Looking back: Benedictine went undefeated at 7-0 in Northern Athletics Conference (NAC) play last season, earning an automatic bid to the NCAA Division III playoffs. Their postseason run, though, was uneventful for the Eagles, as they were crushed by St. Thomas, 57-10, in the first round.
Looking ahead: Expect Benedictine, as well as archrival Concordia (Chicago) to challenge for the top spot in the NAC again this season.
Website: http://www.northernac.org/
Predicted order of finish (2010 overall record in parentheses)
1. Benedictine (Ill.)--(8-3): The Eagles enter 2011 primed for another potential postseason run.
2. Concordia (Chicago)--(8-2): The Cougars are a combined 16-4 over the past two seasons, with no NCAA playoff berth to show for those efforts. Could this be the year they finally get over the hump?
3. Aurora (7-3): All three of the Spartans losses in 2010 came by a combined 21 points. For those keeping score online, those setbacks came by exactly seven points in those three contests. If it weren't for those losses, the Spartans would not have only finished the regular season undefeated, they also would've landed in the NCAA playoffs.
4. Wisconsin Lutheran (6-4): Wins in six of their first eight games of 2010 gave the Warriors their first-ever winning season, only to have it end with back-to-back losses in their final two contests. It'll be interesting to see if WLC can that next step, and become a serious contender for the NAC title.
5. Lakeland (4-6): After winning the NAC title in 2009, the Muskies hope to bounce back after a disappointing 2010.
6. Concordia (Wis.)--(2-8): Both the Falcons wins in 2010 were back-to-back shutouts.
7. Maranatha Baptist (1-9): The Crusaders have a new head coach in Andy Peterson.
8. Rockford (0-10): Regents are in the "nowhere to go but up" category after going winless in 2010.
5 years ago
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