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| UW-Platteville, which went 3-0 in non-conference play, is one of ... well, eight teams which keeps the WIAC's profile raised high. UW-Platteville athletics photo |
By Greg Thomas
D3football.com
With the first half of the season behind us and nearly all non-conference games in the books, Around The Nation has enough data to take a fresh look at all 28* Division III conferences and update our 2025 rankings.
This year, the shuffle of teams between conferences has had a signifcant impact. Some leagues gained a boost from adding new members, while others shifted down due to departures, creating more volatility in the rankings than we typically see.
As always, 2025 results carry the most weight in our rankings, but non-conference bowls and the expanded 40-team NCAA tournament have added extra data points to evaluate since we last ranked conferences 12 months ago. Taken together, these games give a fuller sense of which conferences are thriving, which are trending up, and which are still finding their footing.
Non-conference records here include only NCAA-recognized games — club matches and other non-sanctioned contests are excluded.
Here’s how the conferences stack up in 2025!
1. Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
2024 ATN ranking: 1
Non-conference record: 21-2
Signature win: UW-Whitewater 26, Mary Hardin-Baylor 6
There should be no surprise here. The WIAC dominated non-conference play in 2025 to an almost unthinkable degree. The league collected four wins — each by a different team — over opponents ranked in the Top 25 at the time of the contests. Three of those wins came in Oregon, Pennsylvania, and Texas, so WIAC schools are not only finding heavyweights, they’re hitting the road for those opportunities. You’ll read about the two losses as you move through this column, but those came against teams currently ranked No. 1 and No. 8. Yes, the postseason matters, and the WIAC had two teams bow out early in 2024 to similarly high-quality opponents, but the depth of this conference continues to be undeniable. The WIAC’s place atop our rankings remains firm for a 19th year.
2. Centennial Conference
2024 ATN ranking: 5
Non-conference record: 16-8
Signature win: Johns Hopkins 27, John Carroll 13
The Centennial reaches a new high-water mark in our rankings on the strength of a Johns Hopkins semifinal run, multiple wins over other Top 25 teams, and the addition of Carnegie Mellon. The Tartans are a third Centennial team that qualified for the 2024 playoffs (as a member of the PAC) and also won games in that tournament. Muhlenberg’s resurgence — 4-0 with a win at Endicott and returning to the Top 25 this week — brings an added layer of depth that few conferences can match.
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| Muhlenberg's win on the road at Endicott is one of the results which raises the Centennial Conference to its highest-ever spot in our annual ranking. Photo by Steve Labonte, d3photography.com |
3. College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin
2024 ATN ranking: 4
Non-conference record: 7-3
Signature win: North Central 45, UW-Oshkosh 14
The CCIW is buoyed unquestionably by the reigning national champions and the current dominant force in Division III. If you thought North Central would regress following the graduation of an incredible class of offensive talent, you thought wrong. The Cardinals rolled out eight new starters in Week 2 against UW-Oshkosh and were rusty for about two series before routing a very good Titan squad. The Cardinals followed that with a historic shutout win over Wheaton in the Little Brass Bell game. Speaking of the Thunder, Wheaton’s slow start at Mount Union in Week 2 cost them a chance to spring an upset in Alliance, but the Thunder showed that they can compete with just about anybody outside of Naperville in that game. There are signs of improvement below the top two as well — WashU, in its final year as a CCIW affiliate, remains solid as always, and Illinois Wesleyan’s results have been a bit more competitive in Jared Williamson’s first year as head coach.
4. American Southwest Conference
2024 ATN ranking: 2
Non-conference record: 10-4
Signature win: Hardin-Simmons 37, Chapman 30
The ASC’s uncertain future is more certain now with the return of McMurry and the addition of Schreiner next season. And while limited membership and real questions about the long-term survivability of the conference were very real problems, being a four-team league has its benefits when it comes to conference rankings. With no real bottom drag to anchor a typically high-achieving quartet of teams, the ASC flew all the way up to No. 2 in 2024. 2025 hasn’t been quite as kind to the ASC. UMHB falling at home to UW-Whitewater is a net loss for the league. Hardin-Simmons has a pair of wins over possible conference champions in Chapman and McMurry, though those teams are in conferences in the lower third of our rankings. Howard Payne has had a nice bounce-back season, and we should also note that East Texas Baptist has managed to maintain a solid level of play despite a significant exodus of talent, including one of the region’s best quarterbacks from a year ago.
5. Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
2024 ATN ranking: 3
Non-conference record: 7-3
Signature win: St. Scholastica 41, Wisconsin Lutheran 27
The MIAC is another conference really held up by a pair of excellent teams. ATN is sorry to see such a lackluster non-conference slate from this group. St. Scholastica’s road win at Wisconsin Lutheran is legitimately the best non-conference win the MIAC can hold up in 2025. St. John’s and Bethel did well in the 2024 postseason. The Johnnies knocked out UW-La Crosse before falling to eventual semifinalist Susquehanna, and Bethel advanced to the quarterfinals before also falling to Susquehanna. The MIAC hasn’t been out of the top five since 2010 but is trending in that direction. The lack of opportunities to notch high-profile wins in the non-conference portion of their season means that it might take another strong playoff run by Bethel and St. John’s to stay up here in 2026.
6. Empire 8
2024 ATN ranking: 6
Non-conference record: 13-9
Signature win: Utica 49, Washington & Jefferson 31
It’s been an up-and-down year for the Empire 8 in 2025, but the ups have improved the quality at the top of the conference. Utica’s wins over Washington & Jefferson and RPI could well be wins over eventual conference champions. Only Morrisville State failed to win at least two non-conference games. Conference realignment has also impacted the Empire 8. The addition of Alfred State might not seem like it moves the needle, but Alfred State did qualify for the 2024 tournament and provides a competitive upgrade to the middle of the conference as Hilbert departs for the Liberty League. Ed Raby Jr. has also improved St. John Fisher in short order, as the Cardinals are off to their best start since 2016.
7. New Jersey Athletic Conference
2024 ATN ranking: 15
Non-conference record: 16-7-1
Signature win: Christopher Newport 41, Susquehanna 27
Salisbury’s historic 2024 run ended in the national quarterfinals, and the Sea Gulls haven’t slowed down at all in 2025; they are currently ranked No. 5 in the Top 25. Salisbury, however, doesn’t have the longest win streak in the conference — that honor belongs to Christopher Newport. The Captains knocked off Susquehanna in non-conference action to go along with a notable win against the MIAA’s Trine. The Captains are riding a nine-game win streak, the second-longest active streak in the division. The NJAC has also received strong contributions from TCNJ and Rowan, which both went unbeaten in non-conference play. Rowan, of course, officially tied Case Western Reserve in a Week 1 game that Rowan was leading 17-14 when play was halted for weather.
8. Southern Athletic Association
2024 ATN ranking: 14
Non-conference record: 16-8
Signature win: Centre 23, Hanover 15
The SAA is the only league to feature four playoff teams from 2024 with the addition of Maryville (Tenn.) from the USAC. Those playoff teams have performed largely well. Maryville and Trinity (Texas) are both undefeated and have looked impressive through the first half of the season. Berry’s only loss came at Carnegie Mellon. Centre is just 2-2 but has posted the most impressive win of the group, knocking off HCAC contender Hanover (which has since beaten Alma). Three playoff teams might not be in the cards again this year, but the top four in this conference are all very good teams.
9. Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association
2024 ATN ranking: 11
Non-conference record: 17-7
Signature win: Calvin 40, Heidelberg 37 (OT)
We’re a few years removed from the MIAA’s ridiculous 25-3 non-conference record in 2022. That mark was posted largely against competition that most MIAA schools would have been expected to beat. This year’s 17-7 is an impressive number, and it’s coming against a stronger schedule than we saw in 2022. Calvin’s wins at Heidelberg and against NACC-leading Concordia Wisconsin show that the Knights have become competitive in just the second year of their program. Alma’s loss to Hanover is one the Scots wish they could have back, but (controversy or no) the Scots may have saved their season — and their chance to return to the postseason — by winning at Hope. Hope continues to look like a playoff-caliber team, but perhaps the biggest story in the MIAA is unbeaten Adrian. The Bulldogs have rallied behind Mount Union transfer quarterback Noah Beaudrie, notched one of the more noteworthy wins in the entire division this year (a 10-7 win over FCS non-scholarship Valparaiso), and are very much in the MIAA title picture. Olivet’s campaign has been disappointing after going winless in the non-conference portion of its season, but from 1 through 7, the MIAA has been stout.
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| Eddie Williams and Alma wish they could have back the loss to Hanover. Photo by Wade D. Gardner, d3photography.com |
10. Ohio Athletic Conference
2024 ATN ranking: 7
Non-conference record: 7-5
Signature win: Mount Union 37, Wheaton 29
The conference shuffle gives, and the conference shuffle takes away. Where the CCIW and the MIAC have a pair of excellent teams to boost their leagues, the OAC’s second-in-line, John Carroll, has moved on to the NCAC, leaving the OAC without a second team that we can comfortably say might win a playoff game or two. Marietta looked like they might be that team after a Week 1 win at Westminster (Pa.), but the Pioneers have been inconsistent since and looked very unsteady without star running back Vante’ Hodges in last week’s lopsided loss to Ohio Northern. Mount Union has looked every bit the challenger to North Central’s throne so far in 2025. Opening wins against Wheaton and Grove City were both impressive and evidence that the Purple Raiders are ready to run to Canton for another shot at their first title since 2017. But there’s a vacuum behind the Purple Raiders that needs to be filled before the OAC can return to loftier positions in the rankings.
11. American Rivers Conference
2024 ATN ranking: 9
Non-conference record: 7-11
Signature win: Wartburg 16, UW-Stout 0
With due respect to Central’s 10-0 win against Randolph-Macon, when your conference has notched one of just two wins against the WIAC this season, that’s going to be a signature win. Central has paired that with a nice result against Illinois Wesleyan. Coe’s competitive loss to UW-River Falls is noteworthy as well, but the ARC would do well to add one more really solid win. As has been the case for a while, the bottom drag in the ARC is significant. Luther will move to the Midwest Conference after this season.
12. North Coast Athletic Conference
2024 ATN ranking: 21
Non-conference record: 9-9
Signature win: Wabash 38, Case Western Reserve 28
No conference has been more dramatically reshaped by conference shuffling than the NCAC. Hiram has moved back to the PAC, and John Carroll has joined the conference. Trading a bottom-50 team for a Top 25 team completely alters the landscape. The NCAC now boasts two teams that won playoff games in 2024 — only the Centennial, MIAC, and NWC can say the same. In 2025, NCAC teams have posted notable wins against Case Western Reserve, Centre (DePauw), and Washington & Lee (Wittenberg). John Carroll has played Johns Hopkins as close as anybody this season as well. The NCAC is this year’s high riser in the rankings, and the climb may not be done, with WashU set to join as an affiliate in 2026.
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| Yes, John Carroll raises the North Coast Athletic Conference's profile, and yes, it will get raised further next season. Photo by Mike Atherton, d3photography.com |
13. Landmark Conference
2024 ATN ranking: 16
Non-conference record: 10-17
Signature win: Susquehanna 33, Union 14
Susquehanna has been the Landmark’s signature team since the conference began sponsoring football in 2023, and that may still be the case, but the River Hawks have not looked like their 2024 semifinal selves so far this fall. Western Connecticut has joined from the MASCAC and is the only undefeated team left in the Landmark. Adding the Wolves while relieving Keystone as an affiliate is a net positive for the conference’s competitive depth — though perhaps not a net positive for Keystone. After a signature season in 2024 that included a bowl win, Moravian has regressed to 0-5 to start this season.
14. Liberty League
2024 ATN ranking: 8
Non-conference record: 9-13
Signature win: RPI 30, Brockport 24 (OT)
The Liberty League isn’t afraid to challenge itself in non-conference play, but for the last couple of years at least, it hasn’t been winning as many of those higher-profile games. One notable exception this year is RPI’s overtime win over then-ranked Brockport. The league went without a playoff or bowl win in 2024, underscoring the big-win drought the conference is experiencing. Last year’s champion, Hobart, is off to a 1-4 start this season, but that one win came against Utica. Hilbert’s addition to the conference increases its bottom drag a bit, but the year-over-year slide is influenced more by the lack of signature wins.
15. New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference
2024 ATN ranking: 19
Non-conference record: 14-8
Signature win: Salve Regina 34, Western New England 28 (OT)
It’s heady times for the NEWMAC. On the heels of Springfield’s historic run to the national quarterfinals in 2024, a bowl win from SUNY-Maritime, and a strong non-conference showing this fall, the NEWMAC has reached a new peak in ATN’s conference rankings. Salve Regina’s undefeated non-conference season gives the Seahawks a reasonable shot at a playoff spot and a second team in the tournament for the NEWMAC. The academies are both off to great starts as well — Merchant Marine is undefeated, while the Coast Guard Academy is 4-1 and has made plenty of headlines for its powerful offensive performances this fall.
16. Old Dominion Athletic Conference
2024 ATN ranking: 12
Non-conference record: 8-9
Signature win: Hampden-Sydney 38, Washington & Jefferson 31
The ODAC’s 8-9 non-conference record represents a step back from last year’s 17-7 mark, but there are still some encouraging signs. Hampden-Sydney delivered two quality wins against Delaware Valley and Washington & Jefferson, while Randolph-Macon narrowly missed adding another at Central. Roanoke has been a pleasant surprise in its first season, winning both of its non-conference games, and new member Gallaudet has already notched a league win. A couple of teams are noticeably struggling. Bridgewater’s 1-4 start and Averett’s winless September stand out, but the conference remains competitive top to bottom even if the overall results don’t match 2024’s highs.
17. Presidents’ Athletic Conference
2024 ATN ranking: 10
Non-conference record: 4-15-1
Signature win: Grove City 31, Cortland 14
After two years without non-conference play, the PAC’s return to a two-week slate did not go well. The league managed just four wins outside of conference, with Grove City’s upset of Cortland standing alone as the highlight. Washington & Jefferson dropped both of its showcase games against Hampden-Sydney and Utica, while Westminster and Case Western Reserve missed opportunities to grab quality wins as well. The loss of Carnegie Mellon to the Centennial hurt the PAC’s profile, and although Hiram’s arrival keeps the PAC’s membership numbers unchanged, the PAC is experiencing the exact opposite of what is going on in the NCAC. With only one likely playoff-caliber team this season, the PAC’s days as a multi-bid league will likely be paused for 2025.
18. Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
2024 ATN ranking: 22
Non-conference record: 7-4
Signature win: Redlands 34, Whitworth 17
The SCIAC quietly pieced together a solid non-conference season in 2025. Redlands opened the year with a statement win at Whitworth, while Cal Lutheran has started 4-0 with two victories over Northwest Conference opponents. Claremont-Mudd-Scripps made headlines by winning the first Division III game ever played in Arizona, then followed that up with a win at George Fox. Chapman, despite dropping both of its non-league contests against Hardin-Simmons and Linfield, appears to be the most complete team in the conference. Whittier’s return to football and Azusa Pacific’s addition next year will restore a full conference slate and reduce the repeat matchups that have defined recent SCIAC schedules.
19. Northwest Conference
2024 ATN ranking: 13
Non-conference record: 5-12
Signature win: Lewis & Clark 21, Pomona-Pitzer 3
It’s been a mixed start for the NWC. Lewis & Clark has emerged as one of the best stories in the West, unbeaten under new head coach Brett Elliott and fresh off a signature win at defending SCIAC champion Pomona-Pitzer. Linfield’s season began with a stumble against UW-Oshkosh, and Whitworth is retooling after last year’s playoff run. George Fox’s 0-4 start has been a disappointment, leaving just Linfield and Lewis & Clark above .500 through the first month. The Pioneers’ early surge raises an intriguing question — are they ready to challenge Linfield’s dominance, or simply the newest member of a small group capable of keeping the Wildcats honest?
20. Conference of New England
2024 ATN ranking: 17
Non-conference record: 10-14
Signature win: Western New England 23, Springfield 22
The CNE continues to strengthen at the top, led by Endicott and Western New England. The Gulls earned the team’s first NCAA win last year, and WNE’s Pynchon SAW victory over Springfield stands as one of the region’s best results this fall. The University of New England is off to its best start yet and is the only team to beat Coast Guard. Maine Maritime and New England College are new to the league and still finding their footing, but CNE depth is growing, and a two-bid season is not out of reach if UNE keeps rolling.
21. Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference
2024 ATN ranking: 20
Non-conference record: 8-10
Signature win: Aurora 35, Mt. St. Joseph 28
Aurora’s win over Mount St. Joseph highlights a modest non-conference slate, but the Spartans have slipped from their top-25 form. Concordia Wisconsin leads the standings, while Benedictine and Aurora remain in the mix. The league’s long-running balance of power could finally shift, with several contenders vying for a share of the title in what has typically been Aurora’s domain.
22. Middle Atlantic Conference
2024 ATN ranking: 18
Non-conference record: 4-6
Signature win: Stevenson 32, Bridgewater (Va.) 27
King’s earned a playoff win last season, after breaking Delaware Valley’s long hold on the league’s NCAA spot. Stevenson has taken early command in 2025 with a quality win over Bridgewater (Va.), while Albright has positive inertia after several tough seasons. With just one non-conference game per team, there’s little national exposure, but inside the league, the top half appears wide open and competitive.
23. Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference
2024 ATN ranking: 24
Non-conference record: 7-15
Signature win: Hanover 23, Alma 22
The HCAC took a small step forward this fall, going 7-17 out of conference compared to 5-20 a year ago. Hanover’s win at Alma is the league’s best result in a while and signals a real challenge to MSJ’s recent dominance. Franklin’s return to form under Mike Leonard adds intrigue, while Rose-Hulman’s 0-4 start is a surprise. The league remains a notch below regional peers but is showing signs of progress. The HCAC still has five non-conference games with the OAC remaining as well, thanks to the conferences’ scheduling agreement.
24. USA South Athletic Conference
2024 ATN ranking: 27
Non-conference record: 13-11
Signature win: Huntingdon 52, McMurry 46
Without Maryville, the USAC landscape looks wide open. The conference has held its own in non-league competition, buoyed by Southern Virginia’s 4-0 start and Huntingdon’s win over McMurry. Belhaven’s crosstown victory over Millsaps adds another highlight. No clear favorite has emerged, but parity should make for a compelling race to the finish.
25. Midwest Conference
2024 ATN ranking: 23
Non-conference record: 1-9
Signature win: Illinois College 28, Greenville 9
It’s been a tough non-conference year for the MWC, with few notable wins following Lake Forest’s first-round playoff bye in 2024. Still, the title chase looks competitive among Illinois College, Chicago, and Monmouth. Chicago and Monmouth have tested themselves against high-level opponents in Carnegie Mellon and Wartburg, respectively, and could benefit from those lessons when conference play intensifies.
26. Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference
2024 ATN ranking: 26
Non-conference record: 6-15
Signature win: Hendrix 30, Huntingdon 28
The SCAC remains a work in progress, and without an automatic NCAA bid, postseason hopes are slim. Hendrix delivered the conference’s best result with an upset of Huntingdon, while McMurry nearly shocked Hardin-Simmons. Only Hendrix sits at .500 as league play begins, with the rest below that mark, making the road to relevance steep for now.
27. Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference
2024 ATN ranking: 25
Non-conference record: 2-8
Signature win: Fitchburg State 48, New England College 0
With Western Connecticut off to the Landmark, the MASCAC lost a likely front-runner. New members Anna Maria and Dean joined from the ECFC, but the league’s two non-conference wins came only against first-year New England College. As other New England leagues improve, the MASCAC faces the challenge of keeping pace.
28. Upper Midwest Athletic Conference
2024 ATN ranking: 28
Non-conference record: 6-11
Signature win: Greenville 29, Lakeland 28
Non-conference wins are hard to come by for UMAC teams, though Greenville’s victory at Lakeland stands out. Geography continues to limit scheduling options, as most regional opponents come from the powerhouse MIAC. Still, the league picked up six non-conference wins this season — modest progress for a conference that has long battled for traction.
We don't rank the NESCAC (yet!), because conference members do not play outside of the conference, leaving no basis for comparison with the rest of Division III.
That's how ATN sees the conference landscape in 2025. Let us know what you think, respectfully, in the comments below!
