After starting off with a loss at Abilene Christian (the second season-opening loss in a row to the Wildcats), the NWMSU plowed through the MIAA to become conference champions.  They avenged their loss to ACU in the second round of the playoffs and other than a scare at Central Washington had a comfortable run at the championship.  This season will potentially be more of the same.

They return All-American receiver Jake Soy, who was named the nation’s top receiver in 2009, and All-MIAA QB Blake Bolles to lead the Bearcat offense along with Pre-Season All-American lineman Brett Grozinger, a finalist for the Gene Upshaw Award last season.  The defense will be anchored by All-MIAA and Pre-Season All-American Chad Kilgore and All-MIAA defensive back Ryan Jones.

While the Bearcats open at home against Texas A&M-Kingsville from the LSC, they only have three other home games.  Key contests will occur on the road against Nebraska-Omaha, Washburn, Central Missouri and the Fall Classic at Arrowhead vs. Pittsburg State.

D2 Sports Network predicts the Northwest Missouri State Bearcats will finish the season with a 13-1 record and repeat as MIAA and National Champions.