RFC Summer Semester: Great American Conference (GAC) Preview (NCAA Division II)

Great American Conference (GAC)--NCAA Division II

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2013 Final Standings

Looking back: The Henderson State University Reddies ran their way through the regular season undefeated, going 11-0 en route to finishing 10-0 in Great American Conference play.  But their 2013 season came to a sudden, stunning end in the NCAA Division II playoffs, as they were shocked by St. Cloud State, 40-35, in the second round.


Looking ahead: Expect the target to be on the Reddies backs all season long, as they look to win their third straight GAC title, and fourth in five years.

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

1. Henderson State (11-1):  With three preseason Top 10 national rankings by three separate  publications, as well as the return of All-American quarterback Kevin Rodgers and wide receiver Darius Davis, the Reddies are the obvious favorite to return to the top of the GAC this season.


2. Harding (9-2):  The Bisons, however, have a legitimate shot at dethroning the Reddies, especially with five players earning spots on the USA College Football All-America team, as well as two on the Beyond Sports Network squad.

3. Ouachita Baptist (7-3): The Tigers were competitive in every game they played last season, with all three losses coming by eight points or less. They hope to use those close losses as the main fuel for success in 2014.

4. Southern Arkansas (6-4):  Head Coach Bill Keopple must replace 20 seniors if the Muleriders have any chance of not only recording a third-straight winning season, but also put themselves in the GAC title discussion for 2014. 

5. Southwestern Oklahoma State (6-5):  The Bulldogs hope to continue their forward movement under six-year head coach Dan Cocannouer.    

6. East Central (5-5):  The Tigers hope to move forward as well, after outlasting Southeastern Oklahoma State 23-16 to finish 2013 at .500 overall.

7. Arkansas Tech (5-6): The Wonder Boys 2013 campaign was anything but wonderful, as they struggled to their fourth straight losing season.  Still, head coach Raymond Monica appears to be moving the program in the right direction heading into 2014.

8. Arkansas-Monticello (5-6):  The Boll Weevils must learn how to be road warriors if they're to finish above .500 this season, as they were 5-1 at home, but winless on the road at 0-5 last season.

9. Northwestern Oklahoma State (2-9):  The Rangers hope to celebrate gaining NCAA Division II provisional status by posting a winning record on the field in 2014.

10. Southeastern Oklahoma State (2-9):  New head coach Bo Atterberry hopes to change the fortunes of a struggling Savage Storm program that's coming off its fourth straight losing season.

11. Southern Nazarene (0-11):  Like their counterparts at NWOSU, the Crimson Storm also took giant steps towards becoming a full NCAA Division II member, as they were recommended for full membership only recently.  Now, how about winning some games this season.

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