Looking back: Wisconsin-Whitewater took home its third NCAA Division III national championship in the last four years, defeating Mount Union for the third time in as many tries in 2010. The Warhawks other national titles came in 2007 and 2009.
Looking ahead: UWW is looking for the rare "three-peat", as in winning a third straight national championship, as well as the fourth in the last five years, in 2011. In order to even have a shot at that, of course, the Warhawks would have to reach the national championship for an unprecedented seventh straight year. They're 3-3 against Mount Union in the previous six Stagg Bowls.
Website: http://www.wiacsports.com/
Predicted order of finish (2010 overall record in parentheses)
1. Wisconsin-Whitewater (15-0): Here's a quick math lesson: Since 2005, UWW has a combined overall record of 85-5 (.944). Only Mount Union has had a slightly better winning percentage during that span, at 86-4 (.950). Since 2007, both teams have compiled identical records of 57-3. However, the true tiebreaker is evident of terms of national championships, as the Warhawks have won three titles in four years, while the Purple Raiders have won one (2008). Also, head coach Lance Leipold enters his fifth season at the UWW helm, having lost three games, with the last loss coming in the 2008 Stagg Bowl to UMU. It'll be interesting to see if the Warhawks can win that third straight national championship.
2. Wisconsin-Stevens Point (7-3): A second place finisher in the WIAC at 5-2 a year ago, the Pointers lost two key games that kept them on outside looking in come playoff time: a 33-14 setback to Willamette in the season opener, followed by a tough 20-13 overtime loss to Wisconsin-Eau Claire on October 2. If they're to make an NCAA playoff run in 2011, they must win tough non-conference road tests against Willamette in the Pacific Northwest, as well as pick up a win in Michigan against Albion.
3. Wisconsin-Stout (6-4): The Blue Devils football program turns 100 years old in 2011. But if they're to going to be serious contenders for postseason play in this milestone season, they must overcome quite a few losses of players due to graduation.
4. Wisconsin-Oshkosh (4-6): The Titans have brutal back-to-best tests to open the 2011 season, as they get it underway against Central at home on September 3, followed by a road trip to Mount Union a week later.
5. Wisconsin-Platteville (5-5): The Pioneers will play a rare non-conference game, against a conference opponent, in UWSP, on September 10.
6. Wisconsin-LaCrosse (3-7): The Eagles also will play a non-conference contest against a WIAC foe; Wisconsin-Whitewater, at home, on September 3. If that wasn't enough, they must take a trip down south to Texas to face Mary Hardin-Baylor.
7. Wisconsin-Eau Claire (4-6): Even with the upset win over UWSP, the Blugolds and their fans still sung the blues by the end of the 2010 season, going winless in their four road games (0-4).
8. Wisconsin-River Falls (1-9): Falcons lone win of 2010 came in the final game of the season: a dramatic 45-42 victory over, you guessed it, Wisconsin-Eau Claire. That momentum could carry them to more wins in 2011.
4 years ago
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