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2012 Final Standings
Looking back: Four teams won at least eight games overall in 2012. When the dust finally settled, however, it was St. Norbert that won the Midwest Conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Division III playoffs. The Green Knights outlasted Lake Forest, 20-10, to advance to postseason play. They were eliminated in the first round by eventual national runner-up, St. Thomas, 48-17.
By the way, both St. Norbert and Lake Forest finished 8-1 in MWC play to share the conference crown, while Illinois College and Carroll (Wis.) were not far behind at 7-2.
Looking ahead: Expect the Midwest Conference race to turn into another toss-up going into 2013.
Predicted order of finish (2012 overall record in parentheses)
1. St. Norbert (8-3): The Green Knights look to advance to the NCAA Division III playoffs for the ninth time in 14 years under veteran head coach Jim Purtill.
2. Illinois College (8-2): The Blueboys only losses of last season came to Carroll (Wis.) and league co-champion Lake Forest.
3. Lake Forest (8-2): Fresh off of their first conference co-championship since 2002, the Foresters will shoot for their first-ever outright MWC title in 2013. Ironically, they lost both the season opener, and season finale, while winning eight straight games in between.
4. Carroll (Wis.)--(8-2): The Pioneers won five straight games to finish in a two-way tie for third place in the MWC at 7-2 last season. The faithful in Waukesha hope that season-ending flourish will carry over into this season.
5. Ripon (5-5): The Red Hawks will face five teams that finished the 2012 season with winning records. They'll take on four of those teams within the first four weeks of the 2013 season. Ouch!
6. Monmouth (Ill.)--(5-5): The Scots will be tested right out of the gate to open the 2013 season, as they play host to D-III playoff participant Coe College on September 7.
7. Cornell (Iowa)--(4-6): OK, do the math. The Rams were a combined 12 points away from going 6-4 overall, as opposed to 4-6, in 2012. Learning how to win those close games could prove to be the key to winning 2013 season.
8. Grinnell (2-8): The Pioneers face an uphill battle after a dismal 2012 season.
9. Lawrence (2-8): The Vikings start a new era under new head coach Mike Barthelmess.
10. Knox (2-8): The Prairie Fire also have a new head coach in Damon Tomeo.
11. Beloit (0-10): Winless Buccaneers also face a rough road ahead in 2013.
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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.
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2012 Final Standings
Looking back: In the inaugural season of Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) football, two teams won at least 10 games, with Indianapolis (9-2 overall during the regular season) claiming the league's first-ever championship, as the Greyhounds finished unbeaten in conference play at 7-0.
On the other hand, despite going 10-1 during the regular season, Missouri S&T found itself on the outside looking in come playoff time. The Miners lone loss of last season came to UIndy.
In the NCAA Division II playoffs, the Greyhounds defeated Midwestern State, 31-14, for their first-ever postseason win. Their season ended with a 28-7 loss to Colorado State-Pueblo in the second round.
Looking ahead: The 2013 season will start every team chasing Indianapolis, as well as to lesser extent, Missouri S&T. Meanwhile, the membership of the GLVC will grow by one institution this fall, as Truman State University out of Kirksville, Missouri will join the conference.
But the league also lost two members in Urbana, who joined the newly-formed Mountain East Conference, as well as Central State, whose Marauders will compete as an independent. Those moves leave the GLVC with eight football-playing members for 2013.
Predicted order of finish (2012 overall record in parentheses)
1. Indianapolis (10-3): With a tough season-opening schedule that includes games against defending GLIAC champion Ashland, perennial NAIA power St. Xavier, and FCS Drake, the Greyhounds won't be sneaking up on anyone this season.
2. Missouri S&T (10-1): If the Miners hope to win their first-ever GLVC title, as well as advance to the NCAA Division II playoffs this season, they must accomplish both tasks under new head coach Tyler Fenwick.
3. St. Joseph's (6-5): After finishing in a tie for third place with former member Urbana, the Pumas will try to move up in the standings for 2013.
4. McKendree (3-7): Having recently been granted full membership at the D-II level, the Bearcats look to become competitive right away. They'll start that new era under new head coach Mike Babcock.
5. Quincy (3-8): The Hawks will open the 2013 season with back-to-back games against FCS foes Western Illinois and Indiana State. Ouch!
6. Truman State (4-7): After more than 100 years as a member of the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA), the Bulldogs look to start from scratch as the newest member of the GLVC.
7. William Jewell (2-9): Cardinals enter the 2013 season trying to snap a seven-game skid that ended 2012.
8. Kentucky Wesleyan (2-9): Panthers will try to bounce back after going winless (0-8) in GLVC action last season.
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2012 Final Standings
Looking back: Ashland breezed through the regular season unbeaten (10-0) to win the 2012 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) title. The Eagles season ended in the second round of the NCAA Division II playoffs, where West Texas A&M pulled out a stunning 33-28 upset win on November 24.
Looking ahead: Expect the remaining teams in the GLIAC to close the gap on the Eagles in 2013. Meanwhile, the conference will have one fewer member this season, as Notre Dame College (Ohio) left to join the newly-formed Mountain East Conference.
Predicted order of finish (2012 overall record in parentheses)
1. Ashland (11-1): With a preseason ranking of No. 5 in the nation, according to The Sporting News, the Eagles will have a huge target on the backs in 2013. If that wasn't enough, they also begin this season with back-to-back away games, including the season opening contest at fellow D-II playoff participant Indianapolis.
2. Grand Valley State (8-3): As one of six teams that finished in a six-way tie for for second place in the GLIAC last season, don't be surprised if the Lakers find themselves in the thick of the conference championship race near the end of this season.
3. Saginaw Valley State (8-3): Cardinals face a tough task in their 2013 season opener, as they head west to face Northwest Missouri State on September 5.
4. Findlay (7-3): Coming off one of their better seasons in recent memory, the Oilers hope to take that next step, and contend for a postseason berth this year.
5. Hillsdale (7-4): Chargers will face seven teams that finished the 2012 campaign with winning records, including D-II playoff participant (and former GLIAC associate member) Indianapolis.
6. Michigan Tech (7-3): With 44 career wins coming into the 2013 season at the Huskies head coach, Tom Kearly needs just six wins to join the 50-win club. But with a schedule that includes teams such as Grand Valley State, Saginaw Valley State, and Hillsdale, among others, accomplishing that feat won't be easy.
7. Ferris State (7-4): The addition of former Michigan defender Marvin Robinson could help the Bulldogs become a serious contender in the GLIAC this season.
8. Ohio Dominican (8-3): Panthers won five straight games to finish off 2012. They hope that streak will carry over into 2013.
9. Wayne State (Mich.)--(5-5): Warriors look to rebound after crashing back to earth in 2012. That came after an unlikely run to the national championship game in 2011. They return 11 starters from last year's team, but also lose 11.
10. Northwood (5-6): Timberwolves must learn how to win the close games if they're to contend for the GLIAC in 2013. All six of their losses in 2012 came by 14 points or less.
11. Northern Michigan (4-7): Wildcats face an uphill battle after a disappointing 2012 season.
12. Tiffin (3-8): Dragons hope to make a move up in the standings as well.
13. Lake Erie (3-8): Storm's 2013 slate includes showdowns against Saginaw Valley State, Grand Valley State, and Ashland.
14. Walsh (3-8): Cavaliers begin their full NCAA Division II membership under new head coach Ted Karras, who ironically, won an NAIA national championship at Marian.
15. Malone (1-9): Pioneers also look to start from scratch after a dismal 2012 season.
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2012 Final Standings
Looking back: Franklin claimed yet another Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC) crown in 2012, finishing unbeaten at 8-0 in HCAC action. The Grizzlies advanced to the second round of the NCAA Division III playoffs before losing to Mary Hardin-Baylor.
Looking ahead: The other eight teams in the HCAC will try to break the stranglehold that Franklin has had on the league over the past three years, as well as six of the last seven seasons. The only time the Grizzlies failed to win the conference championship in that span was in 2009, when they finished 5-2 in conference play (7-3 overall).
Predicted order of finish (2012 overall record in parentheses)
1. Franklin (9-3): Since 2006, the Grizzlies have finished a season with at least nine wins every year expect 2009 (7-3 overall). It's a trend they hope to continue in 2013.
2. Hanover (6-4): Coming off a 6-2 finish in HCAC action last season, which was good enough for a second place tie with Manchester, the Panthers expect to be in the hunt for a conference crown once again this season.
3. Manchester (6-4): The Spartans ended 2012 with six straight wins after starting 0-4. They hope to carry that streak over into 2013.
4. Bluffton (5-5): The Beavers have their work cut out for them if they're to win an HCAC title in 2013, as they'll face six teams that finished with a .500 or better record in 2012.
5. Rose-Hulman (5-5): The Engineers will shoot for their ninth straight non-losing season dating back to 2005, but haven't won a conference championship since 1988.
6. Mount St. Joseph (4-6): The Lions look to bounce back after a disappointing 2012 season.
7. Defiance (2-8): The Yellow Jackets go into 2013 trying a five-game skid that ended 2012.
8. Earlham (1-9): Quakers face a daunting task under second year head coach Neil Kazmierczak.
9. Anderson (0-10): The Ravens will look to snap a 16-game losing streak dating back to October 1, 2011.
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2012 Final Standings
Looking back: Despite a so-so overall record (5-5), the Washington University-St. Louis (Mo.) Bears still found a way to win the University Athletic Association (UAA) championship, while going unbeaten (3-0) in league play.
Looking ahead: Take one last look at the UAA as you know it, at least as far as football goes. Why? Because in 2014, Carnegie Mellon and Case Western Reserve will join the President's Athletic Conference (PAC) as affiliate members, while Chicago and Washington (Mo.) will follow suit in joining the Southern Athletic Association (SAA) by 2015.
Predicted order of finish (2012 overall record in parentheses)
1. Case Western Reserve (6-4): Head Coach Greg Debeljak and the Spartans hope to recapture the glory years of 2006-2010, when they won 38 straight regular season games.
2. Washington (Mo.)--(5-5): Bears have a tough task in defending their league title, as their non-conference schedule includes games against the likes of Wisconsin-Whitewater and Coe.
3. Carnegie Mellon (5-5): The Tartans will play three straight road games in October, including an trip to Georgia to face FCS interview on October 19.
4. Chicago (4-6): The Maroons will start over after the surprise retirement of head coach Dick Maloney.
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