University Athletic Association

[Wizardman]

Congrats to CMU for getting 10-0, they definitely deserved it. They FINALLY got in the Top 25 too (took you voting guys long enough )

[Pat Coleman]

Took CMU long enough to get to the two decent teams on its schedule.

[BDTartan]

Yeah.........as I've expressed before, I hope CMU takes their two open dates next year and schedules a little stiffer competition considering what they have coming back next season.  If they choose wisely maybe they won't have to run the table to secure a playoff spot.

[frank_ezelle]

It's amazing how much information a small college sports fan can now gather thanks to the internet and it's nice that fans from the different schools can communicate back and forth (thanks Pat).  But, this new wealth of information can only go so far.  Despite the efforts of exmajor to compare teams by results of near common opponents, it is still just about impossible to get a good grasp of how these teams will match up.

I think one thing that will surprise CMU fans is the size of the Millsaps players, or rather the lack of size.  I've been on the sidelines photographing 8 of the Millsaps games this year so I get a good closeup view of the Millsaps players and the opponents.  I don't think the Millsaps players on average have been as big as any of their opponents and in some cases the difference has been significant.  That's not to demean the players, just pointing out the reality of the situation.  It seems like the Millsaps players have developed a Sea Biscuit type attitude of not knowing that they aren't as big as the other guys (or not caring).

One thing that should be encouraging to the CMU faithful is that this Millsaps team is in a lot of ways just like the team that went 2-7 with a 1-5 conference record in 2005.  They have some transfers who have helped but they also lost a lot of good players through graduation and transfers.  If those two elements balance out, then you are left with the returning players from 2005 and the freshmen.  On paper it doesn't look like there has been enough of a personel change to go from the bottom of the conference to the top in one year.  It might lead one to think that maybe Millsaps just took advantage of a weak year in a weak conference.  I'm not saying that's the case, but I know that some people probably feel that way.

I'll be honest that I've become a believer that this team is for real but I understand if others have a wait and see attitude.  With this year's success helping with recruiting and most of the players returning next season, I think that the future is bright for Millsaps football and that will only be enhanced if they play well on the road and come away with a playoff victory.  I hate that I'll be back here in Jackson but I'll be following every play thanks to the radio broadcast.  It should be a heck of a game.

[79jaybird]

Glad to see a new playoff face in Carnegie Mellon!  I hope CMU can fight hard and pull out a W.

[BDTartan]

frank, everybody seems to have the same wait and see attitude with CMU so..........I guess we'll wait and see on Saturday.  I don't think size matters much at this level.  CMU isn't huge either.  They've got some big boys on the O and D lines, but they aren't huge.  In fact, the only player I would say is huge for his position is Aaron Lewis.  He's a big safety.  Linebacker size for Div. III and he brings the wood.  In two years watching him, I don't think I've seen him miss a tackle.

Jaybird, I'm hoping for the same thing you are.  I don't know how deep they could go, but just one win oughta boost their confidence for next season.

[ADL70]

Here's to CMU getting that 11th win and the UAA off the schneid on that front page column.

Next year CMU should start the season in the top 25 with what they've got coming back. Certainly they should if they get that 11th win.

To put things in perspective, two other undefeated teams made their debut in the Top 25 this week.  CMU wasn't alone in needing to prove itself to the voters.

[BDTartan]

Did not know that cwru70.  Any plans on making the trip to Gesling this weekend??

[ADL70]

No, too much happening in C'bus.  Cap v Witt and something else...

I grew up in the shadow of Witt.

And if I were leaving town, there's a CWRU v OWU soccer match in Cleveland.  NCAA Sweet 16

[BDTartan]

Oh, just wondered.

[ADL70]

It's not like I hadn't thought about it before you asked.  And I've got a nephew playing in the national college club water polo national championships this weekend.

[79jaybird]

BD Tartan,  I think CMU has a good shot and should concentrate on trying to win 1 game at a time.
Example, is North Central in our conf.  They first focused on getting a 7-3/8-2 season under Thorne.  Then their goal was the CCIW title/Playoffs. 2005 they made the playoffs and lost first round to Capital.  2006 their goal was to still with the CCIW and make it past the 1st round.  They are CCIW Co-Champs and have a great shot at the 2nd round.
The thing to remember is that the Tartans are there for a reason... They EARNED IT!  and have as much "right" to win this game on Saturday as their opponent Millsaps does.  They are the #4 seed for a reason. That and their has been some excitement of late in the City of Pittsburgh! 

[79jaybird]

One bit of interesting trivia.

Did you know that Pittsburgh is the only city where their Professional Sports Teams all wear the same colored jerseys?
Pirates, Steelers, Penguins are all Black and Yellow.  The only City in America to have this.

[BDTartan]

I never put two and two together on that one!

And I am sure the Tartans are concentrating on game 1.  I don't think they're looking ahead at all.  They didn't look ahead last week when they played Thiel so...........

[ADL70]

Thought I'd add that UAA member (but not in football) Rochester plays Alfred in an ECAC bowl game.