RFC Summer Semester: Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) Preview (NCAA Division III)

Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC)--(NCAA Division III)

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2013 Final Standings


Looking back: If you wanted parity in any one conference from start to finish, you found it in the Middle Atlantic Conference in 2013.  All teams had at least two losses in league play last season.  Eventual NCAA Division III automatic qualifier Lebanon Valley lost back-to-back games to close out the season, but not before the Flying Dutchmen downed Lycoming, 14-7, in a low-scoring defensive struggle on October 12. LVC fell to Wittenberg, 59-17, in the first round of the D-III playoffs.

Looking ahead: Don't be surprised if the race for the 2014 MAC crown comes down to the final weekend of the regular season.


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

1. Lebanon Valley (8-3):  But the return of rising senior linebacker Frank Gaffney is one good reason why  the Flying Dutchmen are the team to be in the Middle Atlantic Conference going into 2014.


2. Lycoming (7-3):  Had they not lost both of their conference games by a combined 11 points--or by seven points or less--the Warriors could have gone unbeaten in MAC play last season. Hopefully, those setbacks will be used as motivation for this season. 

3. Albright (8-3):  A season-ending four-game winning streak, including a come-from-behind win over Juniata in the ECAC Southwest Bowl, gives the Lions and their faithful hope for a potential playoff run in 2014.


4. Delaware Valley (7-4):  New head coach Duke Greco faces a tough task in keeping the Rams relevant in the MAC in 2014--and beyond. He replaces Jim Clements, who resigned to become the head coach at NCAA Division II Kutztown.

5. King's (6-4):  With five seniors recently named as captains, don't be surprised if the Monarchs are MAC champions by the end of this season.

6. Widener (6-4):  The Pride will enter the 2014 season with a new head coach in Mike Kelly, who has spent multiple years in the Canadian Football League, as well as a few stints in the NFL.

7. Stevenson (4-6):  The Mustangs won just as many games in 2013 (four), as they did the previous two years combined, 4-16 overall.  Still, moving up in the conference standings in 2014 might prove to be an uphill battle, as they open the season with back-to-back road games, followed by the home opener against defending MAC champion Lebanon Valley on September 20.

8. Wilkes (4-6):  The Colonels begin in new era for 2014, as former Muhlenberg quarterbacks coach Trey Brown takes over the helm.

9. Fairleigh Dickinson-Florham (1-9):  The Red Devils face an uphill battle in 2014, as they look to put the misery of 2013 behind them.

10. Misericordia (1-9):  Speaking of "misery", the Cougars finally won their first-ever game, on the last day of the 2013 season, knocking off the aformented Red Devils team in convincing fashion, 63-40, on November 16. Whether that one win will carry over into the 2014 season will be anyone's guess.
 
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