RFC Summer Semester--Midwest Conference (NCAA Division III)

Looking back: After a tight competitive, regular season, St. Norbert finally came out on top in the Midwest Conference, winning the league title with a 7-2 record in conference play in 2010.  The Green Knights fell in the first round of the NCAA Division III playoffs to North Central, 57-7.

Looking ahead: Expect another close battle for the MWC title in 2011.

Website: http://www.midwestconference.org/

Predicted order of finish (2010 overall record in parentheses)

1. St. Norbert (7-4):  The Green Knights overcame an 0-2 start to win their fifth outright MWC title in the last eight years.   They'll face a stiff test right out of the gate, as they open the 2011 season at defending Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference champion St. Thomas.   Yes, that's the same Tommies team that trounced SNC in the 2010 season opener. 

2. Monmouth (Ill.)--(6-4):  The Scots have quietly built a winning tradition of their own under head coach Steve Bell, winning MWC championships in 2005, 2008, and 2009.  Bell enters his 12th season needing just six wins to reach 90 victories for his coaching career.  He has a career winning percentage of .737 going into the 2011 campaign.


3. Carroll (Wis.)--(7-3):  The Pioneers finished in a three-way tie for second place in the MWC at 6-3 last season.  If they're to make another run at a conference title this season, they must do it under a new head coach in Mark Krzykowski.


4. Ripon (7-3):  The Red Hawks have 19 conference titles in program history, but haven't won any since 2001.  They hope to add No. 20 in 2011. 


5. Grinnell (6-4):  The Pioneers finished the 2010 season with their first winning record since 2004, when they also finished 6-4.


6. Beloit (5-5):  The Buccaneers open the 2011 campaign with back-to-back road against defending conference champions: defending University Athletic Association champion Chicago on September 3, followed by the MWC opener against St. Norbert the following week.  


7. Illinois College (5-5):  The Blueboys and their fans found themselves singing the blues at the end of the 2010 season, as they ended it with back-to-back losses after a 5-3 start.  They hope to sing a different tune at the end of the 2011 season.


8. Lake Forest (2-8):  The Foresters hope to post their first winning season since 2004, when they finished 8-2.


9. Lawrence (2-8):  The Vikings hope to bounce back after a rough 2010 season.


10. Knox (1-9):  The Prairie Fire is wiping the slate clean for 2011 as well.