THE RFC MYC: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA)-(NCAA Division III)

2017 MIAA Football Standings (Courtesy of the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association)

Overview: The football champion from the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) for the 2017 campaign came not from the state of Michigan, but from just across the state line in Indiana, in the form of the Trine University Thunder from Angola. The Thunder cruised through an undefeated 10-0 regular season, then proceeded to crush Monmouth (Ill.) 63-24 in the first round of the NCAA Division III playoffs, before being blown out by Wartburg 49-7 in the second round, to finish the season at 11-1 overall.

The only other MIAA team to post a winning record in 2017 was Hope College. Although the Flying Dutch finished at 8-2 last fall, they took eventual playoff participant Monmouth to the limit before losing 27-20 in the season opener on September 2. Hope's only other loss wasn't as close, as Trine trounced them en route to a 50-14 rout on October 21.

So, what should MIAA fans expect for the 2018 season? Expect Trine to be the favorites to win another league title this fall, with Hope not too far behind. Meanwhile, the Finlandia University Lions out of Hancock, Michigan will take the field for their first full season of football, bringing the MIAA's overall membership to eight teams.

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.

Adrian

Albion

Alma

Finlandia

Hope

Kalamazoo

Olivet

Trine

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