending than 2013. Last season ended with back-to-back losses for the Black Bears, both coming against New Hampshire, in the regular season finale and FCS playoffs, respectively.
3. New Hampshire (10-5): What's the proper reward for advancing to the national semifinals last year? A No. 4 ranking to start this year, that's what? The return of 23 starters--including seven on special teams--boosts the Wildcats chances considerably.
4. Delaware (7-5): The Blue Hens hope to right their own ship after ending the 2013 campaign with three straight losses after starting 7-2.
5. William & Mary (7-5): The Tribe also ended last season on a down note, losing back-to-back games. Even with the mediocre mark from a year ago, they still managed to garner several preseason rankings from three magazines.
6. Villanova (6-5): The Wildcats go into 2014 with CAA Preseason Player Of The Year John Robertson starting at quarterback. But in an always tough CAA, it'll be the performance of the players around him that could decide how far they go this fall.
7. Richmond (6-6): A season-ending four-game winning streak, as well as 16 returning starters, could help propel the Spiders into contention for the CAA crown in 2014.
8. James Madison (6-6): The Dukes will look to start over under new head coach Everett Withers.
9. Stony Brook (5-6): The Seawolves surprising held their own in 2013, losing five of their six games by 14 points or less. If that wasn't enough, back-to-back wins to close out last season will give them a glimmer of hope going into 2014.
10. Rhode Island (3-9): The Rams hope to ride their defense to a significant improvement in the standings this season.
11. Elon (2-10): The Phoenix will have their work cut out for them as they join the CAA from the Southern Conference.
12. Albany (N.Y.)--(1-11): The Great Danes found themselves in for a rude awakening in their inaugural CAA season, finishing winless in conference play at 0-8.
Follow RFC on Twitter @realfootball.
What are "The Division I Previews"? They're simply a brief outlook on the 18 non-Power 5 conferences that make up the NCAA Division I ranks: 13 at the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) level, as well as the so-called "Group Of Five" conferences: American Athletic, Conference USA, Mid-American, Mountain West, and Sun Belt.
With that said, what are we waiting for? Let's get started!
Colonial Athletic Association (CAA)
Website
2013 Final Standings
2014 Media Guide
Looking back: Building on its reputation as one of the premier conferences in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS), the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) saw eight of its 11 teams finish the 2013 season with a .500 or better record. Three of those teams: Maine, New Hampshire, and Towson, won at least 10 or more games while advancing to the FCS playoffs. Out of that trio, Towson (13-3 in 2013) advanced to the FCS title game in January 2014, losing to North Dakota State, 35-7.
New Hampshire and Maine also advanced to the FCS playoffs last season, with the Wildcats pulling off multiple upsets en route to the national semifinals, where they fell to that same NDSU squad, 52-14. As for the Black Bears, despite winning the CAA crown, as well as earning the No. 5 overall national seed for the FCS playoffs, their postseason run was cut short by the Wildcats in a 41-27 upset loss in the second round.
Looking ahead: Expect another competitive race in the CAA from start to finish this fall. Meanwhile, Elon University out of North Carolina will join the league this season from the Southern Conference. That gives the CAA a total of 12 schools for football.
Predicted order of finish (2013 overall record in parentheses):
1. Towson (13-3): The Tigers are of one six CAA teams to begin the 2014 season ranked in the FCS Preseason Top 25, starting at No. 7 in the Coaches Poll. Of course, whether or not they can stay on top will depend upon they can get the always-tough conference schedule unscathed.
2. Maine (10-3): The Black Bears will start off this season as the No. 20 team in the nation in that same FCS Coaches Poll. They and their faithful are hopeful that 2014 will have a happier ending than 2013. Last season ended with back-to-back losses for the Black Bears, both coming against New Hampshire, in the regular season finale and FCS playoffs, respectively.
3. New Hampshire (10-5): What's the proper reward for advancing to the national semifinals last year? A No. 4 ranking to start this year, that's what? The return of 23 starters--including seven on special teams--boosts the Wildcats chances considerably.
4. Delaware (7-5): The Blue Hens hope to right their own ship after ending the 2013 campaign with three straight losses after starting 7-2.
5. William & Mary (7-5): The Tribe also ended last season on a down note, losing back-to-back games. Even with the mediocre mark from a year ago, they still managed to garner several preseason rankings from three magazines.
6. Villanova (6-5): The Wildcats go into 2014 with CAA Preseason Player Of The Year John Robertson starting at quarterback. But in an always tough CAA, it'll be the performance of the players around him that could decide how far they go this fall.
7. Richmond (6-6): A season-ending four-game winning streak, as well as 16 returning starters, could help propel the Spiders into contention for the CAA crown in 2014.
8. James Madison (6-6): The Dukes will look to start over under new head coach Everett Withers.
9. Stony Brook (5-6): The Seawolves surprising held their own in 2013, losing five of their six games by 14 points or less. If that wasn't enough, back-to-back wins to close out last season will give them a glimmer of hope going into 2014.
10. Rhode Island (3-9): The Rams hope to ride their defense to a significant improvement in the standings this season.
11. Elon (2-10): The Phoenix will have their work cut out for them as they join the CAA from the Southern Conference.
12. Albany (N.Y.)--(1-11): The Great Danes found themselves in for a rude awakening in their inaugural CAA season, finishing winless in conference play at 0-8.
Follow RFC on Twitter @realfootball.
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