RFC Summer Semester: Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (IIAC) Preview (NCAA Division III)

Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (IIAC)--NCAA Division III

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2013 Final Standings




Looking back: The Wartburg College Knights claimed the 2013 Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference football championship after finishing 6-1 in league play. They've also had 21 straight winning seasons, which is currently tied for the seventh longest streak in NCAA history.

In the Division III playoffs, the Knights cruised by Illinois Wesleyan, 41-7, in the first round, before falling to Bethel (Minn.), 34-27, in a thrilling second round contest. 

Looking ahead: Expect another close race in the IIAC for 2014. 

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

1. Wartburg (9-3):  The defending league champion Knights enter the 2014 season as the team to beat in the IIAC.  They hope to win their third conference championship dating back to 2008, and their 13th overall.

2. Simpson (7-3):  But after finishing second in conference play at 5-2 a year ago, the Storm could take the IIAC by storm this season.

3. Coe (7-3):  After a undefeated regular season--and brief NCAA playoff appearance--in 2012, the Kohawks fell back to earth in 2013, finishing in a four-way tie for third place. They hope to earn third postseason trip since 2009 under head coach Steve Staker.

4. Central (6-4):  The Dutch will try to extend one of the longest streaks in all of college football at all levels: not suffering a losing season since 1960.

5. Dubuque (5-5):  Head Coach Stan Zweifel hopes that the five players that were named USA College Football Preseason All-Americans will carry the Spartans to their first playoff appearance since 2011.

6. Buena Vista (4-6):  The Beavers will look to move up in the IIAC standings after ending the 2013 season with four straight wins after starting 0-6.

7. Luther (2-8):  The Norse will enter the 2014 season trying to snap a six-game losing streak.

8. Loras (1-9):  While the Duhawks will try to end an eight-game skid. Oh, and they have a brand new head coach in Steve Helminiak, who was the interim head coach for the final three games of last season.

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