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

College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW)--NCAA Division III

Website

2013 Final Standings

Football History

Looking back: North Central (13-1 overall in 2013) had its best season on the gridiron ever, advancing to the NCAA Division III national semifinals before falling to eventual national runner-up Mount Union, 41-40.  Illinois Wesleyan was only other team from the CCIW to advance to postseason play, losing to Wartburg, 41-7, in the first round of the NCAA playoffs.

Looking ahead: Expect the rest of the CCIW to challenge North Central for the conference crown in 2014.

Predicted order of finish (2013 overall record in parentheses):

1. North Central (13-1): With preseason Top 10 national rankings in three different magazines, the Cardinals are once again the team to beat in the CCIW. Rising sophomore quarterback Dylan Warden will be expected to lead them on a deep postseason run in 2014.

2. Illinois Wesleyan (9-2):  The Titans hope to land in the playoffs again, with rising senior John Worley leading the way at defensive end.  He was ranked No. 20 in the defensive ends category on the NFL Draft Diamonds website.

3. Wheaton (8-2):  The Thunder will look to push their way back into the postseason discussion after back-to-back-to-back eight-win seasons over the last three years failed to produce a playoff berth. Their last NCAA playoff appearance was in 2010, when the Thunder finished that season at 10-2 overall.

4. Augustana (Ill.)--(5-5):  The Vikings face a tough task in trying to move up in the CCIW standings this season, as head coach Rob Cushman must replace d3football.com senior linebacker Erik Westerberg, as well as a host of players from the 2013 squad.

5. Elmhurst (4-6):  A five-game losing streak following a season-opening win over Loras spelled doom for the Blue Jays, who were held to 17 points or less in each of their six losses last season. Getting off to a solid start is a must if they hope to contend for the CCIW this season.

6. North Park (3-7):  The Vikings will a face a brutal slate in 2014, as they'll face five teams that won eight or more games in 2013.

7. Millikin (2-8):  The Big Blue hopes to bounce back after a dismal 2013 season.

8. Carthage (1-9):  The Red Men will look to do the same after going winless in CCIW action last year.

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