The MIAA will be one of the toughest conferences in the division once again this season. However, along with the traditional powers, another name joins the battle for the conference title and a playoff spot. Former NCC Champion and playoff selection, Nebraska-Omaha is officially a member of the conference in 2008.

That Bearcat Tradition

It will be a tough task to unseat defending champion and three-time consecutive national runner-up, Northwest Missouri State University. Even though the Mavericks defeated the Bearcats early last season, NWMSU will still be favored to compete for the conference title. The Bearcats will have to overcome several losses of personnel including offensive superstar All-American Xavier Omon. The will be led on offense by returning All-American Reid Kirby and All-MIAA selections Kendall Wright (WR) and Jeremy Davis (RG). Leading the defense will be by All-MIAA safety Miles Burnsides.

NWMSU opens the season hosting Abilene Christian from the LSC and a playoff selection last season. The will also play two other 2007 playoff teams (UNO and Washburn) on the road and will have tough battles at Central Missouri and with archrival Pittsburg State at Arrowhead Stadium.

New Team on the Block

Of course, it makes sense that the reigning champion of the defunct North Central Conference will also make a run for the title in their new conference. Nebraska-Omaha was top-seeded in the D2 Northwest Regional last year, yet lost in the second round after a bye. They return Harlon Hill Trophy regional finalist tailback Brian McNeill and All-NCC quarterback Zach Miller. The season will feature renewed series between the Mavs and three former conference foes Emporia State, Fort Hays State and Pittsburg State. UNO plays two playoff teams from last season as they host NWMSU for the second straight season and travel to Washburn.

Others Will Fight

Several other schools that will strongly contend for the title will be Pittsburg State, Missouri Western, Central Missouri, and Washburn. The Gorillas will be led by senior All-MIAA selections Mark Smith at quarterback and Caleb Farabi at running back. PSU plays RMAC and SW Region top seed Chadron State during the second week of the season. They also play three other 2007 playoff teams but host all of them with the exception being the Fall Classic at Arrowhead with Northwest Missouri.

Washburn went down in the first round of the playoffs last season and lost their starting quarterback to graduation. The Ichabods return All-MIAA Zach Watkins (LB) to lead the defense and All-MIAA second team selection Brandon Walker (RB) to lead the offense. Missouri Western will be led by All-MIAA offensive linemen Roger Allen and will face two OOC opponents including Minnesota-Duluth, a new member of the NSIC. Central Missouri will be led by All-MIAA defensive linemen John Wood along with second team selections Glenn Milner (RB), Craig Harrison (OL), Randy Shepherd (DB) and Matt Frankel (P). The Mules play two out-of-conference games with one coming against Arkansas Tech of the Gulf South Conference.