Looking back: Three teams from the MSC reached postseason play in 2010; Campbellsville, Cumberlands, and Georgetown, all from the state of Kentucky. None of those three teams, though, emerged victorious, as Cumberlands and Georgetown were both ousted in the opening round of the NAIA playoffs, while Campbellsville was crushed by North Greenville in the NCCAA Victory Bowl.
Looking ahead: With current members such as Georgetown, Shorter, and maybe others, considering a move to the NCAA in the years to come, 2011 could likely be the last season the MSC will stay in its current form. Having said that, it's anybody's race in both the East and West Divisions, respectively, this season.
Website: http://www.mid-southconference.org/
Predicted order of finish (2010 overall record in parentheses)
East Division
1. Georgetown (Ky.)--(8-3): The Tigers will have two All-Americans returning for 2011. Speaking of which, they'll get a stern early-season test to open the season, as they travel to Kansas to face Ottawa.
2. Campbellsville (7-5): The other pack of Tigers from Kentucky have something to prove, as their schedule includes a September 17 contest against two-time defending NCAA Division III national champion Wisconsin-Whitewater.
3. Lindsey Wilson (5-6): With a third place finish in the MSC East at 4-2, the Blue Raiders hope to avoid a "sophomore jinx" in year two of their football program.
4. Pikeville (2-8): The Bears won back-to-back games to finish the 2010 season, after losing their first eight contests. Hopefully, that momentum will propel PC into the 2011 campaign.
5. UVA-Wise (3-8): It was a rough season for the Cavaliers in 2010, losing their first five games, followed by a three-game winning streak, and ending with a three-game skid.
6. West Virginia U. Tech (2-9): The Bears are also trying to put 2010 behind them.
7. Kentucky Christian (0-11): The Knights were outscored 527-199 in all 11 games last season. They gave an up an average of almost 48 points per game.
West Division
1. Cumberland (Tenn.)--(8-3): The Bulldogs look to take the next step towards the NAIA playoffs after finishing in a second place tie with Union (Ky.) in the MSC West (4-2) last year. They'll have to take the long road, literally, to get there though, as they start off the 2011 season playing four of their first five games on the road.
2. Cumberlands (Ky.)--(7-4): The Patriots finished first in MSC West action (5-1) en route to an NAIA playoff berth, only to be stomped by St. Xavier, 66-19, in the first round. Unlike their namesake rivals from Tennessee, the Cumberlands squad from Kentucky will have the home field advantage on its side, opening 2011 with three of four home games.
3. Union (Ky.)--(7-4): The Bulldogs will try to advance to the NAIA playoffs for the first time since 2008. Their last conference championship came in 1992.
4. Bethel (Tenn.)--(5-5): A three-game winning streak to end 2010 after starting 2-5 has the Wildcat faithful looking for more in 2011.
5. Shorter (5-6): The Hawks will play six games on the road this season, including a stretch of three straight contests in late October/early November.
6. Belhaven (4-7): The Blazers have had only one winning record in the last five years; a 6-5 mark in 2006.
7. Faulkner (3-7): The Eagles look to turn their fortunes around after ending 2010 on a four-game losing streak.
5 years ago
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