RFC Summer Semester--Missouri Valley Football Conference (MVFC) Preview (FCS)

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2011 Final Standings 

Looking back: In only its fourth full season of eligibility, North Dakota State won its first-ever NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) title in 2011.  The Bison downed Sam Houston State, 17-6, in the FCS title game at Frisco, Texas, on January 7, 2012.  Northern Iowa was the only other MVFC team to advance to postseason play last year.  The Panthers reached the quarterfinals, only to be crushed by Montana, 48-10.

Looking ahead: NDSU will try to accomplish something that hasn't done since Appalachian State won three straight national championships in 2005, 2006, and 2007: win back-to-back crowns in 2012.  Meanwhile, the MVFC will add one additional program in the University of South Dakota Coyotes.

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

1. North Dakota State (14-1):  After a remarkable 2011 season that ended with their first-ever FCS national championship, the Bison will enter the 2012 season looking for a repeat performance.  Their non-conference schedule includes a September 8 contest at FBS (non-BCS automatic qualifier) Colorado State, followed by their MVFC opener at Northern Iowa three weeks later.  It'll be interesting to see if the Bison will have the same hunger they had in winning it all last season.


2. Northern Iowa (10-3):  If there's any team that challenge North Dakota State for the MVFC crown, it's the Panthers.  Whether they'll able to make a deep playoff run in 2012, though, is another matter altogether.  They'll face two opponents from the Big Ten Conference(Wisconsin, Iowa) within the first three weeks of the season.


3. Illinois State (7-4):  The Redbirds hope to improve on last season's 5-3 mark in MVFC play.


4. Indiana State (6-5):  The Sycamores return 39 letterwinners and 19 starters in hopes of becoming serious contenders in the MVFC for 2012.


5. Youngstown State (6-5):  The Penguins handed North Dakota State their lone loss of 2011 with a 27-24 upset win at the Fargo Dome on November 12.  It was the big highlight of an otherwise up-and-down season for them.


6. South Dakota State (5-6):  While they finished in a three-way tie with Youngstown State and Indiana State for fourth place at 4-4 in MVFC match-ups last season, the Jackrabbits fell one win short of finishing above .500, had it not been for a four-game during September and October.  But they did finish strong at the end, winning their final three contests of 2011.  Hopefully, that will carry over into 2012.


7. South Dakota (6-5):  The Coyotes should fit right in with the mix that is the MVFC, as they enter their inaugural season in the league.


8. Southern Illinois (4-7):  After seven straight playoff appearances from 2003-2009, the Salukis will face an uphill battle in trying to return to being among the elite teams in the MVFC going into 2012.


9. Missouri State (2-9):  If you're a Bears fan, you probably can't wait for 2012 to get here.  Especially after a rough 2011.


10. Western Illinois (2-9):  The Leathernecks find themselves in the same boat as the Bears.