RFC Summer Semester--Northern Athletics Conference (NAC) Preview (NCAA Division III)

Website

2011 Final Standings

Looking back: Benedictine (Ill.) crushed Concordia (Chicago), 43-21, on October 1, 2011, en route to capturing the automatic NCAA Division III playoff bid out of the Northern Athletics Conference (NAC).  The ending to last season, however, was anything but happy for the Eagles, as they lost back-to-back games to close it out.  Following a season-ending loss to Wisconsin Lutheran, the Eagles were crushed in the first round of the D-III playoffs by eventual national runner-up, Mount Union, 47-7.

Looking ahead: Can Benedictine take home another NAC title in 2012? Or, will Concordia (Chicago) finally step up, and grab that elusive bid to the NCAA playoffs?  Or, will another team step up and take charge?  Those are among the many questions that will be answered in the NAC this season.

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

1. Benedictine (Ill.)--(7-4):  The Eagles enter the 2012 season looking their third straight Northern Athletics Conference title, and NCAA playoff berth in the process.  They'll be tested in two early-season non-conference games, though, as they travel to Wheaton to open their campaign against the Thunder on August 30, followed by their home opener against defending Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) champion Albion on September 15.

2. Concordia (Chicago)--(8-2):  Despite going a combined 24-6--all eight-win seasons--over the last three years, the Cougars have found themselves sitting at home during the playoffs.  They hope to finally get there this season.  But in order to get there, they must do something they've never done in their program's history: beat Benedictine. Oh, and they've also had a combined record of 17-4 in conference play dating back to 2009.  Want to guess which beat them in the three games they lost in NAC action over the last three years?  None other than Benedictine.


3. Wisconsin Lutheran (6-4):  After recording their highest finish in NAC play (5-2) last season, the Warriors hope to take that next step, and win their first-ever league title this season.  


4.  Lakeland (4-6):  The Muskies will look to improve on last year's 4-3 NAC record.


5. Concordia (Wis.)--(4-6):  The Falcons finished 4-3 in conference play as well last season, but ended it on a winning note, as they knocked off Lakeland, 28-23.


6. Aurora (3-7):  The Spartans look to move forward after a disappointing 2011 season in which they finished just 2-5 in NAC games.


7. Maranatha Baptist (3-7):  The Crusaders ended an otherwise dismal season with their lone conference win: a 24-20 triumph over Rockford.


8. Rockford (0-10):  The Regents hope to put a winless 2011 season behind them.