(Pictured: Max Mickey-USF, Kirby Hora-AU, Blake Gimbel-SMSU)
(Images courtesy of Argus Leader, Augustana Athletics, and SMSU Athletics)

South OverviewMSU Mankato
2016 Record: 8-3
Returning Starters: 6/6 (Offense/Defense)
OffenseDefenseOutlookPrediction
9-2

Sioux Falls
2015 Record: 12-1
Returning Starters: 4/5 (Offense/Defense)
OffenseDefenseOutlookPrediction
8-3

Winona State
2016 Record: 8-3
Returning Starters: 6/7 (Offense/Defense)
OffenseDefense
Winona State fans should be excited about the Warriors returning a good portion of their league-best defense a year ago. Winona State will be led by a host of returning starters playing their final season with for Coach Sawyer. Mike Imperiale (LB), Michael Ferrante (DE), and Andrew Spencer (DB), are three of the better defensive players in the conference, and give the Warriors a very athletic defense.
OutlookPrediction
7-4

Augustana
2016 Record: 7-4
Returning Starters: 7/10 (Offense/Defense)
OffenseDefense
The Augustana D was fifth overall (points allowed) in the conference, but struggled against some of the better offenses in the league. New DC Jordan Malone has to like the fact his Vikings return 10 starters, including a very seasoned secondary. Problem is, the AU Defense produced a league-low 6 picks, which led to a negative turnover margin for the squad. The Vikings will be fairly young upfront, but Kirby Hora (JR) leads one of the top linebacker corps in the conference. Hora led the conference in tackles a season ago and is the heart and soul of the Augie team.
OutlookPrediction
7-4

Southwest Minnesota State
2016 Record: 5-6
Returning Starters: 8/5 (Offense/Defense)
OffenseDefenseOutlookPrediction
6-5

Wayne State
2016 Record: 3-8
Returning Starters: 9/8 (Offense/Defense)
OffenseDefenseOutlookPrediction
5-6

Concordia
2016 Record: 2-9
Returning Starters: 10/7 (Offense/Defense)
OffenseDefenseOutlookPrediction
2-9

Upper Iowa
2016 Record: 3-8
Returning Starters: 4/6 (Offense/Defense)
OffenseDefense
UIU DC Jason Hoskins has left his post for a desk job, while DL Coach Justin Wyatt has been promoted to the Coordinator role. Coach Tom Shea is very high on Wyatt and is excited about the players the Peacocks are returning on defense. DE Jojo Simpson is a high energy player that was a second team all-league player a season ago, and was among leaders in tackles for loss. UIU also returns a few other all-NSIC defenders for what should be an defense that will likely improve on their 33ppg average of a year ago.
OutlookPrediction
2-9