Here are my final rankings and analysis for all 16 members of the PSAC. I threw in my preseason ranking as well to see how close each team was to my projections at the start of the season. I also added a quick glimpse at 2013. Enjoy!

16. Cheyney (preseason ranking: 14)

Overall Record: 1-10
PSAC East Record: 0-7 (8th place)
Offensive MVP: QB Blaze Wasserleben
Defensive MVP: LB Isaiah Fleming

Accomplishments:Final Review:Early projection for 2013: Much the same as the last two seasons. Two wins would be a pleasant surprise.

15. Lock Haven (preseason ranking: 16)

Overall Record: 1-10
PSAC West Record: 0-7 (8th place)
Offensive MVP: RB Brandon Brader
Defensive MVP: DT Skylar Wool

Accomplishments:Final Review:Early projections for 2013: There is still a very long way to go for this program, but for the first time in many years, there are reasons to be optimistic. The move to the Eastern division should be good for them (especially if they can get Seton Hill in a cross-over). LHU could finish as high as sixth in the division next year.

14. Millersville (preseason ranking: 15th)

Overall Record: 2-9
PSAC East Record: 1-6 (7th place)
Offensive MVP: QB Ted Stachitas
Defensive MVP: LB Pat Maloney

Accomplishments:Final Review:Early Projection for 2013:13. LIU Post (preseason ranking: 7th)

Overall Record: 3-7
PSAC East Record: 2-5 (6th place)
Offensive MVP: QB Steven Laurino
Defensive MVP: LB Rob Bright

Accomplishments:Final Review: Early Projection for 2013: 12. Gannon (preseason ranking: 11th)

Overall Record: 3-8
PSAC West Record: 1-6 (7th place)
Offensive MVP: WR Abraham Ocasio
Defensive MVP: DL Ian Jeffers

Accomplishments:Final Review: The passing game was productive all year, but the running game was non-existent and the turnovers were too frequent. Neither improved at all during the seven game losing streak, but the running game was better in the last few games. 3-8 was not what was expected, but the Golden Knights closed out the year with a good three week stretch that included the near upset of IUP.

Early Projections for 2013:11. Clarion (preseason ranking: 13th)

Overall Record: 4-7
PSAC West Record: 2-5 (6th place)
Offensive MVP: QB Ben Fiscus
Defensive MVP: DL Julian Howsare

Accomplishments:Final Review: With a lot of teams in the western division struggling at times, the Golden Eagles should have been in the fight for third or fourth place. Instead, they checked out in September and the only victory in the last six games was the miracle they pulled out at Lock Haven. This is not a team that lacks talent, so 2-5 in the division was a disappointment. The biggest positive was the development of their passing game, which was vastly improved and Ben Fiscus emerged as a complete quarterback.

Early Projections for 2013: PSAC West first team quarterback Ben Fiscus will be back to lead the offense. They should be over .500, but that could have been the case this year too.

10. Edinboro (preseason ranking: 9th)

Overall Record: 4-6
PSAC West Record: 3-4 (5th place)
Offensive MVP: QB Cody Harris
Defensive MVP: DB Kenny Pettis

Accomplishments:Final Review: The Fighting Scots seemed to be out manned at the line of scrimmage in most games, and it showed with a lack of rushing attack and way too many sacks. Cody Harris played well, and he had some productive receivers but the offense lacks a big play threat. Their underneath passing game was efficient, but not good enough to consistently threaten most defenses. They needed a running game and they needed to do better at stopping the run.

Early Projections for 2013:9. East Stroudsburg (preseason ranking: 12th)

Overall Record: 5-5
PSAC East Record: 4-3 (5th Place)
Offensive MVP: QB Matt Soltes
Defensive MVP: DL Bryan Tomson

Accomplishments: Final Review: Early Projections for 2013:8. Slippery Rock (preseason ranking: 6th)

Overall Record: 6-5
PSAC West Record: 5-2 (4th place)
Offensive MVP: QB Nigel Barksdale
Defensive MVP: DE Jeff Thompson

Accomplishments:Final Review: At mid-season this team looked nothing like the squad that won the PSAC West the year before. In a mid-season turnaround, Nigel Barskdale provided a spark on offense and the defense came together to help ignite a four game winning streak. They nearly pulled off a great comeback in the closer against Bloomsburg as well. The loss to rival IUP was disappointing but upsetting Cal for the second straight year was a great result.

Early Projections for 2013: A lot of talent will return next season. There will be some holes to fill on defense, but the offense should be very productive. The Rock could contend for the PSAC West in 2013.

7. Kutztown (preseason ranking: 1st)

Overall Record: 7-4
PSAC East Record: 4-3 (4th place)
Offensive MVP: QB Kevin Morton
Defensive MVP: LB Zach Greenwald

Accomplishments:Final Review: A few years ago, 7-4 would have been considered a great record for Kutztown. But after the two best seasons in school history in 2010 and 2011, 7-4 was a bit of a let down for the Golden Bears. They entered the season as the nearly unanimous favorite to win the league, but the defense struggled from start to finish and early season injuries definitely played a big part in a couple of losses. After losing three straight, they were out of the PSAC and playoff races before they really started. The Bears rebounded well and showed their toughness by going 6-1 after the 1-3 start.

Early Projections for 2013:6. California (preseason ranking: 2nd)

Overall Record: 8-3
PSAC West Record: 5-2 (3rd place)
Offensive MVP: WR Mike Williams
Defensive MVP: DB Rontez Miles

Accomplishments:Final Review:Early Projections for 2013:5. West Chester (preseason ranking: 8th)

Overall Record: 7-4 (7-3 Division II)
PSAC East Record: 4-3
Offensive MVP: RB Rondell White
Defensive MVP: LB Ronell Williams

Accomplishments: Final Review:Early Projections for 2013:4. Mercyhurst (preseason ranking: 10th)

Overall Record: 9-2
PSAC West Record: 6-1 (2nd)
Offensive MVP: RB Brandon Brown-Dukes
Defensive MVP: LB Aaron McGee

Accomplishments:Final Review: Mercyhurst had to be one of the least known and least talked about 9-2 teams in the country. The loss to Notre Dame College in week 1 was so damaging that no one really paid attention to the Lakers until they hammered California in week 10. Unfortunately for the Lakers, they drew a weak cross over schedule and NDC accomplished nothing after the season opening triumph. The Lakers had to win-out to get into the playoff picture, but they fell to IUP in week 8. However, 9-2 was better than anyone outside the program expected and it ended up being the second best season in school history. They should be in the final top 25 polls that will come out in December, and will likely be in the preseason polls next summer.

Early Projections for 2013: The Lakers should definitely be one of the more confident teams heading into the off season. They will have a lot of talent coming back on both sides of the ball and could be primed for a run at the PSAC Championship. Keep an eye on this team.

3. Bloomsburg (preseason ranking: 5th)

Overall Record: 10-2
PSAC East Record: 6-1 (2nd)
Offensive MVP: RB Franklyn Quiteh
Defensive MVP: LB Jarrett Pidgeon

Accomplishments:Final Review:
Early projections for 2013:2. Shippensburg (preseason ranking: 4th)

Overall Record: 11-2
PSAC East Record: 7-0 (1st Place) East Division Champion
Offensive MVP: QB Zach Zulli
Defensive MVP: DE Jake Metz

Accomplishments:www.shipraiders.com/zulliFinal Review: Similar to Bloomsburg, two tough losses cut them off from their goals, but their season should be remembered for all that they accomplished. They quite literally broke records every week of the season, and had some of the best individual performers in Division II at several positions. They ran into two elite defenses that were able to contain them, but the other 10 opponents they saw had very few answers for their spread attack. Beyond the wins and the records, the exciting performances garnered lots of attention and brought many alumni back to campus to see them play. Both will be good for recruiting and fundraising.

Early Projections for 2013: 1. Indiana (preseason ranking: 3rd)

Overall Record: 12-1
PSAC West Record: 6-1 (1st place) West Division Champion, PSAC Champion
Offensive MVP: RB Harvie Tuck
Defensive MVP: DT Carl Thornton

Accomplishments:Final Review:Early Projections for 2013: The Crimson Hawks will lose some key players on defense, but several will return as well. Their defense has a lot of depth, so new starters will have a significant amount of experience. The offense loses the top ball carries, but the O-line will bring a lot back and the quarterback and top receivers will also return. IUP should enter the preseason as the favorite to take home the 2013 Championship.

The Final Word...[email protected].

Thanks once again,

Chuck