RFC Summer Semester--Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) Preview (NCAA Division III)

Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC)--(NCAA Division III)

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2012 Final Standings

Looking back:  Widener went unbeaten during the 2012 regular season, and the automatic bid to the NCAA Division III playoffs from the MAC.  The Pride advanced to the national quarterfinals, only to be crushed by eventual national champion, Mount Union, 72-17.  

Looking ahead: Will Widener wind up on top again in 2013?  Or will someone else finish on top of the mountain that is the MAC.  It'll be interesting to see how it all unfolds this fall.

Predicted order of finish (2012 overall record in parentheses)

1. Widener (12-1):  The Pride will be sternly tested coming out of the right of the gate, when they travel to Dover, Delaware for a date against perennial power Wesley to open the 2013 season on September 6.  If they want to advance to the playoffs again, they must do it under new head coach Bobby Acosta.  He takes over for Isaac Collins, who moved up one division to take over the helm at NCAA Division II Seton Hill.

2. Delaware Valley (8-3):  After finishing 7-2 in MAC play during the regular season, the Aggies completed an otherwise so-so 2012 campaign by outlasting Muhlenberg, 24-21, in the ECAC South Atlantic Bowl.  Hopefully, that thrilling win will propel them into an excellent 2013 season. They'll open it at home against Rowan on September 7. Oh, and they hope to win either a MAC or ECAC championship for the sixth year in a row this year.

3. Lycoming (8-2):  The Warriors were just five points away from finishing unbeaten in conference play in 2012.  But a tough loss to Widener in the closing seconds not only kept from winning that league title, it also likely cost them a trip to postseason play, as they were shut out of the ECAC bowls as well. Hopefully, the sting of being stubbed will be a rallying cry for the Warriors in 2013.

4. Albright (8-3):  The Lions are also coming off an ECAC bowl victory, as they defeated Franklin and Marshall, 38-34, in the Southeast Bowl.  Don't count out the Lions as being among the contenders for the MAC title this year.

5. Lebanon Valley (6-4):  The Dutchmen hope to make it six straight winning seasons in 2013.  But they face tough tests to open the season at home against Montclair State on September 7, followed by trip to Widener to open MAC play a week later.

6. Wilkes (5-5):  The Colonels are coming off an up-and-down 2012 season, which included nail-biting win over the likes of Morrisville State and Stevenson, while being blown out by Widener, 90-0.  They open 2013 with a home game against Morrisville, before opening MAC play at Lycoming the following weekend, followed by a home game against Widener the week after that. Ouch!

7. Fairleigh Dickinson-Florham (2-8):  The Devils hope to put the misery of last season behind them.

8. Stevenson (2-8): Same thing goes for the Mustangs.

9. King's (2-8):  Ditto for the Monarchs, who haven't had a winning season since 2006 (6-5).

10. Misericordia (0-10):  The #1 goal for the Cougars in Year 2: get their first-ever win on the field.

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