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.
4 years ago
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