RFC Summer Semester--Northwest Conference (NWC) Preview (NCAA Division III)

What it is: Getting its start in 1926, the Northwest Conference (NWC) has become one of the strongest NCAA Division III conferences in the nation over the last decade. Starting out at the NAIA level, the NWC moved up to the D-III ranks in 1998. Since then, two of its current members have won national championships in football, with Pacific Lutheran (Wash.) winning it in 1999, followed by Linfield (Ore.) in 2004.


The small college program with the most-storied tradition in the Pacific Northwest, or even on the whole West Coast for that matter, is Linfield. The Wildcats enter the 2010 campaign shooting for an intercollegiate record 55th consecutive winning season. Ironically, the program that has the second longest active streak of consecutive winning records also competes at the D-III level in Ithaca (N.Y.), whose Bombers will take a run of 39 straight winning seasons into this season.


Dating back to 1961, Linfield is 27-17 all time in postseason play, including a 12-5 mark in NCAA playoff games dating back to 2000. Prior to joining the NCAA, Linfield won three NAIA Division II national championships in 1982, 1984, and 1986.


Another current NWC program with a rich history is Pacific Lutheran (Wash.). From 1969-2004, the Lutes recorded 36 straight winning seasons, winning three NAIA titles (1980, 1987, 1993) along the way. The coach most responsible for the success of the PLU program during most of that 36-year period was former head coach Frosty Westering. From 1972 until his retirement in 2003, Westering compiled a career record of 261-70-5 (.784). In 40 seasons overall as a head coach, he was 305-96-7 (.765).

Looking ahead to 2010, the Boxers of Pacific University (Ore.) will take the football field for the first time in almost two decades, while another current NWC member, George Fox (Ore.) will restart its own program starting in 2013 after an absence of more than four decades.

Website: http://www.nwcsports.com/

Predicted order of finish (2009 overall record in parentheses, projected champion in BOLD type)

1. Linfield (12-1): The Wildcats will look to win their fifth national championship overall, and first since 2004. They had their best season since then in 2009, losing to eventual national champion Wisconsin-Whitewater in the national semifinals.

2. Willamette (8-2): The Bearcats bring back eight offensive and six defensive starters into the fold for 2010.

3. Whitworth (5-5): The Pirates will found out quickly how good they are when they open the 2010 season against nationally ranked Hardin-Simmons on September 4.

4. Pacific Lutheran (3-6): The Lutes have had only two winning seasons in the six years they've played under current head coach Scott Westering.

5. Lewis & Clark (2-7): The Pioneers struggled to a 1-5 mark in NWC action last season. Their last winning season was in 1995, when they finished 5-4.

6. Puget Sound (0-9): After a winless season in 2009, the Loggers are looking to win in 2010.

7. Pacific (n/a): The Boxers make their return to the gridiron on September 4, when they face Puget Sound in a non-conference contest. It'll be their first game since 1991.

RFC Summer Semester--Great West Conference Preview (FCS)

What it is: Starting as the Great West Football Conference in 2004, the Great West Conference (GWC) is kind of misnomer, since not all of its member schools are based on the West Coast, or even west of the Rocky Mountains, for that matter. In fact, of the five current football playing member institutions, only two (University of California-Davis and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo) are actually located on the West Coast.

At least three former GWC members have moved on to other conferences. Northern Colorado left the league for the Big Sky in 2006, while North Dakota State and South Dakota State followed two years later, joining the Missouri Valley Football Conference.

Cal Poly and UC Davis have won or shared four of the six GWC titles since 2004, with former members North Dakota State (2006) and South Dakota State (2007) being the only other to win league titles over the last six years.

Website: http://www.greatwestconference.org/

Predicted order of finish (2009 overall record in parentheses, projected champion in BOLD type)

1. UC Davis (6-5): The Aggies enter the 2010 season as the defending GWC champions. They hope to win back-to-back outright titles this year.

2. North Dakota (5-5): 14 starters return for the Fighting Sioux this season. They hope to win their first-ever conference title since moving from the NCAA Division II ranks in 2008.

3. South Dakota (5-5): The Coyotes face a fierce non-conference schedule in 2010, including a trip to BCS Big 10 Conference Minnesota on Septembber 11.

4. Southern Utah (5-6): The Thunderbirds had their best finish since 2004 (6-5).

5. Cal Poly San Luis Obispo (4-7): The Mustangs struggled to a last place finish in the GWC at 1-3 last season.

RFC Summer Semester--Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC) Preview (NCAA Division II)

What it is: Thanks to a split by its original members from the non-football playing Pacific West Conference, the Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC) was launched in 2001. Entering the 2010 season, the GNAC will have five schools playing American college football, consisting of four U.S. institutions (California, Oregon, Utah, and Washington State), and one Canadian institution (British Columbia). Simon Fraser University became the first Canadian university to be accepted into the NCAA fold as a Division II member in 2009. The Clan will officially join the GNAC in time for the 2011 season.

Since its formation of the GNAC nine years ago, Central Washington has established itself as the premier program in the league, winning five conference championships (2002, 2004, 2005, 2008, and 2009), while advancing to the NCAA Division II playoffs four times (2004, 2007, 2008, and 2009). The GNAC did not sponsor football during the 2006 and 2007 seasons. During that time, both CWU and Western Washington played in the now-defunct North Central Conference. Western Washington dropped its football program after the 2008 season.

Perhaps the most notable alumni to have played for Central Washington is journeyman NFL quarterback Jon Kitna. Undrafted in 1997, Kitna goes into the 2010 season playing for a fourth different NFL franchise, as he spent with the Seattle Seahawks, Cincinnati Bengals, Detroit Lions, and currently, the Dallas Cowboys.

Website: http://www.gnacsports.com/

Predicted order of finish (2009 overall record in parentheses, projected champion in BOLD type)

1. Central Washington (12-1): Expectations once again are high for the Wildcats, as seven returning starters, as well as 32 returning lettermen, hope to put them back in the playoffs for the fourth straight season. To get back to postseason play, though, CWU must replace 16 starters lost due to graduation.

2. Western Oregon (5-5): Head Coach Arne Ferguson welcomes back 11 starters from the squad that finished second in the GNAC at 3-3. They hope to earn their first-ever NCAA Division II playoff appearance, with their last trip to postseason play coming in 2007. The Wolves defeated Colorado Mines, 26-12, in the Dixie Rotary Bowl that season.

3. Humboldt State (5-5): The Lumberjacks struggled to a last place finish in the GNAC at 1-5 last season. It won't get any easier for them in 2010, as they face non-conference road trips to NCAA FCS Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, as well as NAIA Azusa Pacific.

4. Dixie State (4-7): The Red Storm will face D-II Adams State to open the season (August 28), and pay a visit to FCS Southern Utah to close it (November 6).

5. Simon Fraser (1-7): The Clan will find out quickly just what NCAA college football is all about, as they face all but one team from the U.S. this season.

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RFC Summer Semester--Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) Preview (NCAA Division II)

What it is: With a history dating back more than a century, to 1909, the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) is the fifth oldest league in the United States. Only four other conferences; the Missouri Valley Conference, the Ohio Athletic Conference, the Big Ten Conference, and the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association have had more longevity than the RMAC. Current BCS Big 12 Confefence, and soon to be Pac-10 Conference member Colorado, as well as current Mountain West members Brigham Young, Colorado State, and Wyoming, competed in the RMAC during its early years.

Today, the RMAC has 10 institutions that currently play football, with the vast majority of members located in the state of Colorado, with others located in Nebraska and New Mexico. As far as postseason play is concerned, the RMAC has had its share of struggles, especially in national championship games, as current league members are 0-4 all-time dating back to 1982, all at the NAIA level.

Website: http://www.rmacsports.org/

Predicted order of finish (2009 record in parentheses, projected champion in BOLD type)

1. Nebraska-Kearney (11-2): The Lopers have high hopes, and high expectations, for the 2010 season, as they begin it ranked in at least the Top 15 in two separate preseason polls. UNK is just 3-7 all-time in postseason games, including a 1-3 mark in the NCAA Division II playoffs.

2. Chadron State (7-4): The Eagles have won or shared seven RMAC titles since 1996. 2009, however, proved to be a down year for the CSC program, as they missed the playoffs for the first time since 2005.

3. Colorado State-Pueblo (7-4): The Thunderwolves hope to be formidable foes in the RMAC in just their third season back after a 24-year absence.

4. Colorado Mines (8-3): The Orediggers have 33 letterwinners, including 13 starters coming back to help them earn their first D-II playoff appearance since 2004.

5. Adams State (5-6): The Grizzlies have played football since 1930, but have had just five trips to postseason play to show for it, with the most recent trip happening in 1989, when they competed in the NAIA ranks. 13 returning starters hope to give the ASC program its sixth all-time postseason, as well as its first-ever trip to the D-II playoffs, in 2010.

6. Mesa State (5-6): The Mavericks were 3-3 in games decided by nine points or less in 2009.

7. Western State (3-8): The Mountaineers last winning season was in 2002, when they finished 6-5 overall.

8. Western New Mexico (2-8): The Mustangs return 20 starters for 2010, with 10 a piece on both sides of the football.

9. Fort Lewis (2-9): The Skyhawks hope to put another disappointing season in the past.

10. New Mexico Highlands (1-10): The Cowboys surrendered an average of 46.8 points per game, 43.6 in RMAC contests in 2009.

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RFC Summer Semester--Frontier Conference Preview (NAIA)

What it is: The Frontier Conference (FC) is one of the oldest conferences at the NAIA level, with a history dating back to at least the early 1950's. Currently, there are six schools playing football in the Frontier Conference, with five full members located in Montana, and one associate member in Oregon.

The program that has the richest tradition in the FC has to be Carroll College in Helena, Montana. The Saints have won five NAIA national championships in a six year span (2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2007). John Gagliardi, whose 471 all-time wins make him the winningest active head coach in all divisions of college football, got his coaching career started at Carroll, compiling a career record of 21-5-1 from 1949-1952. He'll enter his 58th season as the head coach at NCAA Division III St. John's (Minn.) in 2010.

Website: http://www.frontierconference.com

Predicted order of finish (2009 overall record in parentheses, projected champion in BOLD type)

1. Carroll (Mont.)--(13-1): After falling short of winning a sixth national championship to close out the previous decade, the Saints hope to begin the new decade with another championship trophy in hand.

2. Montana Tech (7-4): The Orediggers lone game outside the state of Montana in 2010 will be played at Eastern Oregon on October 16.

3. Eastern Oregon (7-4): The Mountaineers notched their best finish since 1980. They finished that season at 8-1 overall.

4. Montana-Western (4-6): The Bulldogs will face just one non-NAIA opponent in 2010: NCAA FCS Idaho State on September 4.

5. Montana State-Northern (2-9): It was "lights out" for the Lights down the stretch, as they finished th 2009 season with eight straight losses after a 2-1 start.

6. Rocky Mountain (2-9): The Bears look to move up in the FC standings after a rough 2009 season.

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RFC Summer Semester--Big Sky Conference Preview (FCS)

What it is: With roots dating back to 1963, the Big Sky Conference has its held its own as the strongest conferences competing outside of the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS)/Bowl Championship Series (BCS) mainstream. With a membership stretching from Montana to California, Oregon to Arizona, Washington State to Colorado, the Big Sky that manages to transcend two time zones and eight states. The Big Sky was also the conference that helped put current non-BCS FBS power Boise State on the map. The Broncos won the league's first FCS crown in 1980.


As far as success in postseason play is concerned, the Big Sky Conference has managed to put quite a few of its teams in the thick of the national championship race year in and year out. However, Idaho State (1981), Montana (1995, 2001) and Montana State (1984) are the only current members to have won FCS national championships. Montana has also made 20 trips to the FCS playoffs, the most among current Big Sky members, with five national runner-up finishes, including last year's title game loss to Villanova.


Website: http://www.bigskyconf.com/


Projected order of finish (2009 overall record of parentheses, projected champion in BOLD type)


1. Montana (14-1): Despite losing players such as Marc Mariani and Shann Schillnger to the NFL Draft, the Grizzlies were still a near unaminous pick to win a 13th straight Big Sky Conference title. They also hope to reach the playoffs for a record 18th year in a row, as well as win that elusive third national title. But they must try to accomplish all three feats under new head coach Robin Pflugrad, who replaces Bobby Hauck.


2. Eastern Washington (8-4): The Eagles hope to soar high in the Big Sky despite the loss of 17 seniors from last year. They fell to Stephen F. Austin, 44-33, in the first round of last year's FCS playoffs.


3. Weber State (7-5): The Wildcats were the third Big Sky team to earn a postseason berth in 2009, losing 38-0 to William & Mary in the first round.


4. Northern Arizona (5-6): A season ending four-game skid derailed the Lumberjacks conference title and postseason hopes. Their last trip to the playoffs was in 2003.


5. Montana State (7-5): The Bobcats have had eight straight winning seasons dating back to 2002, making three playoff appearances (2002, 2003, 2006) during that stretch.


6. Sacramento State (5-6): A 27-24 upset win over Northern Arizona propelled the Hornets to three wins in their last four games of 2009. They hope to make their first postseason appearance since 1988, when they fell to eventual national champion North Dakota State in the NCAA Division II national semifinals.

7. Portland State (2-9): Nigel Burton replaces Jerry Glanville as the Vikings head coach. Burton will inherit a program that suffered its worst finish since 1982.

8. Northern Colorado (3-8): The Bears haven't had a winning season since moving up to the FCS in 2004.

9. Idaho State (1-10): Only a season-ending 41-34 win over Portland State kept the Bengals from going winless in 2009.

RFC Summer Semester--Pioneer Football League Preview (FCS)

What it is: As the only non-scholarship conference in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS), the Pioneer Football League (PFL) is unique in that while all of it current members compete at the NCAA Division I level for basketball and other sports, the football programs award limited or no scholarships.



The PFL is also unique in terms of the location of its member institutions. With members located on the East Coast (Marist), the Southeast (Campbell, Davidson, Jacksonville, Morehead State), the Midwest (Butler, Dayton, Drake, Valparaiso), and on the West Coast (San Diego), the PFL is perhaps the most far-flung of all conferences in terms of geography.



The circumstances that led to the formation of the PFL came in early 1991, when the NCAA passed legislation requiring all current Division I members to have every sport compete exclusively at the D-I level by 1993. That meant perennial NCAA Division III football power Dayton, which won two D-III titles during the 1980's, had to move their gridiron to D-I. In addition to Dayton; Butler, Drake, Evansville, and Valparaiso also helped form what is now the PFL. Evansville dropped football in 1997.



The PFL grew beyond its mostly Midwestern roots over the last decade, as Southerrn-based schools such as Davidson, Jacksonville, and Morehead State joined the conference in 2001. Campbell followed in 2008, and Marist from New York State came on board in 2009 after the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference dropped its sponsorship of football.



Website: http://www.pioneer-football.org/



Predicted order of finish (2009 overall record in parentheses, projected champion in BOLD type)



1. Dayton (9-2): The Flyers suffered only one losing season in the last 10 years: a 4-6 mark in 2006. While they shared the PFL crown with Butler a year ago, a 31-28 loss to Bulldogs cost the Flyers a chance to advance to the now-defunct Gridiron Classic. Also, UD welcomes back 15 starters for the 2010 season, while losing nine, with eight of those losses coming on defense.



2. Butler (11-1): It's been a banner year for Butler athletics, with the men's basketball team coming within inches of a winning a national championship, while the football program is coming off its best season ever, notching a school record 11 wins in 2009. The crowning achievement came in the season-ending Gridiron Classic, which BU won, 28-23. The big question for the football Bulldogs in 2010 is this: What can they do for an encore?

3. Drake (8-3): The Bulldogs from Des Moines, Iowa raced to an 8-1 start before losing their final two games of 2009. They've had only two 10-win seasons in program history: 1981 (10-1) and 2004 (10-2).

4. Jacksonville (7-4): The Dolphins finished tied with Drake for third place in the PFL at 6-2 last season. They won four of their last five games of 2009 along the way. A tough non-conference schedule in 2010 includes visits to Old Dominion and perennial FCS power Appalachian State.

5. Marist (7-4): The Red Foxes compiled a modest 5-3 conference record in their inaugural season of PFL play.

6. San Diego (4-7): The Toreros have advanced to postseason play just once in their football program's history: 1973.

7. Davidson (3-7): The Wildcats last double digit win season came in 2000, when they finished undefeated at 10-0.

8. Campbell (3-8): The Fighting Camels are a combined 4-12 since re-starting football as an NCAA program in 2008.

9. Morehead State (3-8): The Eagles will add new meaning to the term "frequent flyer miles", figuratively, as well as literally, in 2010, as they'll play five of their first seven games on the road.

10. Valparaiso (1-10): New head coach Dale Carlson will try to reverse the fortunes of a Crusaders program that has fallen on hard times in recent years. Valpo hasn't had a winning season since 2003. That's when the Crusaders finished 8-4 and won the PFL championship, defeating Morehead State, 54-42, in the league title game.

RFC Summer Semester--Southland Conference Preview (FCS)

What it is: The Southland Conference (SLC) has established itself as one as the strongest conferences in all divisions of college football since it started in 1963.


Over the years, the SLC has competed in six different divisions, starting with the NAIA in 1963, the former NCAA College Division in 1968, NCAA Division II in 1973, NCAA Division I in 1975, NCAA Division I-A in 1978, and NCAA Division I-AA (now the Football Championship Subdivision) since 1982. As far as the FCS playoffs go, McNeese State has made the most appearances of any current member, with 13 league titles and 14 trips to the FCS playoffs entering the 2010 season. Also, as hard as it may be to believe, the SLC helped lay the foundation for the modern-day Independence Bowl in 1976, as the conference champion played in the Shreveport, Louisiana-based game until 1980.


In addition, numerous national championships in multiple divisions have been won over at least the last 40 years, but they've mainly been won by former members such as Arkansas State, Louisiana Tech, and Northeast Louisiana (now Louisiana-Monroe), all of whom currently compete in the FBS Sun Belt Conference. No current SLC member has ever won an FCS national championship.


Looking forward to 2010, the SLC will earn the right to host a national championship game in January 2011, as this season's title contest will be played at Pizza Hut Park in Frisco, Texas. Additionally, the league will welcome former NAIA and NCAA Division II power Central Arkansas into the fold, as the Bears spent the past four years playing under provisional status for the NCAA Division I level. Non-football playing Lamar returns to the gridiron fold in 2010, with the expectations of playing a full SLC schedule by 2011.



The SLC has also had its share of former players go on to the NFL, with former defensive end Fred Dean, ex-quarterback Bubby Brister, and running back Larry Centers, just to name a few.

Website: http://www.southland.org/


Predicted order of finish (2009 overall record in parentheses, projected champion in BOLD type)

1. McNeese State (9-3): The Cowboys bring back all 11 starters on defense in hopes of bringing home that elusive national championship.

2. Stephen F. Austin (10-3): With 12 players landing on the preseason all-SLC squads, expect the defending co-champion Lumberjacks to be serious contenders for the conference crown again in 2010.

3. Texas State (7-4): The Bobcats tough non-conference schedule includes games against FBS Houston from Conference USA, as well as contests against Cal Poly and Southern Utah from the FCS Great West Conference.

4. Southeastern Louisiana (6-5): The Lions last conference championship came back in 1961. That was the year they won the now-defunct Gulf States Conference crown.

5. Sam Houston State (5-6): The Bearkats hope a new head coach in Willie Fritz will help lead them to their first FCS playoff appearance since 2004.

6. Nicholls (3-8): The Colonels also welcome a new head coach for 2010 in Charlie Stubbs.

7. Central Arkansas (5-7): The Bears enter first full season of eligibility in the FCS ranks with key early non-conference tests against FCS playoff participant Eastern Illinois, as well as Tulsa from FBS Conference USA.

8. Northwestern State (0-11): The Demons last win came in the final game of the 2008 season, as they defeated Stephen F. Austin, 34-24, on November 22 of that year.

RFC Summer Semester--Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Preview (FCS)

What it is: Founded in 1920, the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) has a history that dates back nine decades. The SWAC currently consists of 10 historically black college & university (HBCU) institutions in five states (Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas).



Any discussion of SWAC football has to begin, and end, with Grambling State University, and its legendary head coach, Eddie Robinson. In his 57 years as the Tigers head coach, Robinson won 408 games during his career. Those victories rank second all-time behind. Only John Gagliardi of NCAA Division III St. John's (Minn.), with 471 wins, has more than Robinson entering the 2010 season.



The SWAC has also had its share of former players go on to illustrious careers in the NFL. Notable alumni have included Hall of Fame linebacker Buck Buchanan (Grambling), running back Walter Payton (Jackson State), Super Bowl XXII MVP quarterback Doug Williams (Grambling), and wide receiver Jerry Rice (Mississippi Valley State).



The SWAC has one of the greatest end of season traditions in college football as well, as current members Grambling and Southern compete in the annual Bayou Classic in New Orleans, which has been played since 1974. The Tigers have won four of their last six meetings against their archrivals from Baton Rouge. Both teams have won 18 games apiece in the series. The game itself is usually played on the Saturday after Thanksgiving.



Currently, the SWAC is one of just two conferences that does not send their teams to the FCS playoffs, the other being the Ivy League. Since 1999, it has played a championship game at Legion Field in Birmingham, Alabama, pitting the two division champions, East and West, against each other. Grambling has won the conference title via the championship game five of the last 11 years.



Website: http://www.swac.org/



Predicted order of finish (2009 overall record of finish, projected champion in BOLD type)



East Division



1. Alabama A&M (7-5): The Bulldogs were the lone team in the division to finish 2009 with a winning record.



2. Alcorn State (3-6): The Braves finished tied for second in the SWAC East last season.



3. Alabama State (4-7): The Hornets are on an even keel in terms of starters returning lost: 11 a piece.

4. Jackson State (3-7): The Tigers are hoping to advance to the SWAC title game for the second time in three games.

5. Mississippi Valley State (3-8): The Delta Devils 2010 schedule takes them as far away as Chicago.

West Division

1. Prairie View A&M (9-1): The defending SWAC champion Panthers hope 10 all-conference honorees will help them pull off an encore in 2010.

2. Grambling State (7-4): FBS Louisiana Tech and NAIA Concordia (Ala.) are the only non-conference opponents the Tigers face this year.

3. Texas Southern (7-4): The Tigers make the long flight north to face U Conn of the Big East on September 11.

4. Southern (6-5): The Jaguars finished 2009 tied for last in the SWAC West at 3-4.

5. Arkansas-Pine Bluff (5-5): The Golden Lions will play in seven different cities this season.

RFC Summer Semester--American Southwest Conference Preview (NCAA Division III)

What it is: The American Southwest Conference (ASC) has competed at the NCAA Division III level since its inception in 1996. The ASC traces its roots to the now-defunct Texas Intercollegiate Athletic Association, which competed in the NAIA ranks. The conference currently has nine football-playing members, seven in Texas, one in Louisiana, and one in Mississippi. The ASC begins its 15th season of play in 2010.

In just 12 seasons, one current member has risen from fledgling start-up to national powerhouse in the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor. In the last 10 years alone, the Crusaders have won at least eight games during the season, reaching the D-III playoffs nine years in a row. That run includes a national runner-up finish in 2004, as UMHB fell to Linfield (Ore.) in Stagg Bowl XXII that season.

Website: http://www.ascsports.org/



Predicted order of finish (2009 overall record in parentheses, projected champion in BOLD type)



1. Mary Hardin-Baylor (10-2): The Crusaders have averaged 11 wins per season dating back to 2006, winning 44 games overall during that span. In order to continue that impressive, the "Cru" must navigate its way through a schedule that includes just four home games.



2. Mississippi College (9-3): The Choctaws return six starters on offense, and seven on defense in hopes of making another run at the D-III playoffs. They reached round two in 2009, losing to eventual national semifinalist Wesley (Del.)



3. Hardin-Simmons (6-4): The Cowboys have won 10 conference titles, and advanced to postseason play 12 times since the football program restarted in 1990. Still, 2009 proved to be a down year for the H-S faithful, as the program ended the season with five straight wins after starting 1-4. The Cowboys hope that momentum will carry them into 2010.

4. Louisiana College (7-3): Like Hardin-Simmons, the Wildcats also ended last season on a five-game winning streak after a slow start. With a combined overall record of 14-6 the last two seasons, both of which include back-to-back seven-win campaigns, LC hopes to take the next step towards a playoff berth.

5. McMurry (4-6): The "Maroon and White" return 16 starters from a team that had a four-win improvement from a winless season in 2008.

6. Howard Payne (4-6): The 2009 season was "Payne-ful" to watch for the Yellow Jacket faithful, finishing 2-6 in the ASC.

7. East Texas Baptist (3-7): A 42-7 rout of Howard Payne to end the 2009 season gives Tigers fans something to hope for coming into the 2010 campaign.

8. Sul Ross State (2-8): A mid-season injury to one of their top running backs spelled doom for the Lobos, as they ended last season on a five-game skid.

9. Texas Lutheran (0-10): The Bulldogs have lost 13 straight games dating back to November 1, 2008.

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RFC Summer Semester--Lone Star Conference Preview (NCAA Division II)

What it is: The Lone Star Conference (LSC) is an NCAA Division II league whose history dates back to the early 1930's. Current members are located in Texas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico.


The LSC has had a strong tradition of winning football during its history, as Texas A&I (now Texas A&M-Kingsville) has won seven NAIA Division I national championships (1959, 1969, 1970, 1974, 1975, 1976, and 1979). Other current members that have won NAIA national championships are Abilene Christian (1973, 1977), and East Texas State (now Texas A&M Commerce)--(1972). Prior to joining the LSC, another current member, Central Oklahoma, won NAIA crowns in 1962 and 1982. Angelo State took home an NAIA Division I title in 1978, while East Central captured a national championship as well, knocking off Glenville State, 49-35, to win it all in 1993.

In 1980, the LSC officially became an NCAA Division II conference. Over the last 30 years, however, only former member Southwest Texas State (now FCS Texas State) has won any national championships, as the Bobcats won back-to-back titles in 1981 and 1982. Additionally, the only current member to have played for a D-II national championship is Texas A&M-Kingsville, whose Javelinas lost to North Alabama in the 1994 title game.

The LSC has had more than share of players go on to great careers in the NFL. Among those former players who played their college football in the conference include Washington Redskins Super Bowl XVII hero Alvin Garrett (Angelo State), Dominic Rhodes (Midwestern State), Redskin Hall of Famer Darrell Green (Texas A&M-Kingsville), and Oakland Raider great Gene Upshaw (TAMUK).

Looking to the future of the LSC, two of the league's Oklahoma members, Central Oklahoma and Northeastern State, are considering a move to the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA).

Meanwhile, the remaining members from that state: East Central, Southeastern Oklahoma State, and Southwestern Oklahoma State are in the early stages of forming a yet to be named conference consisting of the six Arkansas schools that are currently members of the Gulf South Conference, as well as the three aforementioned Oklahoma members of the LSC. Also, the University of the Incarnate Word of San Antonio is starting its second season of football, and first in the LSC.

Website: http://www.lonestarconference.org/

Predicted order of finish (2009 overall record in parentheses,

North Division

1. Southeastern Oklahoma State (7-4): The Savage Storm welcome back 12 starters from the squad that finished second in the LSC North at 4-1.

2. Texas A&M-Commerce (5-5): TAMUC ranks second in all-time LSC championships with 20. The Lions last overall LSC title, though, came in 1990. Still, the 2009 squad managed to win all five games within the North Division, good enough for a division crown.

3. Central Oklahoma (4-7): The Bronchos have advanced to the NCAA Division II playoffs just four times in the last 20 years (1996, 1998, 1999, 2003).

4. Northeastern State (2-9): The Riverhawks hope to put the misery of 2009 behind them.

5. Southwestern Oklahoma State (1-10): The Bulldogs were outscored 398-141 last season.

6. Eastern New Mexico (3-8): The Greyhounds get some much welcome relief in 2010, sort of, as they move to the North Division. But they'll still take on three teams (Abilene Christian, Midwestern State, and Tarleton State) that made the D-II playoffs in 2009.

7. East Central (0-11): The Tigers hope to find the win column this season after going winless last season.

South Division

1. Midwestern State (9-3): The Mustangs will take aim at their fourth ever D-II playoff appearance behind the arm of 2009 Harlon Hill Trophy finalist Zack Eskridge at quarterback.

2. West Texas A&M (7-5): The Buffaloes hope the momentum of winning the Kanza Bowl last season will carry over into this season.

3. Texas A&M-Kingsville (9-3): The Javelinas face a stiff early season test at defending D-II national champion Northwest Missouri State in their season opener on September 2.

4. Tarleton State (10-3): The Texans reached round two of the D-II playoffs in 2009, losing to Central Washington, 27-6.

5. Abilene Christian (9-3): If the preseason national polls are any indication, expect the Wildcats to be in the thick of the LSC championship race this season.

6. Angelo State (6-5): The Rams find themselves playing in the tougher of the divisions of the LSC in the South Division.

7. Incarnate Word (5-5): The Cardinals have a tough task on their hands, as they enter their rookie season in the LSC.

RFC Summer Semester--Central States Football League Preview (NAIA)

What it is: The Central States Football League (CSFL) begins its 11th season of play in the NAIA, having started just 10 years ago, in 2000. Current members are located in Oklahoma and Texas, although there have been former members from as far away as Missouri (Lincoln University) and Nebraska (Peru State) that have competed in the CSFL.

There are currently six full members, as well as an "alliance" member in NCAA Division II Oklahoma Panhandle State, whose games don't count in the CSFL standings.

Website: http://ranger3.nwosu.edu/csfl/index.htm

Predicted order of finish (2009 overall record in parentheses, projected champion in BOLD type)

1. Langston (8-4): The Lions look to return to the NAIA playoffs after losing in the first round last year.

2. Northwestern Oklahoma State (7-3): Despite finishing unbeaten at 5-0 in CSFL play last season, the Rangers were declared ineligible for the league title.

3. Southern Nazarene (6-5): The Crimson Storm finished third in the CSFL at 3-2 in 2009.

4. Southwestern Assemblies of God (3-7): The Lions non-conference schedule includes games against NCAA Division III Howard Payne and Austin College.

5. Bacone (1-8): The Warriors hope to put the misery of 2009 behind them, and move forward in 2010.

6. Texas College (0-11): After a winless season in 2009, the Steers have nowhere to go but up in 2010.

RFC Summer Semester--Mid America Intercollegiate Athletics Association Preview (NCAA Division II)

What it is: Founded in 1912, the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA) got its start as the Missouri Intercollegiate Athletic Association. The MIAA has been one of the strongest small college conferences in the nation, with its current members winning a combined four NCAA Division II national championships in football (Pittsburg State in 1991, and Northwest Missouri State in 1998, 1999, and 2009).


Although it currently has 11 members, spread mainly throughout Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska, the MIAA may not be done with expansion yet. While Lincoln (Mo.) has rejoined the league after reviving its dormant football program, and Southwest Baptist plans to rejoin the conference for gridiron play by the 2013 season, the MIAA is considering up to four schools for membership to join those schools in the years to come.


The institutions targeted for membership are Central Oklahoma from the Lone Star Conference, perennial NAIA power Lindenwood (Mo.), Nebraska-Kearney from the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, and Northeastern State (Okla.), also from the LSC. If approved for membership, the MIAA would have 16 schools, therefore necessitating divisional play.


Website: http://www.themiaa.com/


Predicted order of finish (2009 overall record in parentheses, projected champion in BOLD type)


1. Northwest Missouri State (14-1): The defending D-II national champion Bearcats reloaded for a possible repeat in 2010, signing 18 players to national letters of intent during the offseason. They finally won that elusive third title after losing four straight title games. It'll be interesting to see if they can win back-to-back crowns for the second time in program history.


2. Nebraska-Omaha (7-5): The Mavericks have had modest success in their two years in the MIAA, going 14-9 overall, as well as a combined 12-6 in conference play.


3. Missouri Western State (9-3): After ending the 2009 season with a 34-21 win over Augustana (S.D.), in the Mineral Water Bowl, the Griffons enter 2010 in hopes of taking that next step: a berth in the NCAA Division II playoffs.


4. Central Missouri (8-3): The Mules have advanced to the D-II playoffs just once in program history: 2002. The UCM faithful hope 2010 will be the year their team gets another postseason berth. To earn that second-ever playoff appearance, though, they must do it under new head coach Jim Svoboda.


5. Pittsburg State (5-6): The Gorillas hope to begin their journey back to being among both the MIAA and national elite, respectively, after suffering their worst finish since 1972. Longtime offensive coordinator Tim Beck takes over as Pitt State's head coach, replacing Chuck Broyles, who retired after spending the last 20 seasons at the Gorilla helm. As for Beck, he inherits a program that returns 33 letterwinners from last season.


6. Washburn (8-3): The Ichabods bring back 20 starters from last year's team in hopes of advancing to the D-II playoffs for the third time in the last six years. WU enters the 2010 season with an all-time record of 497-549-44 (.476). The Ichabods need just three wins to reach the 500-win mark in the history of their football program.


7. Fort Hays State (6-5): The Tigers finished with their first winning season since 2004. They hope to take another step towards reaching the next level this season.


8. Missouri Southern State (3-7): The Lions struggled to a 3-6 mark in MIAA play a year ago.

9. Truman State (2-9): The 1990 NCAA Division II playoff team will be honored at halftime of their home opener on September 4. Two decades later, the Bulldog faithful hope history will repeat itself.

10. Emporia State (2-9): ESU first started playing football in 1893, but have made just eight appearances in postseason play all-time, including bowl games. The Hornets lone NCAA playoff appearance came in 2003, a 10-3 loss to Winona State (Minn.).

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RFC Summer Semester--Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC) Preview (NAIA)

What it is: Founded in 1890, the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC) is one of the oldest athletic conferences in the nation. Only the NCAA Division III Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA), founded in 1888, is older than the KCAC. As the name implies, all of that league's current members are based in the state of Kansas, and compete at the NAIA level. Currently, the KCAC has 10 members going into the 2010 season.

Website: http://www.kcacsports.com/

Projected order of finish (2009 overall record in parentheses, projected champion in BOLD type)

1. McPherson (9-2): With 16 signees coming on board, the Bulldogs hope to advance past the first round of the NAIA playoffs in 2010.

2. Ottawa (11-1): Coming off the best season in program history, the Braves hope to take another step towards bringing home their first-ever national championship.

3. Friends (8-2): Lady luck was anything but "friendly" to the Falcons last season, as losses to both McPherson and Ottawa cost them a playoff berth. They hope to be in the hunt for another postseason berth this year.

4. Sterling (6-4): The Warriors play four straight games against teams with winning records in 2009: Peru State (7-4), Ottawa (11-1), McPherson (9-2), and Friends (8-2). Those games will be played between September 18 and October 9.

5. Kansas Wesleyan (5-5): The Coyotes were 3-1 in games decided by six points or less in 2009.

6. Bethany (Kan.)--(4-6): The Swedes saw a fast 4-0 start fizzle to an 0-6 finish last year.

7. Bethel (Kan.)--(3-7): The Threshers averaged more than 200 yards in the air offensively in 2009, but that wasn't enough to prevent them from suffering their first losing season since 2005. They also have a new head coach in Travis Graber.

8. Southwestern (3-7): The Moundbuilders struggled to a 3-6 mark in KCAC play last season.

9. St. Mary (3-7): The Spires play KCAC frontrunners Ottawa and McPherson on the road, on October 9 and 23, respectively.

10. Tabor (0-10): The 2005 campaign seems to be a distant memory for the Blue Jay faithful. That was the last time their program earned a playoff berth, losing to Sioux Falls in the quarterfinals.

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RFC Summer Semester--Heart of America Athletic Conference Preview (NAIA)

What it is: Founded in 1971, the Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC) traces its roots to the old Missouri College Athletic Union of the mid-1920's. A decision to accept schools outside of the state of Missouri led the eventual formation of the HAAC. Currently, the HAAC competes at the NAIA level, with member schools located in Iowa, Kansas, and Missouri.

Website: http://www.haacsports.com/index.php

Predicted order of finish (2009 record in parentheses, projected champion in BOLD type)

1. Lindenwood (13-1): With a move into the NCAA Division II ranks looming by 2012, the Lions will look to add another HAAC title, as well as a shot at that elusive national championship, in 2010. They reached the NAIA championship game last season, losing to Sioux Falls in a heartbreaker, 25-22.

2. Mid-America Nazarene (10-2): Perhaps no one will be glad to eventually see Lindenwood leave the HAAC, and NAIA, more than the Pioneers. The Lions handed MNU their lone regular season defeat in a 55-14 rout on September 26, 2009. They reached the NAIA playoffs last season, losing to eventual national runner-up, Carroll (Mont.), 34-13, in the first round.

3. Baker (7-3): The Wildcats overcame a slow start to the 2009 season to finish fast with five straight wins.

4. Missouri Valley (8-3): The Vikings will play five home games in 2010. But perhaps their biggest games of the season might be on the road at Lindenwood (September 18) and at Mid-America Nazarene (November 6).

5. Central Methodist (6-5): The Eagles look forward to a new campaign after finishing 6-4 in the HAAC in 2009.

6. Benedictine (6-5): The Ravens finished 5-5 in the HAAC last season.

7. Graceland (3-7): The Yellow Jackets last winning season, and playoff appearance, was in 2006.

8. Avila (4-7): Former Kansas City Chiefs standout Kevin Porter assumes the duties as head coach of the Eagles in time for the 2010 season.

9. Evangel (3-7): The Crusaders face an uphill battle in trying to win their first HAAC title since 2005.

10. William Jewell (1-9): The Cardinals will look to move forward after a dismal 2009. They'll play four of their first six games of the 2010 season on the road.

11. Culver-Stockton (0-10): Cameron Keller became the school's 28th head coach last December. He inherits a Wildcats program that went winless last season.