RFC Small College Preview: Empire 8 Conference (E8)

Empire 8 Conference (E8)

2015 Football Standings - E8

2016 Empire 8 Conference Schedule

Looking back: In a 2015 season that had more than its share of parity, Cortland crushed St. John Fisher, 34-17, on September 19. That result helped the Red Dragons break a two-way tie for first place the Cardinals at 6-2, and win the Empire 8 Conference championship. 

But it took winning a low-scoring defensive struggle against archival Ithaca--an eventual 11-8 win on November 14--for Cortland to not only claim the Cortaca Jug, but also earn the E8 automatic bid to the NCAA Division III playoffs in their inaugural campaign.  The Red Dragons advanced to the second round before losing to eventual national semifinalist Linfield.

Looking ahead: Can Cortland make it back-to-back conference crowns in 2016? Or will another squad step, and take the title this fall? One question or the other will be the answered this season.

Predicted order of finish (2015 overall record in parentheses):

1. Cortland (9-3): If the Red Dragons want to make a return trip to the NCAA Division III playoffs, they must replace players such as defensive end Jake Ceresna, as well as multiple other seniors.

2. Alfred (8-3): After finishing 5-3 in E8 play a year ago, don't be surprised if the Saxons find themselves in serious contention for the conference championship this season.

Bonus Coverage: Alfred wins ECAC Bowl Championship (courtesy of gosaxons.com)

3. St. John Fisher (7-4): The Cardinals could find out a lot about themselves as a team on September 3. That's when they'll play host to an Olivet team that finished the 2015 season at 9-1 overall.

4. Buffalo State (7-4): While they've made back-to-back appearances in ECAC bowls the last years, the Bengals and head coach Jerry Boyes hope to achieve the goal they really have in mind: their first NCAA playoff appearance since 1999.

5. Morrisville (6-4): After struggling to a 4-4 mark in league play last season, the Mustangs hope to their 2014 form this season. They finished 9-2 overall just two years ago.

6. Brockport (5-5): The Golden Eagles struggled to win several close games in 2015, losing three of their five contests by a combined 11 points.

7. Ithaca (4-6): The Bombers hope to bounce back after suffering just their second losing season since 1999. It came after they lost five straight games after a 4-1 start to close out 2015.

8. Hartwick (4-6): A dramatic season-ending win over Utica has the Hawks faithful hoping for better things to come in 2016.

9. Utica (4-6): Like Ithaca, the Pioneers also ended the 2015 season on a losing streak, losing four games in a row after a 4-2 start.

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