Week Seven is in the books for Iowa’s ten DIII football programs, and with four weeks left in the regular our Preseason Power Rankings have settled into place. Iowa’s DIII Football teams are made up of 8 teams that compete in the American Rivers Conference (A-R-C) and two that compete in the Midwest Conference (MWC).
This Saturday’s Results
Wartburg 7-0 defeated Loras (1-5) 40-20
Simpson (3-3) beat Luther (0-7) 36-3
Central (7-0) beat Nebraska Wesleyan 36-3
U of Dubuque (3-4) defeated Buena Vista (2-4) 47-20
Grinnell (1-5) and Cornell (2-4) both played the top teams in their conference and Grinnell lost 45-3 to Monmouth, and Cornell lost 70-0 to Lake Forest. Coe College had a bye week.
1. Wartburg remains the Number 1 DIII team in the State
Wartburg defeated Loras after trailing at half in Dubuque for the 20th win in a row against the DuHawks. This was Wartburg’s Coach Chris Winter’s 50th victory at Wartburg (It is only his 5th Season as Head Coach) Preseason SGI #1 – 7 Wins 0 Losses. It is great to continue to be the King, but Central awaits….
2. The Dutch are 2nd and playing Wartburg this Saturday
The Central Dutch are in the top #20 nationally (Wartburg is in the top #10) and stacking solid win after solid win. The game of the season in Iowa Division III is this Saturday when the Dutch go on the road to face Wartburg in Waverly. Preseason SGI #2 – 7 Wins, 0 Losses.
3. Coe College had a bye week and is lurking
Coe College are still in the NCAA III 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, including Wartburg beating Central College this weekend probably, but the Kohawks must win out (including defeating the Dutch) and receive some assistance. Preseason SGI #3 – 5 Wins, 2 Losses.
4. Simpson College is a solid fourth
The Storm rolled Luther in Decorah and have a big battle for #4 when they host Dubuque in Indianola this weekend. Preseason SGI #5 – 3 Wins, 3 Losses.
5. The University of Dubuque Spartans are headed to Indianola
The Spartans can climb back to their preseason spot with a big clash with Simpson. Preseason SGI #4 – 3 Wins, 4 Losses.
6. Buena Vista is trying to build a foundation for the future
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 – 2 Win, 4 Losses
7. Loras is hard to figure out, but shows improvement
The Duhawks led both Wartburg and the University of Dubuque recently at halftime, but then were handled in the 2nd half of each game. They can climb up a spot this weekend if they can defeat Buena Vista this weekend in Storm Lake. Preseason SGI #6 – 1 Wins, 5 Losses.
8. Cornell is trying to build but missed a chance on Saturday
The Rams got manhandled in Chicago by Lake Forest this weekend. This a building year in Coach Ritchie’s first year at the helm. Preseason #8 – 2 Win, 4 Losses
9. Grinnell lost a winnable game on Saturday to Knox on the road
The Pioneers lost handily to Monmouth. There are not many games that look like possible wins this year. 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, 5 Losses.
10. Luther is trying to build for the future in their last year in the A-R-C
In their last A-R-C game against Simpson the Norse got handled. The Norse chances of picking up a win and breaking their long losing streak is diminishing. Preseason #9 – 0 Wins, 7 Losses
The regular season for Iowa’s D3 teams had four weeks left. with teams in the mid-range having a lot of opportunities to move up, yet this fall.
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