RFC Small College Preview: South Atlantic Conference (SAC)--(NCAA Division II)

South Atlantic Conference (SAC)


2014 South Atlantic Conference Football Standings - South Atlantic Conference


Looking back: The 2014 South Atlantic Conference (SAC) football season was dominated by the Lenoir-Rhyne University Bears, who finished the regular season undefeated at 11-0, only to be upset by the upstart Valdosta State Unviersity Blazers in the second round of the NCAA Division II playoffs. While the Bears also finished SAC play unbeaten at 7-0, every other team in the conference finished with at least two losses in league play, and three overall.

Looking ahead: Will Lenoir-Rhyne win yet another SAC title in 2015? Or will a mainstay such as Carson-Newman return to the top of the heap in a conference whose history dates back 40 years? Those are among the many questions that will be answered this fall.


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


1. Lenoir-Rhyne (11-1): The Bears must replace quarterback Miles Freeman, who passed for more than 1, 200 yards last season, as well as linebacker Tanner Botts, and other seniors lost due to graduation, if they're to add fifth straight SAC championship to their trophy case this fall.


2. Carson-Newman (7-3): The Eagles gave up 35 or more points in each of the three games they lost last season. That's an area where they must improve upon if they're to claim a conference title and/or advance to postseason play this season.

3. Tusculum (6-5):  A four-game winning streak to end the 2014 season could lead to a promising 2015 season for the Pioneers. 

4. Catawba (6-5):  The Indians face a tough early-season slate that starts with the season opener at home against D-II playoff semifinalist West Georgia on September 5, followed by a trip to Carson-Newman to open SAC play on September 19.

5. Wingate (6-5): The Bulldogs will leave the state of North Carolina only once in 2015: a trip to Tusculum on October 10.

6. Newberry (5-6):  Head Coach Todd Knight hopes that the return of 17 starters--10 on offense and seven on defense--will help turn the Wolves into serious SAC title contenders this fall. 

7. Mars Hill (4-6): If the Lions hope to finish above .500 this fall, they must grind their way through a tough early-season stretch that includes visits to FCS foes Western Carolina and Chattanooga.

8. Brevard (1-10): With their pending move to the NCAA Division III ranks within the next several years, the Tornados will be spending 2015 and beyond, preparing for such a transition.

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