RFC Summer Semester: Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) Preview (NAIA)

Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC)--NAIA

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2013 Final Standings

Looking back: The Morningside College Mustangs won the 2013 Great Plains Athletic Conference crown, advancing to the national semifinals before losing to eventual national champion Grand View in a 35-0 shutout. 

The Mustangs were one of three GPAC teams finish last season ranked in the final NAIA poll, finishing No. 4 of the nation, followed by Northwestern (Iowa) at No. 13, and Dakota Wesleyan at No. 21.

Looking ahead: While Morningside will be the team to beat in the GPAC going into 2014, don't be surprised if Northwestern (Iowa) and Dakota Wesleyan try to close the gap.

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

1. Morningside (11-2):  The Mustangs will look to make another deep postseason run in 2014.

2. Northwestern (Iowa)--(8-3):  But the Red Raiders hope to dethrone their foes from Sioux City after finishing tied for second in the GPAC at 7-2.

3. Dakota Wesleyan (8-3):  Coming off of their best finish in 20 years, the Tigers hope to take the next step, and claim their first conference title since 1992, when they finished that season at 10-1 overall.

4. Nebraska Wesleyan (6-4):  Prairie Wolves head coach Brian Keller enters the 2014 season as a new member of the exclusive 100-win club. He reached that milestone in the final game of the 2013 season: a 43-14 rout of arch rival Hastings College on November 16.

5. Doane (5-5):  The Tigers will look to build on last year's 5-4 GPAC record.

6. Concordia (Neb.)--(7-4):  The Bulldogs must learn how to win the close games in the closing moments if they hope to contend for a conference championship--and more--in 2014. They lost two of their four games by 11 points or less in 2013.

7. Midland (4-6):  Head Coach Josh Gehring begins his third season at the Warrior helm hoping to improve in the GPAC standings after struggling to a 3-6 mark in league games last season.

8. Briar Cliff (4-7):  The Mustangs face an uphill battle in 2014 as well.

9. Hastings (2-8):  The Broncos hit rock bottom in 2013, losing four of their eight games by nine points or less.

10. Dordt (2-9):  The Defenders will try to win their first conference game since 2008, having gone winless in GPAC play for five straight years dating back to 2009.

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