RFC Summer Semester: New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) Preview (NCAA Division III)

New England Football Conference (NEFC) Preview (NCAA Division III)

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2013 Final Standings


Looking back: In a league that traditionally hasn't sent its teams to postseason play, ever, three teams--Amherst, Middlebury, and Wesleyan--shared the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) football championship in 2013. All three teams finished at 7-1 overall. 

Looking ahead: Expect more of the same from the NESCAC in 2014.  The biggest question, however, is this: Will it be Wesleyan, Middlebury, or Amherst duke it out until the final week of the season, or will some other challenger step up, and rise to the challenge?

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

1. Middlebury (7-1):  Panthers will look to build on the combined 14-2 record they've built over the last two years. Their last undefeated/untied season came in 1972, finishing at 8-0.

2. Trinity (Conn.)--(6-2):  The Bantams will shoot for a 15th straight winning season, with All-New England center Joe Magardino leading the way.

3. Wesleyan (7-1):  With just 11 out of their 76 players leaving because of graduation, don't be surprised if the Cardinals find themselves in the hunt for the NESCAC crown again in 2014.

4. Amherst (7-1):  The Lord Jeffs are in reload mode after capturing a share of last year's NESCAC title.

5. Bates (4-4):  The Bobcats will try to win at least a share of their third straight CBB title this season.

6. Bowdoin (3-5):  A 32-22 season-ending win over archrival Colby gives Bears fans a glimmer of hope going into 2014.

7. Colby (4-4):  Speaking of the Mules, they'll look to finish above .500 in 2014, with the vast majority of the 2013 roster returning.

8. Williams (2-6):  The Ephs face a long uphill climb towards an upper division finish after having their worst finish to a season since 1985, when they finished 2-5-1 overall.

9. Hamilton (0-8):  New Head Coach Dave Murray hopes to changes the fortunes of a Continentals program that has lost 12 straight games dating back to October 20, 2012.

10. Tufts (0-8):  The Jumbos are trying to get back into the win column for the first time since September 25, 2010, when they defeated this aforementioned Hamilton program, 21-10. They've lost 31 games in a row since then.

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