Western Carolina Game

WCU has had 2 weeks in a row where we had to find out about ourselves. The Samford game was a 22-point loss that should have been nowhere near that. VMI was an unknown that we won by 21. Western's D is much improved, but we have had issues with some blown assignments particularly in the back-end. Our O is certainly explosive, but we have had some issues trying to force things that have led to costly turnovers or bogging down in the redzone.

Mercer has looked the part, but I kind of agree with some of the comments that you guys haven't exactly played top-end teams. Honestly, outside of Samford neither have we. I expect most of the top 3 or 4 SoCon teams would be sitting at 4-1 against the competition Mercer has faced to date (Western has to prove we are one of those top 3 or 4), and I expect some of the same teams would be more like Western's 3-2 against our schedule so far. If WCU can limit our mistakes and start faster than we have been, this has a chance to be a good game. For the 3rd week in a row, I expect to find out a lot about where Western is in what all Cat's fans hope is a resurgence (or maybe more appropriately - an emergence) of a decent football program.

I also expect Mercer to play well and to be a serious test, especially to our offense.

If it's high scoring, something has gone wrong on the Mercer end. Because if that happens, our defense hasn't done what it's done all year. Also, I seriously doubt the Mercer game plan will be such to where WCU can run 70-80 plays like they have all year. My guess is Mercer is going to run it at you and hold the football, and make Western figure out how to get it done in 50ish plays. Payton doesn't throw it a ton but has been extremely efficient. (13 TDs/0 INTs). It's certainly not in our interest to run up and down the field with anyone, including Western.

FUBeAR is wondering if anybody is watching the Coaches Bell at practice this week…

Have y’all noticed either of them exhibiting nervous tics?

Have they been seen seeming to swat at or run away from a swarm of imaginary hornets?

Have either been heard muttering to themselves…maybe saying “Russ…Russ…Russ” or maybe exhibiting an unusual fear of the number 7?

Has HC Bell been seen snapping his head around while scowling & pointing at imaginary voices coming from behind him?

Has OC Bell been suddenly stricken with a case of psychosomatic color blindness?


Just hard to imagine they both aren’t possessed by the nightmare loss they experienced in their last visit to Five Star Stadium on 11/9/13 which featured a complete ‘rabbit ear’ meltdown by HC Bell caused by the Mercer Fans behind the bench and OC (then QB) Bell throwing 2 game-changing picks while taking 4 crushing sacks.

We’ll see if they’ve defeated those demons on Saturday.

Jeez…you stats guys…


You had to be there and you had to have the full context, which included events around Jacksonville’s 2 prior games. Trust FUBeAR…both Bell’s cardiopulmonary systems were crushed into the Field Turf in Five Star Stadium that night.



* Just saw that Mercer is doing a “White Out” for this game. The 2013 game vs. TeamBell was a “Black Out.” So, that throws a whole new wrinkle into the mojo.

Trick photography

Lol.  Here’s to a good clean game where no one gets hurt.  Should be perfect football weather in Macon.  We are all putting our faith and hopes into what 2 groups of 18-22 year olds do on a Saturday afternoon.  Should be a lot of fun!!!