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Looking back: In the final season (2010) of divisional play in the Lone Star Conference (LSC), it was business as usual, as the mostly Texas-dominated South Division ruled the roost, with Abilene Christian, Texas A&M-Kingsville, and West Texas A&M all advancing to the NCAA Division II playoffs. None of them, though, could get past the second round.
Looking ahead: With all five Oklahoma schools now in different conferences, the LSC returns to its mostly all-Texas roots in 2011, as it will compete with nine teams. Of course, Eastern New Mexico is the odd squad out in a conference filled with institutions based in the Lone Star State.
Website: http://www.lonestarconference.org/
Predicted order of finish (2010 overall record in parentheses)
1. Abilene Christian (11-1): The Wildcats rolled their way to yet another LSC crown in 2010, but were stunned by Central Missouri in the D-II playoffs. They hope to get over that elusive hump in 2011, with a non-conference schedule that includes opponents such as North Alabama at Cowboys Stadium on September 17, as well as a contest against Western Oregon at home on October 1.
2. Texas A&M-Kingsville (10-2): After notching their first 10-win regular season since 1989, the Javelinas hope that 2011 will be the year they make a much deeper postseason run. They'll get a tough test to open the season, though, as they travel to the Northwest to face Central Washington on September 2.
3. West Texas A&M (8-4): The third team to the LSC to reach the D-II playoffs, the Buffaloes bowed to Central Missouri in round one. They'll get a stern test in their second game of the 2011 season, as they must face Texas A&M-Kingsville at Cowboys Stadium on September 17.
4. Midwestern State (8-4): Coming off an upset loss to Washburn in the 2010 Kanza Bowl, the Mustangs to win their first-ever outright LSC title in 2011.
5. Angelo State (5-5): Rams struggled to a 1-5 finish in LSC South Division play last year.
6. Eastern New Mexico (5-6): The Greyhounds struggled in close games last season, losing three of their six contests by a combined total nine points, or three field goals.
7. Tarleton State (3-8): The Texans hope to return to both LSC title, and D-II playoff contention, after a disappointing 2010 season. They advanced to postseason play in 2009, finishing with a 10-3 record.
8. Texas A&M-Commerce (3-8): The Lions must adjust to being in a single division after finishing 2-4 in LSC North Division action last season.
9. Incarnate Word (3-8): The Cardinals face an uphill climb as they enter their second season in the LSC.
Looking back: Although both teams finished the 2010 season with identical 10-1 overall, and 8-0 conference records, respectively, neither Dayton nor Jacksonville played against each other. Both teams ended up sharing the Pioneer Football League championship with undefeated marks in league action.
Looking ahead: To make up for not playing last year, Dayton will head south to face Jacksonville, in Florida, on October 8. That game could very well decide who wins the PFL title in 2011.
In off-the-field news, two institutions based in the South; Mercer University from Macon, Georgia, and Stetson University out of DeLand, Florida, both announced their intentions to start football programs earlier this year, and will join the PFL in 2013.
Website: http://www.pioneer-football.org/
Predicted order of finish (2010 overall record in parentheses)
1. Dayton (10-1): Flyers hope to add yet another conference crown under fourth-year head coach Rick Chamberlain. Their season opener is on September 3 against defending Northeast Conference champion Robert Morris (Pa.) on the road.
2. Jacksonville (10-1): Dolphins will play a much tougher non-conference schedule in hopes of landing their first-ever FCS playoff berth. They open the season on September 3 at the Citadel, followed by a contest at FCS playoff participant Western Illinois the following weekend.
3. Butler (4-7): Bulldogs won a program record 11 games in 2009, only to struggle to disappointing 2-6 mark in PFL play in 2010. They hope to get back on top in 2011.
4. San Diego (5-6): The Toreros went winless outside of the PFL in 2010, finishing 0-3 in that department.
5. Drake (7-4): The Bulldogs bring back 10 offensive starters, as well as seven defensive starters, from the team the finished 6-2 in PFL play last season.
6. Davidson (3-8): The Wildcats were outscored 335-163 in their 11 games last season.
7. Morehead State (5-6): The Eagles non-conference slate includes away games at Illinois State and St. Francis (Pa.).
8. Marist (3-8): Six of the Red Foxes eight losses last year came by seven points or less.
9. Campbell (3-8): The Fighting Camels started the 2010 season with a 3-2 mark, but stumbled to a season-ending six-game skid down down the stretch.
10. Valparaiso (0-11): Speaking of losing streaks, the Crusaders enter the 2011 campaign having lost 20 straight games. Their last win came on September 12, 2009, when they won at NCAA Division III Concordia (Wis.), 20-17.
Looking back: The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor Crusaders won their sixth straight American Southwest Conference title in 2010, going unbeaten in ASC play at 8-0, while also finishing the regular season undefeated at 10-0. They reached the quarterfinals of the NCAA Division III playoffs, where they lost to Wesley, on the road, 19-9.
Looking ahead: Can UMHB continue its dominance of the ASC? Or will upstarts like Louisiana College and Hardin-Simmons break that stranglehold this season? Meanwhile, McMurry University in Abilene, Texas enters its final season as a D-III member. The newly renamed Warhawks will begin the transition to the NCAA Division II level starting in 2012.
Website: http://www.ascsports.org/
Predicted order of finish (2010 overall record in parentheses)
1. Mary Hardin-Baylor (12-1): The Crusaders enter their 14th season on the gridiron looking to not only win their seventh straight ASC title, but also an unprecedented 12th straight winning season. Ironically, though, the year that the "Cru" reached the Stagg Bowl, 'aka' the NCAA Division III national championship game in 2004, they actually finished second in the ASC at the end of the regular season.
2. Hardin-Simmons (8-2): The Cowboys embark on a new era in 2011, as Jesse Burleson replaces the retired Jimmie Keeling as their head coach on an interim basis. Burleson's task will be to keep the winning tradition at HSU going.
3. Louisiana College (7-3): The Wildcats overcame a 1-3 start to notch a second place finish in ASC play at 6-1. They hope to take that next step, and win their first-ever ASC championship.
4. McMurry (6-4): After finishing 4-4 in ASC play last season, the newly resurrected Warhawks hope their final D-III season will result in a conference title, as well as a playoff berth.
5. East Texas Baptist (5-5): Tigers face a tough test to open the 2011 season, as they travel all the way to Dover, Del., to face Wesley, on September 3.
6. Texas Lutheran (4-6): Danny Padron enters his second season as the Bulldogs head coach.
7. Mississippi College (4-6): Choctaws fell from being an ASC co-champion, and NCAA playoff team in 2009, to an ASC also-ran after finishing 2-6 in conference play in 2010. They hope to return to serious contention in 2011.
8. Howard Payne (2-8): The Yellow Jackets hope to snap a streak of four straight losing seasons this season.
9. Sul Ross State (2-8): Lobos enter 2011 campaign fighting an uphill battle after a dismal 2010 season.
Looking back: Stephen F. Austin emerged as the top team in the Southland Conference, after finishing the regular season at 9-2 overall, and 6-1 in conference games. In the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) playoffs, the Lumberjacks were ousted in the first round, as Villanova cruised to an easy 54-24 win.
Looking ahead: Texas State (4-7 in 2010) will compete as an independent in 2011, as the Bobcats prepare to make the move to the Western Athletic Conference, and the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision, in 2012. Also, Lamar returns to the SLC as a full member in 2011.
One more thing, if the preseason polls taken by both the coaches and media, respectively, are any indication, expect another tight race in the Southland Conference this season.
Website: http://www.southland.org/
Predicted order of finish (2010 overall record in parentheses)
1. Stephen F. Austin (9-3): The Lumberjacks will return 25 letterwinners on offense, but only nine of them are starters.
2. McNeese State (6-5): The Cowboys hope to add another SLC title to their trophy after finishing second at 5-2 last season.
3. Sam Houston State (6-5): Bearkats look to improve after winning back-to-back games to end 2010.
4. Northwestern State (5-6): On the flip side, the Demons ended the 2010 campaign with back-to-back losses.
5. Central Arkansas (7-4): Bears face a tough road to the SLC title in 2011, as they'll play host to Stephen F. Austin and McNeese State at home.
6. Nicholls (4-7): The Colonels have two teams from the non- AQ BCS side of the FBS on their schedule in 2011: Western Michigan from the Mid-American Conference, and Louisiana-Lafayette from the Sun Belt Conference.
7. Southeastern Louisiana (2-9): Lions also face a stiff challenge, after finishing 1-6 in SLC games a year ago.
8. Lamar (5-6): Cardinals have a tough row to hoe in their return to the SLC fold.
Looking back: Northwestern Oklahoma State went unbeaten in Central States Football League play at 5-0 in 2010. The Rangers then advanced to the NAIA playoffs, where they were eliminated by eventual national runner-up Sioux Falls in the first round.
Looking ahead: While Southern Nazarene is on its way to becoming an NCAA Division II program, Northwestern Oklahoma State must wait at least another year, as the NCAA rejected its request to become a provisional member of D-II.
Website: http://www.centralstatesfootball.com
Predicted order of finish (2010 overall record in parentheses)
1. Northwestern Oklahoma State (8-3): Even with the rejection by the NCAA to join Division II, the Rangers non-conference schedule will consist of teams such as Colorado State-Pueblo, Oklahoma Panhandle State, and Southwestern Oklahoma State, all of whom compete at the D-II ranks, as well as NCAA Division I FCS transition team South Dakota. Additionally, NWOSU will host another D-II team in Missouri S&T, on October 1.
2. Southern Nazarene (7-4): The Crimson Storm has one just losing season (3-8 in 2008) in the 11-year history of its program. However, SNU has never won more than seven games in any one season, either, nor have made the playoffs.
3. Langston (6-4): Interim head coach Mickey Joseph inherits a Lions program that finished third in the CSFL at 3-2 in 2010.
4. Bacone (3-8): Warriors start fresh under new head coach Trevor Rubly.
5. Southwestern Assemblies of God (2-8): The Lions lone wins of 2010 came outside of CSFL play, over Trinity Bible College, as well as Haskell Indian Nations.
6. Texas College (1-9): The Steers may won just one game last season, but it came in conference play, against the Southwestern Assemblies of God, in the season finale.
What it is: The Great American Conference was formed in late 2010, and will start play in 2011 with nine schools. Of those institutions, six are from the state of Arkansas, all former members of the Gulf South Conference,
as well as three from the state of Oklahoma, formerly of the Lone Star Conference.
Looking back: Of the so-called "Arkansas Six" to join the GAC, Henderson State had the best record of that group, as the Reddies finished last season at 7-4, 6-2 in GSC play, good enough for a three-way share of the conference title. Of the three Oklahoma institutions to join the GAC, East Central had the best record of that trio, finishing 5-6, while winning a share of the North Division title at 5-1, in its final season in the Lone Star Conference.
Looking ahead: As the GAC enters its inaugural season of play, it's anybody's guess as to which team will come out on top. Also, the GAC will go from nine to 11 member schools within the next two years. Southern Nazarene University from Bethany, Okla. will join the conference in 2012, while Northwestern Oklahoma State University hopes to join the league by 2013, despite recently being turned down by the NCAA for Division II status.
Website: http://www.greatamericanconference.com/
Predicted order of finish (2010 overall record in parentheses)
1. Henderson State (7-4): The Reddies will go from winning a share of a Gulf South Conference championship, to trying to win a title in the new Great American Conference.
2. Ouachita Baptist (6-4): The Tigers finished 4-4 in their final GSC season last year.
3. East Central (5-6): The Tigers from Oklahoma will play four of their six games of 2011 on the road.
4. Harding (6-4): The Bisons will make back-to-back trips into Alabama to face former GSC foes North Alabama, and West Alabama, respectively.
5. Arkansas Tech (4-7): After advancing to the NCAA playoffs three times (1999, 2004, 2009), including one conference crown (1999), as a GSC member, the Wonder Boys embark on a new era as a member of the GAC.
6. Southeastern Oklahoma State (3-8): The Savage Storm will open the 2011 season at home against former Lone Star Conference member Central Oklahoma.
7. Arkansas-Monticello (4-7): The Boll Weevils won at least seven or more games just twice as a member of the GSC. It's something they hope to change as a member of the GAC.
8. Southwestern Oklahoma State (3-8): The Bulldogs finished 3-3 in LSC play last season.
9. Southern Arkansas (1-9): The Muleriders enter a new season, as well as a new conference, after struggling to a 1-7 mark in GSC play last season.
Looking back: McPherson and Ottawa locked up the top two spots in the KCAC for 2010. The Bulldogs went unbeaten in conference play at 9-0, while the Braves finished second at 8-1, with their lone league loss coming against the Bulldogs. The NAIA playoffs, though, were anything but kind to either squads, as both were eliminated in the first round, at home. McPherson was crushed by McKendree, while Ottawa fell to Marian.
Looking ahead: Don't be surprised if the race for the 2011 KCAC title comes down to both McPherson and Ottawa. The two teams square off at McPherson on October 15.
Website: http://www.kcacsports.com/
Predicted order of finish (2010 overall record in parentheses)
1. McPherson (10-1): The Bulldogs hope to build a winning tradition, or at least continue it, under second year head coach Joe Bettasso.
2. Ottawa (9-2): The Braves look to advance to their third straight NAIA playoff appearance under eighth year head coach Kent Kessinger.
3. Sterling (7-3): The Warriors rallied to finish tied with Kansas Wesleyan for third place in the KCAC at 6-3 in 2010, following a 2-3 start.
4. Kansas Wesleyan (7-3): Although they've won at least eight games at least four times within the last 10 years, the Coyotes are still looking for their first KCAC title since 2002.
5. Friends (6-4): A friendly 6-1 start fizzled into a not-so-friendly finish for the Falcons, who lost three straight games to end the 2010 season. They hope 2011 will be more kind to them.
6. Tabor (5-5): The Bluejays won back-to-back games to even out an otherwise up-and-down 2010 season.
7. Bethany (Kan.)--(4-6): The Swedes lost four straight games after starting 4-2 to close out last season.
8. St. Mary (2-8): An upset win over Friends was one of the few bright spots in an otherwise miserable season for the Spires.
9. Southwestern (2-8): The Moundbuilders look ahead to 2011 after a disappointing 2010.
10. Bethel (Kan.)--(0-10): With just four seniors this season, the Threshers must grow up quickly.
Looking back: MidAmerica Nazarene ruled the roost in the Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC), as the Pioneers went undefeated in conference play at 10-0 en route to winning the league title in 2010. They advanced to the national semifinal round of the NAIA playoffs, only to be stomped by eventual national runner-up Sioux Falls, 38-0. Lindenwood was the HAAC's other playoff representative, losing to St. Francis (Ind.) in the first round.
Looking ahead: The HAAC loses Lindenwood and William Jewell to the NCAA Division II ranks in 2011, while adding Peru State out of Nebraska.
Website: http://www.haacsports.com/
Predicted order of finish (2010 overall record in parentheses)
1. MidAmerica Nazarene (12-1): The Pioneers enter 2011 as the team to beat in the HAAC.
2. Missouri Valley (8-2): Two losses; one to Lindenwood, the other to MidAmerica Nazarene, not only kept the Vikings from an unbeaten regular season, but also kept them out of postseason play.
3. Baker (7-4): The Wildcats overcame a slow start to finish fast in 2010, winning five straight games to close things out.
4. Benedictine (Kan.)--(7-4): The Ravens hope to win their first HAAC title since 2000, as well as well as advance to the NAIA playoffs for the first time since 2003.
5. Evangel (4-6): The Crusaders will get a quick crash course on the field to open the 2011 season, as they head south to Louisiana to take on NCAA Division I FCS Nicholls State on September 1.
6. Central Methodist (3-7): The Eagles hope to soar high after struggling in 2010.
7. Avila (2-8): The Eagles from Kansas City, Mo. also hope to put an uneventful 2010 season behind them.
8. Peru State (4-7): The Bobcats face an uphill battle in their first season in the HAAC.
9. Graceland (1-10): The 2010 season was anything but kind to the Yellow Jackets, who ended it with eight straight losses after holding off Evangel, 27-25, for their only win of last year.
10. Culver-Stockton (1-10): The Wildcats will end the 2011 season with four straight games on the road.
Looking back: It was mainly a two-way race for the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA) championship in 2010, as Northwest Missouri State added yet another conference trophy to their case. But the Bearcats quest to win back-to-back NCAA Division II national championships was derailed by eventual national champion Minnesota-Duluth in the national semifinals.
The other MIAA team to win at least 10 games, as well as reach the D-II playoffs, was Central Missouri. The Mules downed two Lone Star Conference teams; West Texas A&M at home, and Abilene Christian on the road, before losing to Northwest Missouri in the national quarterfinals.
Looking ahead: The MIAA will have one less team to play football in 2011, as athletics officials at the University of Nebraska-Omaha announced earlier this year that not only would the Mavericks make the move up to the NCAA Division I level, but also drop their football program. However, the conference will welcome four new members in 2012, in Central Oklahoma, Lindenwood, Nebraska-Kearney, and Northeastern State (Okla.). Also, the Lincoln (Mo.) Blue Tigers will take the field for their first MIAA campaign this fall.
Website: http://www.themiaa.com/
Predicted order of finish (2010 overall record in parentheses)
1. Central Missouri (11-3): The Mules begin their second season under head coach Jim Svoboda, hoping to make an even deeper playoff run. It'll be interesting to see if they have what it takes in 2011.
2. Northwest Missouri State (12-2): Not only are the Bearcats in the process of starting a new era after the retirement of legendary head coach Mel Tjeerdsma, they've also had to replace him not once, but twice. Adam Dorrel became Northwest's head coach after Scott Bostwick passed away in June. Even with all of that adversity, the Bearcats hope to advance to the NCAA Division II playoffs for the 14th time in 16 years this season.
3. Washburn (8-4): After splitting their first eight games, the Ichabods ended the 2010 campaign with four straight wins, including an easy win over Midwestern State in the Kanza Bowl. Hopefully, the momentum from last season will carry them into NCAA playoff contention in 2011.
4. Missouri Western State (8-4): The fourth MIAA team to advance to postseason play, the Griffons lost to Northwest Missouri State in the first round of the D-II playoffs.
5. Pittsburg State (6-6): Yet another MIAA squad that punched their ticket to the postseason in 2010, the Gorillas ended an otherwise "up-and-down" season with an upset win over Concordia-St. Paul (Minn.) in the Mineral Water Bowl.
6. Emporia State (5-6): The Hornets hope to get back on the winning track after ending the 2010 season with four straight losses. That came after a 5-2 start.
7. Truman State (4-7): The Bulldogs have had three straight losing seasons in as many years. It's a trend they hope to turn around in 2011.
8. Missouri Southern State (4-7): The Lions also had a long 2010 season, finishing 3-7 in MIAA action.
9. Fort Hays State (3-8): A fast 3-0 start fizzled into a 0-8 finish for the Tigers down the stretch in 2010.
10. Lincoln (Mo.)--(2-9): The Blue Tigers have a tough row to hoe in their inaugural MIAA season.
Looking back: In one of the most bizarre seasons experienced by any conference at any level in quite some time, the Missouri Valley Football Conference (MVFC) saw five of its nine members lose five games a piece overall, as the 2010 season ended. If that wasn't enough, after Northern Iowa and Western Illinois claimed first and second place finishes, respectively, six teams finished in a six-way tie for third place, at 4-4 in MVFC action.
The "silly season" for the MVFC continued deep into the postseason, as North Dakota State rolled past Robert Morris (Pa.), followed by an upset win over No. 4 national seed Montana State, to advance to the quarterfinals of the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) playoffs. There, the Bison bowed to the eventual national champion Eastern Washington, 38-31, in overtime.
Two other teams advanced to the FCS playoffs, only to be eliminated sooner than North Dakota. Second place Western Illinois outlasted Coastal Carolina, 17-10, in the first round, before being crushed by Appalachian State, 42-14, in the second round. MVFC champion Northern Iowa fell in round one, losing to Lehigh in a low-scoring game, 14-7.
Looking ahead: Expect more of the unexpected in the MVFC in 2011. Don't be surprised if one of the middle-of-the pack teams come out of nowhere to finish on top this season. As for the 2012 season, the MVFC will welcome South Dakota into the fold, bringing the total number of schools in the league to 10.
Website: http://www.valley-football.org/
Predicted order of finish (2010 overall record in parentheses)
1. Western Illinois (8-5): Head Coach Mark Hendrickson welcomes back 22 starters in hopes that the Leathernecks will make another deep playoff run in 2011.
2. Northern Iowa (7-5): The Panthers also have multiple starters returning for this season, as 10 of those 19 returnees play on the defensive side of the football.
3. North Dakota State (9-5): Can the Bison match last year's success? Key games against UNI, as well as WIU, late in the season, could make or break their season.
4. Illinois State (6-5): The Redbirds hope to advance to the FCS playoffs for the first time since 2006.
5. Indiana State (6-5): After multiple losing seasons over the last decade-plus, the Sycamores finally finished above .500 last year. Hopefully, the upward move will continue for them in 2011.
6. Southern Illinois (5-6): The Salukis hope to get back in both the MVFC title, and playoff hunt, after a disappointing 2010 season. They had made seven straight trips to the FCS playoffs prior to last year.
7. South Dakota State (5-6): The Jackrabbits hope to make their second FCS playoff appearance in three years this season.
8. Missouri State (5-6): How's this for a brutal start to the season? The Bears will play four straight road games to start off 2011, including two games against Arkansas from the SEC, as well as BCS national runner-up Oregon from the Pac-12.
9. Youngstown State (3-8): The Penguins face a long, uphill climb to the top after suffering their worst finish since 1986, when they finished 2-9.
Editor's Note: Taking a brief respite from our conference previews, here's (what should be) an even briefer look at Lindenwood University, a perennial NAIA power located in St. Charles, Missouri, that's beginning the transition to the NCAA Division II ranks.
Website: http://www.lindenwoodlions.com/
2010 overall record in parentheses
Lindenwood (9-2): The Lions finished 9-1 in regular season action in what turned out to be their final campaign as an NAIA program. They reached the NAIA playoffs for the final time in program history, as well. But that postseason run for the Lions would prove to be brief, as they lost to St. Francis (Ind.) in a heartbreaker, 46-38.
Looking ahead to 2011, Lindenwood begins the transition to the NCAA Division II level with one of the strongest baptisms into a new division any team has probably undertaken. The Lions open the season on September 3, traveling to Northern Colorado from the NCAA Division I Football Subdivision (FCS)--(formerly NCAA Division I-AA). This year's schedule also includes against FCS transition team South Dakota, as well as games against notable D-II programs such as Central Missouri, Central Oklahoma, and Texas A&M-Kingsville.
Looking back: In one of rare those seasons, Wartburg finished at the top of the Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference heap in 2010. The Knights finished the regular season undefeated at 10-0 overall, 8-0 in IIAC play. Coe finished a close second in the IIAC, at 9-1 overall, and 7-1 in conference games. Despite continuing its impressive streak of non-losing season, Central missed out on the NCAA Division III playoffs at 8-2 overall, 6-2 in the IIAC.
Wartburg and Coe both represented the IIAC in the D-III playoffs. Both respective squads, though, lost in the first round. Wartburg was upset by Bethel (Minn.), 28-20, while Coe fell to Wheaton, 31-21.
Looking ahead: Will Wartburg, Coe, and Central continue to battle each other for the IIAC crown in 2011? Or could any of the other six squads in the conference step up, and break that three-way strangehold?
Website: http://www.iowaconference.com/
Predicted order of finish (2010 overall record in parentheses)
1. Central (8-2): The Dutch hope to win their second conference title in three years after losing to Coe and Wartburg last season. Also, the program hopes to extend its streak of non-losing seasons to 51 this season. If that wasn't enough, Central hopes to maintain one of the highest winning percentages of games in the nation, dating back to the 1975 season. The Dutch have a winning percentage of .808 entering the 2011 campaign. Only Mount Union (.854) has had a higher winning percentage over the last 36 years.
2. Wartburg (10-1): The Knights hope for an encore in 2011 after falling victim to the "one-and-done" syndrome in 2010.
3. Coe (9-2): The Kohawks will get tested on the road to start 2011, as they fly south to Texas to face Hardin-Simmons.
4. Loras (5-5): Four of the Duhawks wins in 2010 came by 14 points or less.
5. Luther (5-5): The Norse hope to snap a four-year streak of exactly five wins and five losses this season.
6. Dubuque (4-6): If the Spartans want to move up in the IIAC standings, they must learn how to win on the road. They were winless in away games last season at 0-5.
7. Simpson (2-8): Both Storm wins in 2010 came by a combined total of 15 points: a 14-7 low-scoring victory over Loras on September 18, followed by a 21-13 triumph over Cornell on October 30.
8. Buena Vista (3-7): The Beavers hope to put an abysmal 2010 season behind them.
9. Cornell (Iowa)--(0-10): The Rams last win came on November 7, 2009.
Looking back: They may have lost their shot of adding another NAIA national championship to their trophy case, but at least the University of Sioux Falls Cougars left the Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) on a high note, as they won their ninth conference title in ten years in 2010. The Cougars finished undefeated in GPAC play at 10-0 last season.
Looking ahead: With Sioux Falls now beginning the transition to the NCAA Division II ranks, the opportunity is there for other teams to step up to the top in the GPAC entering the 2011 season, with Morningside being among the favorites to finish in first place.
Website: http://www.gpacsports.com/
Predicted order of finish (2010 overall record in parentheses)
1. Morningside (10-2): The Mustangs reached the quarterfinals of the NAIA playoffs last season, losing to MidAmerica Nazarene. They'll be shooting for an eighth straight trip to postseason play in 2011.
2. Northwestern (Iowa)--(8-2): Despite a season-ending five-game winning streak, the Raiders found themselves on the outside looking in at playoff selection time. They hope their name will be among the 16 teams called when it comes in November.
3. Midland (7-3): The Warriors have had three straight winning seasons, while producing close to 30 all-conference athletes. They hope to take that next step, and advance to the playoffs.
4. Hastings (5-5): Back-to-back wins to close out 2010 have Broncos backers hoping for bigger and better things in 2011.
5. Dakota Wesleyan (5-5): The Tigers haven't had a double-digit win season since 1992, when they finished 10-1. They've won at least seven games only twice since then (1993, 2008).
6. Concordia (Neb.)--(4-7): The Bulldogs struggled to a 3-7 mark in GPAC action last season.
7. Nebraska Wesleyan (4-6): The Prairie Wolves have won 22 conference championships all-time, while advancing to postseason play five times, but are looking for their first winning season since 2008.
8. Doane (3-7): The Tigers look to return to the glory days of the 1990's, when they advanced to the NAIA playoffs three times under then head coach Fran Schwenk.
9. Briar Cliff (2-9): The Chargers found themselves on the wrong end of multiple blowout losses last season, losing seven games by 21 or more points.
10. Dordt (0-10): The Defenders have lost 19 straight games dating back to the third game of the 2009 season. Their last win came over Waldorf, 32-17, on September 12, 2009.
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Looking back: Dickinson State emerged as the champions of an eight-team Dakota Athletic Conference in 2010, finishing 7-1 in league play. The Blue Hawks advanced to the NAIA playoffs, where they were eliminated by Morningside, 38-17, in the first round.
Looking ahead: Defections to the NCAA Division II ranks, as well as to other NAIA conferences, decimated the DAC during the offseason. As a result, 2011 could very likely be the final season for the DAC, as Dickinson State is headed for the Frontier Conference in 2012. The DAC will play with just four schools this season. Each team will play the other three teams in the conference twice during the regular season.
Website: http://www.dakotaac.org/
Predicted order of finish (2010 overall record in parentheses)
1. Dickinson State (9-2): The Blue Hawks hope to match last year's success, in their final season in the DAC.
2. Jamestown (5-5): The Jimmies hope to improve on last year's 4-4 record in DAC play.
3. Valley City State (4-6): The Vikings finished 3-5 in DAC play in 2010.
4. Mayville State (2-8): The Comets non-conference schedule for 2011 includes games against NCAA Division III squads such as Gustavus Adolphus and Minnesota-Crookston.
Not eligible for title
Black Hills State (6-4): The Yellow Jackets finished their final DAC season at 5-3, good enough to finish all alone in fourth place. But 2011 is a whole new ballgame for them, as they begin the transition to the NCAA Division II ranks. The schedule won't be easy for BHSU, as the Yellow Jackets will play five straight games on the road from mid-September to late October.
Dakota State (0-10): The Trojans will try to adjust to being an NAIA independent after going winless last season.
South Dakota Mines (7-3): Like their counterparts at Black Hills State, the Hardrockers are also making the transition to D-II in 2011. They gave their fans one final season to remember as an NAIA member, finishing tied for second place in DAC play with Minot State at 6-2.
Looking back: Minnesota-Duluth won its second NCAA Division II national championship in three years last year, as the Bulldogs downed Delta State in dramatic fashion. UMD also finished a season undefeated at 15-0 for the second time in three years.
The 2010 campaign also saw three other Northern Sun teams reach postseason play. Augustana (S.D.) and St. Cloud State both advanced to the D-II playoffs, only to have fellow NSIC rival UMD end their seasons. The Vikings reached the quarterfinals before losing to the Bulldogs, while the Huskies lost an overtime heartbreaker in the second round.
In 2012, the NSIC membership will increase to 16 schools, as Minot State and Sioux Falls will join the league.
Another NSIC squad, Concordia-St. Paul (Minn.), earned a berth in the 2010 Mineral Water Bowl. The Golden Bears fell several points short against Pittsburg State in that contest, losing 13-9.
Looking ahead: UMD already has a target on its back entering the 2011 season, as the Bulldogs were named the favorites to not only repeat as national champions, but also their third title in four years by Sporting News magazine.
Website: http://www.northernsun.org/
Predicted order of finish (2010 overall record in parentheses)
1. Minnesota-Duluth (15-0): The Bulldogs bring back 45 lettermen, but return only 14 starters, while losing 11, from last year's national championship team. UMD will shoot for its 21st all-time overall conference championship this season, winning 16 of those in the NSIC.
2. Augustana (S.D.)--(11-2): The Vikings will get tested right away, as they'll play host to UMD in a non-conference game to open the season on September 3.
3. St. Cloud State (10-3): Head Coach Scott Underwood welcomes back 15 starters from last year's team, as the Huskies hope to advance to the NCAA playoffs for just the fifth time in school history.
4. Concordia-St. Paul (8-4): If the Golden Bears are to return to postseason play in 2011, they must do that under a new head coach. Ryan Williams was recently named their interim head coach, replacing Mark Mauer.
5. Bemidji State (7-4): The Beavers hope that their two preseason All-Americans, center Cory Immerman, and tight end Brian Leonhardt, will carry them into NSIC title, as well as D-II playoff contention this season.
6. Winona State (7-4): Warriors finished 2010 tied for fifth place with Bemidji State, at 6-4 in NSIC play.
7. Wayne State (Neb.)--(6-5): The Wildcats struggled to a 5-5 mark in NSIC play in 2010.
8. Minnesota State-Mankato (6-5): After making back-to-back playoff appearances in 2008 and 2009, the Mavericks look to turn their fortunes around following an up-and-down 2010 campaign.
9. U-Mary (4-7): The Marauders hope to make a move up in the NSIC standings in 2011, after ending 2010 with three straight wins following a 1-7 start.
10. Southwest Minnesota State (4-7): The Mustangs last appearance in postseason play was a trip to the NAIA playoffs in 1990.
11. Northern State (2-9): The Wolves face an uphill battle after another miserable season.
12. Minnesota State-Moorhead (2-9): Same thing applies to the Dragons, who lost seven straight games to end last season after splitting their first four contests.
13. Upper Iowa (2-9): The Peacocks last winning season was in 1999, when they finished 6-4.
14. Minnesota-Crookston (1-10): The lone bright spot--as well as win--for the Golden Eagles last season came in the season opener: a 37-6 rout of Mayville State.
Looking back: Greenville ruled the roost in 2010, as the Illinois-based Panthers won the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) title with an unbeaten mark of 6-0 in conference play. In an unusual development, a season-ending contest between Crown and Minnesota-Morris was cancelled due to heavy snow.
Looking ahead: Presentation College, located in Aberdeen, South Dakota, makes its debut on the football field in 2011, and will play in the UMAC.
Website: http://www.umacathletics.com/
Predicted order of finish (2010 overall record in parentheses)
1. Greenville (7-3): Panthers enter 2011 campaign as the team to beat in the UMAC.
2. St. Scholastica (7-3): A season-ending four game winning streak gave the Saints a second place finish in the UMAC at 5-2. They hope to carry last year's momentum to the top of the league summit in only their fourth season of football.
3. Crown (6-3): The Storm finished in a three-way tie for third place in the UMAC at 4-2 last season.
4. Martin Luther (5-4): The Knights were 3-2 in games decided by 14 points or less last year.
5. Minnesota-Morris (5-4): A season-ending rout of Trinity Bible gave the Cougars their first winning season since 2006. They won the UMAC that season, finishing undefeated in conference play at 7-0.
6. Westminster (Mo.)--(5-5): The Blue Jays hope to soar in the standings after a 3-4 finish in conference play a year ago.
7. Northwestern (Minn.)--(1-8): Eagles lone win of 2010 came against MacMurray, 37-34, for Homecoming.
8. Eureka (1-8): Red Devils look forward to 2011 after winning just one game in 2010.
9. MacMurray (0-9): The Highlanders last win came on October 30, 2009, a wild 68-62 victory over Crown.
10. Presentation (n/a): Saints are set to go on their maiden voyage in football for 2011.
