RFC Summer Semester: South Atlantic Conference (SAC) Preview (NCAA Division II)

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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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