RFC Summer Semester--Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC)--NCAA Division II

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2011 Final Standings

Looking back: Although Hillsdale won the outright Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) title in 2011, it was Wayne State (Mich.) and Saginaw Valley State that advanced to the NCAA Division II playoffs.  The Warriors reached their first-ever national championship before losing to Pittsburg State (Kan.).  As for the Cardinals, they lost a heartbreaker to Minnesota-Duluth, 30-27, in overtime, in the first round of the D-II playoffs.

Looking ahead: Two schools from the Canton, Ohio area: Malone and Walsh, as well as Notre Dame (Ohio), will join the GLIAC this season.  That brings the total number of teams in the conference to 16, while losing longtime associate member Indianapolis to the Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC). Meanwhile, on the field, it's a crapshoot as to who will win the conference crown in 2012.

2012 Predicted Order of Finish (2011 overall record in parentheses)

1. Wayne State (Mich.)--(12-4):  Fresh off of their improbable run to the NCAA Division II championship game, the Warriors hope to take that next step in 2012.  They come into this season ranked No. 5 in the nation by Lindy's Sports magazine.  Still, even getting back to the playoffs, never mind to the title game, will be easier said than done for the Warriors, who must pay a late season visit to Grand Valley State.

2. Grand Valley State (8-3):  Despite a season-ending seven-game winning streak, it was a 1-3 start to the 2011 season that kept the Lakers out of the playoffs for the first time since 2000.  They hope to return to prominence in 2012.


3. Hillsdale (8-3):  The Chargers will not only look to defend their GLIAC title from last season, they also hope to get to the playoffs this season.  Something they failed to accomplish last season, in spite of winning a conference championship.


4. Saginaw Valley State (7-4):  With a season opening game at home against Valdosta State on September 1, followed by an always brutal GLIAC slate, the Cardinals will have their work cut out for them in 2012.


5. Michigan Tech (7-4):  The Huskies will play an all-GLIAC schedule in 2012.


6. Ashland (6-5):  The Golden Eagles will open the 2012 season against former GLIAC member Indianapolis on August 30, before opening conference play against Wayne State on September 8.


7. Findlay (6-5):  The Oilers look to move up in the standings after making a five-win improvement from 2010.


8. Ohio Dominican (7-4):  The Panthers face a tremendous task in trying to win their first-ever GLIAC title this season.


9.  Ferris State (6-5):  The Bulldogs will be tested quickly to start 2012, as they open the season at NAIA playoff participant St. Francis (Ill.) on August 30.


10. Northern Michigan (4-7):  The Wildcats will look ahead to 2012 after a disappointing 2011 season.


11.  Lake Erie (3-8):  The Storm won back-to-back games to end the 2011 season after a 1-8 start.


12. Notre Dame (5-6):  The Falcons will enter their first full season in the D-II ranks in 2012.


13. Malone (4-7):  The Pioneers will also enter their first season in the GLIAC this fall.


14. Walsh (5-6):  As will the Cavaliers.


15. Northwood (2-9):  The Timberwolves have nowhere to go but up in 2012.


16. Tiffin (0-11):  The Dragons will try to snap a 21-game losing streak that dates back to the second game of the 2010 season.