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.
4 years ago
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