The final week of the regular season went like much of the rest of the season, in that there were some surprising results. When all of the dust settled, five teams will be playing post season football, with two teams making the field of 28 teams in the playoffs, and three other teams being selected for bowl games. Oddly enough, the bowl game that had had the longest relationship with the MIAA ended up being the only bowl that did not select a team from the conference, as the Mineral Water Bowl instead selected former MIAA member Missouri S&T to face the NSIC representative Minnesota-Moorhead in Excelsior Springs. Before we get into the postseason stuff, here is how the Week 11 went down:

Lindenwood 27
Missouri Western State 23Northwest Missouri State 48
Central Missouri 21Nebraska Kearney 17
Washburn 16Emporia State 35
Central Oklahoma 28Pittsburg State 41
Missouri Southern State 0

The 2018 iteration of the Miners Bowl went pretty much like most of them over the last 20 years, with the Gorillas cruising to an easy win. The Lions were shut out for the third consecutive game, and the fifth time this season, last scoring a field goal with 8:17 left in the 4th quarter in their win against Northeastern State. The Gorillas outgained the Lions 526-139, holding MSSU to just 24 yards passing. PSU improved to 8-3 on the year, but could not secure a bowl game bid despite being the highest ranked MIAA team that did not make the playoffs.

Northeastern State 0
Fort Hays State 58

The Tigers clinched a share of their second straight MIAA championship (winning it outright in 2017) by sprinting to a 28-0 lead in the first quarter and never looking back. They scored on all but three of their thirteen possessions, with the last ending as time expired. FHSU QB Jacob Mezera was back after sitting out the NWMSU game the week before, throwing for 211 yards and 3 touchdowns with an interception. The Riverhawks crossed into Tiger territory just three times in twelve possessions, with their best drive ending at the FHSU 30 yard line; they were unable to prevent their second straight shutout, missing a field goal early in the 3rd quarter. The Riverhawks lost their 13th game in a row, going winless in 2018, while the Tigers finished at 9-2 and made the playoffs for the second straight year.

First Round Playoff Previews

For the second straighter year, the Bearcats and Tigers represent the MIAA in the playoffs. Both teams went one and done last year, losing to GLIAC teams in their opening games. The 5th seeded Tigers will head to 4th seeded and GLVC Champion Indianapolis, while the 6th seeded Bearcats travel to Allendale, Michigan to take on the 3rd seeded Grand Valley State Lakers. Here is how I see the games:

#17 Fort Hays State (9-2) at #11 Indianapolis (9-1) 12PM#14 Northwest Missouri State (9-2) at #7 Grand Valley State (10-1) 12PM