RFC Summer Semester: Mid-South Conference (MSC) Preview (NAIA)

Mid-South Conference (MSC)--NAIA

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2013 Final Standings

Looking back: The University of the Cumberlands (Ky.)--(13-1 overall) reached the NAIA national championship game in 2013, losing to Grand View, 35-23. However, the Patriots weren't the only Mid-South Conference team to advance to postseason play last year, as Faulkner (9-3 overall) also advanced to the NAIA playoffs after winning the West Division title. But the Eagles postseason run was stopped cold in the first round, falling to St. Francis (Ind.), 20-13.

Looking ahead: With five teams finishing 2013 in the Top 25 of the final NAIA poll, expect the race for the 2014 MSC title to be very intense.


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

East Division 

1. Georgetown (Ky.)--(7-4):  After missing the playoffs last season, the Tigers appear poised to make a postseason run this season.

2. Cumberlands (Ky.)--(13-1):  If the Patriots hope to even return to the playoffs, much less hoist the national championship trophy in 2014, they must do that under a new head coach in Matt Rhymer.

3. Pikeville (7-4):  With a season-ending three-game winning streak to end 2013, don't be surprised if the Bears mount a serious challenge to their fellow Kentucky rivals in 2014.

4. Lindsey Wilson (8-3):  The main focus for the Blue Knights in 2014 will be finishing what they have started. That's the case after they started the 2013 season at 5-0, only to split their final six games.

5. Kentucky Christian (3-8):  Three straight road games, starting with the season opener at NCAA Division I FCS Tennessee Tech on August 28, highlight a tough 2014 slate for the Knights.

6.  Union (Ky.)--(3-8):  The Bulldogs look to rebuild under new head coach Zak Willis.

7.  Bluefield (0-11):  The 2014 season can't arrive fast enough for the Rams, who are still searching for their first-ever win after 22 straight losses over the past two years.

West Division

1. Faulkner (9-3):  Like the University of the Cumberlands (Ky.), the Eagles from Montgomery, Ala. will also start from scratch with a new head coach in Charlie Boren.

2. Cumberland (Tenn.)--(7-4):  A three-game winning streak to close out 2013 has Bulldog fans hopeful for bigger and better things in 2014.

3. Campbellsville (4-6):  The Tigers look to bounce back after compiling a combined 7-14 mark over the past two seasons.

4. Reinhardt (6-4):  After a surprising finish in their inaugural season--where they finished MSC play at 4-1, and sharing the West Division title with Faulkner--the Eagles from Georgia hope to have a solid encore performance in year two.

5. Belhaven (3-8):  2014 will be a year of transition for the Blazers, as they not only get a new head coach in veteran Hal Mumme, but also will be preparing for their final season in the MSC. The Blazers will begin their transition to the NCAA Division III American Southwest Conference in 2015. 

6. Bethel (Tenn.)--(2-9):  After a 9-4 season--and NAIA playoff appearance--in 2012, the Wildcats fell on hard times in 2013, going winless in MSC play.  They hope to bounce back in a big way in 2014.

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