Game 1 of the Night

Season 137 is just about ready to start. Will this be your year? Do you have modest goals since your team is still getting rid of those SIM recruits? Have you reached the next step where you are ready to contend for at least the division title, and maybe the conference title? Or are you ready to take that big step and contend for the national championship? Whatever your goals are, good luck in reaching them.

We have a nice treat to start off this new season. There were several enticing games to choose as the Game of the Night with Western New Mexico-Humboldt St, Bloomsburg-Ferris St, and Winona St-Hillsdale getting serious consideration. But none of those involved a battle between top-10 teams that Midwestern State versus Virginia State offers.

Midwestern State is coached by Linux Box. He is in his 13th season and has won 11 conference titles, but is coming off back to back second round losses. This season's team has a good balance of upper classmen on both offense and defense. Defense may lead the team with its six seniors and two red-shirt juniors. The offense looks like it can scores points, but MSU has to replace all their key offensive players from last season.

Coach Catfish Jack (and yes the "smart dog" still likes the name) is entering his second season. He hopes to improve on last season's 11-2 record with the conference title and advancement into the third round. The offense looks loaded with their QB coming back to improve upon a 71 touchdown, 7,000+ yards passing season. On top of that, the returning RB had 1,300 rushing yards and almost 2,600 receiving yards. And finally they have a WR coming back who had 3,400 receiving yards. On a side note, this WR is from Katy, Texas but is playing for Virginia State. I don't know who the Texas coaches were recruiting five seasons ago to let this guy go east.

Since my preseason pick didn't go my way; although I think coach Clememp played his seniors too much for a preseason game, I need to get the regular season off on the right foot. With #9 MSU traveling to #8 Virginia State, the "smart dog" has decided to go against his "home team" and pick Virginia State to win 37-24.