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North Dakota Selected As Preseason Football Favorite
North Dakota has been picked as North Central Conference football favorite in both the preseason media and coaches polls released today. The two samples agreed on the top spot, but none of the other eight slots were the same in the two polls.
The 2006 season season marks the introduction of two new teams, Central Washington and Western Washington, into the NCC.
In 2005, Minnesota Duluth, Nebraska-Omaha, North Dakota and South Dakota tied for the NCC title while Minnesota Duluth, Nebraska-Omaha and North Dakota made the field for the NCAA Division II Championship. North Dakota downed Minnesota Duluth before falling to Grand Valley State in the playoffs while Nebraska-Omaha received a first-round bye before being defeated by Saginaw Valley State.
This season's media poll marks the 52nd time that the media have made their predictions about the nine-team league that spans five states. The media have correctly picked the NCC champion in 15 of the past 24 seasons. In all, the media have successfully chosen the NCC champion 27 times in the 51 years in the poll's existence.
The NCC coaches have made predictions for the past 23 years. They have picked the champion 12 times.
Here are the selections with quotes from the responding media (with each pollster's first and second place picks in parenthesis):
Pat Sweeney, WDAZ-TV, Grand Forks (UND, UMD) - "UND's depth will make the difference. UMD will challenge with an experienced crew."
Tom Hansen, WBJR-TV, Duluth (USD, UNO) - "Welcome back the the NCC, Joe Salem. Should be another thrilling NCC season."
James R. Johnson, WDAZ-TV, Grand Forks (UND, UMD) - "There's only one way for UND to bid farewell to Division II."
Jeff Culhane, Coyote Sports Network (UNO, USD) - "With questions regarding the future of the league, one constant remains - on Saturday this is still the most competitive conference top-to-bottom in Division II football."
Joe Sunnen, The Bellingham Herald, (UND, UMD) - "The October 28th game between UND and UMD could decide the title."
Scott Heinle, KVRR-TV, Fargo (USD, UNO) - "It will be interesting to see how the Washington schools fit into the mix."
Bruce Ciskie, KDAL-TV, Duluth (UMD, USD) - "UMD's defense will be vastly improved and Schlafke should have no problems adjusting to new offensive coaches."
Kevin Culhane, Coyote Sports Network (USD, UND) - "This year could easily be a repeat with the ‘Big 5' battling for the top spot. The Coyote defense with key returnees and transfers will replace the Coyote offense as the best in the league. Defense wins championships. I look for the competitve Saturdays this season in the NCC."
Travis Morgan, KMEG-TV, Sioux City (UND, USD) - "Stefan Logan has the ability to carry the Coyotes to another NCC title."
Jeff Fylling, KXRB, Sioux Falls (UNO, UND)- "From the shores of Gitche Gumee to the Pacific Ocean, the NCC remains DII's best and most balanced."
David Gustafson, UNO Play-by-Play, (UNO, USD) - "Should be another close finish for the top spot in the conference."
Mark Ovenden, KDLT-TV, Sioux Falls (UNO, UND) - "Tough to pick between UNO and UND. Logan keeps the Coyotes in the race. Augie might surprise if they stay healthy."
Michael Linnell, Minot Daily News, (UND, USD) - "Another wide open year. Any one of the top six could be champs and a four-way tie could easily happen again."
Brian Shawn, KVLY-TV, Fargo, (UND, USD) - "A three-horse race between USD, UND and UNO...Central Washington could be a sleeper."
Matt Zimmer, Argus Leader, (UND, AC) - "If anyone can win on the road, they might be good."
Steve Imming, WNAX, Yankton (UND, USD) - "Title contention runs deep, but UND could seperate from the rest."Chad Smith, KLGR, Redwood Falls, Minn. (UND, UNO) - "Still have to like the Sioux. UNO, USD, SCSU and UMD have pieces, but also have skill position experience."
Jon Nowacki, Duluth News-Tribune, (UND, USD) - "The league looks especially tough and wide open with any of five teams as having a legimate shot at capturing the league title."
Track Record
Here is the track record of the sportswriters and sportscasters:
Year Media Pick Actual Champion
1955 South Dakota State South Dakota State
1956 South Dakota State Morningside
1957 Morningside South Dakota State
1958 South Dakota State North Dakota
1959 South Dakota State Augustana
1960 Augustana Northern Iowa
1961 North Dakota No. Iowa/So. Dak. St.
1962 South Dakota State No. Iowa/So. Dak. St.
1963 Northern Iowa South Dakota State
1964 Northern Iowa UNI/NDSU/UND
1965 Northern Iowa North Dakota State
1966 North Dakota North Dakota/No. Dak. St.
1967 North Dakota State North Dakota State
1968 North Dakota State North Dakota State
1969 North Dakota State North Dakota State
1970 North Dakota State North Dakota State
1971 North Dakota State North Dakota State
1972 North Dakota UND/NDSU/USD
1973 North Dakota No. Dak. St./South Dakota
1974 North Dakota State NDSU/UND/USD
1975 North Dakota North Dakota
1976 North Dakota North Dakota State
1977 North Dakota State North Dakota State
1978 North Dakota State South Dakota
1979 Nebraska-Omaha North Dakota
1980 North Dakota Northern Colorado
1981 North Dakota North Dakota State
1982 North Dakota State North Dakota State
1983 North Dakota State No. Dak. St./Neb.-Omaha
1984 North Dakota State No. Dak. St./Neb.-Omaha
1985 North Dakota State North Dakota State
1986 North Dakota State North Dakota State
1987 North Dakota State Minnesota State, Mankato
1988 North Dakota State North Dakota State
1989 North Dakota State St. Cloud State
1990 North Dakota State North Dakota State
1991 North Dakota State North Dakota State
1992 North Dakota State North Dakota State
1993 North Dakota State North Dakota/Minn. St., Mkto.
1994 North Dakota State No. Dak. St./North Dakota
1995 North Dakota North Dakota
1996 North Dakota State Nebraska-Omaha
1997 Northern Colorado Northern Colorado
1998 Northern Colorado N. Colorado/Neb.-Omaha
1999 Northern Colorado N. Colorado/North Dakota
2000 North Dakota State Nebraska-Omaha
2001 North Dakota State North Dakota
2002 North Dakota N. Colorado/St. Cloud State
2003 St. Cloud State North Dakota
2004 North Dakota Nebraska-Omaha
2005 Nebraska-Omaha UMD/UNO/UND/USD
2006 North Dakota
2006 North Central Conference
Football Preseason Media Poll
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Total
North Dakota 11 3 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 158
South Dakota 3 8 4 0 2 2 0 0 0 137
Nebraska-Omaha 4 3 2 5 4 1 0 0 0 128
Minnesota Duluth 1 4 3 6 0 3 2 0 0 116
Central Washington 0 0 4 3 5 4 3 0 0 96
St. Cloud State 0 0 1 4 5 6 3 0 0 89
Augustana 0 1 0 2 3 2 8 2 1 72
Western Washington 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 9 8 32
Minnesota State 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 8 10 29
2006 North Central Conference
Football Preseason Coaches Poll
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Total
North Dakota 4 2 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 72
Nebraska-Omaha 3 3 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 71
South Dakota 2 4 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 70
St. Cloud State 0 0 1 2 5 1 0 0 0 53
Minnesota Duluth 0 0 1 2 2 4 0 0 0 45
Central Washington 0 0 1 2 2 3 0 1 0 31
Augustana 0 0 0 0 0 1 5 2 1 24
Minnesota State 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 3 3 18
Western Washington 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 3 5 14
Note: Points were awarded 9 for 1st, 8 for 2nd, etc. in both polls.
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