RFC Summer Semester: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) Preview (NCAA Division III)

Website

2012 Final Standings

Looking back: There was a three-way split of the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) championship in 2012, with Wheaton, North Central, and Elmhurst all finishing conference play at 6-1.

However, only two of those teams, North Central and Elmhurst, advanced to the NCAA Division III playoffs. Both teams advanced to the second round before suffering a pair of losses to end the season.  The Cardinals were crushed by Linfield, 30-14, while the Bluejays  fell to eventual national runner-up St. Thomas in a heartbreaker, 24-17.

Looking ahead: Take your pick of any team in the CCIW, and draw them out of a hat. That's how wide open the race for the conference title will be.  Who knows, a team like Elmhurst come out of nowhere, and capture the crown.

Predicted order of finish (2012 overall record in parentheses)

1. North Central (9-3):  Since 2002, the Cardinals have compiled an outstanding overall record of 97-27 (.782 winning percentage) under head coach John Thorne.  They hope to continue that winning tradition in 2013.


2. Wheaton (8-2):  Despite a season-ending four-game winning streak, the Thunder found itself on the outside looking in come playoff time.  That's because of losses to Elmhurst and Albion in 2012.  Those losses alone could give the Thunder extra motivation for 2013.

3. Elmhurst (10-2):  With a new head coach in Joe Adam, the Bluejays might find it hard to match last year's success.

4. Illinois Wesleyan (6-4):  The Titans look to bounce back after a 6-0 start fizzled into a four-game skid to end the 2012 season.

5. Augustana (Ill.)--(5-5):  On the flip side, the Vikings overcame a start of 1-4 overall to finish CCIW play in sole possession of fourth place at 4-3.  

6. Millikin (5-5):  The Big Blue and its faithful hope a season-ending two-game winning streak will carry over into 2013.

7. Carthage (3-7):  The Red Men hope to start anew under new head coach Rob Yeager.

8. North Park (1-9):  The Vikings also have a new head coach in Mike Conway.

Follow RFC on Twitter @realfootball.