Upcoming key match-ups

[Eagle74]

I know it's early, but which upcoming games (top 3) will have the largest impact in kicking off the football season?

[Eagle74]

Top 4 excellent match-ups that are very hard to give a prediction for.

Emory and Henry vs Valdosta State
Wingate vs UNC Pembroke
Carson Newman vs Tiffin
Lenoir Rhyne vs Virginia Union

[Bearhof]

Looks like we will find out early on how competitive the Sac is. Every game appears to be a toss up. This message board sure is way off on participation the last couple years. Especially on the SAC site. I believe every team lost their starting qb and several other players to the portal so it’s a guess on how well these players coming in will turn out. Last year LR had 12 players on salary and nine were injured by the third game and didn’t contribute much the rest of the season. I heard Wingate was portal active and had to replace several players who jumped ship from last years team. LR has a tough schedule so I would be surprised if they win more than seven games this year. Hope I’m wrong because I like the coaching staff.

[BEARS]

Forgot we have LJ Turner coming back. He was a huge contributor for Catawba a few years ago

[Eagle74]

Here we go.

Emory and Henry vs Valdosta State : E&H in a very close one (E&H by 6). Every VSU game is important for them to have any hope for the playoffs this year. 3 L's and it will be tough for the Blazers to get in.

Wingate vs UNC Pembroke : This should also be a close one, but the nod goes to the loaded homecooking Braves. By the way Wingate has 206 players listed on their roster, and will need 4 or 5 busses for all of the players to attend the game;)

Carson Newman vs Tiffin : The Eagles get off to a good start, and this one could be a nice prelude for the season this year. (CN by 10).

Lenoir Rhyne vs Virginia Union : I believe VU gets a big win for the CIAA, in a tough fought game that could go either way (VU by 1)

[BEARS]

We know so little about any of these teams that I’ll pass on making predictions until at least week 3.

[Bulldog Blue]

Well boys, it's just guesswork. I know pretty much nothing about the teams, but you should know where my loyalty lies. I know the U has worked hard to enhance the student-athlete experience. I graduated in 2009, went to divinity school, became a pastor and only recently visited the campus for the first time since graduating. I was amazed. It's grown and it's beautiful. I visited and talked with some of my professors and some of the campus employees that I knew. Everyone was so upbeat and excited about the U! Football was on the mind of just about everyone I talked with. If you saw the movie "Rudy" you might remember the campus worker who encouraged Rudy. Wingate football has a couple of those guys. They hang out after their work shift to watch and encourage the guys, especially the "Rooks" that might be a little homesick. GOD FIRST--ONEDOG FOREVER

[Eagle74]

Bulldog Blue,

Unless it's postponed by the weather, you should be able to watch the game live (at no charge) at the link below.

This coming Thursday at 6;00 PM.

This Wingate vs UNC Pembroke match-up should be a great game.

https://conferencecarolinasdn.com/uncpbraves/

[87Bear]

Yes anyone predicting games at this point is just guessing. I mean I have no clue who is even on LR at this point. I watched a funny video today of a game show where SEC fans were asked to name players on their teams and they couldn't do it. They even called a booster like a phone a friend and asked the name of a player they signed and he was like, don't know his name but I know we paid him 2 million. I know it was just comedy but it pretty much sums up the state of college football at this time.

[GLIAC Fan]

Only game I can comment on is Tiffin/CN. I believe Tiffin will win even though they have a new HC and new QB. Tiffin has excellent skill players, their RB could start at a lower MAC school. Their OL/DLs are huge. Built to play GLIAC schools in the playoffs.

CN will run their option and keep the ball away from a quick strike Tiffin offense. I see a really close game but Tiffin winning 28-21.

[Eagle74]

I see this late summer game being ultimately being determined by endurance, strength, coaching, and speed, speed, speed. The Eagles will be serving up home cooking within the confines of Burke Tarr Stadium.

[BearFan1]

Recently I went through the LR rooster and was surprised by a couple of things:
It seems they have more NC players coming in than in recent years. Maybe true, maybe not, but it seemed that way.

A lot of players from/with other college "time". Hopefully some of these portal players will turn out to be experienced contributors.

Have no clue about who will be or should the QB, but with LJ Turner and Tre back we should be very good at RB. And I can tell one and all the freshman from Wallace Rose should have a very bright future for the Bears. He was expected to go low to mid D1 coming out of high school.

[GLIAC Fan]

Congrats to CN for their comeback win. I watched the 2nd half online, Tiffins turnovers and penalties cost them the win. CN did a nice job in the 4Q to come from 10-down and make plays when they needed.

does this game return to Tiffin next year?

[CNCEagle97]

Congrats to CN for their comeback win. I watched the 2nd half online, Tiffins turnovers and penalties cost them the win. CN did a nice job in the 4Q to come from 10-down and make plays when they needed.

does this game return to Tiffin next year?

Tiffin was a very good team, and #1 is playing in the wrong division, he should be D1. Special teams was the difference, CN used KOR to establish good field position several
times, and the FG’s were huge. Took a while for CN offense to get clicking but I felt like CN OL had a bit of an advantage on the 4th qtr. great game and great win.

[AUsuperfan2024]

Pretty pumped after watching the Trojans play last night at Furman. To go in there and hold an established FCS program to only 20 points while not moving the ball at all bodes well IMO. We wont see anything like Furmans defensive line all season so I'd expect the offense to move the ball in the SAC. But our defense could be nasty and our Special Teams looked to be very good. The powers in the program are high on the QB, Wilson Edwards. He made some plays last night as well. Super excited for our team. I think we can win some games this year in the SAC.