Way way way too early RMAC prediction for 2026

[Lobo]

You have a funny definition of easy.

Central Washington didnt take a final lead over UTPB until 3 minutes left in the game and added a pick 6 at the end when UTPB had to make desperate risks.

Every team has injuries and Western Colorado had a key fumble in the 4th quarter that allowed UTPB to get back into the game.

If we are playing the injury card, Angelo State would have likely went 11-0 if most of their skill players (QB included) werent injured the second half of the season.

I intended my use of the word "easily' rhetorically, not literally. As for Central Washington's defeat of UTPB, it earned them the LSC championship and that's all that counts. As you have pointed out previously, some folks didn't expect UTPB to make the playoffs. As for injuries, Western was hobbled. UTPB wasn't. Having a healthy vs hobbled squad can and does make a difference. Your point that Western made a key mistake toward the end of the game against UTPB is valid. Momentum and victory went to UTPB as a result. As for Angelo's injuries, I agree with ASU Pops. Having an injured Fuller hurt ASU. Fuller is going to play DI somewhere next fall his last year of eligibility. Not sure Angelo would have gone undefeated however without injures but prolly would have been in the chase.

[Lobo]

Apparently only Lobo is allowed to be critical of anything involving the Thunderwolves and their lack of overall playoff success and inability to be ready for big games.

If that's my role, what is yours? Is yours being CSUP's naysayer? Don't throw stones Turbonium and none will be thrown back at you. What I post is intended to provoke discussion. I may be wrong but I have never held myself out to be an expert. Banter is what managers of this message board are after. Being a homer and pretending to know more than we do is what most porters on here do. Now then, tell us why you think CSUP hasn't won a playoff game in the last 2 years and seemingly can't win the big games. And do so analytically instead of petulantly. Cheers!

[Turbonium]

If that's my role, what is yours? Is yours being CSUP's naysayer? Don't throw stones Turbonium and none will be thrown back at you. What I post is intended to provoke discussion. I may be wrong but I have never held myself out to be an expert. Banter is what managers of this message board are after. Being a homer and pretending to know more than we do is what most porters on here do. Now then, tell us why you think CSUP hasn't won a playoff game in the last 2 years and seemingly can't win the big games. And do so analytically instead of petulantly. Cheers!

You ignore every compliment I've given Pueblo and for some reason, despite your own criticisms of their program, stoop to personal attacks when I give a factual critique? I've given the reasons why I believe they don't have post season success numerous times (for longer than 2 years), Antonio has as well, yet you decide to attack us each individually instead of addressing the comments we made. What's really hilarious is that your own criticisms echo what he and I have both said for years. You argued Vigil should be coach of the year in a year that the winner was the most obvious choice in my 15 years of following the RMAC but you want to talk about discussing anything analytically?

The only one throwing stones at individuals is yourself so don't worry, I'll no longer criticize the precious Thunderwolves so that you don't seemingly get so upset you must go after individuals instead of responding to their very valid comments. How's that for petulant? Take care, I don't need to discuss this or anything else with you any further.

[Lobo]

You asked, "How's that for petulant?" Answer. Although you were a bit petulant, you came across as more whiney. Want some cheese with with that?

[d2-football-fan]

I am not a usual poster in this group, but I wanted to know about mines.

Is there magical run over? A few years ago, they seemed unstoppable until the national championship game. It seems weird to see them as the 4th best team in the conference after those (few) dominating years. It could just be me, since I don't follow RMAC football as much.

Antonio is correct in that John Matocha was at the helm for a heck of a run at Mines. He was a 4-year starter, except for the very first game of his freshman year. He set so many school, conference, D2 and NCAA records it's just silly.

But, additionally, Mines has had 4 different head coaches in the last 5 seasons. My personal opinion is that their current coach is the weakest of the 4.

Their current QB is young and looks like he has a lot of similarities to Matocha's game. He did not have the dominant stud WR that Matocha had each year (although it can be argued that a great QB can make great WR's).

Most of all, those three years that Mines made the semis, the finals and the finals, they had a great defense. Coach Stitt has never recruited defense the same way he recruits offense (he coached from 2000 - 2015 and led the resurgence of the program). Their defense had a big drop off this season and they will lose several multi-year starters. Mines will be back to play the "we can outscore you game". But the game has changed since 2000, when you could win that way. Now, every team can put up 40 points, the question is if you can stop anyone.

[d2-football-fan]

I do not necessarily think that it's out of the question that an RMAC team or two can win a playoff game in any given year. But, I would be beyond shocked if an RMAC team wins the region in the next several years. Harding is not going anywhere. Whoever wins the MIAA will have a level of physicality that most RMAC teams can't hang with, in addition to some skilled talent. The LSC in many ways is like the RMAC, in that the top teams can win a game or two, but it would be surprising for one of them to win the region, with how it is currently aligned. All of this can vary wildly from year to year with the transfer portal as well... it's all clear as mud!

[Buffalo/Islander Alum]

Well SR4 might be getting that break that is needed to break through with Harding promoting their current head coach to GM and the DC will be taking over.

Big question is if the current offensive coaches will be retained and keep the flexbone.

https://hardingsports.com/news/2026/...l-manager.aspx

[Buffalo/Islander Alum]

I do not necessarily think that it's out of the question that an RMAC team or two can win a playoff game in any given year. But, I would be beyond shocked if an RMAC team wins the region in the next several years. Harding is not going anywhere. Whoever wins the MIAA will have a level of physicality that most RMAC teams can't hang with, in addition to some skilled talent. The LSC in many ways is like the RMAC, in that the top teams can win a game or two, but it would be surprising for one of them to win the region, with how it is currently aligned. All of this can vary wildly from year to year with the transfer portal as well... it's all clear as mud!

The region just opened up with the coaching changes at Harding.

I mostly agree with your assessment but Chadron did prove that they could hang and almost take down a MIAA school in the playoffs last year.

I dont think the "skill" difference between then RMAC/LSC and MIAA is as much as it was a decade ago before Pueblo and the scholarship limits.

With coaching changes at Harding, Central Washington, and UTPB, the region looks to be wide open.

[Predatory Primates]

The region just opened up with the coaching changes at Harding.

I mostly agree with your assessment but Chadron did prove that they could hang and almost take down a MIAA school in the playoffs last year.

I dont think the "skill" difference between then RMAC/LSC and MIAA is as much as it was a decade ago before Pueblo and the scholarship limits.

With coaching changes at Harding, Central Washington, and UTPB, the region looks to be wide open.

2025 was probably the softest top to bottom MIAA since the early 90s.

I think wild swings in conference and team strength from year to year are the new normal. The portal makes it a guessing game as to who will be good year to year. Just reloading seems to be much harder to do for teams not named Ferris.

Look at UCO and UCM. Each have had outlying great years sandwiched between mediocre years over the last few seasons.

[OldBison]

Well SR4 might be getting that break that is needed to break through with Harding promoting their current head coach to GM and the DC will be taking over.

Big question is if the current offensive coaches will be retained and keep the flexbone.

https://hardingsports.com/news/2026/...l-manager.aspx

Harding will be keeping the Flexbone. We’re loosing OL coach and Recruiting Coordinator/Slot Backs Coach. Two of the four coaches on the offensive side appear to be staying. They’ve already replaced the OL coach with a former grad assistant returning from coaching elsewhere the past few years. Wide receivers coach (yes that’s right, the Flexbone has a wide receivers coach) seems to be staying. OL will reload with no problem. With Miller returning at FB and stable full of good slot backs to build on whoever the new offensive coordinator is will have plenty to work with. Could be interesting next year playing a new QB and having a new OC. Defense is still going to be strong.