RFC Summer Seemster: North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) Preview (NCAA Division III)

Website

2012 Final Standings

Looking back: While Wittenberg and Ohio Wesleyan both shared the North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) championship (both teams finished league play at 6-1) in 2012, it was the Tigers that advanced to the NCAA Division III playoffs, advancing to the second round before bowing to Hobart on the road.  On the other hand, the Battling Bishops found themselves sitting at home for the holidays instead of playing in the playoffs, despite a 9-1 regular season record.

Looking ahead: Expect the race for the 2013 NCAC title to be a toss-up between two, or  three, or even four teams: Wabash, Wittenberg, and (maybe) Ohio Wesleyan or Kenyon. Making things even more suspenseful is the fact that every team in the conference will play each other this season, for a total of nine league contests apiece.

Predicted order of finish (2012 overall record in parentheses)

1. Wittenberg (10-2):  Tigers look to have another banner year under head coach Joe Fincham, who carries a career record of 154-35 record into the 2013 season.

2. Wabash (8-2):  Little Giants might have a say in who finishes on top in the NCAC, as head coach Eric Raeburn (104-35 overall) is 47-9 entering his sixth season in Crawfordsville.

3. Ohio Wesleyan (9-1):  Had it not been for a late season shutout loss to the aforementioned Wabash, the Battling Bishops not only would have finished the regular season unbeaten, but also would have advanced to the D-III playoffs.  If they're to get that elusive postseason berth, they must pay visits to Wabash and Wittenberg this season.

4. Kenyon (6-4):  The Lords hope to crash the party, and make a big splash in the NCAC after finishing 5-2 in league play last season. 

5. Allegheny (5-5):  The Gators will face five teams that finished with winning records in 2012, with four of those games to be played within the first five weeks of 2013.

6. Denison (4-6):  The Big Red will shoot for their first season of at least nine wins since 1986 (9-1 overall).  But with a brutal schedule that includes back-to-back road trips to Wabash and Ohio Wesleyan in late September, as well as a visit to Wittenberg two weeks after that, accomplishing that task won't be easy.

7. Oberlin (4-6):  Yeomen have a tough row to hoe in 2013.

8. DePauw (2-8):  Tigers look to rebuild under new head coach Bill Lynch.

9.  Wooster (2-8):  The Scots are also starting over under new head coach Frank Colaprete.

10. Hiram (0-10):  Put the Terriers in the "nowhere to go but up" category.

Follow RFC on Twitter @realfootball.