RFC Summer Semester: Central States Football League (CSFL) Preview (NAIA)

Central States Football League (CSFL)--NAIA

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Looking back: Bacone and the Southwestern Assemblies of God both earned a share of the 2013 Central States Football League championship. Both teams finished CSFL play at 4-1.  That came about after Langston was forced to forfeit some of its wins from last season, due to a violation of NAIA rules.

Looking ahead: The CSFL will undergo numerous changes for 2014 and beyond, with Arizona Christian joining the conference, while Oklahoma Baptist will leave after this season to begin the transition to NCAA Division II. Additionally, Lyon College of Batesville, Arkansas will be among a growing number of small colleges and universities that will start football programs by 2015.

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

1. Bacone (8-3):  The Warriors enter the 2014 season as a slight favorite to win the CSFL crown.

2. Southwestern Assemblies of God (6-4):  The Lions also benefited from Langston's misfortune, finishing the season as CSFL co-champions. They'll try to win the title outright--the right way--this season.

3. Oklahoma Baptist (4-7):  The Bison were surprisingly competitive in their inaugural season, despite an 0-5 start, while also losing four games by nine points or less. They'll look to build on that competitiveness this season.

4. Langston (3-7):  The Lions from Oklahoma will look to overcome the forfeits of last season, as five games against NCAA Division II foes await them this season.

5. Texas College (1-9):  The Steers will enter the 2014 season trying to snap a six-game skid.

6. Wayland Baptist (1-9):  The Pioneers enter their third full season of football having won just three games combined in their first two seasons.

7. Arizona Christian (n/a):  The Phoenix-based Firestorm's inaugural season will include games against established NAIA programs such as Evangel, another newcomer in Missouri Baptist, as well as against NCAA Division III newcomer George Fox of Oregon, and NCAA Division II Western New Mexico.

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