RFC Small College Preview: Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC)--(NAIA)

Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC)

2014 Football Standings

Looking back: Morningside and Northwestern (Iowa) both shared the Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) championship in 2014, with both squads finishing league play at 8-1. The Mustangs (11-2 overall in 2014) advanced to the quarterfinals of the NAIA playoffs after finishing the regular season at 10-1, losing to eventual national runner-up Marian. As for the Red Raiders, their postseason was cut short in the first round, falling to Missouri Valley, 20-17, in double overtime.

Looking ahead: The race for the 2015 GPAC crown could down to Morningside and Northwestern again, just like 2014.

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

1. Morningside (11-2): As the preseason No. 3 team in the NAIA following spring practice, the Mustangs hope to turn that lofty ranking into a deep run for a national championship this fall.

2. Northwestern (Iowa)--(9-2): After back-to-back playoff appearances over the last two years, the Red Raiders hope to take even bigger steps towards making an even deeper postseason run this season. 

3. Doane (7-3): The Tigers hope that a season-ending four-game winning streak will carry over into 2015.

4. Dakota Wesleyan (7-4): If they're to contend for the GPAC title this season, the Tigers must learn to how to win on the road, as they finished just 1-3 in away games, 6-1 at home.

5. Hastings (6-4): The Broncos will play only one home game during the season's first full month: the home opener against Doane on September 19. 

6. Concordia (Neb.)--(5-6): If their eight USA College Football Preseason All-Americans can be productive on the field, the Bulldogs could be in for a banner year in 2015. Oh, and if weren't for them losing five of their six games by five points or less, they could have finished 2014 with a winning record.

7. Nebraska Wesleyan (4-6): Having just been announced as the newest member of the NCAA Division III Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, the Prairie Wolves hope to go out of the GPAC and NAIA with a bang. 

8. Midland (2-8): The Warriors will look to move up in the standings after losing eight straight games to end the 2014 season following a 2-0 start.

9. Briar Cliff (2-9): The Chargers have nowhere to go but up following a rough 2014 season.

10. Dordt (2-9): As do the Defenders.

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