Most Pivotal Match-ups of 2011: Central (Midwest)

Editor's Note: Here's the next installment of the "Most Pivotal Match-ups of 2011", as we profile the teams in the Central (Midwest) region.  It includes the states of Illinois, Missouri, and Kansas, as well as portions of Iowa, Nebraska, and Wisconsin.

College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW)--(NCAA Division III):  Wheaton at North Central (November 5): The annual battle for the Little Brass Bell could once again decide who walks off the field with the automatic bid to the D-III playoffs.

Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC)--(NAIA):  MidAmerica Nazarene at Missouri Valley (September 10): Pioneers will get an early test against the Vikings in their second game of the season.

Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC)--(NAIA): Ottawa at McPherson (October 15): Mid-October showdown against the Bulldogs is just one of many tough tests that the Braves must pass if they're to punch their ticket postseason play.  They open the 2011 season with back-to-back games against NAIA preseason Top 25 teams in No. 23 Baker and No. 9 Georgetown (Ky.).


Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA)--(NCAA Division II):  Northwest Missouri State at Central Missouri (October 8): With the retirement of legendary head coach Mel Tjeerdsma, followed by the sudden death of replacement Scott Bostwick, the Bearcats character will be tested in this road game against the Mules.

Mid-States Football Association (Midwest League)--(NAIA):  William Penn at St. Francis (Ill.)--(October 8): The Statesmen hope to prove their worthiness for postseason play against the Fighting Saints.

Midwest Conference (MWC)--(NCAA Division III):  With St. Norbert barely pulling out the outright MWC title in 2010, it's anybody's race to win in 2011.


Missouri Valley Football Conference (MVFC)--(FCS):  It'll likely be a tight race here, too, as Northern Iowa (6-2 in MVFC in 2010), barely edging out Western Illinois (5-3) for the title, while North Dakota State (4-4), advanced to the quarterfinals of the FCS playoffs, despite finishing in a six-way tie for third place.  Yes, a six-way tie!

University Athletic Association (UAA)--(NCAA Division III):  Chicago at Washington (Mo.)--(November 12): Season-ending showdown in St. Louis could decide UAA title.