RFC Summer Semester--Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) Preview (NAIA)

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2011 Final Standings

Looking back: Morningside took the 2011 Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) football crown.  The Mustangs were ousted in the opening round of the NAIA playoffs by St. Francis (Ill.), 21-17. 


Looking ahead: The Mustangs will be challenged by the likes of Doane and Northwestern (Iowa) for the 2012 GPAC title.


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

1. Morningside (9-2):  As the lone team from the GPAC to advance to postseason play last season, the Mustangs are a slight favorite to repeat as conference champions this season.  Hopefully, they'll play beyond the first round this time around.

2. Northwestern (Iowa)--(9-2):  Despite winning eight straight games to end the 2011 season, the Red Raiders found themselves on the outside looking in when the postseason selections were made.  They hope to find their way back to the playoffs in 2012.  Their last postseason appearance, believe it or not, was back in 2006.


3. Doane (8-2):  After coming off of a season where there was a five-win improvement from 2010 in 2011, the Tigers hope to take that next step in 2012, and take home a GPAC title.


4. Dakota Wesleyan (6-4):  The Tigers were one of three teams to finish in a three-way tie for fourth place in the GPAC in 2011.   If they're to contend for a conference crown in 2012, they must finish better than they started, as they lost four of their final five games after starting 5-0.


5. Hastings (6-4):  The Broncos finished 2011 unbeaten at home (5-0), but struggled on the road (1-4).  Winning on the road must become a priority if they hope to be serious contenders for the GPAC crown in 2012.

6. Midland (6-4):  A three-game winning streak to end last season gives the Warriors and their faithful hope for this season.


7. Nebraska Wesleyan (5-5):  The Prairie Wolves will look to start over in 2012 after ending 2011 with back-to-back losses.


8. Concordia (Neb.)--(4-7):  The Bulldogs ended the 2011 season with five straight losses after a 4-2 start.  They were held to 13 points or less in each of those losses.


9. Briar Cliff (2-9):  The Chargers hope to put the misery of 2011 behind them in 2012.


10. Dordt (2-9):  The Defenders won two games in a single season for the first time in the four-year history of their football program last year.  That was the good news.  The bad news?  They finished  winless (0-9) in GPAC play.  They hope to win their first conference game since October 11, 2008.  The Defenders downed Concordia, 17-14, on that day.