Looking back: Once again, Mount Union ruled the roost in the OAC, as the Purple Raiders won an unprecedented 19th straight conference title in 2010. Still, the season ended in heartbreak for the "purple people eaters" from Alliance, Ohio, as they lost to Wisconsin-Whitewater in the NCAA Division III national championship game, 'aka' the "Stagg Bowl," 31-21.
Looking ahead: Mount Union should be favored to not only win an unprecedented 20th straight OAC title, but also its 11th national championship dating back to 1993. The other titles came in 1996, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2005, 2006, and 2008.
Website: http://www.oac.org/
Predicted order of finish (2010 overall record in parentheses)
1. Mount Union (14-1): Until another team can prove otherwise, the Purple Raiders are still to team to beat in the OAC. Heading into the 2011 season, they boast an all-time record of 670-383-37.
2. Ohio Northern (10-2): If there's any team that could finally end the "purple reign" of the Purple Raiders in the OAC, it's the Polar Bears. ONU has had only three non-winning records dating back to 1999. Oh, and they also advanced to the second round of the NCAA Division III playoffs, only to lose to North Central, 28-9.
3. Baldwin-Wallace (7-3): With a preseason Top 15 national ranking by two national magazines, don't be surprised if the Yellow Jackets make a postseason run in 2011.
4. Capital (5-5): The Crusaders hope to make their first NCAA playoff appearance since 2007.
5. John Carroll (5-5): The Blue Streaks had their share of close calls in 2010, going 4-1 in games decided by eight points or less.
6. Otterbein (6-4): After going a combined 17-4 in 2008 and 2009, respectively, the Cardinals fell back to earth in 2010, finishing 5-4 in OAC action.
7. Heidelberg (5-5): 2010 saw one of the better seasons fans in the "Berg" had seen in quite some time, as the Student Princes finished a respectable 4-5 in conference play.
8. Muskingum (3-7): The Fighting Muskies fought to the finish mightily in five games decided by eight points or less, going 3-2 in those contests last season. Problem was, they lost six straight games after to end the season after a 3-1 start.
9. Marietta (2-8): What does the No. 28 have in common for the Pioneers? Well, they defeated Thiel in the 2010 season opener, 28-7, lost to Mount Union, 28-14, on October 16, then held off Wilmington the following week, by the final score of, you guessed it, 31-28.
10. Wilmington (0-10): After going winless a year ago, the Quakers hope to win a game. Any game, this year.
5 years ago
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