RFC Summer Semester--Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Preview (NCAA Division III)

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2011 Final Standings 

Looking back: Wisconsin-Whitewater secured its place in NCAA football history in 2011, with the Warhawks winning their third straight Division III national championship, as well as their fourth title in the last five years.  UWW was the lone team from the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) to advance to postseason play last season.

Looking ahead: UWW will have yet another chance to add to its trophy case in 2012, as the Warhawks will look to become only the second team ever to win four straight national championships at the D-III level.  Augustana (Ill.) is the only team to win four straight D-III national titles, from 1983-1986.  The only other program to claim four straight national championships was Carroll (Mont.).  The Saints won four straight NAIA crowns from 2002-2005.

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

1. Wisconsin-Whitewater (15-0):  Over the last seven years alone, the record really speaks for itself when starting a discussion about the Warhawks football program.  Seven straight trips to the Stagg Bowl, four national championships in the last five years, not to mention back-to-back-to-back national championships.  Oh, and under current head coach Lance Leipold, UWW, amazingly, has lost just three games dating back to the 2007 season.  It'll be interesting to see if the Warhawks can continue that unprecedented run of excellence in 2012.

2. Wisconsin-Platteville (7-3):  If there's any program that could end Whitewater's amazing run, it could be the Pioneers.  A season-ending four-game winning streak after splitting the first six games gives the UWP faithful a faint glimmer of hope for 2012.  By the way, Platteville will play host to Whitewater in the WIAC opener on September 29.


3. Wisconsin-Oshkosh (7-3):  The Titans had their third seven-win season in the last years, winning their final two contests of 2011 to finish in a second place tie with Wisconsin-Platteville, which was their best-ever.  They hope to finally get over that seven-win hump in 2012.


4. Wisconsin-Eau Claire (5-5):  The Blugolds hope to advance to the NCAA Division III playoffs for the first time since 2007.  Their first true test for 2012 will come in the season opener on September 1, when they play host to national semifinalist St. Thomas.


5. Wisconsin-Stout (5-5):  The Blue Devils will a have tough test of their own on September 15, as they play to another NCAA playoff participant from 2011 in North Central.


6. Wisconsin-Stevens Point (4-6):  The Pointers hope to point their way back to respectability in the WIAC after losing three straight games to end 2011.


7. Wisconsin-LaCrosse (3-7):  The Eagles will also look to get back on the winning track after third three-win season in the last four years.


8. Wisconsin-River Falls (1-9):  The Falcons last had a winning season in 2000, when they finished 6-4 overall.