Website
2013 Final Standings (Mideast League)
2013 Final Standings (Midwest League)
Looking back: The Grand View University Vikings made history in 2013, as they became the second team in as many years to win their first-ever NAIA national championship. The Vikings downed the University of the Cumberlands (Ky.), 35-23, to take home the title, finishing unbeaten at 14-0.
Looking ahead: The Vikings will have the target on the backs, as they try to defend their title in 2014.
Predicted order of finish (2013 overall record in parentheses):
Mideast League
1. St. Francis (Ind.)--(9-3): With lots of returning players--and a No. 6 ranking the NAIA spring poll, the Cougars hope to make yet another deep postseason run in 2014. Oh, and recently inducted NAIA Hall Of Fame member--Head Coach Kevin Donley, is back for his 17th season at the Cougar helm.
2. St. Francis (Ill.)--(7-4): With the addition of quarterback Mitch Brozovich from NCAA Division II Minnesota State, the Fighting Saints hope to build on last year's success, and take a giant step towards a playoff berth this year.
3. Marian (6-5): After winning the NAIA national championship in 2012, the Knights struggled in 2013, barely finishing above .500 overall, while finishing 4-2 in conference play. They hope to bounce back in 2014.
4. Taylor (5-5): The Trojans face a challenging schedule in 2014, highlighted by visits to NCAA Division I FCS Southern Illinois and Division III Anderson, as well as games against perennial MSFA powers St. Ambrose, St. Francis (Ind.), and St. Francis (Ill.).
5. Robert Morris (Ill.)--(7-4): The highlight of the 2014 schedule includes the season opener at D-III Wisconsin-Oshkosh on September 6, as well as home games against both St. Francis teams later in the season.
6. Siena Heights (5-5): Despite struggling to a 2-4 mark in MSFA play last season, a season-ending upset win over Robert Morris allowed the Saints to clinch their first-ever .500 season in their brief history. They hope that the third time will be the charm, as they look to clinch their first-ever winning season in 2014.
7. Concordia (Mich.)--(1-9): The Cardinals face a long uphill battle after a dismal 2013 season.
Midwest League
1. Grand View (14-0): With 14 starters on both sides of the football coming back, the Vikings might be tough to beat in 2014.
2. St. Ambrose (7-4): But after a 5-1 finish in conference action a year ago, it would be foolish to count the Bees out of the postseason picture competely.
3. St. Xavier (7-4): After a down 2013 season where they lost all four games by double digits, the Cougars look to bounce back in 2014.
4. William Penn (5-6): The Statesmen will play one of their most challenging schedules in their program's history, as they'll play three straight games on the road in September.
5. Trinity International (5-5): If the Trojans hope to be serious playoff contenders in 2014, they must learn to win the close games that eluded them in 2013, as they lost three of their five contests by seven points or less last season.
6. Olivet Nazarene (3-8): The Tigers face a long uphill climb in the standings after struggling to a 1-5 record in league games last year.
7. Waldorf (1-10): Speaking of uphill battles, the Warriors enter the 2014 season hoping to snap a six-game skid to end the 2013 season.
Follow RFC on Twitter @realfootball.
No comments:
Post a Comment