RFC Summer Semester: The 2014 Debut--Massachusetts State College Athletic Conference (MASCAC)

Editor's Note: Welcome to the fifth season of the "RFC Summer Semester". Yes, that's right, season number five!  Hopefully, from now until the start of the 2014 season in late August/early September, Real Football Central will preview the seasons for up to 71 conferences, from the NAIA to the so-called "Group Of Five" in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS)--(American, Conference USA, Mid-American, Mountain West, and Sun Belt).  So, what are we waiting for? Let's go!

Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC)


Website

2013 Final Standings

Looking back: Framingham State finished first in the first full season of MASCAC football action in 2013, with the Rams finishing conference play unbeaten at 8-0. Their season ended with a heartbreaking 20-17 loss to Ithaca in the first round of the NCAA Division III playoffs.

Looking ahead: Going into 2014, it appears that Framingham State will be the team to beat in the MASCAC.


Predicted order of finish (2013 overall record in parentheses):

1. Framingham State (10-2):  As mentioned above, the Rams will be the team to beat in the MASCAC.  That is, of course, until and unless another team proves otherwise. Having said that, the Rams have had four straight winning seasons dating back to 2010.  They hope to make it five in a row in 2014.

2. Bridgewater State (6-4):  The Bears will look to bounce back after a down 2013 campaign where they finished a mediocre 5-3 in MASCAC play.

3. Western Connecticut State (8-2):  The Colonials notched their first winning season since 2001, when ironically, they also finished 8-2.  Now the challenge for third-year head coach Joe Loth is to build on last year's success.

4. Fitchburg State (6-4): A season-ending three-game winning streak has the Falcon faithful cautiously optimistic for 2014.

5. Westfield State (5-5):  The Owls enter the 2014 campaign with an interim head coach in Pete Kowalski, who takes over for the retired Steve Marino.

6. UMass-Dartmouth (3-6):  The Corsairs look to bounce back after a dismal 2013 slate which saw them lose their final three games.

7. Massachusetts Maritime (5-5):  A fast 2-0 start quickly disintegrated into a disappointing 3-5 finish to 2013.  The Buccaneers hope that 2014 will have a happier ending.

8. Worcester State (3-7):  Brien Cullen will enter his 30th season as the Lancers head coach.  He's the only head coach the program has had since it became a varsity program in 1985.

9. Plymouth State (2-8):  The Panthers have nowhere to go but up after yet another miserable season.

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