The team to come closest to defeating the eventual national champions, Northwest Missouri State, in the playoffs was Central Washington.  A blocked extra point at the end of the game was a heart-breaking way to close the season at home. However, the Wildcats did enjoy another successful year as they made their fourth playoff appearance (third consecutive) since joining Division II just a decade ago. I don’t expect much different this year as they are favored to win the GNAC and venture into the post season.

The offensive unit lost several key personnel but will be anchored by All-GNAC second team selection Bryson Kelly at running back. The defense will be led by two CDS Pre-Season All-Americans with linemen Tyrell Nielsen and Eugene Germany. Germany, who will be a senior for the Wildcats, was a unanimous first-team all-GNAC selection last season. He totaled 37 tackles while starting all 13 games as a defensive end in 2009, adding 10 1/2 tackles for losses and three quarterback sacks as a junior.

The Wildcats will start this season by hosting 2008 National Champion, Minnesota-Duluth before the round-robin conference schedule begins with additional contests coming against Eastern Washington (NAIA) and Southern Oregon (FCS). This season, the GNAC features a new school in the mix as Simon Fraser becomes the first Canadian institution to join D2.

D2 Sports Network predicts the CWU Wildcats to finish with a record of 11-2 as GNAC champions in the quarterfinals of the NCAA Playoffs.