RFC Summer Semester--Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) Preview (NCAA Division III)

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2011 Final Standings

Looking back: In yet another of those so-called "silly seasons"--in which a team that won eight games or fewer overall--only to win their way to postseason play, the Albion College Britons overcame an 0-5 mark in non-conference games to go unbeaten in conference play, and win the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) title in 2011.  Still, the Britons were quickly bounced from the NCAA Division III playoffs, as eventual national champion Wisconsin-Whitewater whitewashed them out of postseason play with a 59-0 rout.

Looking ahead: Despite a combined regular season record of 22-8, the trio that finished behind Albion in the final MIAA standings for 2011; Hope, Adrian, and Trine, all found themselves on the outside looking in come playoff time.  Looks like the Britons might not be sneaking up on anyone in 2012.

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

1. Adrian (8-2):  With a 7-0 start to last season, everything seemed to be in place for the Bulldogs to go unbeaten in MIAA play.  Then, the unthinkable happened.  Back-to-back losses late in the 2011 season not only cost them an unbeaten season, it also cost them an automatic bid to the playoffs. Now, with 2012 just around the corner, the Bulldogs will get their chance at redemption, with Hope--one of the two teams to beat them last season--coming to Adrian on September 29, while paying a visit to Albion on November 3.

2. Albion (6-5):  The Britons overcame an 0-3 start to 2011 to win their 34th MIAA title overall.  But defending that crown won't be easy, as they must travel to Trine on October 6, although they do play host to Albion and Hope in the final two weeks of the regular season.  If that wasn't enough, the 2012 schedule also will include the likes of Benedictine (Ill.), Central, and Wheaton, among other opponents.  That trio combined to go 22-9 last season, with Benedictine (7-4 overall) advancing to the D-III playoffs as the automatic qualifier from the Northern Athletics Conference.


3. Hope (7-3):  The Flying Dutch finished 5-1 in MIAA action last season.  But that lone loss--a 12-3 setback to eventual champion Albion on October 15--forced them to settle for second place to close out 2011.  The 2012 schedule, ironically, has Hope traveling to Albion for the final game of the regular season on November 10.


4. Trine (7-3):  After a three-year stretch (2008, 2009, 2010) in which it compiled an overall record of 31-4, while winning 18 straight MIAA contests, the Thunder was stolen from the Trine program in 2011, going 3-3 in conference play last season. Key games in 2012 include a home game against Albion on October 6, followed by back-to-back road games against Adrian and Hope over the following two weeks.


5. Kalamazoo (4-6):  A fast 3-1 start for the Hornets was wasted by a four-game freefall that led to a three-way tie for last place in the MIAA at 1-5 in 2011.  A better start to conference play is a must if they're to win a conference crown in 2012.  A visit to NCAA playoff participant Centre on September 22 highlights this year's slate.


6. Alma (2-8):  The Scots will try to start from scratch under new head coach Greg Pscodna.


7. Olivet (1-9):  The Comets will start over under a new head coach as well, as Dan Pifer takes over the reins in 2012, replacing Rich Hulkow.