RFC Summer Semester: Mid-South Conference (MSC) Preview (NAIA)

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2012 Final Standings 

Looking back: Three teams from the Mid-South Conference were selected to the 2012 NAIA playoffs.  Bethel (Tenn.) upset No. 1 and previously undefeated Georgetown (Ky.), 45-44, in the first round. The Wildcats lost to Missouri Valley, 10-7, in the quarterfinals. The third team, Cumberlands (Ky.), advanced to the quarterfinals as well, losing to St. Xavier, 35-21.

Looking ahead: With the departure of Virginia-Wise to the newly-formed NCAA Division II Mountain East Conference, the NAIA Mid-South Conference will play with just five teams in the East Division, and seven teams in the West Division, in 2013.

Predicted order of finish (2012 overall record in parentheses)

East Division

1. Georgetown (Ky.)--(10-1):  The Tigers hope to use the sting of last year's playoff loss as motivation for this year.


2. Cumberlands (Ky.)--(10-2):  The Patriots hope to land another postseason under head coach John Bland, who enters his eighth season with the program, compiling an overall record of 57-25 since 2006.

3. Kentucky Christian (7-4):  The Knights hope to continue their upward climb under new head coach Gene Peterson.

4. Union (Ky.)--(4-7):  The Bulldogs have had just two winning seasons dating back to 1996.  However, they did end the 2012 season on a winning note, as they edged rival Pikeville in a thriller, 60-59, on November 10.

5. Pikeville (3-8):  The Bears will play all but two games within the state of Kentucky in 2013, with five of those contests being played at home.

West Division

1. Bethel (Tenn.)--(9-4):  The Wildcats might be hard pressed to match last year's success.


2. Cumberland (Tenn.)--(8-3):  Bulldogs face a tough road to the top, literally, as they must play six of their 11 games of 2013 on the road.

3. Faulkner (6-5):  The Eagles finished conference play at 4-2 last season, good enough to finish in a three-way tie for second place in the West Division.

4. Belhaven (6-5):  If the Blazers hope to move up in the standings this season, they must learn how to win the close games that eluded them last season, as they lost three of their five games by six points or less.  By the way, the Blazers also overcame an 0-3 start to finish with a winning record.

5. Campbellsville (3-8):  Fighting Tigers look to bounce back after a dismal 2012 season.

6. Lindsey Wilson (3-8):  The Blue Raiders also had their share of close losses last season, losing four games by seven points or less.

7. Bluefield (0-11):  Rams hope to get on the winning track under new head coach Ordell Walker.

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