Eastern College Football Conference (ECFC) Preview (NCAA Division III)
Looking back: The Gallaudet University Bison advanced to its first-ever NCAA Division III playoff in 2013, finishing tied with Norwich at 7-1 for first place in Eastern Collegiate Football Conference (ECFC) action. But back-to-back losses to close out the season after a 9-0 start, including a season-ending loss to Hobart in the first round, put a damper on an otherwise great campaign for the Bison.
Looking ahead: Don't expect Gallaudet to sneak up on anyone in the ECFC in 2014.
Predicted order of finish (2013 overall record in parentheses):
1. Norwich (7-4): Although four of their final five games of 2014 will be on the road, the Cadets re-match against Gallaudet on November 1. They lost the 2013 match-up to the Bison, 30-22, on October 12.
2. Maritime (5-5): Back-to-back wins, including a 7-6 upset win over a previously undefeated Gallaudet team to end 2013 on a high note after an up-and-down season, gives the Privateer faithful a glimmer of hope going into 2014. By the way, the Privateers must travel to Washington, D.C. to close out the season against the Bison on November 15.
3. Gallaudet (9-2): If the Bison are make a return trip to the D-III playoffs in 2014, they must overcome the loss of 11 seniors from their 2013 roster.
4. Mount Ida (5-5): The Mustangs struggled to defend their home turf, finishing the 2013 season a dismal 1-4 at home. That's something that needs to change if they're to contend for the ECFC crown in 2014.
5. Husson (5-5): The Eagles were just 1-3 in games decided by six points or less last season. All of those games were played in the second half of 2013.
6. Becker (3-7): After back-to-back 3-7 seasons, the Hawks hope to finally have their first-ever winning season. But they'll have to play four of their first five games of 2014 on the road.
7. Anna Maria (2-8): The AmCats find themselves in a similar situation going into their sixth season, after three straight eight-loss seasons in as many years.
8. Castleton State (1-9): New head coach Tony Volpone hopes to turn around the fortunes of a Spartans program that took a tremendous tumble after advancing to the D-III playoffs as the ECFC champions just two years earlier.
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