THE RFC MYC: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW)-(NCAA Division III)

2017 CCIW Final Standings (Courtesy of the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin)

Overview: In one of the tightest races in College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) history, the 2017 season ended with North Central (10-2 overall) and Illinois Wesleyan (9-2 overall) sharing the conference crown at 7-1 in league play. However, thanks to their 26-13 win over the Titans on September 16, the Cardinals captured the CCIW's automatic bid to the NCAA Division III playoffs. They advanced to the second round, where they fell to Wisconsin-Oshkosh.

As for Illinois Wesleyan, the Titans enjoyed their best season since 2009, as they won a share of the CCIW crown en route an 8-2 overall record in 2017. Their postseason run was cut short in the first round of the D-III playoffs, falling to Case Western Reserve in a 28-0 shutout. 

A quick look ahead to 2018 shows that the CCIW once again will be a conference to watch at the D-III level, with three of its teams-North Central at No. 7, Wheaton (8-2 overall, 6-2 CCIW in 2017) at No. 18, and Illinois Wesleyan at No. 21-all ranked in the d3football.com preseason poll. Don't be surprised if any of these three teams advance to postseason play when November arrives. Meanwhile, the newest member of the CCIW comes from not from Wisconsin or even Illinois, but from just across the Mississippi River in Missouri, in the form of Washington University in St. Louis. 

NOTE: If the link to the team's schedule is not highlighted, it means that the team has not submitted its schedule for the 2018 season. When the team's schedule is submitted, the link (s) will appear in each blog post. Also, please visit the RFC blog at realfootballcentral.blogspot.com for preseason previews, schedules, schedule updates, and much more.

Augustana (Ill.)

Carroll (Wis.)

Carthage

Elmhurst

Illinois Wesleyan

Millikin

North Central

North Park

Washington (Mo.) 

Wheaton

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