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

Editor's Note: Our "Most Pivotal Match-ups of 2011" series rolls on with a look at the squads in the North Central (or Upper Midwest) region.  It includes all and/or part of the following states: Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.

Dakota Athletic Conference (DAC)--(NAIA):  Dickinson State at Jamestown (September 17):  If you're looking for a potential "Game Of The Year" in the decimated DAC, it's the contest between the Blue Hawks and the Jimmies.  While the Blue Hawks cruised to a first place finish last year, the Jimmies finished a distant fifth in league play.


Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC)--(NAIA): Morningside at Northwestern (Iowa)--(September 10): With Sioux Falls now making the transition to the NCAA Division II ranks, this aforementioned contest will serve as the signature game in the GPAC for 2011.

Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (IIAC)--(NCAA Division III):  Coe at Wartburg (September 24): Knights play host to the Kohawks in a contest that could decide the IIAC title early.

Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC)--(NCAA Division III):  St. Thomas at Bethel (Minn.)--(October 22): Tommies hit the road to take on the Royals in potential MIAC championship showdown.


Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC)--(NCAA Division II):  Minnesota-Duluth at Augustana (S.D.)--(September 3): How's this to begin a defense of a national championship?  The defending NCAA Division II national champion Bulldogs hitting the road to face a Vikings that finished last season at 11-2, and advanced to the quarterfinals of the D-II playoffs.  Guess which team ended Augustana's season: Yes, UMD.  That alone should be enough motivation for the 2011 season opener, if you're a Vikings fan.

Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC)--(NCAA Division III):  St. Scholastica at Greenville (Ill.)--(September 17):  Defending UMAC champion Panthers play host to the upstart Saints.


Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC)--(NCAA Division III):  Any conference game against the defending D-III national champion Warhawks will be the biggest game of the year in the WIAC, for the other seven teams in the WIAC, that is.