RFC Summer Semester--Midwest Conference (MWC) Preview (NCAA Division III)

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2011 Final Standings 

Looking back: Monmouth (Ill.) finished undefeated (9-0) in Midwest Conference play in 2011, and earned an automatic bid to the NCAA Division III playoff berth in the process.  The Scots advanced to the second round before being bounced by eventual national semifinalist St. Thomas, 38-10.  The MWC's only other playoff participant, Illinois College, finished 8-1 in conference play en route to earning an at-large berth.  The Blueboys were eliminated in the first round after a 38-20 loss to Wabash.


Looking ahead: The MWC's membership will grow from 10 to 11 schools in 2012, as the league welcomes back one of its original members in Cornell College from Iowa.  


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

1. Monmouth (Ill.)--(10-2):  The Scots enter the 2012 season as the team to beat in the MWC.  Their last league loss came on October 27, 2010, a 34-27 setback to Beloit.

2. Illinois College (9-2):  After advancing to the NCAA playoffs for the first time ever last season, the Blueboys hope to get that same taste of postseason play this season.  The only difference, of course, is that they'll try to get their first-ever postseason win.


3. St. Norbert (7-3):  The Green Knights will open the 2012 season in Ireland, against John Carroll, on August 31.  And no, it's not a misprint either.


4. Carroll (Wis.)--(7-3):  The Pioneers will to improve on last year's 6-3 record in conference play.


5. Ripon (6-4):  The Red Hawks look to soar higher after finishing 5-4 in the MWC last season.  They hope to earn their first-ever NCAA playoff berth in 2012.


6. Grinnell (5-5):  The Pioneers are hoping for a strong finish to 2012 after losing three straight games to end 2011.  That late season skid came after a 5-2 start.


7. Lake Forest (3-7):  The Foresters hope to notch their first winning season since 2004, when they finished 8-2 overall.


8. Cornell (Iowa)--(3-7):  The Rams hope to have a triumphant return to the MWC in 2012, after finishing their final season in the Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference at 1-7.


9. Beloit (2-8):  The Buccaneers will get a stiff test right out of the gate to start MWC play on September 8, against defending champion Monmouth.


10. Lawrence (1-9):  The Vikings enter the 2012 season trying to snap an eight-game skid.


11. Knox (0-10):  Speaking of losing streaks, the Prairie Fire will be looking for its first win since October 9, 2010: a 31-21 triumph over Grinnell.