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What it is: The Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) started in 1969 as the Nebraska Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. The addition of Northwestern (Iowa) in the early 1990's led to the league's name being to the Nebraska-Iowa Athletic Conference. The GPAC adopted its current name in 2000. It enters the 2010 season with 11 members, including outgoing Sioux Falls, whose football program has won three NAIA national championships in the last four years. USF has plans to begin the transition to the NCAA Division II ranks by at least 2011. Current member schools are located in Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota. One member school, Dana College of Nebraska, closed its doors during the offseason, leading to immediate changes to the 2010 schedule.Website: http://www.gpacsports.comPredicted order of finish (2009 overall record in parentheses)1. Sioux Falls (15-0): The Cougars hope to end their run in the NAIA with their fourth national championship in the last five years, including a potential "three-peat". If USF is to win another title, they must do so under a new head coach in Jed Stugart, who replaces Kalen DeBoer.2. Morningside (10-2): The Mustangs begin the 2010 season ranked fifth in the NAIA spring poll. They hope to reach the playoffs for the seventh year in a row.3. Hastings (9-3): The Broncos are coming off an appearance in the NAIA playoffs as well. They enter the 2010 campaign ranked No. 13 in the spring poll.4. Northwestern (Iowa)--(7-3): The Red Raiders hope to make a return trip to postseason play after missing out last year. They start a new season ranked 23rd.5. Nebraska Wesleyan (5-5): The Prairie Wolves hope to take that next step in the GPAC after a .500 finish last season.6. Midland Lutheran (6-5): The Warriors have won 14 conference titles all-time, but none since 1990. They'll be looking for their first playoff appearance since 1994.7. Dakota Wesleyan (4-6): The Tigers have had only one winning season in the last 10 years, a 7-3 mark in 2008.8. Briar Cliff (4-7): The Chargers struggled to a 4-6 mark in GPAC action last season.9. Concordia (Neb.)--(3-7): The Bulldogs best season in the last 11 years was in 2001, when they reached round two of the NAIA playoffs, and won a share of the GPAC title.10. Dordt (1-10): The Defenders enter third season of football having won just two games over the last two years.
What it is: The Dakota Athletic Conference (DAC) enters its second decade of competition at the NAIA level, as it was formed in 2000. The DAC came about a result of a merger between the North Dakota Collegiate Athletic Conference, and the South Dakota Intercollegiate Conference. The current version of the merged league has eight schools from both Dakotas as members heading into the 2010 season. Two former members have already left the DAC, as the University of Mary in North Dakota left in 2006 to join the NCAA Division II Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference, while Si-Tanka-Huron of South Dakota closed its doors just one year earlier, in 2005. A current DAC member, Minot State, has its sights set on the NCAA, as officials at the institution applied for D-II membership in 2009. MSU was recently granted second-year status by the NCAA.Website: http://www.dakotaac.org/Predicted order of finish (2009 overall record in parentheses, projected champion in BOLD type)1. Dickinson State (7-4): The Blue Hawks enter the 2010 season aiming for the program's 22 conference title, as well as their 15th playoff berth, both all-time.2. Minot State (8-3): With a preseason ranking of No. 11 by the College Fanz Sports Network, the Beavers have non-conference against NCAA Division II Bemidji State and Concordia-St. Paul (Minn.), respectively, to begin the 2010 campaign. 3. Black Hills State (6-4): Another recent acceptee into the NCAA Division II ranks, the Yellow Jackets 2010 schedule includes a contest against NCAA Division III Wisconsin-Stout on September 3.4. Jamestown (5-5): The Jimmies hope to win their first conference title since 2007, and second in the last four seasons.5. South Dakota Mines (5-5): The Hardrockers have fallen on hard times, at least when it comes to winning conference championships, as their last league title came in 1991.6. Valley City State (3-7): The Vikings have won 25 conference titles all-time, with their last crown coming in 2005. But it has been a lot longer since the VCSU faithful has experienced postseason play, with the program's last playoff appearance happening in 2001.7. Dakota State (2-7): The Trojans will do battle against defending NCAA Division III national champion Wisconsin-Whitewater on September 11.8. Mayville State (1-9): The Comets have won only 10 games over the last eight years.RFC ContactsE-mail: realfootballcentral@gmail.comTwitter: http://twitter.com/realfootball
What it is: The Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (IIAC) is a league whose teams currently compete at the NCAA Division III level. It was founded in late 1922. The IIAC currently has nine member schools, all within the state of Iowa. All of them are private institutions with church affiliations.Central College has the strongest program among all of the current members, winning an IIAC-best 30 conference titles, advancing to the NCAA D-III playoffs 20 times, finishing the regular season unbeaten on 17 occasions, and taking home a national championship in 1974. In all, the Dutch have had 49 straight non-losing seasons dating back to 1961. The program has won 25 conference titles during that span. Finally, if that wasn't enough, Central is in select company among being the winningest programs in the NCAA over the last 35 years. Since 1975, the Dutch have compiled an overall record of 290-62-1 (.825 winning percentage). Only fellow D-III power Mount Union (.855), with an overall record of 333-56-1 since over the last three and a half decades, has had a better winning percentage over that span.Website: http://www.iowaconference.com/Predicted order of finish (2009 overall record in parentheses, projected champion in BOLD type)1. Central (10-1): With 15 starters, including 11 all-conference honorees, coming back, the Dutch hope to win their fifth IIAC title in seven years under head coach Jeff McMartin. Still, Central hopes to get past the first round of the D-III playoffs, as its season ended with a 42-40 upset loss to Mary Hardin-Baylor last year.2. Coe (10-2): The Kohawks welcome back 17 starters from the squad that reached round two of the D-III playoffs.3. Wartburg (6-4): Despite finishing a distant third in the IIAC last season at 5-3, the Knights enter this season ranked 22nd in the nation by Lindy's Sports magazine.4. Luther (5-5): The Norse have had three consecutive 5-5 seasons since 2007. The program's last eight-win season was in 1987 (8-2).5. Dubuque (5-5): The Spartans finished in a tie for fourth place in the IIAC at 4-4 in 2009.6. Buena Vista (4-6): The Beavers have four IIAC titles in their football history, the last coming in 1978.7. Loras (2-8): The Duhawks face a three-game road trip after their season opener at home against Elmhurst on September 4.8. Simpson (3-7): The Storm are looking forward to 2010 after struggling to a 2-6 finish in IIAC play a year ago. 9. Cornell (Iowa)--(2-8): The Rams have had only one winning season in last 10 years, finishing 7-3 in 2001.
What it is: The Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) was formed in 1932, tracing its origins to the Northern Teachers Athletic Conference. A merger between the Northern Sun Conference and the Northern Intercollegiate Conference in 1992 led to the formation of the NSIC as its known currently. Member schools are currently in Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North and South Dakota. The University of Minnesota-Duluth won the league's only national championship in football, winning an NCAA Division II title in 2008. The NSIC reached its current membership of 14 institutions when Augustana (S.D.), Minnesota-Duluth, Minnesota State-Mankato, and St. Cloud State left the now-defunct North Central Conference in 2008.While the D-II playoffs are currently open to any team that's postseason-eligible, NSIC members who don't get selected for the playoffs can compete in the Mineral Bowl in Missouri against a representative from the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association.Website: http://www.northernsun.org/Predicted order of finish (2009 overall record in parentheses, projected champion in BOLD type)1. Minnesota-Duluth (11-2): The Bulldogs welcome back 12 starters from the team that reached the NCAA D-II quarterfinals in 2009, losing to eventual national runner-up Grand Valley State. UMD hopes to earn not only its third straight trip to postseason play, but also win its second national championship in three years.2. Minnesota State-Mankato (10-2): The Mavericks, though, might be the team that could dethrone the Bulldogs in the NSIC in 2010, as defensive back Jesse Hamilton returns for his junior season as a Preseason All-American. Like UMD, Mankato hopes to advance to the NCAA playoffs for the third straight year. The Mavs also hope to put the bad taste of how the 2009 season ended out of their mouths, as they lost back-to-back games to close it out after a 10-0 start.3. St. Cloud State (7-4): The Huskies were one of four teams to finish in a four-way tie for third place overall in the NSIC at 7-3 last season. They also finished second in the NSIC South at 5-1 in divisional play. Their 2010 schedule includes visits to Minnesota State and Minnesota-Duluth.4. Bemidji State (8-3): The Beavers play three of their first four games of 2010 on the road, as well as three of their last four games at home.5. Wayne State (Neb.)--(8-3): The Wildcats hope to reach the D-II playoffs for the second time in three years, as well as to postseason play for the third time in four years, counting their 2007 appearance in the Mineral Water Bowl.6. Augustana (S.D.)--(8-3): After a 34-21 loss to Missouri Western State in the Mineral Water Bowl last year, the Vikings hope to make run at the NSIC title in 2010.7. Winona State (7-4): The Warriors will get a stiff early season test on the road to start 2010, as they travel to Carson-Newman on August 28. Winona, though, pulled off the upset over C-N, 17-12, to open 2009.8. Mary (5-6): The Marauders finished 5-5 in NSIC play, and 3-3 in North Division action last year. 9. Southwest Minnesota State (5-6): The Mustangs have had just two winning seasons since 1993, going 6-5 in 1999 and 2008.10. Concordia-St. Paul (Minn.)--(3-8): The Golden Bears turn their focus to 2010 after a disappointing 2009 season which included a heartbreaking double overtime loss to Upper Iowa.11. Upper Iowa (3-8): The Peacocks are looking forward to a new season as well after a dismal campaign of their own a year ago. A fierce 2010 schedule includes games against the likes of Bemidji State, Minnesota-Duluth, Minnesota State, Texas A&M Commerce, and Winona State.12. MSU Moorhead (2-9): The Dragons won both games in 2009 by a combined 21 points.13. Northern State (2-9): The Wolves didn't have much to howl about on the gridiron in 2009.14. Minnesota-Crookston (1-10): The Golden Eagles program has been anything but golden over the last six seasons, winning just eight games since 2004.Enjoy reading the previews?E-mail: realfootballcentral@gmail.comTwitter: http://twitter.com/realfootball
What it is: Celebrating its 90th anniversary in 2010, the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) was founded in 1920. All of the MIAC's current members are private institutions, with just one not having a religious affiliation of any kind. Additionally, the MIAC has nine schools that currently play football.St. John's has the richest tradition among current MIAC members, as the Johnnies have won or shared 31 league titles since 1932, with the most recent crown coming in 2009. SJU also is the home of the winningest active coach in college football history in John Gagliardi (pronounced Guh-LAHR-dee). Through the end of the 2009 season, Gagliardi has 471 career wins, needing 29 more victories to reach the 500-win total. 2010 will mark the 58th season at St. John's, as well as 62nd overall, for Gagliardi. He started his collegiate coaching career at Carroll (Mont.), going 24-6-1 overall in his four seasons there (1949-1952).SJU also holds four national championships all-time, winning two NAIA crowns in 1963 and 1965, followed by two NCAA Division III titles in 1976 and 2003. The Johnnies also enter their 100th season as the winningest program of all-time at the D-III level, going 565-225-24 (.709) over the previous 99 campaigns.Website: http://www.miac-online.org/Predicted order of finish (2009 overall record in parentheses, projected champion in BOLD type)1. St. John's (10-1): With preseason Top 10 national rankings in several polls, expect the Johnnies to make yet another postseason run in 2010. Gagliardi begins that season with a career record of 447-120-10 (.783) at SJU.2. St. Thomas (11-2): With five different players named to a preseason All-America squad, the Tommies just must give the Johnnies a run for their money in the MIAC this season. That's especially the case after reaching the NCAA quarterfinals last season.3. Bethel (Minn.)--(7-3): All three of the Royals losses in 2009 came by nine points or less.4. St. Olaf (5-5): The Oles last MIAC title came in 1979.5. Augsburg (4-6): The Auggies play their first four games of 2010 at home.6. Concordia (Moorhead)--(5-5): The Cobbers face a brutal start to their 2010 season, playing three of their first four games on the road, including two games against D-III playoff teams St. John's and St. Thomas in consecutive weeks.7. Gustavus Adolphus (4-6): The Golden Gusties have the second most MIAC titles all-time behind SJU with 22, but haven't won a championship since 1987.8. Hamline (4-6): The Pipers hope to move forward after finishing 2-6 in the MIAC in 2009.9. Carleton (3-7): The Knights hope to climb their way out of the MIAC basement after going 1-7 in league action last year.
What it is: In operation since 1972, the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) began as the Twin Rivers Conference, assuming its current name in 1983. The UMAC currently has nine schools playing football, with full and associate members playing in Minnesota, Missouri, Illinois, and Wisconsin. Four of the UMAC's associate members, Eureka, Greenville, MacMurray, and Westminster (Mo.), found their way into the conference after the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference dropped its sponsorship of football prior to the start of the 2008 season. Also, Presentation College (S.D.) is set to take the field for the first time starting in 2011.Website: http://www.umacathletics.com/Predicted order of finish (2009 overall record in parentheses, projected champion in BOLD type)North Division1. Martin Luther (7-3): The Knights went finish unbeaten in their division at 4-0 last season. Do they have what it takes to do it again in 2010?2. Northwestern (Minn.)--(5-5): The Eagles will be tested early to start the 2010 season, as they face perennial D-III power St. John's (Minn.) on September 4.3. St. Scholastica (4-6): The Saints hope that their third season of football will be a winning one, as they have a combined record of 5-13 in the first two seasons.4. Crown (4-6): The Storm struggled a to a 1-3 record in the UMAC in 2009.5. Minnesota-Morris (4-6): The Cougars have had just one winning season since 1990, when the 2006 squad won seven games, all in UMAC play, en route to winning the conference championship that season.South Division1. Greenville (7-3): The defending UMAC South Division champion Panthers start the 2010 season against three opponents whose names start with the letter "A": Augustana (Ill), Anderson (Ind.), and Albion.2. Westminster (Mo.)--(5-5): The Blue Jays return nine starters on offense, as well as eight on defense, for the upcoming season.3. Eureka (4-6): The Red Devils were in 2-3 in games decided by seven points or less in 2009.4. MacMurray (1-9): The Highlanders hope to put their misery of 2009 behind them in 2010.Enjoy reading the previews?E-mail: realfootballcentral@gmail.comTwitter: twitter.com/realfootball
What it is: In operation since 2006, the Northern Athletics Conference (NAC) traces its origins to now defunct non-football leagues such as the Lake Michigan and Northern Illinois-Iowa Conferences. Its football membership currently totals eight schools, with locations in Illinois and Wisconsin. Football, though, didn't become an official league sport until 2008.Website: http://northernac.org/Predicted order of finish (2009 order of finish, projected champion in BOLD type)1. Concordia (Chicago)--(8-2): The Cougars found themselves just one win away from making postseason play for the first time ever, only to be denied in their final regular season game of 2009, losing 15-14 to Benedictine (Ill.). They hope 2010 will be the year they finally get into the playoffs.2. Lakeland (6-5): The Muskies to hope to win their fifth conference title in seven years. That run dates back to when they won the then Illini-Badger Conference championship in 2004.3. Concordia (Wis.)--(5-5): The Falcons enter the 2010 campaign with high hopes, and high expectations, after finishing the 2009 campaign with a 5-2 mark, and a three-way tie for second place in the NAC.4. Benedictine (6-4): The Eagles will play all but two of their games in or near the Chicago suburbs in 2010.5. Wisconsin Lutheran (5-5): The Warriors enter this season hoping to finish above .500 for the first time in their football program's history. They won five games only one other time, in 2003.6. Aurora (4-6): After winning the NAC title in 2008, the Spartans didn't live up to preseason expectations in 2009, and finished with a disappointing 2-5 mark in conference games. The Spartan faithful hope the 2010 season will mark a return to the top of the NAC standings.7. Rockford (1-9): The Regents hope to move forward after a dismal 2009 season.8. Maranatha (0-10): The Crusaders were outscored 378-64 in going winless last season. They were also shutout in three of those games in 2009.
What it is: With a history dating back 40 years, the Gulf South Conference has become one of the strongest conferences in NCAA Division II football. The GSC currently has 11 schools playing football, with a membership that stretches from Georgia to Arkansas, with Alabama and Mississippi sandwiched in between.Over the years, GSC members, past and present, have combined to win nine national championships. Former member Troy State (now FBS Troy) won the league's first national titles in 1984 and 1987, current FCS member Jacksonville State won its lone crown in 1992, followed by three straight wins by North Alabama between 1993 and 1995. In the last decade alone, Delta State (2000) and Valdosta State (2004, 2007) have combined the three most recent national championships.Despite being one of the strongest conferences in NCAA Division II, some potential moves among its current members have left its future in doubt. Recently, talks have arose that the six Arkansas schools in the GSC could bolt that league, and join forces with some of the Oklahoma schools in the Lone Star Conference to form their own circuit, citing travel concerns. Should the Arkansas institutions decide to leave, the GSC would be left with just five current members playing football. All of those schools are located east of the Mississippi River, in Misssisippi (Delta State), Alabama (North Alabama and West Alabama), and Georgia (Valdosta State and West Georgia).Website: http://www.gulfsouthconference.org/Predicted order of finish (2009 overall record in parentheses, projected champion in BOLD type)1. North Alabama (11-2): Coming off an NCAA quarterfinal playoff appearance in 2009, head coach Terry Bowden begins his second season leading the Lions. His squad faces a tough task in returning to postseason play in 2010, as they play just four games at home this season. That slate includes the likes of fellow playoff teams Arkansas Tech and West Alabama, as well as 2009 NAIA playoff participant Lambuth.2. Valdosta State (6-4): The Blazers hope to return to their national championship form of 2007 after missing the playoffs for just the second time in the last 10 years.3. Arkansas Tech (9-3): Expectations are high for the Wonder Boys, as they enter the 2010 season ranked in the Top 25 in the Lindy's and Sporting News polls, respectively. ATU must pay visits to fellow GSC foes North Alabama and West Alabama on a potential march back to the playoffs, though.4. Delta State (5-5): The Statesmen hope to get themselves back into the GSC title, as well as playoff discussion after finishing a mediocre 4-4 in conference play last season. They'll find out quickly how good they might be early in 2010, as they host Arkansas Tech and West Alabama within the season's first five weeks.5. Ouachita Baptist (6-4): The Tigers hope to win their first conference title since 1982. A tough early-season schedule includes a visit to perennial Midwest power Nebraska-Omaha on September 9.6. West Alabama (8-5): After reaching the NCAA Division II playoffs for the first time since 1975, the Tigers hope to make it back-to-back trips to postseason play in 2010. 7. Harding (5-6): The Bisons last winning season came in 2005, when they finished 6-5 overall.8. Arkansas-Monticello (4-6): The Boll Weevils last playoff appearance was in 1993, when they reached the NAIA national semifinals.9. Henderson State (3-7): The Reddies have finished above .500 just three times since 1995.10. Southern Arkansas (3-7): The Muleriders struggled to a 2-5 finish in GSC play in 2009.11. West Georgia (1-9): The Wolves hope to work their way out of the GSC basement in 2010.
Note: Here's a brief preview for a program that was overlooked in the NCAA Division II Independents installment.2009 overall record in parenthesesLambuth (12-1): The Eagles final season in the NAIA ended with a 52-10 loss to St. Xavier (Ill.) in the second round of the playoffs. It'll be a whole new ball game in 2010, as they begin the transition to the NCAA Division II ranks. Their schedule includes games against FCS football newcomer Georgia State, as well as Ohio Valley Conference foe Tennessee-Martin. Additionally, the Eagles will face two D-II playoff teams from 2009 in Arkansas Tech and West Alabama, as well as a contest against NCAA Division III Wisconsin-Oshkosh.
What it is: The Mid-South Conference (MSC) is a league that currently competes in the NAIA. It has 14 football playing members competing in seven states (Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia). All but two members of the MSC are private, church-affiliated institutions. Additionally, the conference is split into two divisions for football: East and West. Georgetown College (Ky.) has perhaps the most storied history of all of the current conference members winning three national championships (1991, 2000, 2001) to go with their 14 MSC titles.The MSC will undergo multiple changes for 2010, as Lambuth (Tenn.) leaves the league to make the transition to the NCAA Division II ranks, while Kentucky's Lindsey Wilson takes to the football field for the first time this fall. Another Kentucky program, the University of the Cumberlands, will make the move to the West Division to make room for Lindsey Wilson. Kentucky Christian makes the move from West to East as well.Website: http://www.mid-southconference.org/Predicted order of finish (2009 overall record in parentheses, projected champion in BOLD type)East Division1. Georgetown (Ky.)--(7-4): The Tigers were one of three teams to finish in a three-way tie for second place in the MSC East last season.2. Campbellsville (7-4): The Tigers will make history to open the 2010 season on August 28. That's when they'll play their first-ever home game at night.3. UVA-Wise (5-6): 2010 will mark the final season for Bruce Wasem as the Cavaliers head coach. He enters his swansong campaign with a career record of 42-44.4. Pikeville (3-8): The Bears from Kentucky hope to put a disappointing 2009 season behind them after a 1-5 finish in MSC East action.5. West Virginia U. Tech (3-8): The Golden Bears from West Virginia are also looking forward to a fresh start after finishing winless in the MSC at 0-6.6. Kentucky Christian (1-9): The Knights hope the move East will mean a move up in the standings this season.7. Lindsey Wilson (n/a): The Blue Raiders inaugural season includes a stretch of four road games in six weeks from late September to the next-to-last weekend in October.West Division1. Cumberlands (Ky.)--(9-2): The Patriots will go West after losing to former MSC member Lambuth in the first round of last year's NAIA playoffs.2. Bethel (Tenn.)--(5-6): The Wildcats overcame a sluggish start to finish tied for second place in the MSC West at 4-2 in 2009. In fact, they finished last season on a three-game winning streak after starting 2-6 overall.3. Belhaven (6-5): The Blazers look to blaze a trail to the next level after going 4-2 in the MSC last season.4. Shorter (6-5): The Hawks open the 2010 season with three straight road games, including visits to NCAA Division II West Alabama, as well as FCS newcomer Georgia State.5. Cumberland (Tenn.)--(5-6): The Bulldogs face FCS Austin Peay to kick off the 2010 season on September 2.6. Union (Ky.)--(4-6): The Bulldogs from Kentucky finished 3-3 in the MSC East last season. They're hoping for better results as a member of the MSC West this season.7. Faulkner (2-9): The Eagles hope to soar in the standings after going winless in the MSC West at 0-6 in 2009.
Note: Here's a brief preview on a team that wasn't mentioned in past posts, Winston Salem State University.Winston-Salem State (1-10): The Rams hope to re-establish themselves as a force in the CIAA after a failed attempt to compete at the NCAA Division I level as a member of the Football Championship Subdivision. They'll have plenty of chances to do just that, as they play all but two games of the 2010 schedule within the conference.
What it is: The Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC) traces its origins to 1962, when it began as the Collegiate Athletic Conference. It was a name that stood until 1991, when it was re-named the SCAC. It has competed at the NCAA Division III level since that time.Entering the 2010 season, the SCAC will have eight full members for football, as Birmingham-Southern College of Alabama will play its first full conference schedule this fall. On the other hand, Indiana's DePauw University will leave the SCAC for the North Coast Athletic Conference in time for the 2012 season.With a membership stretching from Indiana to Texas, and several states in between, the SCAC is considered one of the most widespread conferences geographically, despite the southern location of most of its institutions.Website: http://www.scacsports.com/Predicted order of finish (2009 overall record in parentheses, projected champion in BOLD type).1. DePauw (7-3): Coming off their first-ever NCAA playoff appearance in 2009, the Tigers to win their first SCAC title outright in 2010. 2. Centre (7-2): The Colonels finished tied for third in the SCAC at 4-2 last season. They hope 31 new players will help them win a league title this season.3. Millsaps (7-3): Aaron Pelch takes over as head coach for the Majors, replacing Mike Dubose. He faces a tremendous task in keeping them among the elite programs in D-III. The Majors are a combined 33-10 overall (.767), and 24-2 (.923) in SCAC play since the start of the 2006 season, including two playoff appearances over the last four years.4. Trinity (Tex.)--(7-3): The Tigers from San Antonio hope to earn their first conference title, and playoff berth, since 2007. Ironically, that was the season they stunned Millsaps on the last play of the now famous "Mississippi Miracle" game.5. Rhodes (3-7): The Lynx struggled to a 1-5 mark in SCAC play last season.6. Birmingham-Southern (4-6): The Panthers begin their first full season in the SCAC with five home games, including the conference opener against Trinity at home on October 2.7. Austin (4-5): The Kangaroos will take the field in 2010 under new head coach Loren Dawson.8. University of the South (Sewanee)--(0-9): The Tigers have lost 17 straight games dating back to the third game of the 2008 season. Their last win came over the now-defunct Colorado College program that year.Enjoy reading the previews?E-mail: realfootballcentral@gmail.comTwitter: http://twitter.com/realfootball (To send a direct message on RFC)
What it is: Formed in late 1913, the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) consists of historically black colleges and universities (HBCU's), with 10 football-playing institutions spanning five states, primarily in the Southeastern United States.In the last decade (2000-2009), Albany State (Ga.) and Tuskegee have combined for at least a share of the last 10 SIAC championships, with the Golden Tigers from Alabama winning three straight outright titles (2007-2009). Since 1990, Tuskegee has won or shared 10 conference titles, while Albany State has won or shared eight league crowns. What makes the Tuskegee program unique is that it doesn't participate in the NCAA Division II playoffs despite being the winningest HBCU program in college football history, with 621 wins all-time through the end of the 2009 season. However, the Golden Tigers have participated in numerous "classics" and "bowl games" over the years, the most recent contest a 21-7 win over Elizabeth City State in Pioneer Bowl XI to end last season on a winning note. In all, Tuskegee has won or shared 28 SIAC titles, as well as eight mythical HBCU national championships, all going into the 2010 season.Predicted order of finish (2009 overall record in parentheses, projected champion in BOLD type)Website: http://www.thesiac.com/1. Tuskegee (10-2): The Golden Tigers go into the 2010 season having won 63 of their last 71 games going back to 2004.2. Albany State (8-3): The Golden Rams hope to start anew after losing three of their last four games of 2009, including a season-ending, upset loss to West Alabama in the first round of the NCAA Division II playoffs. That late season slide came after Albany State started the season 7-0.3. Fort Valley State (7-4): The Wildcats ended the 2009 season on a winning note, snapping a six-game losing streak against Albany State in last year's Fountain City Classic.4. Morehouse (7-3): The Maroon Tigers hope to build on one of their best seasons in recent memory.5. Benedict (8-3): The Tigers from Columbia, South Carolina hope a season-ending five-game winning streak will carry into 2010.6. Kentucky State (6-5): The Thorobreds made a three-win improvement from 2008 to 2009 in which they finished 4-5 in SIAC play.7. Clark-Atlanta (3-7): New head coach Daryl McNeill hopes to get a struggling Panthers program on the winning track. They ended the 2009 season with seven straight losses after a 3-0 start.8. Miles (4-7): The Golden Bears will play both of their non-conference games on the road.9. Lane (0-10): The Dragons hope to move forward after a winless 2009 season.
Note: Our "Independence Day" weekend series wraps up with a preview of the independent programs competing in the NAIA.2009 overall record in parenthesesAzusa Pacific (3-8): The Cougars last double-digit win season came in 2004, when they finished 11-3, and made the NAIA playoffs. They fell to eventual national champion Carroll (Mont.), 14-10, in the national semifinal round that year. As for 2010, APU will play its first four games closer to home in southern California.Edward Waters (n/a): The 2010 schedule includes teams ranging from NCAA Division II Brevard College (N.C.) to NAIA Lambuth University (Tenn.).Haskell Indian Nations (3-7): The Indians will have seven home games on their 2010 schedule, including five straight to end the season.Menlo (4-6): The California-based Oaks begin the transition to full NAIA status after their struggles as an associate member of the NCAA Division III Northwest Conference.Peru State (7-4): The Bobcats bring 22 recruits on board in hopes of contending for a playoff berth this season. It's a task that should get somewhat easier by 2011, however, as they'll join the Heart of America Athletic Conference then.Southern Oregon (2-7): The Raiders face another brutal schedule in 2010, one that includes a trip to Simon Fraser University in Canada on September 11. In all, SOU will face six teams that had at least a .500 or better record in 2009. Of those squads, two (NCAA Division II Central Washington and NCAA Division III Mary Hardin-Baylor) made the playoffs last season.Southern Virginia (3-8): The Knights are bracing for a tough slate as well, as they face the likes of D-III power Wesley (Del.), and football newcomer Lindsey Wilson (Ky.).Webber International (4-6): The Warriors started the 2009 season 0-5, but finished it with four wins in their last five games.
Note: Our preseason previews continue with a look at the independent programs competing within the NCAA Division III ranks.2009 overall record in parenthesesChapman (4-5): The Panthers will play their entire 2010 schedule within the state of California, including four home games.Huntingdon (8-3): The Hawks welcome back 30 letterwinners from the 2009 team that made its first-ever NCAA playoff appearance. They face a tough, six game road schedule where they'll travel as far away as Florida, Louisiana, and Maryland.LaGrange (5-5): The Panthers hope to earn their second postseason bid in three years. It won't be easy, though, as they'll take on three teams that made the playoffs last season. If that wasn't enough, the Panthers also face two teams that won at least seven games in 2009: Centre (7-2) and Millsaps (7-3).Macalester (2-8): The Scots face an uphill battle after a rough 2009 season.
Editor's Note: In honor of the Independence Day holiday weekend in the United States, RFC will cover the programs who are the "independents" of small college football. The first installment focuses the independents and start-ups of the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision. The definition of "independent" is that of a college or university whose sports programs do not compete in a conference.Correction (07/03/2010): In the MEAC preview for June 15, 2010, it was erroneously reported that North Carolina Central would play a full conference schedule in football this season. Instead, although NCCU officially a member of the MEAC as of July 1, 2010, the Eagles will play as an independent in football this year.2009 overall record in parentheses.Fordham (5-6): The Rams enter the 2010 season offering athletic scholarships. As a result, they'll be ineligible for the Patriot League title despite playing six games against PL opponents.Georgia State (n/a): The Panthers inaugural season on the gridiron starts with their first-ever game against NAIA Shorter on September 2, to the season finale at defending FBS/BCS national champion Alabama on November 18.Lamar (n/a): The Cardinals will play their first season of football. Their schedule includes road visits to McNeese State, Stephen F. Austin, North Dakota, and Georgia State.North Carolina Central (4-7): Although now officially a member of the MEAC, the Eagles will only play against four current conference members (North Carolina A&T, Hampton, Bethune-Cookman, and Delaware State). They'll face perennial Southern Conference power Appalachian State on September 18.Old Dominion (9-2): After a succesful inaugural season at the FCS level, it'll be interesting to see if the Monarchs can match that success in 2010. Savannah State (2-8): The Tigers look forward to the 2010 season after a dismal 2009 campaign in which they suffered six losses by 15 or more points.South Alabama (n/a): The Jaguars prepare for their first full FCS season, with games against Nicholls State, Lamar, UC Davis, and Georgia State on the 2010 slate.
What it is: Founded in 1946, the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) has competed at the NCAA Division III level since its formation in 1973. Of its current eight members, five (Carthage, Elmhurst, North Central, North Park, and Wheaton) are located in the Chicago metropolitan area. The other schools are located as far away as Bloomington and Decatur in central Illinois, and Rock Island in the northwest corner of the state. Carthage College, which is located in Kenosha, Wisconsin, is the only non-Illinois member of the CCIW.Of the 37 national team championships the CCIW has won at the D-III level over the last 37 years, only four of them have been won in football, as Augustana (Ill.) won four straight titles on the gridiron from 1983-1986. Since that time, Wheaton is the only current CCIW member to make a deep run in the NCAA Division III playoffs, as the Thunder reached the national semifinals before losing to eventual national champion Mount Union, 45-24, in 2008.Website: http://cciw.org/Predicted order of finish (2009 overall record in parentheses, projected champion in BOLD type)1. North Central (8-2): Despite winning a share of the CCIW crown in 2009, at 6-1, losses to Ohio Northern and Illinois Wesleyan helped deal a severe blow to the Cardinals postseason hopes. They hope the addition of 33 new players will get them back to the playoffs in 2010.2. Illinois Wesleyan (10-2): The Titans won a share of their second conference title in three years, as well as a trip to the second round of the D-III playoffs after knocking off Wabash, 41-35, in double overtime. They're looking to win their first outright CCIW championship since 1996.3. Augustana (Ill.)--(6-4): The Vikings have reached the NCAA playoffs 15 times dating back to 1976. Their last trip to the postseason, though, came in 2005.4. Wheaton (7-3): Three losses in their last four games of the 2009 season derailed the Thunder's postseason dreams after a 6-0 start.5. Carthage (7-3): The Red Men finished the 2009 season on a three-game winning streak. It was their third seven-win season in the last five years. The last time they won more than seven games, however, was in 2004, when they went 11-2, and reached the quarterfinals of the D-III playoffs.6. Elmhurst (4-6): The Blue Jays lost four games in a row to end the 2009 season after starting 4-2.7. Millikin (6-4): The Big Blue will play just one game outside the state of Illinois in 2010: a contest against CCIW foe Carthage on October 9.8. North Park (1-9): The Vikings finished winless in the CCIW at 0-7 last season.
What it is: Founded in 1913, the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) has long been considered one of the strongest small college conferences in the nation. The WIAC is believed to be the only NCAA Division III conference where all of its full members are state supported institutions. It's also home to the defending national champion Warhawks of the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, who knocked off perennial power Mount Union twice to win it all in 2007 and 2009.Website: http://www.wiacsports.com/Predicted order of finish (2009 overall record in parentheses, projected champion in BOLD type)1. Wisconsin-Whitewater (15-0): With three preseason All-Americans returning, the Warhawks hope to win their third national championship in four years.2. Wisconsin-Stout (8-2): The Blue Devils finished third in the WIAC at 5-2 last season. If they make a serious run for the conference title and/or NCAA playoff berth this season, they must do it under new head coach Clayt Birmingham.3. Wisconsin-Stevens Point (7-3): With 60 letterwinners coming back, as well as a No. 11 preseason ranking by USA Today, the Pointers hope to make a push for the WIAC crown this season. They face their first stiff test to open the campaign on September 4, as they play host to No. 17 (USA Today) Willamette.4. Wisconsin-Eau Claire (6-4): The Blugolds face a brutal stretch of games to open the 2010 season, as they face perennial NAIA power Bethel (Tenn.) at home, followed by games against 2009 D-III powerhouses St. John's (Minn.) and North Central, respectively.5. Wisconsin-Oshkosh (4-6): The Titans lost three straight games to end the 2009 season after starting 4-3. They face a tough stretch to open the 2010 season with back-to-back against defending Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference champion Central, as well as defending D-III champion Mount Union.6. Wisconsin-LaCrosse (5-5): The Eagles closed the 2009 campaign losing five of their last six games. That included a season-ending four-game skid.7. Wisconsin-River Falls (3-7): The Falcons open the season with back-to-back road games against Ohio Northern and St. Thomas.8. Wisconsin-Platteville (3-7): The Pioneers return 48 letterwinners in hopes of climbing out of the WIAC basement after sharing it with Wisconsin-River Falls at 1-6 in the WIAC a year ago.
Editor's Note: What better day than today (Canada Day) to do an installment on Canadian football: the rules, history, the Canadian Football League, the Grey Cup, and yes, even "Canadian university football." So, without further ado, here's a quick primer on this wide open form of football.Canadian Football League (http://www.cfl.ca/)Comparison to American footballHow the field is designedHow the game is playedOrigins of the Grey CupCanadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) Football (http://english.cis-sic.ca/sports/fball/index)
