RFC Small College Preview: Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC)--(NCAA Division II)

Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC)

2014 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Football Standings

Looking back: It turned out to be a tale of two divisions in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference for 2014. While the East Division was dominated by both Bloomsburg and West Chester, respectively, with the Huskies ultimately taking home the title, the race for the West Division crown came down to the final week of the regular season, as Slippery Rock won the tiebreaker over Gannon to win the latter championship. The Rock then went on to shock the Huskies, 28-26, to win the PSAC championship.

But once the NCAA Division II playoffs rolled around, it was a much different story, as the PSAC sent three teams; Bloomsburg, Slippery Rock, and West Chester advanced to postseason play. As the No. 2 seed in Super Region 1, the Huskies advanced to the regional finals, where they fell to Concord, 32-26.  Meanwhile, West Chester ousted Slippery Rock, 46-20, in the first round, before falling to Concord, 51-36, in the second round.

Looking ahead: Expect intense races on both sides of the PSAC in 2015. In fact, don't be surprised if both division races aren't settled until the final week of the regular season.

Predicted order of finish (2014 overall record in parentheses):

East Division

1. Bloomsburg (11-2): If the Huskies hope to make another deep postseason run, head coach Paul Darragh must rely on the services of their four captains, including starting quarterback Tim Kelly. 

2. West Chester (11-2):  The Golden Rams will quickly find out just how good they might be, when they open the 2015 season at home against fellow D-II playoff participant Lenoir-Rhyne on September 3.

3. East Stroudsburg (6-5):  Head Coach Denny Douds must replace eight starters, six on defense, from a Warriors squad that ended the 2014 season with four straight losses following a 6-1 start.  Program History

4. Kutztown (6-5):  The Golden Bears have their work cut for them in 2015, as they must face seven teams that won six or more games in 2014.

5. Shippensburg (6-5):  The Red Raiders will have a lot of work ahead of them as well, as they'll shoot for their fifth straight winning season, and their sixth dating back to 2009.

6. Lock Haven (2-9):  The Eagles will look to move forward under new head coach Dave Taynor.

7. Millersville (1-10):  The Marauders face a huge uphill climb under third-year head coach Greg Breitbach.

8. Cheyney (0-11): The Wolves have turned to the past for their immediate future, as former head coach Chris Roulhac recently returned to the program on an interim basis for the 2015 season.

West Division

1. Gannon (9-2):  After ending the 2014 season with five straight wins, the Golden Knights will go into the 2015 season looking to accomplish something they've never achieved since restarting their football program in 1989: playing in their first-ever postseason game.

2. Slippery Rock (9-3):  But the Golden Knights must get past a "Rock" squad that begins the 2015 campaign ranked ninth in the nation by The Sporting News, and No. 25 by Lindy's Sports.

3. California (Pa.)-(8-3):  Head Coach Mike Kellar hopes that the return of 36 letterwinners, including 15 starters, will help lead the Vulcans back to the NCAA Division II playoffs this fall. But a tough opening stretch awaits them, as they must face 2014 D-II playoff participants Virginia State and Bloomsburg in back-to-back weeks.

4. Mercyhurst (7-4):  The Lakers must navigate their way through a tough PSAC West Division if they hope to advance to the D-II playoffs for the first time since 2010. 2014 Media Guide

5. Indiana (Pa.)-(6-5):  The Crimson Hawks hope to bounce back after a "down" year in 2014.

6. Edinboro (3-8): The Fighting Scots hope to put a disappointing 2014 campaign behind them as well.

7. Seton Hill (3-8):  The Griffins will face a brutal schedule in 2015, as they'll take on eight teams posted winning records in 2014. 

8. Clarion (2-9):  The Golden Eagles will look to begin a long rebuilding effort under new head coach Chris Weibel.

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