RFC Summer Semester: Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) Preview (FCS)

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2012 Final Standings 

Looking back: After a crazy regular season, it was Eastern Illinois (7-5 overall in 2012), that finished on top of the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) at 6-1 in league play last season.  The Panthers fell to South Dakota State in the first round of the FCS playoffs.

Looking ahead: Take almost any team in the OVC, and draw their name out of a hat.  Really. Go ahead.  That's how close the race for the conference crown will be again for 2013.





Predicted order of finish (2012 overall record in parentheses)

1. UT-Martin (8-3):  Skyhawks Head Coach Jason Simpson (45-34 overall) needs just five wins to join the 50-win club in the coaching ranks. 

2. Eastern Illinois (7-5):  Panthers tough non-conference slate includes road games at FBS San Diego State, as well as defending Mid-American Conference (MAC) champion Northern Illinois.

3. Eastern Kentucky (8-3):  The Colonels face a few challenging road trips as well, as they must pay visits to defending OVC champion Eastern Illinois, as well as to future ACC member Louisville.

4. Tennessee State (8-3):  Tigers hope to bounce back after an 8-1 start turned sour, losing back-to-back to end the 2012 season.

5. Jacksonville State (6-5):  Gamecocks enter a new era under new head coach Bill Clark.

6. Murray State (5-6):  A season-ending win over Southeast Missouri has Racers fans cautiously optimistic for 2013.

7. Southeast Missouri (3-8):  Redhawks return 10 starters, but lose 15 of them, for 2013.

8. Tennessee Tech (3-8):  Golden Eagles face a tough road after a rough 2012 season.

9.  Austin Peay (2-9):  Here's one for the "Ouch" category! The Governors will play their first five games on the road to open the 2013 season.  That includes season opening visits to SEC foes Tennessee and Vanderbilt.  They don't play their first home game until October 12, against Eastern Illinois.

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