Quick Analysis: Coming off yet another undefeated season, the Harvard Crimson enter the 2015 campaign as the team to beat in the Ivy League yet again. They'll try to add their fourth crown in the last five years--as well as three in a row--this fall. Follow RFC on Twitter @realfootball.
Quick Analysis: The University of San Diego Toreros were selected as the favorites to win the 2015 Pioneer Football League (PFL) title, receiving seven out of 11 first place votes. Still, expect Dayton and Drake to give San Diego a run for its money this fall. One team that won't be in the hunt for a conference crown will be Jacksonville. The Dolphins 2014 season was vacated due to a violation of conference rules, despite finishing 7-1 in PFL play. If that wasn't enough, JU was also declared ineligible for this year's conference crown because of such penalties. Follow RFC on Twitter @realfootball.
Quick Analysis: In what was perhaps one of the closest preseason prediction votes in the history of college football, Fordham edged Bucknell by three points to land the favorite's role in the Patriot League for 2015. The Rams finished undefeated in conference play en route to a double-digit win effort in 2014. They stomped Sacred Heart, 44-22, in the first round, before falling to eventual national semifinalist New Hampshire, 44-19, in the second round of the FCS playoffs. As for the one game that Patriot League should mark on their calendars, November 7 should be that date. That's when Fordham does battle with Bucknell in the Bronx. That contest could very well decide not only the conference championship, but also the automatic bid to the FCS playoffs that goes with it. Follow RFC on Twitter @realfootball.
2014 Standings 2015 Media Guide 2015 Predictions/Preseason All-Americans Quick Analysis: After ending up in a five-way tie for first place at the end of regular season, the Morgan State University Bears ended up being likely the last-ever automatic qualifier for the MEAC to the FCS playoffs in 2014. The Bears fell to Richmond, 46-24, in the first round last season. As for the reason why the MEAC has chosen to give up its automatic bid to the FCS playoffs, here are two words: Celebration Bowl. In March, the MEAC and the SWAC agreed to a six-year deal to hold the Celebration Bowl in Atlanta, starting with the 2015 contest on December 19. It's probably just as well, though. The last playoff win from a current MEAC member came in 1999, when Florida A&M knocked off Troy State (now Troy) in the quarterfinals.
Speaking of the Rattlers, FAMU enters the 2015 season as one of three teams that must sit out postseason play because of a poor Academic Progress Rate (APR), with Howard and Savannah State being the other schools. Follow RFC on Twitter @realfootball.
Looking back: The Ouachita Baptist University Tigers cruised to an undefeated regular season in 2014, finishing at 10-0 overall. But in the second round of the NCAA Division II playoffs, their season came to a stunning end, as they fell to Minnesota-Duluth at home, 48-45. The GAC's other playoff representative, Harding, didn't fare much better, with the Bisons falling to Pittsburg State, 59-42, in the first round. A third team, Henderson State, was snubbed for postseason play despite finishing 9-2 overall.
Looking ahead:Expect a three-way battle between Ouachita Baptist, Harding, and Henderson State for the GAC title in 2015. Predicted order of finish (2014 overall record in parentheses):
The Boise State University Broncos made their mark as a rising star at the NCAA Division II level during the early to mid-1970's. Now sit back and enjoy, as the 1974 squad managed to advance to the playoffs that season, before losing to eventual national champion, Central Michigan, whom ironically, eventually moved up to what is now the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS), formerly NCAA Division I-A.
Quick Analysis: After sharing the American Athletic Conference (AAC) championship with Houston and Memphis at 7-1 in 2014, the University of Cincinnati Bearcats are the team to beat going into 2015. With a schedule that doesn't have any teams from a "Power Five" conference, don't be surprised if UC goes undefeated, and at least wins the automatic bid to one of the three host bowls in the College Football Playoff rotation. Also, with the addition of Navy to the mix this season, the AAC will split into East and West Divsions, creating a championship game as a result. Follow RFC on Twitter @realfootball.
Quick Analysis: Despite losing to Liberty in the final week of the regular season, the Coastal Carolina University were named as the preseason favorite to defend their share of the Big South Conference title they shared with the Flames last year. While the Flames managed to upset James Madison in dramatic fashion for their first-ever FCS playoff victory last year, the Chanticleers hope to advance to past the quarterfinals for the first time ever later this year. Follow RFC on Twitter @realfootball.
Looking back: Despite a sluggish start to the 2014 season at 1-3, the Langston University Lions managed to reel off six straight wins en route to winning the Central States Football League (CSFL) championship. The Lions were eliminated in the first round of the NAIA playoffs by Grand View. Looking ahead: Langston looks to defend its CSFL title heading into the 2015 season. Meanwhile, Lyon College out of Batesville, Arkansas begins its inaugural season of football, while second-year program Arizona Christian joins the CSFL as well. Also, Oklahoma Baptist has departed the NAIA to join the NCAA Division II Great American Conference.
Predicted order of finish (2014 overall record in parentheses):
1. Langston (7-4):The Lions will look to add yet another CSFL title--and then some--to their potential list of accomplishments this fall.
2014 Standings Looking back: The Ottawa University Braves held off nine other teams to claim the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC) championship in 2014, finishing 8-1 in KCAC action, as well as at 9-2 overall. Ottawa's season ended in the first round of the NAIA playoffs, falling to Morningside, 42-14. Looking ahead: Dont' be surprised if the race for the 2015 KCAC crown comes down to the final week of the regular season.
Predicted order of finish (2014 overall record in parentheses):
1. Ottawa (9-3):The Braves are the team to beat in the KCAC this fall, until another team can prove otherwise. Enough said, for now.
2. Friends (8-3): The Falcons will look to build on last year's 7-2 finish in KCAC play.
4. Bethany (Kan.)--(7-4): Coming off of one of their best seasons in quite some time, the Swedes hope to sustain the momentum this season.
5. Tabor (7-4): The Blue Jays 2015 slate has contests against Northwestern (Iowa) at home, as well as away games against Ottawa, Sterling, and Friends later in the season. 6. McPherson (4-7):The Bulldogs hope to bounce back after suffering their fourth straight losing season. Their last winning season came in 2010, when they finished 10-1 overall, losing to McKendree in the first round of the NAIA playoffs. 7. Saint Mary (4-7): The Spires will look to move up in the KCAC standings this fall after finishing 4-5 in conference play last fall. 8. Bethel (Kan.)--(3-8): The Threshers will be starting over under new head coach Morris Lolar. 9. Kansas Wesleyan (2-9): The Coyotes face a long uphill battle after a dismal 2014 campaign. 10. Southwestern (Kan.)--(1-10): The Moundbuilders continue to rebuilders after a miserable 2014 season.
Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA) 2014 Standings Looking back: For most of the past 20-25 years, the Northwest Missouri State University Bearcats and the Pittsburg State University (Kan.) Gorillas have set the standard for excellence in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA), combining for six national championships dating back to 1991. And the 2014 campaign proved to be no different, with both the Bearcats and Gorillas winning a share of the MIAA title. Both teams advanced to the NCAA Division II playoffs, with Pitt State falling to eventual national runner-up Minnesota State-Mankato in the second round, while Northwest Missouri's season ended in the first round, losing to Minnesota-Duluth. In other postseason action, the University of Central Oklahoma Bronchos lost to Sioux Falls, 42-10, at the 2014 Mineral Water Bowl, while the University of Central Missouri Mules downed Southeastern Oklahoma State, 48-21, at the 2014 Texarkana Bowl. Looking ahead: Will Northwest Missouri and Pitt State continue their dominance of the MIAA? Or will the likes of Central Missouri, Central Oklahoma, or some other team step up and rule the roost this fall?
Predicted order of finish (2014 overall record in parentheses): 1. Pittsburg State (11-2):The Gorillas must depend upon the contributions of up to six team captains if they're to have another banner season. 2. Northwest Missouri State (10-2):Head Coach Adam Dorrel welcomes back 55 letterwinners--including 12 starters--in hopes that the Bearcats can win their 27th MIAA championship overall, while also advancing to postseason play for the 12th straight season. 3. Central Missouri (8-4):Head Coach Jim Svoboda brings back 51 letterwinners and 15 starters for the Mules, as they look to land another trip to postseason play this fall, the only difference being that they hope it's a trip to the NCAA Division II playoffs. 4. Central Oklahoma (8-4):The Bronchos also have their minds set on a D-II playoff berth after their blowout loss to Sioux Falls in the Mineral Water Bowl last season. Their last trip to the playoffs was in 2003, losing to Texas A&M-Kingsville in the second round that season. 5. Missouri Western State (7-4):While the Griffons hope to make it 11 straight winning seasons under 19th year head coach Jerry Partridge, they're also looking to earn their first playoff berth since 2012, when they finished 12-2 overall, losing to Minnesota State-Mankato. 6. Fort Hays State (7-4):Fifth-year head coach Chris Brown and the Tigers hope to build on their first season of seven or more wins in nearly two decades. 7. Emporia State (4-7):The Hornets hope to right their ship after a disappointing 2014 season.That followed a 9-2 campaign in 2013. 8. Missouri Southern State (4-7):The Lions are also looking to move in the right direction after ending their 2014 campaign with three straight losses. 9. Washburn (4-7):Head Coach Craig Schurig hopes that the return of 16 starters will help the Ichabods improve in the MIAA standings this season. They had won at least eight or more games dating back to 2009 prior to last season's struggles. 10. Nebraska-Kearney (3-8):The Lopers are looking to start from scratch under new head coach Josh Lamberson. 11. Lindenwood (2-9):Can anybody say uphill battle for the Lions? 12. Northeastern State (0-11):The River Hawks enter the 2015 season looking for their first win since the end of the 2013 campaign. They knocked off Central Oklahoma, 45-38, on November 16, 2013 to end that season. Follow RFC on Twitter @realfootball.
Quick Analysis: The Sam Houston State University Bearkats overcame a sluggish start to the 2014 season to not only win a share of the Southland Conference, but also make an improbable run to the FCS national semifinals, where they fell to eventual national champion North Dakota State. Therefore, it comes as no surprise that they enter the 2015 season as the team to beat, according to the coaches and sports information directors. Still, the Bearkats won't be able to sneak up on anyone this fall.
Quick Analysis: While it's no surprise that Boise State enters the 2015 season as the favorites in the Mountain Division, the biggest surprise as to who was picked as the team to beat in the West Division, as San Diego State was picked to win that side of the Mountain West Conference this fall. Meanwhile, it'll be interesting to see how Mike Bobo will fare in his rookie season as head coach at Colorado State. Follow RFC on Twitter @realfootball.
Quick Analysis: It was a tale of two divisions in the Mid-American Conference (MAC) for 2014, with the West being the best as Northern Illinois won that division, while Bowling Green barely finished above .500 in claiming the East crown. The Huskies then crushed the Falcons, 51-17, to claim the MAC crown.
But the bowl games were a different story, with Marshall blasting NIU in the Boca Raton Bowl, while Bowling Green outlasted South Alabama in the inaugural Camellia Bowl. In all, the MAC finished 2-3 in bowl games last season, with Toledo earning the only other postseason win in a 63-44 rout of Arkansas State in GoDaddy Bowl.
Having said that, don't be surprised if either both division races of the MAC go down to the wire in 2015.
Postseason History Quick Analysis: In a potential sign of things to come, Bryant received four out of seven first-place votes to win the favorite's role in the Northeast Conference (NEC). The Bulldogs 2015schedule, however, won't be a cakewalk, as their non-conference slate includes back-to-back road trips to Brown and 2014 FCS playoff participant Coastal Carolina in September. Follow RFC on Twitter @realfootball.
Quick Analysis: It'll be interesting to see how Marshall will adjust to the loss of quarterback Rakeem Cato, who's currently with the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League (CFL). Meanwhile, expect Western Kentucky--whose Hilltoppers handed the Thundering Herd its lone loss in 2014--to be the team to beat going into 2015. Finally, there's good news for UAB fans, as their football program is expected to return in 2017 after a two-year hiatus.
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