RFC Summer Semester: Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC) Preview (NCAA Division II)

Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC)--NCAA Division II

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2013 Final Standings

Looking back: Azusa Pacific (10-2 overall) claimed the Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC) championship with a 9-1 conference record in 2013.  Despite that excellent record, however, the Cougars found themselves on the outside looking in on Selection Sunday, as they were left out of the NCAA Division II playoff field. Still, APU ended the season on a high note, crushing Greenville (Ill.), 67-0, to win the NCCAA Victory Bowl.

Looking ahead: APU will not only enter the 2014 season as the favorite to win the GNAC title, but also hope to solidify themselves as a player on the national scene at the D-II level for quite some time.

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

1. Azusa Pacific (10-2):  As the start of the 2014 season draws closer, expectations for the Cougars will be high.  And the preseason polls seem to indicate just that, as APU comes into this year ranked No. 22 in NCAA Division II by Lindy's Sports, and No. 25 by Sporting News. Still, it's the nationally televised season opener against on September 4 (CBS Sports Network) that could show just good the Cougars really are this fall. If that wasn't enough, they also go into this fall riding a season-ending eight-game winning streak.

2. Central Washington (7-4):  But the faithful in Ellensburg can't help but ask the obvious question: "Why not us?"  However, if the Wildcats hope to dethrone the Cougars in the GNAC, they must do it under new head coach Ian Shoemaker. 

3. Western Oregon (7-4):  The Wolves also figure to be a serious contender for the GNAC crown in 2014.  The most interesting contest of the season will be played on October 4, when they travel to North Alabama for a rare mid-season non-conference clash.

4. Dixie State (4-7):  The Rebels hope to move forward in 2014. In order to do that, though, they must replace 11 seniors from 2013.

5. Simon Fraser (3-7):  The Canada-based Clan will begin a new era under new head coach
Jacques Chapdelaine.

6. South Dakota Mines (6-4):  The Hardrockers will start a new era of their own as associate members of the GNAC this fall. 

7. Humboldt State (0-11):  The Lumberjacks will look to begin a long rebuilding process after a winless 2013 campaign. From 2010-2012, HSU compiled a combined record of 24-8, which included a 9-1 mark in 2011.

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