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Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC)
Looking back: The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Warhawks won their fifth NCAA Division III national championship in six years, defeating the University of Mount Union Purple Raiders, 43-34, to win the 2014 crown. The victory marked the end of an era at UWW, as Lance Leipold left to become the head coach at FBS Division I Buffalo. Leipold finished his Warhawks at an astounding 119 wins against just six losses. That's a gaudy .948 winning percentage, for those people doing the math at home.
Looking ahead: Now that Leipold has left Whitewater, the Warhawks have turned the reins over to longtime assistant coach Kevin Bullis in hopes of continuing their long run of dominance. Still, the other seven WIAC teams, especially Oshkosh and Platteville, hope to grind the "Whitewater Express" to a screeching halt.
Predicted order of finish (2014 overall record in parentheses):
1. Wisconsin-Whitewater (15-0): Even with Bullis now in charge, the Warhawks are still the beat in the WIAC, as well as the rest of NCAA Division III. That is, of course, until another team can prove otherwise.
2. Wisconsin-Oshkosh (6-4): But with a combined record of 23-5 in WIAC games dating back to 2011, as well as national semifinal appearance in 2012, and a second place finish at 6-1 in conference play last season, don't be surprised if the Titans stop the stranglehold the Warhawks have had on the league over the last 10 years this season.
3. Wisconsin-Platteville (7-3): The Pioneers have been equally as impressive over the past four years, going 21-7 in WIAC action during that span. They'll be shooting for their second NCAA playoff appearance in three years.
4. Wisconsin-Stevens Point (7-3): After going from two to five to seven wins over the last three years, the Pointers will look to take the step towards a conference championship--and then some--under fourth year head coach Tom Journell.
5. Wisconsin-LaCrosse (3-7): Had it not been for losing four games by seven points or less, the Eagles very well could have finished 2014 with a winning record. Who knows, 2015 could be the year that they finally could get over the hump.
6. Wisconsin-River Falls (3-7): The Falcons will be looking to soar to their first winning season since 2000, when they finished 6-4 overall.
Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference (NACC)
2014 Football Standings
Looking back: Three teams shared the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference (NACC) football championship in 2014, with Benedictine (Ill.), Lakeland, and Wisconsin Lutheran all finishing at 5-1 in conference play. Ultimately, Benedictine shut out Lakeland, 16-0, in the final game of the regular season on November 15 to advance to the NCAA Division III playoffs. The Eagles season ended in the first round, as Wheaton cruised to a convincing 43-14 win.
Looking ahead: With no apparent favorite coming into this fall, the race for the 2015 NACC championship could come down to the final weekend of the regular season again.
Predicted order of finish (2014 overall record in parentheses):
1. Wisconsin Lutheran (7-3): The Warriors won six straight games after starting 1-3 to win a share of their first-ever league title. They hope to carry over that success into 2015.
2. Lakeland (6-4): The Muskies overcame a sluggish start (0-3) to win six straight games before being blanked by Benedictine in the season finale. But in order to contend for another conference championship this season, they must do under new head coach Colin Bruton.
3. Benedictine (Ill.)--(6-5): The Eagles enter the 2015 season trying to earn their fourth NCAA playoff appearance dating back to the 2010 season.
4. Concordia (Wis.)--(5-5): The Falcons hope to bounce back from a "Jekyll and Hyde" season which they four straight games at mid-season, only to lose three straight games late in the 2014 season.
5. Rockford (2-8): The Regents have turned to new head coach Jim Schroeder to try and turn around their struggling program. They've compiled a 5-25 overall record since 2012.
6. Concordia (Chicago)--(1-8): The Cougars have struggled mightily since their D-III playoff appearance in 2012, finishing a combined 3-16 over the last two years.
Midwest Conference (MWC)
2014 Football Standings
Looking back: The Macalester College Scots made history on the football field in 2014, as they defeated the Illinois College Blueboys, 30-27, to win their first-ever Midwest Conference (MWC) championship in their inaugural season. But their run at the NCAA Division III playoffs was stopped by eventual national champion Wisconsin-Whitewater, 55-2, in the first round.
Looking ahead: The 2015 season will be the last for Carroll University in Waukesha, Wisconsin, as the Pioneers will return to the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) in 2016 after more than 23 years of competing in the MWC.
Predicted order of finish (2014 overall record in parentheses):
North Division
4. Beloit (3-7): After going winless in conference play at 0-5, the Buccaneers hope to turn the corner in their second season under head coach Seth Duerr.
5. Ripon (3-7): The Red Hawks took a step backwards in 2014, suffering their first losing season since 1994, when they finished 4-6 overall.
South Division
1. Monmouth (Ill.)--(8-2): The Scots found themselves a combined 12 points away from an undefeated season, losing to Illinois College and Carroll (Wis.). They hope to use those losses as motivation for the 2015 season.
3. Cornell (Iowa)--(5-4): Can the Rams make it three straight winning seasons under Vince Brautigam, who's entering his sixth season as their head coach? That will depend upon whether or not they beat either Monmouth or Illinois College at home, or both in 2015.
6. Knox (2-8): The Prairie Fire and its faithful is looking for a spark after winning five games overall over the past three years.
College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW)
CCIW Football History
2014 Football Standings
Looking back: It proved to be a "down" year for the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) in 2014, as only two teams: Wheaton (11-1 overall) and North Central (8-2 overall) finished with winning records. The Thunder advanced to the second round of the NCAA Division III playoffs, where they fell at home to John Carroll in a heartbreaking 14-12 loss.
Looking ahead: The CCIW will see slight changes in its membership over the next several years, with Carroll (Wis.) returning to the conference in 2016 after an absence of more than 20 years, while Washington (Mo.) will join the league in 2018 as an associate member. That will give the CCIW 10 football-playing members by 2018.
Predicted order of finish (2014 overall record in parentheses):
1. Wheaton (11-1): The Thunder reached the double-digit win mark in 2014 after being stuck at 8-2 the previous three years. With a preseason ranking of No. 8 by The Sporting News, don't be surprised if it claims another CCIW crown this fall.
2. North Central (8-2): As this latest installment of the "RFC Small College Preview" was being posted, the Cardinals recently added a 10th game to its regular season schedule, as they'll square against perennial East Coast power Wesley at home on September 26. This late update to the schedule only adds to the high expectations going into the 2015 season, as they hope to win at least six games in CCIW play for the 11th straight year dating back to 2005. If that wasn't enough, Jeff Thorne will replace John Thorne as the Cardinals head coach.
3. Augustana (Ill.)--(5-5): After three straight seasons of finishing with exactly five wins each, the Vikings will look for a fresh start under new head coach Steve Bell. In yet another statistical oddity, they've finished CCIW play at no worse than 4-3 five times in the last six years.
4. Elmhurst (5-5): A three-game losing streak to end 2014 has the Bluejay faithful praying for a better ending to 2015.
5. Illinois Wesleyan (4-6): The Titans hope to climb their way back to the top of the CCIW heap after suffering their first losing season since 2006, when they finished 3-7 overall.
6. Carthage (3-7): The Red Men will look to grab their first winning season since 2010, when they finished 6-4 overall.
7. Millkin (3-7): The Big Blue have their work cut out for them in the win column after struggling to a 1-6 mark in CCIW games last season. This season, though, they'll have plenty of chances to do just that, as they play against six teams that finished a combined 19-41 overall in 2014.
8. North Park (2-8): OK, does anyone know the last time the Vikings even finished at exactly .500, let alone had a winning season? For those that answered 1968, that's the correct answer. NPU finished 6-3 overall at the end of that campaign. They haven't won more than four games since then. With that said, they'll face an uphill battle to make that climb in the standings this fall.
Mid-States Football Association (MSFA)
Looking back: The Mid-States Football Association once again proved why it was one of the toughest conferences in the NAIA last season, as three of its teams: Grand View, Marian, and St. Xavier, all won at least 10 games in 2014. However, the conference's streak of winning NAIA national championships ended at three straight games, with Southern Oregon crushing Marian 55-31 to win the title last season. Ironically, those three aforementioned teams: St. Xavier (2011), Marian (2012), and Grand View (2013) were the last three teams to win the NAIA national championship prior to Southern Oregon.
Looking ahead: Don't be surprised if the MSFA sends multiple teams to the NAIA playoffs this fall. But the league must move forward without Grand View, whose Vikings have left the MSFA to join the Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC). William Penn also made the jump to the HAAC along Grand View over the offseason. The departure of both schools leaves the league with 13 teams this fall.
Predicted order of finish (2014 overall record in parentheses):
Mideast League
1. Marian (11-3): The Knights will have a challenging 2015 schedule, including an inaugural clash with NCAA Division II Indianapolis on September 12.
2. Siena Heights (6-4): The Saints are looking to defend their share of the Mideast League title that they won with Marian last season.
4. Taylor (5-6): Scoring as many points as possible will be the top priority for the Trojans in 2015, as they were held to 15 points or less in the six games that they lost in 2014.
5. Concordia (Mich.)--(3-8): Head Coach Lonnie Pries enters his third season trying to turn the Cardinals into conference title contenders in 2015.
6. Lindenwood-Belleville (Ill.)--(2-8): The Lynx will enter their fourth season hoping to notch their first-ever winning season. In order to reach that milestone, though, they'll have to do it with new interim head coach Byron Gettis, who recently replaced Jeff Fisher (no, not the veteran NFL head coach).
7. Missouri Baptist (1-10): The Spartans hope to build on an inaugural season where a 34-10 win over Haskell Indian Nations was their lone triumph of 2014.
Midwest League
1. St. Xavier (10-3): The Cougars will be tested early in 2015, as they open the season against another preseason Top 25 team in Marian on August 29.
2. Robert Morris (Ill.)--(8-3): The Eagles hope that a switch in divisions will finally help their football team land in the NAIA playoffs for the first time ever this fall. Still, they'll face some tough early season tests against NCAA Division III Wisconsin-Oskhosh and Marian in a MSFA crossover contest.
3. St. Francis (Ill.)--(4-7): The Fighting Saints and their fans hope that the addition of Western Carolina transfer tight end Brent Walker will turn around their team's fortunes this fall.
4. St. Ambrose (5-5): The Bees hope to fight their way back to the top of the Midwest League standings after a 2-3 finish in MSFA play last season.
5. Olivet Nazarene (2-9): The Tigers will be fishing for their first winning season under Brian Fish, who's beginning his fifth season as their head coach this fall.
6. Trinity International (3-7): The Trojans will try to crack the win column in conference play this season, going winless in MSFA action at 0-5 last season.
Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC)
2014 HCAC Standings
Looking back: It's never been a better time to be the Franklin College Grizzlies. Not only did they win their fifth straight Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC) championship--as well as their seventh in the last eight years--they also were among the leaders in attendance at the NCAA Division III level last season, averaging more than 3,200 fans per game at home in 2014.
In the Division III playoffs, however, the Grizzlies season was cut short in the first round, with Wabash ending Franklin's season with a 33-14 loss to the Little Giants.
Looking ahead: Expect Franklin to be favored to win yet another HCAC championship this fall.
Predicted order of finish (2014 overall record in parentheses):
1. Franklin (8-3): With the return of seven football players, as well as two separate preseason Top 25 national rankings from two different publications, it's no surprise that the Grizzlies are once again the team in the HCAC this season. Oh, and 16 starters are coming back to suit up for them too.
2. Mount St. Joseph (8-2): After finishing second in the HCAC at 7-1 last season, the Lions will look to make a serious run at dethroning the Grizzlies this season.
3. Rose-Hulman (7-3): The Engineers will look to win at least eight games in a season for the first time since 1988, when they finished 8-2 overall.
4. Bluffton (6-4): The Beavers will go into 2015 trying to build on their best finish ever in HCAC action, finishing 6-2 in 2014.
5. Manchester (4-6): The Spartans struggled in close games last season, finishing 1-4 in contests decided by eight points or less. If they're to finish with their first winning record since 2012, they must rely on the services of four players that were named preseason All-Americans by USA College Football.
6. Defiance (3-7): The Yellow Jackets have one of the toughest schedules in all of D-III for the 2015 season, as they must face six teams that finished the 2014 season with winning records.
2014 Media Guide
7. Anderson (2-8): New head coach John Sala will try to turn around the fortunes of a Ravens program that has won just seven games over the past six years.
8. Hanover (2-8): Six games against teams who had winning records in 2014--including two against D-III playoff teams Centre and Franklin, will highlight the 2015 schedule for the Panthers.
9. Earlham (0-10): New head coach Nick Johnson has been chosen to rebuild a Quakers program that has mustered only three wins overall since joining the HCAC in 2010.
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Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC)
2014 GLVC Football Standings
Looking back: Despite winning their third straight outright Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) championship since the league started sponsoring football in 2012, the University of Indianapolis Greyhounds picked the worst time to suffer first conference loss, as they were upset by William Jewell in the 2014 season finale. That setback not only cost UIndy an undefeated season in conference play, it also cost the Greyhounds a trip to the NCAA Division II playoffs. As for William Jewell, the win over the Greyhounds allowed the Cardinals to finish in a four-way tie for second place in the GLVC.
Looking ahead: While UIndy goes into the 2015 season looking to win its fourth GLVC crown, several other teams will look to dethrone the Greyhounds in hopes of winning the league championship.
Predicted order of finish (2014 overall record in parentheses):
1. Indianapolis (9-2): The Greyhounds hope to use the season-ending upset loss to William Jewell as motivation for the 2015 campaign. But in order for UIndy to pull off the "four-peat", head coach Bob Bartolomeo must replace the 15 seniors that helped the 'Hounds win 36 games over the past four years.
2. St. Joseph's (7-3): The Pumas must try to win their first-ever GLVC title with a new head coach in Dan Day. He replaces Cory Sanders, who resigned to take a coordinator position at the University of West Florida.
3. Truman State (6-4): The Bulldogs must navigate their way through a far-flung road schedule that stretches from Detroit to Texas if they're to make a serious run at a GLVC title and postseason appearance in 2015.
4. McKendree (5-6): After a season-ending five-game winning streak to close out the 2014 campaign, the Bearcats hope to be in luck with Lucky Baar returning for the 2015 season as a preseason All-American at defensive lineman.
5. Quincy (6-5): After a four-game improvement in the win column between 2013 and 2014, head coach Tom Pajic and the Hawks hope to continue their upward climb in the standings for 2015. But with tough games against the likes of Indianapolis and Ohio Dominican, building on that task won't be easy.
6. William Jewell (5-6): The Cardinals begin a new era this fall under new head coach Shawn Weigel. He takes over for Jerod Kruse, who stepped down to become the associate head coach at Southeastern Louisiana University.
7. Missouri S&T (4-7): The Miners will face an extensive rebuilding effort under third-year head coach Tyler Fenwick.
8. Southwest Baptist (4-7): The Bearcats must look for a new head coach before training camp even starts, as Craig Schuler suddenly resigned as this post was being written.
9. Lincoln (Mo.)--(2-9): The Blue Tigers face a long climb out of the GLVC cellar after struggling to a 1-7 mark in league play last season.
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Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC)
2014 GLIAC Football Standings
Looking back: The 2014 season saw two teams; Ferris State and Ohio Dominican, advance to the NCAA Division II playoffs with double-digit wins. To the misfortune of many football fans that follow the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC), both aforementioned squads squared off in the second round of the playoffs, with the upstart Panthers pulling off the upset over the top-seeded Bulldogs in a 46-33 upset win. ODU then fell to eventual national champion Colorado State-Pueblo, 31-28, in the quarterfinals. A third team, Michigan Tech, fell to Angelo State in the first round of the playoffs, 42-41.
Looking ahead: The GLIAC is due for a major shakeup over the next several seasons, as six of its members have announced plans to leave for the fledgling Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC). Malone University will join the G-MAC in 2016-17, followed by Findlay, Hillsdale, Lake Erie, Ohio Dominican, and Walsh in 2017-18. These aforementioned departures will leave the GLIAC with nine football playing schools staying in the conference by the start of the 2017 season.
Predicted order of finish (2014 overall record in parentheses):
1. Ferris State (11-1): The Bulldogs must overcome the loss of 17 seniors, as well as depend on the contributions of Sporting News pre-season All-Americans Jason Vander Laan at quarterback, and Justin Zimmer at defensive end, in order to stay on top in the GLIAC this season.
2. Ohio Dominican (11-2): Head Coach Bill Conley and the Panthers will look to build on their 2014 success, with an October 17 re-match at Ferris State looming large.
3. Michigan Tech (9-2): The Huskies enter this fall looking to earn back-to-back NCAA Division II playoff appearances for the first-time ever.
4. Ashland (8-2): The Eagles will look to make a serious postseason push after being ranked 23rd by Lindy's Sports in its preseason poll.
5. Wayne State (Mich.)--(7-4): A four-game winning streak to end the 2014 season has the Warriors and their faithful cautiously optimistic for the 2015 season.
6. Grand Valley State (6-5): The Lakers will face Ferris State and Ohio Dominican on the road in back-to-back weeks to open GLIAC play.
7. Findlay (5-6): With the move to the G-MAC looming in 2017, the Oilers hope to move up in the GLIAC standings in 2015.
8. Northwood (5-6): The Timberwolves last winning season came in 2009, when they finished 7-3 overall.
9. Tiffin (5-6): A season-ending three-game losing streak deprived the Dragons of their first winning season since 2007, when they finished 9-2 overall.
10. Hillsdale (4-7): The Chargers face an uphill battle after a disappointing 2014 season.
11. Lake Erie (4-7): The upcoming move to the G-MAC in 2017 can't come soon enough for the Storm.
12. Walsh (4-7): Same thing goes for the Cavaliers.
13. Northern Michigan (2-8): Wins have been by hard to come by lately for the Wildcats, as they've won just five games over the last two years.
14. Saginaw Valley State (2-9): One year after advancing to the NCAA Division II playoffs (2013), the Cardinals will look to return to the top of the GLIAC after a dismal 2014 season.
15. Malone (1-10): The Pioneers will look to rebuild under sixth-year head coach Eric Hehman, as they begin their GLIAC swansong.
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Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA)
2014 MIAA Standings
Looking back: Five of the seven teams in the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) finished the 2014 season with a winning record. Of those five squads, the Adrian College Bulldogs finished on top at 5-1 in MIAA action (8-3 overall), while four other teams: Albion, Trine, Olivet, and Hope, all finished at 6-4 overall.
With their 2014 MIAA championship, Adrian advanced to the NCAA Division III playoffs for the second time in the last three years, only to be crushed by eventual national runner-up, Mount Union, 63-3, in the first round.
Looking ahead: Adrian will face stiff competition from the other six MIAA teams, as the Bulldogs try to win their back-to-back league titles, and third in the last four seasons.
Predicted order of finish (2014 overall record in parentheses):
1. Adrian (8-3): Head Coach Jim Lyall must depend on the contribution of rising sophomore running back Emmanuel Stewart, while also replacing multiple seniors, if the Bulldogs are to hoist another MIAA championship trophy in the air this fall.
2. Albion (6-4): But the Britons will be back with a vengeance, as they try to win their third league title in five years, as well as their 36th overall.
3. Olivet (6-4): The Comets must overcome the loss of d3football.com All-America defensive end Ryan Armstrong, as well as become dependent on multiple returnees, if they're to find themselves in the MIAA title discussion this season.
4. Hope (6-4): The Flying Dutchmen will rely on the contributions of co-captains Rob Kish at quarterback, and Augie Mata at defensive back in hopes of becoming serious MIAA championship contenders this season.
5. Trine (6-4): The Thunder will face a tough slate in 2015, paying visits to perennial D-III power North Central, as well as to Albion and Adrian later in the season.
6. Alma (2-8): The Scots struggled once again in 2014, losing five of their seven games by double-digit margins.
7. Kalamazoo (2-8): Can anybody say "nowhere to go but up" for the Hornets? They'll try to to bounce back from a rough 2014 season after finishing 6-4 in 2013.
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