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2012 Final Standings
Looking back: Three teams (Appalachian State, Georgia Southern, and Wofford) finished in a three-way tie for the Southern Conference championship in 2012, all finishing league play at 6-2. If that wasn't enough, another trio of teams (Chattanooga, Samford, and The Citadel) finished one game behind that first trio at 5-3.
The three teams that did share the SoCon crown all advanced to the FCS playoffs last season. Georgia Southern advanced the farthest of any team in that threesome, losing to eventual national champion North Dakota State for the second straight season.
Looking ahead: Lots of changes are ahead for the SoCon in the coming years. With their recent decision to move up to the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS), Appalachian State and Georgia Southern were declared ineligible for the FCS playoffs this season.
But wait, there's more! East Tennessee State and VMI are re-joining the Southern Conference in 2014, while Mercer University from Macon, Georgia will also join the SoCon that same season. However, Elon University out of North Carolina will move on to the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) by 2014.
Predicted order of finish (2012 overall record in parentheses)
Eligible teams only
1. Wofford (9-4): With Georgia Southern and Appalachian State both being declared ineligible for postseason play, the door to win the Southern Conference crown outright could swing wide open for the Terriers in 2013.
2. The Citadel (7-4): Coming off their best season since 2007, the Bulldogs hope to take that next step, and contend for a championship in a watered down SoCon.
3. Samford (7-4): With just 13 starters combined (eight on offense, five on defense), the Bulldogs might find it hard to match last year's mark.
4. Chattanooga (6-5): The Mocs 2013 schedule includes a season-ending visit to two-time defending FBS (BCS) national champion Alabama.
5. Furman (3-8): Paladins face a long, tough road back to respectability.
6. Elon (3-8): Phoenix will get one last go-round in the SoCon for 2013, before bolting for the CAA in 2014.
7. Western Carolina (1-10): Catamounts face a whopping 10 teams had winning seasons in 2012. Ouch!
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2012 Final Standings
Looking back: Lenoir-Rhyne (9-3 overall in 2012) emerged as last year's football champion after yet another competitive season, top-to-bottom, in the South Atlantic Conference (SAC). The Bears finished 6-1 in conference play, while three other teams: Carson-Newman, Mars Hill, and Wingate, finished in a three-way tie for second place at 5-2.
In the NCAA Division II playoffs, though, the story was very different. As the No. 3 seed out of Super Region 2, Lenoir-Rhyne advanced to the second round before bowing to fellow conference foe Carson-Newman, 38-35. The Eagles then advanced to the quarterfinals, only to be crushed by eventual national champion Valdosta State, 48-26.
Looking ahead: Don't be surprised to see the showdown for the SAC title come down to the final week of the regular season.
Predicted order of finish (2012 overall record in parentheses)
1. Carson-Newman (9-3): Head Coach Ken Sparks made history in 2012, becoming just the 11th coach to record 300 wins (career record is 308-83-2). He hopes to add to that total in 2013.
2. Lenoir-Rhyne (9-3): The Bears will try to extend their streak of 12 straight wins at home in 2013.
3. Mars Hill (6-4): With a brutal schedule that sees them facing four teams that produced winning records, as well as an FCS team in Western Carolina that mustered just one win, in 2012 (Mars Hill was the only team to lose to the Catamounts), the Lions might find it tough to match last year's success.
4. Wingate (6-5): If you think Mars Hill's schedule is tough, the Bulldogs schedule is just as tough, as they'll also take on five teams that finished above .500 last year. The twist, though, is they'll face three of those teams within the first three weeks of 2013. Ouch!
5. Newberry (5-6): The Wolves hope that the 100th season of football on their campus will produce a winning record. It's something that hasn't happened since 2009, when they finished 6-4.
6. Catawba (4-7): The Indians will look to make the most of home cooking this fall, as they play six home games in 2013.
7. Brevard (2-9): With seven road games, two of them against FCS foes Presbyterian and Liberty, the Tornadoes will have their work cut out for them if they hope to win more games in 2013.
8. Tusculum (2-9): The Pioneers face an uphill battle to climb their way out of the SAC basement.
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2012 Final Standings
Looking back: Another competitive season came and went for the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC), as three teams won at least 10 or more games in 2012. Out of that trio, Indiana (Pa.) advanced to the quarterfinals of the NCAA Division II playoffs, where the Crimson Hawks fell to eventual national runner-up, Winston-Salem State, 21-17.
Also, Shippensburg finished unbeaten in PSAC play in winning the Eastern Division crown, at 7-0. The Red Raiders reached round two of the D-II playoffs, only to lose to same Winston-Salem squad, 37-14.
Looking ahead: Don't be surprised to see more intense races in the PSAC for 2013. But LIU-C.W. Post won't be a part of the action, as the Pioneers returned to the Northeast 10 Conference during the offseason.
But the changes don't end there, as the PSAC realigned its divisions during the offseason. Lock Haven will move from the Western to the Eastern Division, while former West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WVIAC) member Seton Hill will replace Lock Haven in the Western Division.
Predicted order of finish (2012 overall record in parentheses)
Eastern Division
1. Bloomsburg (10-2): After an early first round exit to fellow PSAC East rival Shippensburg, the Huskies look to reload for another postseason run. But they must do that under an interim head coach in Paul Darragh, who replaced the recently retired Danny Hale.
2. Shippensburg (11-2): Speaking of the Red Raiders, they won't be sneaking up on anybody in 2013.
3. Kutztown (7-4): The Golden Bears look to regroup after a 3-4 start, only to end 2012 with a four-game winning streak. They face a tough early season test against Bloomsburg at home, however.
4. West Chester (7-4): A season ending win over Clarion to close out 2012 has the Golden Rams faithful cautiously optimistic for 2013. They open on September 7 against defending Northeast 10 Conference champion New Haven.
5. East Stroudsburg (5-5): The Warriors finished in a three-way tie for third place in the PSAC East with the aforementioned West Chester and Kutztown squads. But moving up in the standings in 2013 will be anything but an easy task.
6. Millersville (2-9): The Marauders face an uphill battle after yet another dismal season.
7. Cheyney (1-10): The Wolves managed to pull out a win over archrival Lincoln (Pa.) to open 2012, but lost 10 straight games after that. They'll look to move forward under Head Coach Ken Lockard.
8. Lock Haven (1-10): The Eagles finally won a game, which was the last game of 2012: a 15-7 win over Cheyney. After 52 straight losses, they hope to begin 2013 with a two straight wins.
Western Division
1. Indiana (Pa.)--(12-2): After a season that saw them advance to the quarterfinals of the NCAA Division II playoffs, the Crimson Hawks and Head Coach Curt Cignetti hope to take that next step, and win it all in 2013. With 17 starters coming back from that 2012 squad, don't be surprised if IUP makes another deep postseason run.
2. Mercyhurst (9-2): The Lakers found themselves on the outside looking in when postseason play rolled around, despite a season-ending three game winning streak. They hope to use that snub as motivation for 2013.
3. California (Pa.)--(8-3): After making five straight D-II playoffs appearances from 2007-2011, the Vulcans also found themselves sitting at home come playoff time. They hope to bounce back in 2013.
4. Slippery Rock (6-5): After a 5-2 finish in PSAC West play last season, the Rock hopes to be in contention again this season.
5. Edinboro (4-6): The Fighting Scots lost four of their six games by 10 or more points in 2012. That's a stat they hope to change in 2013.
6. Clarion (4-7): The Golden Eagles also struggled in blowout losses last year, losing five of their seven contests by 10 or more points as well.
7. Gannon (3-8): A blowout win over LIU-C.W. Post ended what was an otherwise disappointing 2012 season for the Golden Knights, who enter their second year under Head Coach Brad Rzyczycki.
8. Seton Hill (0-11): Griffins look to start over in the always tough PSAC.
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2012 Final Standings
Looking back: Winston-Salem State carried an undefeated record, as well as a 14-game winning streak, into the 2012 NCAA Division II national championship game at Florence, Alabama. But Valdosta State ended the Rams quest to take home their first-ever national title with a 35-7 rout.
Looking ahead: Expect WSSU to once again be the team to beat in the CIAA. Until, and unless, some other team proves otherwise.
Predicted order of finish (2012 overall record in parentheses)
Northern Division
1. Elizabeth City State (8-4): The Vikings were one of just two teams from the North to finish 2012 with a winning record.
2. Chowan (6-4): The Hawks were the other team, as they finished CIAA play at 5-2 last season.
3. Virginia Union (5-5): The Panthers were three close losses away from finishing 8-2, instead of right at .500, in 2012.
4. Virginia State (4-6): The Trojans will play only one game outside of the states of Virginia or North Carolina in 2013: a trip to Lincoln (Pa.) on October 26.
5. Bowie State (5-5): Three of the Bulldogs five losses last season came by 16 or more points.
6. Lincoln (Pa.)--(1-9): Lions look to start from scratch under new head coach Ramon Flanigan.
Southern Division
1. Winston-Salem State (14-1): Rams hope to use the sting of last year's national title game loss as motivation for 2013.
2. Johnson C. Smith (6-4): Golden Bulls look to improve on last year's 5-2 mark in CIAA play.
3. St. Augustine's (6-4): Falcons will face five teams that finished with six or more wins last season.
4. Shaw (4-6): Speaking of tough schedules, the Bears will do battle against six teams that posted winning records in 2012.
5. Livingstone (2-8): Blue Bears look to go forward after a dismal 2012 season.
6. Fayetteville State (2-8): Broncos are in a similar boat as well.
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2012 Final Standings (West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference [WVIAC])
What it is: The Mountain East Conference (MEC) became the newest member of the NCAA Division II ranks in February 2013, and will consist of schools in Ohio, Virginia, and West Virginia. Most of the new league's members came over from what is the soon to be defunct West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WVIAC).
In addition to the former members of the WVIAC, the MEC will also consist of two Ohio institutions: Notre Dame College, who will join the league from the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC), and Urbana University, as well as the University of Virginia's College at Wise.
As a new league, expect the members of the MEC to compete for an inaugural conference championship, and not much else.
Predicted order of finish (2012 overall record in parentheses)
1. Shepherd (8-3): Perennial WVIAC powerhouse Rams hope to continue winning tradition in the MEC.
2. Concord (7-4): Mountain Lions have a lot to prove after finishing in a three-way tie for second place (6-2) in the WVIAC last year.
3. Charleston (9-2): Golden Eagles were not only a combined 10 points away from their first-ever unbeaten regular season, but also a likely berth to the NCAA Division II playoffs, in 2012.
4. Glenville State (6-5): Pioneers will play 11 straight weeks without a bye in 2013.
5. West Liberty (6-5): Hilltoppers have a tough row to hoe in a new league.
6. Fairmont State (4-6): Fighting Falcons look to start fresh under new head coach Jason Woodman.
7. Notre Dame College (3-8): Falcons from Ohio also look to start over in a new conference.
8. Urbana (7-4): After finishing third (5-3) in the Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC), the Blue Knights are looking forward to the new challenge that's the MEC.
9. West Virginia Wesleyan (3-8): Bobcats begin a new era in a new league with who else...a new head coach in George Shehl.
10. West Virginia State (1-10): Yellow Jackets have nowhere to go but up after a dismal 2012 campaign.
11. UVa-Wise (3-8): Highland Cavaliers will fight an uphill battle as well.
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2012 Final Standings
Looking back: Bethune-Cookman breezed through the MEAC schedule in 2012, with the Wildcats finishing conference play unbeaten at 8-0. Their season ended with a 24-14 loss to Coastal Carolina in the first round of the FCS playoffs.
Looking ahead: Just about every team will chase Bethune-Cookman for the MEAC crown in 2013. Every team, that is, except Savannah State, whose Tigers were recently banned from postseason play because of a poor APR (Academic Progress Rate).
Predicted order of finish (2012 overall record in parentheses)
1. Bethune-Cookman (9-3): With a solid roster dominated mostly by Floridians, the Wildcats should be the team to beat in the MEAC again this fall.
2. North Carolina A&T (7-4): A four-game winning streak to end 2012 has the Aggies and their faithful cautiously optimistic for 2013.
3. Howard (7-4): With their head coach, Gary Harrell, taking a leave of absence this season, it'll be interesting to see how the Bison will respond.
4. North Carolina Central (6-5): Eagles face a tough slate in 2013, as they do battle with the likes of Duke, Towson, and newcomer Charlotte, as well as a late October trip to Bethune-Cookman.
5. Delaware State (6-5): Hornets will spend the entire month of September on the road, including visits to Towson and two-time defending national champion North Dakota State.
6. South Carolina State (5-6): Bulldogs look to bounce back after a down 2012 season.
7. Florida A&M (4-7): Rattlers hope to improve on a 4-4 mark in MEAC play last year.
8. Hampton (3-7): Pirates will make a voyage west to open the 2013 slate on August 29, as they face Western Illinois on the road.
9. Norfolk State (4-7): Spartans 2013 schedule includes a September 7 visit to future Big Ten Conference member Rutgers.
10. Morgan State (3-8): Bears won't play their first home game until September 28, when they take on Norfolk State.
Not eligible for MEAC title
Savannah State (1-10): As if a banishment from postseason play wasn't enough, the Tigers must also serve that ban with a new head coach in Earnest J. Wilson.
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2012 Final Standings
Looking back: Despite struggling in non-conference play (3-3 during the regular season), Colgate managed to capture the 2012 Patriot League crown. Meanwhile, despite a 10-1 overall record, Lehigh found itself on the outside looking come Selection Sunday for the FCS playoffs.
Looking ahead: While the membership of most conferences continues to change seemingly, the Patriot League continues to be among the most stable heading into the 2013 season.
Predicted order of finish (2012 overall record in parentheses)
1. Lehigh (10-1): Mountain Hawks look to punch their playoff ticket after that lone loss to Colgate cost them a trip to postseason play last year.
2. Colgate (8-4): Red Raiders face a tough non-conference slate which includes games against Air Force, Albany (N.Y.), and New Hampshire.
3. Holy Cross (2-9): Head Coach Tom Gilmore returns 43 letterwinners and 22 starters from a team that finished in a three-way tie for third place in the Patriot League last season.
4. Georgetown (5-6): Hoyas also to be a serious contender for the Patriot League title after a 2-3 finish in conference play last year.
5. Lafayette (5-6): Leopards look to claim their seventh Patriot League crown, but their first since 2006.
6. Bucknell (3-8): Bison face an uphill battle in bouncing back from a winless season (0-5) in conference play.
Not eligible for Patriot League title
Fordham (6-5): Rams face a tough task in improving on last year's won-lost mark.
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2012 Final Standings
Looking back: Albany (N.Y.) and Wagner were the class teams in what was an otherwise weak Northeast Conference in 2012, as both squads finished 7-1 in league play. But it was the Seahawks who advanced to the FCS playoffs after shutting out the Great Danes, 30-0, on November 3. Wagner advanced to the second round before bowing to Eastern Washington. The Seahawks and Great Danes were the only NEC teams to finish with winning records last season.
Looking ahead: With Albany having left the NEC to join the CAA, Wagner could very well be the favorite to win the league crown, and maybe more, in 2013.
Predicted order of finish (2012 overall record in parentheses)
1. Wagner (9-4): With a preseason national ranking of No. 24, according to Lindy's Sports magazine, expect the Seahawks to beat the team in the NEC this season.
2. Monmouth (N.J.)--(5-5): The Blue Hawks will spend one final season in the NEC before heading to the Big South Conference in 2014.
3. St. Francis (Pa.)--(5-6): Coming off one of the best seasons in recent memory, the Red Flash hope to take another step towards an NEC title, and more.
4. Bryant (4-7): The Bulldogs will try to build on a 4-4 mark in NEC play a year ago.
5. Duquesne (5-6): The Dukes will try to bounce back after a four game losing streak ended the 2012 season.
6. Robert Morris (4-7): The Colonials struggled in close games last year, going 4-4 in contests decided by 10 points or less.
7. Central Connecticut State (2-8): The Blue Devils head into 2013 fighting an uphill battle.
8. Sacred Heart (2-9): The Pioneers welcome a new head coach in Mark Nofri, who held the role on an interim basis last season.
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2012 Final Standings
Looking back: Despite being declared ineligible for the automatic bid, Old Dominion (11-2 overall) still managed to post the best record in Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) contests in 2012, going 7-1 in conference play, while advancing to the quarterfinals of the FCS playoffs, where their final season in that division ended with a 49-35 loss to Georgia Southern.
Other teams that advanced to the FCS playoffs, though, weren't as fortunate. New Hampshire fell to Wofford, 23-7, in round two, while Villanova was eliminated by Stony Brook, 20-10, in round one.
Aside from ODU, four teams actually shared the CAA title in 2012: Richmond, New Hampshire, Towson, and Villanova. All four teams finished league play at 6-2 last year.
Looking ahead: The landscape for the CAA will be drastically different in 2013. Old Dominion is out. Georgia State. Gone. Both programs will officially join begin the transition to the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) this fall, with the Monarchs eventually joining Conference USA, while the Panthers will join the Sun Belt Conference.
Taking the place of both of those aforementioned programs will be a pair of programs from New York State in Albany and Stony Brook.
Speaking of the FBS, every CAA team will face at least one opponent from the former NCAA Division I-A. That, ironically, includes newcomer Albany heading south to face former CAA member Old Dominion on September 28. Rhode Island will travel to ODU on November 2.
Oh, just one more thing. Elon will join the CAA in 2014.
Predicted order of finish (2012 overall record in parentheses)
1. Richmond (8-3): The Spiders hope to contend for the CAA crown in 2013 with a redshirt senior laden roster.
2. New Hampshire (8-4): With just seven starters lost from 2012, expect the Wildcats to be a team to be reckoned with once again in 2013.
3. Towson (7-4): A four game winning streak to end last season has the Tigers and their faithful cautiously optimistic for this season.
4. Villanova (8-4): The Wildcats will be put to the test quickly on August 31, when they open the 2013 season at ACC foe Boston College.
5. James Madison (7-4): Head Coach Mickey Matthews (96-61 career record at JMU) needs just four wins to win his 100th game at the Dukes helm.
6. Delaware (5-6): The Blue Hens hope to begin the long road back to prominence after they ended last season with four straight losses.
7. Stony Brook (10-3): The Seawolves will face much tougher competition in their inaugural CAA campaign.
8. Albany (N.Y.)--(9-2): So will the Great Danes.
9. William & Mary (2-9): The Tribe hopes to put the misery of last season behind them.
10. Rhode Island (0-11): Hard to believe that the Rams haven't won a game since November 5, 2011.
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2012 Final Standings
Looking back: Washington & Jefferson ended Thomas More's run of four straight President's Athletic Conference (PAC) championships, upsetting previously unbeaten Waynesburg in the final game of the regular season to claim the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Division III playoffs in 2012. The Presidents found themselves in the "one-and-done" department after losing to Johns Hopkins in the first round.
Looking ahead: The burning questions in the PAC for 2013 are these: can W&J stay on top? Or will Waynesburg seal the deal, and land in the D-III playoffs. Or can Thomas More return to prominence after a down season? It'll be interesting to see what happens this fall.
Off the field, the PAC's football membership will grow by two teams in 2014, when Carnegie Mellon and Case Western Reserve will join the league as associate members.
Predicted order of finish (2012 overall record in parentheses)
1. Waynesburg (10-1): The Yellow Jackets not only found themselves just one win away an undefeated regular season, but also one win away from a trip to the NCAA Division III Football. Instead, the loss to Washington & Jefferson in the final game of the regular season forced them to settle for a bid in the ECAC Southwest Bowl, where they outlasted Carnegie Mellon, 28-24. The Yellow Jackets hope to use the way 2012 ended as motivation in 2013.
2. Washington & Jefferson (8-3): Fresh off of their program's 22nd overall conference championship in 2012, the Presidents will try to stay on top of the PAC in 2013.
3. Thomas More (7-3): The Saints will become the hunters instead of the hunted in 2013, as they saw their streak of four straight conference titles fall by the wayside in 2012.
4. Grove City (6-4): The Wolverines hope that a three game winning streak to end 2012 will carry them into 2013.
5. Bethany (W. Va.)--(3-7): The Bison will have one of the toughest schedules in the nation, as they'll take on six teams who won at least six or more games last year. But that's not all, as they welcome a new head coach in Bill Garvey.
6. Geneva (3-7): The Golden Tornadoes had a down season by their standards, finishing 3-5 in PAC play last season.
7. Thiel (3-7): The Tomcats hope to improve on last year's 3-5 mark in PAC action
8. Westminster (Pa.)--(3-6): The Titans face a long uphill battle after a disappointing 2012 season.
9. St. Vincent (0-10): Just when it seemed like the Bearcats program had turned the corner, it fell back to the bottom of the PAC, suffering their third winless season in six years. That followed a 6-5 mark in 2011.
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Northeast 10 Conference
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2012 Final Standings
Looking back: New Haven reached the NCAA Division II playoffs for the second straight season, only to be ousted by Indiana (Pa.) in the second round last year. Since restarting their football program in 2009, the Chargers have compiled an overall record of 34-10 (.772 winning percentage, not finishing below .500 even once during the last four years.
Looking ahead: Approaching their fifth season since resuming football, look for New Haven to be the team to be in the Northeast 10 Conference going into 2013. In off the field news, LIU-C.W. Post will return to the NE-10 fold this year after spending the last five years in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC).
Predicted order of finish (2012 overall record in parentheses)
1. New Haven (10-1): With the loss of 32 seniors from last year's NE-10 championship and NCAA Division II playoff team, Head Coach Peter Rossomando must find new players to step up if the Chargers hope to even reach the postseason, much less make another deep playoff run. Over the last two years alone, the Chargers are 22-3 overall (.880 winning percentage).
2. American International (7-3): After a second place finish in NE-10 action in 2012, the Yellow Jackets hope to take that next step, and dethrone UNH in 2013. Speaking of which, AIC was 7-1 overall, before back-to-back losses to the Chargers derailed their hopes for both a conference title and playoff berth. If that wasn't enough, the Yellow Jackets gave up 37 points each in both games against UNH.
3. Bentley (8-2): Had it not been for back-to-back close losses to New Haven and American International in succession, the Falcons not only would have finished the regular season undefeated, they also would have likely earned a playoff bid in 2012. In 2013, they'll play host to AIC on October 19, but must visit UNH three weeks later.
4. Stonehill (5-5): The Skyhawks will find out quickly how good they might be when they travel to Pennsylvania to open the 2013 season against Bloomsburg on September 7.
5. Merrimack (6-4): If the Warriors have any chance of being serious contenders for the NE-10 crown in 2013, they must do it under new head coach Dan Curran.
6. Assumption (3-7): With six of their 10 games in 2013 being on the road, the Greyhounds must find a way to steal wins in enemy territory if they hope to show improvement in the final standings.
7. Southern Connecticut State (2-8): The Owls will look to get back into rebound mode after a disappointing 2012 season.
8. LIU-C.W. Post (3-7): The Pioneers have a tough road ahead in their first season back in the NE-10.
9. St. Anselm (1-9): The Hawks will try to put last year behind them as well.
10. Pace (0-9): The Setters enter the 2013 season looking to win their first game since September 10, 2011. They've lost 17 games in a row since that aforementioned contest.
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Centennial Conference
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2012 Final Standings
Looking back: Johns Hopkins turned out to be the class of an ultra-competitive Centennial Conference in 2012, finishing first at 8-1 in league play, with their lone loss during the regular season coming at the hands of Franklin & Marshall. The Blue Jays advanced to the second round of the NCAA Division III playoffs, where their season ended with a 55-13 loss to eventual national champion Mount Union.
Looking ahead: Don't be surprised if the race for the CC crown in 2013 comes down to the final week of the regular season.
Predicted order of finish (2012 overall record in parentheses)
1. Johns Hopkins (10-2): The Blue Jays have won at least eight games in each of the last five years. In the three years they've advanced to the D-III playoffs (2009, 2011, 2012), Johns Hopkins has won at least 10 games. Hopefully, 2013 will be the year the Blue Jays not only notch another 10-win season, but also make a deeper postseason run, maybe.
2. Muhlenberg (8-3): If there's any team in the CC that could challenge Johns Hopkins for the conference crown, it's the Mules. They ended 2012, though, on a losing note, as they fell to Delaware Valley, 24-21, in the ECAC South Atlantic Bowl. In 2013, they must make the trip to Baltimore to face the Blue Jays on September 28.
3. Franklin & Marshall (7-4): Despite the upset win over Johns Hopkins, the 2012 season ended on a sour note for the Diplomats, as they lost a 38-31 heartbreaker to Gettysburg to end the regular season, before blowing a 14-point lead late in losing to Albright in the ECAC Southeast Bowl the following week. The Dips open their 2013 schedule with a trip south to Virginia to face Washington and Lee, before opening conference play at home against Muhlenberg.
4. Gettysburg (7-3): Despite defeating the Dips in their final game of 2012, the Bullets found themselves on the outside looking in when the postseason rolled around. In starting 5-0 last season, the Bullets held their opponents to seven points or less in four of those first five games. Additionally, they've lost all three games by 10 points or less.
5. Ursinus (6-4): The Bears will look to improve on last year's 5-4 mark in CC play last season. But road trips to Gettysburg, Susquehanna, and Johns Hopkins might make that effort to finish 2013 above .500 very tough.
6. Susquehanna (6-4): A season-ending three game winning streak helped the Crusaders gain their third winning season in four years. They open the 2013 campaign with four road games in their first five weeks, including visits to Johns Hopkins, Muhlenberg, and Gettysburg. Not easy at all.
7. Dickinson (4-6): The Red Devils will try to get back on track after suffering their third straight losing season in 2012.
8. Juniata (3-7): The Eagles hope to soar higher after their first three win season since 2003.
9. Moravian (2-8): The Greyhounds enter the 2013 season having lost six games in a row after starting 2-2.
10. McDaniel (0-10): Speaking of losing streaks, the Green Terror will look to win their first game since October 29, 2011, when they outlasted Juniata, 23-19.
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