Commentary: Tonight's Season-Opener is Bigger Than You Think
Nate Taylor: Muleskinner
Issue date: 8/28/08 Section: Sports
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Fans should find comfort in the optimism of a new Mules' football season. They should enjoy football finally being back in their lives.
They should sit in Walton Stadium under the bright lights and have as much fun as they possibly can. That's what football games should provide for fans.
But if you're a hardcore, devoted Mules fan, you understand that tonight's season-opener against Minnesota State University-Mankato is huge.
The Mules are not facing Lincoln University anymore, and tonight's game has a lot at stake. To be frank, if the Mules want to play in the NCAA Division II playoffs later this year, they better win tonight.
Now, I'm not trying to put any added pressure on the team tonight. For one thing, Willie Fritz and his men understand the rules of college football.
It's one of the worst draws in sports, but college football is one of those rare sports where the first game of the season can't be all about optimism. You have to win the first game of the season.
Every game in college football is important and no team should realize that more than the Mules. That is what's wrong with tonight's opener. Tonight's game should be about Willie Fritz getting the chance to see who can play at a high level.
Instead, tonight's game is more about analyzing whether the Mules have the ability to get past their struggles from last year, and play solid on both sides of the football.
Now, I can't blame Fritz for scheduling Lincoln as the first opponent two years ago.
If the Mules lose tonight, the team will have to dig itself out of a pretty big hole if they want to make the playoffs. At best, the Mules will only get to have two losses this season.
Think about it. If the 2007 Mules could have beaten the Mavericks last year, along with outlasting Pittsburg State in overtime, the Mules would have been in the playoffs. Now with seventh-ranked Nebraska-Omaha added to the MIAA, the Mules can't afford to lose tonight.
Yes, the University has worked hard to make tonight's game special. There will be a street fair with free food and KTBG "The Bridge" will provide live entertainment before the game. All this is an effort to bring fans to Walton Stadium to cheer the Mules to victory tonight.
Tonight's game will be fun. No doubt about that. Then again, this season will be much more fun if the Mules win tonight.
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