Liberty League (LL)
2014 Liberty League Standings
Looking back: The Hobart Statesmen cruised to a third straight undefeated season, as well as a third straight season of winning at least 10 or more games overall. They advanced to the quarterfinals of the NCAA Division III playoffs, where they fell to Wesley, 41-13.
Looking ahead: Don't be surprised if the Statesmen end up making yet another deep postseason run in November.
Predicted order of finish (2014 overall record in parentheses):
1. Hobart (12-1): Head Coach Mike Cragg enters his 21st season at the Statesmen with 112 wins to his credit. If they're to advance to the NCAA playoffs again this fall, they must replace a senior class that won 41 games over the past four years. That group includes Ali Marpet, who was the highest D-III player selected in the 2015 NFL Draft. He was selected 61st overall by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
2. St. Lawrence (8-2): The Saints just might be the best bet to dethrone Hobart in 2015, as both of their losses in 2014 came by a combined five points: a 10-7 loss to Norwich on September 13, as well as a 29-27 setback to the Statesmen on November 8. They'll look to build on a combined 15-5 overall record that they've compiled over the last two years, after going winless in 2012. Ironically, the Saints also hope to advance to the NCAA Division III playoffs for the first time since 2010, despite finishing 5-6 overall that season.
3. RPI (6-5): The Engineers hope to bounce back after an up-and-down 2014 season saw them lose three straight games in October, ending with a heartbreaking overtime loss to Framingham State in the ECAC North Atlantic Bowl on November 22. The 2015 slate includes a visit to defending New England Football Conference champion MIT on September 19, as well as a clash at Hobart on October 24.
4. Rochester (5-4): The Yellowjackets found themselves in a lot of close games last season, finishing 2-2 in contests that were decided by five points or less. All of those games were played late in the year. Who knows, having all of those close calls could prove to be helpful going into this season.
5. Springfield (5-5): The Pride saw a fast 5-2 start disintegrated into an 0-3 finish to end the 2014 season, being outscored 86-34 in their final three contests. If that wasn't enough, the start to the 2015 season will be anything but easy, with three of their first four games being on the road.
6. WPI (4-6): A historic season-ending win over Springfield could serve as a sign of things to come for the Engineers in 2015.
7. Union (N.Y.)--(2-8): The Dutch will try to put a dismal 2014 season behind them.
8. Merchant Marine (2-8): As will the Mariners after a season-ending seven-game skid.
Follow RFC on Twitter @realfootball.
5 years ago
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