Contact: Lou Groce, Director of Media and Information, 920-229-8157
GRINNELL, Iowa – The Carroll University and Monmouth College football teams have been voted by the Midwest Conference coaches to finish atop the North and South Divisions, respectively, in the annual MWC Preseason Coaches’ Poll.
The Pioneers edged out St. Norbert College by just one point in the poll and received six first place votes, compared to the Green Knights’ five. 2014 Midwest Conference Champion Macalester College earned the final top vote and earned 45 points to come in third in the North Division.
Ripon College has been projected to finish fourth for the second straight season, followed by Beloit College and Lawrence University.
In the south, new Monmouth head coach Chad Braun is expected to be very successful in his first season at the helm after receiving seven first place votes. Defending South Division champion Illinois College was second in the poll with four first place votes and 58 points. Cornell College also received a first place vote and is predicted to finish third for the second straight year.
Lake Forest College was picked to finish fourth again in 2015, with Grinnell College and Knox College completing the South Poll.
Divisional winners will meet in the Midwest Conference Championship Game on November 14 to decide the league's recipient of the automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Playoffs. The rest of the institutions will play the school with the corresponding finish in the other division during Midwest Conference Championship Weekend, also November 14.
2015 Midwest Conference Coaches’ Poll (1st Place Votes)
North
1. Carroll 60 (6)
2. St. Norbert 59 (5)
3. Macalester 45 (1)
4. Ripon 39
5. Beloit 25
6. Lawrence 18
South
1. Monmouth 61 (7)
2. Illinois College 58 (4)
3. Cornell 46 (1)
4. Lake Forest 43
5. Grinnell 33
6. Knox 17