University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, the defending conference champion, has been picked to win the 2018 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) football championship based on a preseason poll conducted by the league’s head coaches and sports information directors.

UW-Oshkosh is followed in the conference predictions by:  UW-Whitewater; UW-Platteville; UW-La Crosse; UW-Stout; UW-River Falls; UW-Stevens Point; and UW-Eau Claire.

Oshkosh won its 10th Conference Title in program history a season ago – and third in the last six seasons – while it advanced to the semifinals of the NCAA Division III Championship after appearing in the NCAA Division III National Championship Game in 2016. Oshkosh has posted 36 victories in the last three seasons – the best three-year stretch in program history – and enters the 2018 campaign ranked second nationally in Street & Smith’s College Football preview and Lindy’s Sports Division III Top 25, while placing fourth in the D3football.com Preseason Poll.

UW-Oshkosh brings back eight starters on defense, six on offense and two kickers. Senior linebacker Derrick Jennings was named to the D3football.com Preseason All-America First Team after producing a conference-best five interceptions in 2017 and adding 64 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 quarterback sacks. Senior defensive back Cole Yoder is a D3football.com Preseason All-America Third Team selection, and senior linebacker Scott Skornicka was second in the WIAC with 15 tackles for loss and ranked second on the team with 81 tackles.

Senior wide receiver and return specialist Dom Todarello is a D3football.com Preseason All-America Second Team honoree and was selected the WIAC Special Teams Player of the Year a year ago. Senior offensive linemen Tyler Powers and Alex Wendorf were named to the D3football.com Preseason All-America First Team and Second Team, respectively.

UW-Whitewater has won a conference-best 35 league championships and compiled at least six WIAC wins in 12 of the last 13 seasons, and is ranked sixth by Street & Smith’s and No. 12 by D3football.com. The Warhawks have 10 starters back on defense, including senior defensive lineman Harry Henschler and senior defensive back Famus Hasty, who were named to the D3football.com Preseason All-America first and second team, respectively. Henschler compiled a league-best 17.5 tackles for loss and 14 quarterback sacks a season ago. Senior quarterback Cole Wilber completed 146-of-260 passes for 2,067 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2017.

UW-Platteville is ranked No. 16 by D3football.com and has produced at least seven overall victories seven consecutive seasons – the longest streak in program history. The Pioneers bring back eight starters on offense, including senior wide receiver Mark Johnson, who is a D3football.com Preseason All-America Third Team honoree. A year ago, he established school single-season records with 93 receptions and 1,218 receiving yards, and added 11 touchdown receptions. Senior running back Sean Studer had a team-high 125 rushes for 563 yards and six touchdowns. Head coach Mike Emendorfer is three wins away from reaching 100 in his career. He would become the ninth coach in league history to achieve the mark.

UW-La Crosse’s eight overall wins and five WIAC victories in 2017 were the most since the 2006 squad went 9-2 overall and 6-1 in conference action. The Eagles led the league in passing offense (302.4 yards per contest) and passing defense (164.6 yards per game) last season. Junior tight end Cole Spieker had 19 receptions for 255 yards and finished second on the team with four touchdown receptions, and sophomore linebacker Peter Kissling was fourth on the team with 44 tackles.

UW-Stout’s 5-4 overall record a season ago marked the first time since 2010 that the Blue Devils finished above .500. Seven starters are back on offense, including junior running back Rayshawn Graham, who had team highs of 96 rushing attempts and 445 rushing yards. Also returning on offense is senior offensive lineman Caleb Adams. UW-Stout’s defense yielded 290.0 yards per game in 2017 to lead the WIAC, while ranking second with 101.8 yards of rushing defense per contest. Senior defensive back Levi Wolf had a conference-leading five interceptions and added 50 tackles. Senior kicker Drew Pearson was the WIAC Special Teams Co-Player of the Year in 2016.

UW-River Falls has produced a 4-6 record in three consecutive seasons for the best three-year victory total in program history since 13 wins from 2000-02. Senior wide receiver Trenton Monson produced team highs of 36 receptions, 588 receiving yards and two touchdowns during the 2017 campaign, while junior linebacker Max Praschak led the conference with 91 tackles and ranked third with 14.5 tackles for loss. Praschak is D3football.com Preseason Second Team All-American selection. The Falcons topped the WIAC in rushing defense with 79.8 yards per contest. Senior punter Owen Schommer led the league with 63 punts and 2,265 yards.

UW-Stevens Point welcomes Greg Breitbach as its new head coach, replacing Tom Journell, who served six seasons in the position. Breitbach was an assistant coach with the Pointers from 2003-06 and most recently the head coach at NCAA Division II Millersville University (Pa.) the last five years. The Pointers bring back senior defensive back Juleyan Givens, who was second on the team with 48 tackles a season ago and third with 5.5 tackles for loss. Senior running back Christian Almonte returns after missing all of the 2017 campaign due to injury.

UW-Eau Claire sophomore linebacker Victor Martinelli compiled a team-leading six quarterback sacks a year ago, while ranking second on the squad with 10 quarterback sacks and fourth with 46 tackles. Senior wide receiver led the Blugolds with 29 receptions, 384 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns.

2018 Preseason Predictions–Voted on by WIAC Head Coaches and Sports Information Directors
                                                                2017 Record

1. UW-Oshkosh                       (12-1 overall, 7-0 WIAC)
2. UW-Whitewater                         (7-3, 6-1)
3. UW-Platteville                             (7-3, 4-3)
4. UW-La Crosse                              (8-2, 5-2)
5. UW-Stout                                      (5-4, 3-4)
6. UW-River Falls                             (4-6, 2-5)
7. UW-Stevens Point                     (4-6, 1-6)
8. UW-Eau Claire                             (1-9, 0-7)

Team Tidbits

UW-Eau Claire

Head Coach:  Dan Larson; 3rd season at UWEC; 3-17
Letterwinners Returning/Lost on Offense:  37/14
Letterwinners Returning/Lost on Defense:  31/18
Letterwinners Returning/Lost at Kicker:  1/2
Starters Returning/Lost on Offense:  7/4
Starters Returning/Lost on Defense:  7/4
Starters Returning/Lost at Kicker:  1/0

Returning All-WIAC:  Victor Martinelli, So., LB (2017-Honorable)

Notable Returning Offensive Players:  Leeshaun Evans, Sr., WR; Brian Kulaga, Sr., RB; Scott Procter, Sr., QB; Ben Wolff, Sr., OL

Notable Returning Defensive Players:  Charlie Brookshaw, Sr., DL; Sam Buchberger, Jr., LB; Drew Hurley, Sr., S; Sam Romanski, Sr., LB

Notable Returning Special Teams Players:  Brad Goetsch, Jr., K/P

UW-La Crosse

Head Coach:  Mike Schmidt; 3rd season at UWL; 13-7
Letterwinners Returning/Lost on Offense:  22/18
Letterwinners Returning/Lost on Defense:  25/13
Letterwinners Returning/Lost at Kicker:  2/0
Starters Returning/Lost on Offense:  4/7
Starters Returning/Lost on Defense:  4/7
Starters Returning/Lost at Kicker:  2/0

Returning All-WIAC:  Michael Pakos, Jr., K/P (2017-Second); Sean Parker, So., K/P (2017-Honorable); Bradley Schultz, Sr., OL (2017-Second); Cole Spieker, Jr., TE (2017-Second)

Notable Returning Offensive Players:  Devonte Amos, So., WR; Jalen Clark, Jr., RB; Austin Mancosky, Sr., RB; Oliver Vasanoja, Jr., OL

Notable Returning Defensive Players:  Peter Kissling, Sr., DB; Jacob Krueger, So., LB; Colton Nieman, Sr., DB; Zachary Zillmer, Jr., DL

Notable Returning Special Teams Players:  Cal Mazur, Jr., WR/Returner; Connor Wears, Jr., LS; Bryce Wesling, So., K

UW-Oshkosh

Head Coach:  Pat Cerroni; 12th season at UWO; 89-35
Letterwinners Returning/Lost on Offense:  20/12
Letterwinners Returning/Lost on Defense:  26/8
Letterwinners Returning/Lost at Kicker:  2/1
Starters Returning/Lost on Offense:  6/5
Starters Returning/Lost on Defense:  8/3
Starters Returning/Lost at Kicker:  2/0

Returning All-WIAC:  Turner Geisthardt, Sr., K (2017-First); Turner Geisthardt, Sr., P (2015-Second, 2016-Second, 2017-Second); Brady Heimer, Jr., DL (2017-Second); Derrick Jennings, Sr., LB (2017-First); Cody Moon, Sr., TE (2016-Second, 2017-Honorable); AJ Plewa, Sr., DB (2016-Second, 2017-Second); Tyler Powers, Sr., OL (2016-Second, 2017-First); Taylor Ripplinger, Sr., DB (2017-Honorable); Scott Skornicka, Sr., LB (2017-Second); Austin Summers, Sr., OL (2017-Honorable); Dom Todarello, Sr., WR (2016-Honorable, 2017-First); Dom Todarello, Sr., Special Teams (2015-Honorable, 2016-First); Dom Todarello, Sr., Return Spec. (2015-Second, 2017-First/Special Teams Player of the Year); Alex Wendorf, Sr., OL (2017-First); Eli Wettstein, Sr., K (2016-Second); Cole Yoder, Sr., DB (2017-First)

Notable Returning Offensive Players:  Mitch Gerhartz, Jr., RB; Riley Kallas, Jr., WR; Alex Wipperfurth, Jr., OL; Jason Wright, Sr., OL

Notable Returning Defensive Players:  Chris Bednarski, Sr., LB; Kollyn Beyer, So., DB; Brandon Hughes, So., DL; Trenton Lacombe, So., DL

Notable Returning Special Teams Players:  Mitchell Berghs, Jr., LS

UW-Platteville

Head Coach:  Mike Emendorfer; 20th season at UWP; 97-95
Letterwinners Returning/Lost on Offense:  13/2
Letterwinners Returning/Lost on Defense:  10/8
Letterwinners Returning/Lost at Kicker:  3/0
Starters Returning/Lost on Offense:  8/3

Starters Returning/Lost on Defense:  8/3
Starters Returning/Lost at Kicker:  3/0

Returning All-WIAC:  Connor Foley, Sr., P (2017-First); Luke Johnson, Jr., CB (2017-Second); Mark Johnson, Sr., WR (2017-Second); Mark Johnson, Sr., Ret. Spec. (2017-Second); Sean Studer, Sr., RB (2016-Second)

Notable Returning Offensive Players:  Bo Babich, So., RB; Nick Broadhurst, Jr., OL; Tim Jansen, Sr., WR

Notable Returning Defensive Players:  Clay Becker, Sr., LB; Cleveland Redd, Sr., LB; Ben Mogilevsky, Sr., S

Notable Returning Special Teams Players:  Sam Herkert, Jr., K; Mike Pratl, Sr., K

UW-River Falls

Head Coach:  Matt Walker; 11th season (8th at UWRF); 40-60 (overall) / 18-52 (UWRF)
Letterwinners Returning/Lost on Offense:  19/11
Letterwinners Returning/Lost on Defense:  13/15
Letterwinners Returning/Lost at Kicker:  2/0
Starters Returning/Lost on Offense:  7/4
Starters Returning/Lost on Defense:  6/5
Starters Returning/Lost at Kicker:  2/0

Returning All-WIAC:  Trenton Monson, Sr., WR (2016-Honorable, 2017-Second); Max Praschak, Jr., LB (2017-First); Levi Ross, Jr., OL (2017-First)

Notable Returning Offensive Players:  Ben Beckman, Jr., QB; Nick Helms, Sr., OL; Brandon McCarthy, Sr., RB; Evan Verhota, Jr., TE

Notable Returning Defensive Players:  Mitch Dienger, Sr., DB; Michael Koch, Sr., LB; Joey Leonard, Jr., LB; Alex Wood, Sr., DB

Notable Returning Special Teams Players:  Janari Glover, Sr., Returner; Owen Schommer, Sr., P

UW-Stevens Point

Head Coach:  Greg Breitbach; 6th season (1st at UWSP); 10-45 (overall) / 0-0 (UWSP)
Letterwinners Returning/Lost on Offense:  24/11
Letterwinners Returning/Lost on Defense:  17/8
Letterwinners Returning/Lost at Kicker:  0/3
Starters Returning/Lost on Offense:  6/5

Starters Returning/Lost on Defense:  6/5

Starters Returning/Lost at Kicker:  0/2

Returning All-WIAC:  Christian Almonte, Sr., RB (2015-First); Juleyan Givens, Sr., DB (2016-Honorable, 2017-Honorable); Steve Herra, Sr., WR (2017-Honorable); Mitch Overbeck, Sr., OL (2017-Honorable); Ryan Strick, Sr., LB (2017-Honorable)

Notable Returning Offensive Players:  Zach Bosek, So., RB; Jahi Stigall, So., RB; Jonte Webb, Jr., WR; ShamaJ Williams, So., RB

Notable Returning Defensive Players:  Omarri Johnson, Sr., DB; Felix King, So., DB; Logan Strang, Jr., DL

Notable Returning Special Teams Players:  None

UW-Stout

Head Coach:  Clayt Birmingham; 9th season at UWST; 31-48
Letterwinners Returning/Lost on Offense:  16/11
Letterwinners Returning/Lost on Defense:  14/15
Letterwinners Returning/Lost at Kicker:  1/2

Starters Returning/Lost on Offense:  7/4
Starters Returning/Lost on Defense:  2/9

Starters Returning/Lost at Kicker:  1/2

Returning All-WIAC:  Caleb Adams, Sr., OL (2017-First); Clay Dziekan, Sr., LS (2017-Honorable); Rayshawn Graham, Jr., RB (2017-Second); Drew Pearson, Sr., PK (2016-First/Special Teams Co-Player of the Year, 2017-Second); Levi Wolf, Sr., DB (2017-Second)

Notable Returning Offensive Players:  Jay Alston, Sr., QB; Keyshawn Carpenter, Sr., RB; Thomas Roble, Jr., OL; Dustin Rondorf, Sr., TE

Notable Returning Defensive Players:  Dylan Peterson, Jr., DL; Jed Schlegel, Jr., DB; Luke Wilz, Jr., LB; Aaron Wisecup, Jr., DL

Notable Returning Special Teams Players:  Noel Gonzalez, Jr., Returner; Heaven Hunt, Jr., Returner

UW-Whitewater

Head Coach:  Kevin Bullis; 4th season at UWW; 31-6
Letterwinners Returning/Lost on Offense:  46/8
Letterwinners Returning/Lost on Defense:  49/3
Letterwinners Returning/Lost at Kicker:  2/1
Starters Returning/Lost on Offense:  6/5
Starters Returning/Lost on Defense:  10/1
Starters Returning/Lost at Kicker:  1/1

Returning All-WIAC:  Cal Durni, Sr., DL (2017-Second); Famus Hasty, Sr., DB (2017-First); Harry Henschler, Sr., DL (2017-First); Bryce Leszczynski, Sr., LB (2017-First); Josh Ringelberg, Jr., WR (2017-Honorable); Nate Trewyn, Sr., OL (2016-First, 2017-Honorable); Cole Wilber, Sr., QB (2016-Honorable)

Notable Returning Offensive Players:  Elliot Klim, Sr., OL; Jarrod Ware, Sr., RB

Notable Returning Defensive Players:  Bailey Breunig, Sr., DB; Jacob Erbs, Jr., LB; David O’Gorman, Sr., DL; Nate Tranel, Jr., DB

Notable Returning Special Teams Players:  Mason Fleury, Jr., LS; Wojciech Gasienica, So., K