RFC Summer Semester--Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) Preview (NCAA Division III)

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2011 Final Standings

Looking back: In only its fourth season of football, St. Scholastica advanced to the NCAA Division III playoffs for the first-time ever.  The Saints were stomped by eventual national semifinalist St. Thomas, 48-2, in the first round.

Looking ahead: Expect the target to be on St. Scholastica's back all season long.

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


1. St. Scholastica (10-1):  The Saints look forward to the challenge of not only repeating as UMAC champions, but also making a return trip to the NCAA Division III playoffs, in season five.


2. Westminster (Mo.)--(8-2):  The Blue Jays bounced back from a 1-2 beginning to end the 2011 season with seven straight wins, good enough for a share of second place in the UMAC at 7-2.  It'll be interesting to see if that seven-game winning streak will carry over the 2012 season.

3.  Greenville (7-4):  The Panthers also overcome a rough start to the 2011 season, carrying a seven-game winning streak into the NCCAA Victory Bowl, where they lost to Campbellsville, 21-7.  They hope the 2012 season will be the beginning of another extended winning streak.


4. Northwestern (Minn.)--(6-4):  The Eagles will look to improve on last season's 6-3 mark in UMAC play.


5. Minnesota-Morris (5-5):  The Cougars have had back-to-back seasons of at least five wins.  It'll be interesting if they get over that hump in 2012.


6. Eureka (4-6):  The Red Devils ended the 2011 season with five straight losses after a 4-1 start.


7. Presentation (3-7):  The Saints look to march up in the UMAC standings in 2012, after finishing 3-6 in conference play in 2011.


8. MacMurray (2-8):  The Highlanders hope to put the misery of 2011 behind them.


9. Martin Luther (2-8):  The Knights are in that same boat heading into 2012.


10. Crown (0-10):  The Storm look to bounce back after a winless season.