Week Five is in the books for Iowa’s ten DIII football programs, and our Preseason Power Rankings are still pretty solid. Eight Iowa based teams compete in the American Rivers Conference (A-R-C) and two compete in the Midwest Conference (MWC).
1. King Wartburg and his Knights remain on the Iowa Throne
Wartburg defeated Luther in Decorah 36-3. This game between the Norse and the Knights may have been the last one in the series. The two teams have been playing every year since 1944, but the Norse are moving to the Midwest Conference next year (where we predict they will be more competitive in football). We have a lot of X banter on whether you could call this game a rivalry or not with fans, but we hope the two schools can meet in the non-conference on a regular basis. The game was much closer than the predicted spread, but never in doubt as Wartburg’s D dominated. Preseason SGI #1 – 5 Wins 0 Losses. It is great to continue to be the King.
2. The Dutch sit solidly in position to challenge Wartburg for the Crown
Central beat Loras 45-27 and is in the top #25 nationally (Wartburg in the top #10) and stacking solid wins. Saturday, they went to the Rock Bowl in Dubuque and were slow getting out of the gate, trailing 20-17 at half-time. The previous week the Dutch overcame a 16-7 deficit at half to the Dubuque Spartans before they pulled away for a 35-16 home win. They are obviously making some great halftime adjustments, but they know they can’t continue the trend of slow starts. Preseason SGI #2 – 5 Wins, 0 Losses.
3. Coe College still has Playoff Hopes and took care of business
Coe College beat Buena Vista 37-10 and is still in the playoff hunt, but they can’t have another loss, or the dream of a third consecutive playoff appearance will be officially over. They will need help, such as Wartburg beating Central College on October 25, but the Kohawks must win out and receive some assistance. It will not be an easy road, as Coe has a big road game next week at Indianola. Preseason SGI #3 – 3 Wins, 2 Losses.
4. Simpson College is lurking and hoping to Rise like a Storm
The Storm had an off week as they prepare for huge home game next Saturday against Coe, They are putting up points and rise to number 4 in our rankings, passing the Dubuque Spartans. It could be a special season in Indianola this fall with a freshman QB leading the way into the big four of the A-R-C. Preseason SGI #5 – 2 Wins, 2 Losses.
5. The University of Dubuque Spartans are working to get back into A-R-C top four
The Spartans beat Nebraska Wesleyan 21-10 at home this weekend. They have had the toughest non-conference schedule (UW-Platteville and UW-Stout) of the A-R-C teams. They have been in the top 4 of the A-R-C with Wartburg, Coe, and Central for the past five years. Preseason SGI #4 – 2 Wins, 3 Losses.
6. Cornell is building under the new Ritchie regime and is .500
The gap between the next three teams in our power rankings is razor-thin in our opinion. The Rams took care of business in Beloit winning 26-19 (the Rams were up 23-6 before allowing two late quarter scores including on the games last play) The schedule looks favorable with 4-5 games the Rams have a great shot of winning yet in 2025. Preseason #8 – 2 Win, 2 Losses
7. Loras battled hard at the Rock Bowl but are still winless
The Duhawks played hard against nationally ranked Central leading 20-17 at half, but then the Dutch put up 28 unanswered to pull away before a last Loras TD to finish 45-27. Preseason SGI #6 – 0 Wins, 4 Losses.
8. Buena Vista is trying to build a foundation for the future
The Beavers fell to Coe 37-10 on the road. In Storm Lake they are trying to build a foundation for the future in the rugged A-R-C and climb in the standings. Former BV Alum Austin Dickinson is in his third season as Head Coach trying to lead their first winning season in over 2 decades. Preseason #7 – 1 Win, 3 Losses
9. Grinnell is working to build a Football program foundation after restarting football in 2021.
The Pioneers hosted powerful Monmouth and lost 49-9. In 2021, after two years with no football, the Pioneers restarted the program and are working hard to rebuild their MWC football program. Preseason #10 – 1 Win, 3 Losses.
10. Luther is trying to build for the future and survive in their last year in the A-R-C
In their last A-R-C game against Wartburg the Norse fell 36-3. The Norse are leaving the rugged A-R-C after this final season and are moving to the MWC in 2026, where they should be more competitive in football. It’s tough to see where they might find a win in 2026. Preseason #9 – 0 Wins, 5 Losses
The season is far from over, with teams in the mid-range having a lot of opportunities to move up to the upper tier, yet this fall. Will King Wartburg remain on the Iowa DIII throne again in 2025?
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