RFC Summer Semester: NCAA Division II Independents

Editor's Note: We're taking a break from our regular conference previews to take a short look at some small college football teams who are making the transition from one division to another.  In this installment, we take a look at the six teams who are competing as independents at the NCAA Division II level.

2012 overall record in parentheses

Alderson-Broaddus (9-2):  Like many start-up programs, the Battlers could be fighting a lot of uphill battles in this season.  The 2013 campaign includes three straight road games in October.  The West Virginia-based program will be led by Dennis Creehan, who also serves as the school's athletic director.

McMurry (8-3):  Click here for Texas Transition Teams.

North Greenville (5-6):  After starting the 2012 season with five straight losses, the Crusaders finished strong, winning five of their final six games. The downturn of last season happened after back-to-back winning seasons (9-3 in 2010, and 11-3 [which included an NCAA Division II playoff appearance] in 2011). If they're to earn their third winning season in four years, they must do it under a new head coach in Jeff Farrington. He replaces Carroll McCray, who resigned to become the head coach at NCAA Division I FCS Gardner-Webb.  The Crusaders 2013 schedule includes games against Albany State (Ga.), Carson-Newman, and Wingate, among others.

Oklahoma Panhandle State (4-6):  The Aggies diverse 2013 slate has games against NAIA Sterling (Kan.), first-year programs such as Oklahoma Baptist and Wayland Baptist, D-II Adams State and transition team McMurry, and FCS Lamar and Montana.

South Dakota Mines (2-9):  The Hardrockers face a hard, tough road ahead after a dismal 2012 season.  In fact, they've won just three games over the past two years.

UNC Pembroke (6-4):  The Braves will play perhaps the toughest schedule they've played in their program's history, playing against both the defending D-II national champions (Valdosta State), and national runner-up.  If that wasn't enough, UNCP will also face first-year program Charlotte on the road on October 12.

Follow RFC on Twitter @realfootball.