RFC Summer Semester: American Southwest Conference (ASC) Preview (NCAA Division III)

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2012 Final Standings

Looking back: In what has become a familiar sight in recent years, Mary Hardin-Baylor (UMHB) took home yet American Southwest Conference (ASC) championship in 2012.  The Crusaders have won at least a share of the ASC crown for 11 consecutive seasons dating back to 2002.

Two ASC teams, UMHB and Louisiana College, advanced to the NCAA Division III playoffs in 2012.  Ironically, the Crusaders cut the Wildcats first-ever postseason appearance short in the first round, cruising to a convincing 59-20 win in the first round.  UMHB advanced to the national semifinals, where the "Cru" fell to eventual national champion Mount Union, 48-35.

Looking ahead: The ASC will have one less team in 2013, as Texas Lutheran left to join the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC).  That move leaves the league with seven schools.  Even with the loss of Texas Lutheran, UMHB still enters this season as the team to beat.

Predicted order of finish (2012 overall record in parentheses)
 
1. Mary Hardin-Baylor (13-1): The "Cru" had a 28-14 lead going into the fourth quarter of their national semifinal game.  But Mount Union mounted a furious rally in the final period to win 48-35.  UMHB hopes to use that heartbreaking loss to end the 2012 season as motivation going into the 2013 season.

2. Louisiana College (8-3):  Coming off of their best season in school history, the Wildcats look to be even better in 2013.   

3. Hardin-Simmons (6-4):  Cowboys face a tough start to the 2013 season, starting with back-to-back against Northwest Conference foes Willamette and Linfield.  

4. Sul Ross State (5-5):  Back-to-back wins to close out the 2012 season has the Lobos and their faithful cautiously optimistic going into the 2013 season.  But beginning of this year sees them playing four straight road games, including a contest at Cowboys Stadium against NCAA Division II Eastern New Mexico on September 13.  The Lobos home opener comes on October 12 against Mississippi College.  Oh, and here's one more footnote to 2012: the Lobos either scored or surrendered at least 50 or more points in all but two games, including an 75-42 win over Mississippi College on October 6, followed by an 86-42 loss to Hardin-Simmons three weeks later.


5. East Texas Baptist (3-7):  New head coach Joshua Eargle brings more than a decade of NCAA Division I (FBS, FCS) and Division II coaching experience to the D-III ranks, as he tries to turn around a struggling Tigers program that hasn't advanced to the playoffs since 2003 (9-3 overall), or had a winning season since 2005 (6-4).

6. Mississippi College (2-8):  The Choctaws face an uphill battle to rebuild after suffering their third straight losing season.

7. Howard Payne (1-9):  The Yellow Jackets have nowhere to go but up after another miserable season.

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