THE RFC MYC: Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC)-(NCAA Division II)

2017 GLIAC Final Standings (Courtesy of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference)

Overview: In the first year of a downsized Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) that was reduced to nine schools due to the defection of multiple members to the Great Midwest Athletic Conference (GMAC), the Ashland University Golden Eagles finished conference play undefeated at 9-0 en route to an overall record of 11-2 in 2017, while the Ferris State University Bulldogs finished 8-1 in GLIAC action to finish in second place with the same overall record.

In the NCAA Division II playoffs, Ashland and Ferris State had one thing-or one team-in common: the Harding University Bisons, as the Arkansas-based squad ended the seasons of both GLIAC squads. The Bisons upset the Golden Eagles in the second round, then ousted the Bulldogs with a field goal on the game's final play in the quarterfinals the following week. 

As the 2018 season approaches, expectations will remain high for Ashland and Ferris State, as both teams received national preseason rankings by Lindy's and Street and Smith's, respectively. The Bulldogs begin this season ranked as high as No. 3 by Lindy's, as well as at No. 19 by Street and Smith's. As for Ashland, the Golden Eagles will go into 2018 as the No. 15 team in D-II by Lindy's, as well as at No. 13 by Street and Smith's.

Finally, in other off-the-field news, the GLIAC's football membership falls from nine teams to eight this fall, as the Tiffin University Dragons from Tiffin, Ohio have left to join the GMAC.

NOTE: If the link to the team's schedule is not highlighted, it means that the team has not submitted its schedule for the 2018 season. When the team's schedule is submitted, the link (s) will appear in each blog post. Also, please visit the RFC blog at realfootballcentral.blogspot.com for preseason previews, schedules, schedule updates, and much more.

Ashland

Davenport

Ferris State

Grand Valley State

Michigan Tech

Northern Michigan

Northwood

Saginaw Valley State

Wayne State (Mich.)

Follow RFC on Twitter @realfootball.