This year T may, but in most years, the X and T starters are predominantly seniors, which means the following year the starters are first year starters. I'd wager a dollar to a donut if you compared the percentage of returning starters on X and T vs a BG or Highlands, BG and Highlands in 8 out of 10 years has more starters returning.

 

And as for T, how tight do you think T's starting qb (Will Stein I think is his name) is going to be in his first game, having to follow Brohm and Petrino? With the T faithful watching and judging his every move, he'll be tighter than a drum full of nuclear materials.

You are 100% correct as it relates to Trinity.

Contrary to what most people think, it's not as easy as it seems for Trinity (Or X, or "insert successful team here").

 

There's a lot more to it than just throwing a senior out there. And, PT during blowouts in no way prepares you for starting action like you'd think.

 

You might use the argument that they practice against the best...but it's not game pressure.

 

And then, there's the pressure of living up to the "standard". Will Stein said it in his interview in the C-J this week: A State Championship is expected.

To the initial thread question, will BG matchup as well with T as they did X, I believe the fact that BG lost a good bit of talented D-1 and D-2 players and the fact that T returns alot of starters from last years team, and add in the fact that traditionally T opens it up alot more than X does, who primarily is a running team, I'd have to say no... If BG happens to play them close or win, I'd be surprised, but, I would hope the T faithful won't say, "Well, it's the 1st game of the year, we had a new QB, we came out flat, etc, etc, etc. and give props where props are due., because, in reality, all these things, plus the homefield advantage, should more than compensate for any excuse they could make should they not blow BG out.....

To the initial thread question, will BG matchup as well with T as they did X, I believe the fact that BG lost a good bit of talented D-1 and D-2 players and the fact that T returns alot of starters from last years team, and add in the fact that traditionally T opens it up alot more than X does, who primarily is a running team, I'd have to say no... If BG happens to play them close or win, I'd be surprised, but, I would hope the T faithful won't say, "Well, it's the 1st game of the year, we had a new QB, we came out flat, etc, etc, etc. and give props where props are due., because, in reality, all these things, plus the homefield advantage, should more than compensate for any excuse they could make should they not blow BG out.....

 

We wouldn't say that. IF it happened, you will see props, and then a dissection of every play we could have done better.

And then, there's the pressure of living up to the "standard". Will Stein said it in his interview in the C-J this week: A State Championship is expected.

That reminds me of one of the last conversations, if not the last, I had with LSURock. I believe it was Trinity's first 7-on-7, and LSU tells me that he looks down in one corner of the field and sees Oscar Brohm, Brian Brohm, Nic Petrino and Will Stein together working on footwork and form drills. Imagine the wealth of knowledge in that conversation. It seems that no matter how great or "All-American" one quarterback may be, another kid steps up and succeeds. I have no doubt Stein will meet that standard this year.

Well, it looks like the T fans agree with my thinking and the rest of the state thinks I'm full of hooey:p

We wouldn't say that. IF it happened, you will see props, and then a dissection of every play we could have done better.

 

RM, I believe you...I know you wouldn't, but, I also have seen enough T and X threads over the years to know there are plenty of the fanbase who will... You're right by saying the 2nd statement too.. By the time its said and done, there will be 3-4 plays or calls that would have made the game a 28-35 pt blowout... Trust me, I know T and X are by far the biggest and best teams in the state, based on tradition, size, location, coaching, etc, etc, etc, I just hope if BG wins or plays them to the wire, they get the props they deserve, because, in reality, they shouldn't be able to play them that close....

^ they will....no doubt about that...we ALWAYS give props in defeat or close games.

How do you think they will do against the Rocks?

Trinity by 21 or more.

I see Trinity winning big, 3+ tds. BG, X, and T are all usually big powerful teams but only Trinity keeps you guessing about how they will attack you. X likes to just line up and knock the mucus out of you. The Trinity home field advantage can mean a lot also.

I don't disagree with what LN is saying. However, while other teams may actually return more on offense and/or defense each year, the players that must be replaced are a lot of times replaced with sophmore and junior players and not seniors that have been in the program for 4 years. That, IMO, is where T and X ultimately end up gaining an advantage whether it is early in the season or late.

Another good point. Plus the fact that, on average, the former backup lineman moving into the starting lineup at St. Xavier or Trinity is probably a much better player than the player in a similar situation at another school.

Contrary to what most people think, it's not as easy as it seems for Trinity (Or X, or "insert successful team here").

 

There's a lot more to it than just throwing a senior out there. And, PT during blowouts in no way prepares you for starting action like you'd think.

 

You might use the argument that they practice against the best...but it's not game pressure.

I'm no Trinity expert, but I doubt that they only put the second-string linemen in the game when it's a blowout.

 

No one doubts that there is some validity to the theory. I simply don't think the effect is as great as some make it out to be.

Well, it looks like the T fans agree with my thinking and the rest of the state thinks I'm full of hooey:p

 

I agreed with you. Of course since I am on your payroll I have to.

 

All kidding aside, the first game or two is tough for new varsity starters no matter their past experience.

 

I just hope the BG/T game is one to remember and I am pulling for the Purples to make it competitive. From that point, may the best team win.

I'm no Trinity expert, but I doubt that they only put the second-string linemen in the game when it's a blowout.

 

No one doubts that there is some validity to the theory. I simply don't think the effect is as great as some make it out to be.

 

Like you said...you're no Trinity expert.

 

Sometimes, I just want to throw my hands up and say:

 

"It's a Trinity thing...you wouldn't understand." :lol: (Wouldn't that make a great bumper sticker, Rock fans? Anyone who produces it...I own the rights! )

 

No offense intended, but sometimes trying to explain is like banging my head against a brick wall. People have their preconceived notions, and no matter what, nothing will change it.

Bowling Green graduated over 30 seniors. FS had the enviable task of playing the Purples on Senior Night. BG had about as many seniors as FS had players. That may not sound unusual to Trinity folks but BGHS is a schools with somewhere around 550-600 males in grades 9-12.

 

The other part of these 30 seniors is that a very important core of the last three BG teams were in that group. Stuart Hines (UK), Ryan Beard (WKU), Avery Hibbitt (WKU) along with Tucker Jackson, Chris Tucker and Chris Tinius (WKU). These guys almost played as they were connected. Hibbitt knew how Hines was going to block after following him for at least 6 years.

 

This kind of varsity experience is going to be very hard to match early in the year even though BG returns some guys with a lot of playing time. Steelman, Moore and Wallace is a core that many schools would love to build a team around. My guess is, however, that Trinity is going to have more people to plug holes than BG is but that despite that it will be a battle. Tough job for BG to go to Louisville and beat the Shamrocks...but then Bob Redman didn't expect the whipping the Purples laid on his boys at the Fairgrounds either.