RFC Summer Semester--Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) Preview (NCAA Division II)

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2011 Final Standings 

Looking back: In just its fourth season since resuming its football program, Colorado State-Pueblo won the 2011 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) championship.  The Thunderwolves run in the NCAA Division II playoffs, however, was cut short in the second round, as they were stunned by Minnesota-Duluth, 24-21, for their lone loss of last season. The only other team from the RMAC to advance to the D-II playoffs was now former member Nebraska-Kearney, whose Lopers also fell in round two, losing to eventual national runner-up Wayne State (Mich.), 38-26, in an upset.

Looking ahead: While it has lost UNK to the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA), the RMAC did gain a new member in Black Hills State University out of South Dakota.  The Yellow Jackets, though, are ineligible for not only the conference title, but also any postseason play.  As for the squads that are eligible, CSU Pueblo should be the team to beat in 2012.

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

1. Colorado State-Pueblo (11-1):  After a phenomenal 2011 season that ended all too abruptly, the Thunderwolves are looking forward to the 2012 season.  With at least two publications ranking them in the Top 10, don't be surprised if CSU-Pueblo not only makes another run at the postseason play, but also wins at least one playoff game, maybe more.

2. Colorado Mines (8-3):  The Orediggers hope to mount a serious challenge against the Thunderwolves for the RMAC title, as they look to advance to the NCAA Division II playoffs for the first time since 2010.

3. Chadron State (6-5):  The Eagles needed a hard-fought overtime win over Colorado Mesa to finish the 2011 season with a winning record.  Now, as the 2012 campaign approaches, they'll look to advance to the NCAA playoffs for the first time since 2008.

4. Adams State (6-5):  Despite finishing RMAC play at 4-5, the Grizzlies still managed to notch their first winning season since 2006, when they also finished 6-5.  They hope to win their first conference title since 1989. That was also the last time the Grizzlies made the playoffs, as an NAIA member.

5. Western New Mexico (5-6):  The Mustangs are still looking for their first winning season since 1994, when they finished 5-4.  They lost four of their six games in 2011 by 13 points or less.

6. Colorado Mesa (4-7):  The Mavericks look to improve on last year's 3-6 record in RMAC play.  Their last winning season was in 2008, which preceded a postseason appearance in 2007.

7.  Fort Lewis (3-8):  The Skyhawks struggled to a 2-7 mark in RMAC games last season.

8.  New Mexico Highlands (4-7):  A seven-game losing streak to end 2011 wiped out any good a 4-0 start did for the Cowboys.  Four of those losses came by seven points or less.  If they hope to have a better ending to 2012, winning those close games is a must for them.

9.  Western State (1-10):  A 15-14 upset win over New Mexico Highlands on October 1 was the lone bright spot in an otherwise disappointing season for the Mountaineers.

Not eligible for RMAC title

Black Hills State (3-7):  The Yellow Jackets face a tough task in their rookie RMAC season.