Getting Ahead of Ourselves

[Panthers#1]

I think right now with all the talk of being #1 and possibly getting home field advantage throughout the playoffs, we are getting ahead of ourselves.

We need to realize, and hopefully the team realizes, that we have four games, count them, four games left. Before we can start talking about home field advantage, the fans and players need to be focusing on one game at a time.

If the players can be focused on each team as they come, and determined to beat each of those teams, I think we will be fine and then we can talk and argue about who's should get home field advantage.

I know it's fun to speculate about what could happen but it's not even close to being here yet and we have to remember that there are 4 games between us and that sort of conversation coming into play.

I don't mean to bash all of the playoff talk, and believe me I get chills thinking about having home field advantage, but we are 4 weeks from that. Lets focus on YSU right now and if we play like we are capable of playing, the rest will take care of itself. With that said, GOOOOO PANTHERS!!!!

[Panther-at-Arms]

Its the team's job to stay focused on game at a time. The fans' job is to freak out over all the different possibilities of getting screwed. Its what we do. We're good at it.

[JayJ79]

Guess I put too much confidence in the players being able to focus on the task at hand and not just sit around listening to people talking in the "stands"

[Newsbreaker]

I have really begun to think that there indeed is something "different" about this team. You're really not hearing any talk about winning the Gateway, just a keen focus on December. We are conference title U, but it doesn't seem that way this year.

I think they're properly focused on the largest goal possible, which is something of a change, and VERY good.

[Khan4Cats]

We're fans, we have the luxury to sit back and debate. Kind of like looking at the basketball season coming up and guessing how we'll do against each opponent. It's what fans do.

I am comfortable talking/speculating/postulating etc. because I don't have to prepare to play each week, other than to rest my voice so I can be loud each Saturday.

This team has been focused every game this year, except maybe the start of the game at South Dakota State, and even then they bore down at halftime. I have no doubt that they will line up and play solid each week and that that weeks' opponent is the only thing on their mind. We may get beat in the next three weeks, but it will take a great effort from our opponents to do it, I don't see our guys being "off" in any of the conference games.
The one game that scares me is Southern Utah, because that will be the game that the whole idea of finishing "undefeated" will be much more of a reality to the players and I am not convinced that the Thunderbirds are that bad, just that they are playing a brutal schedule.

[Panthers#1]

I understand that it's fun to speculate on what might happen and I do believe our team is very good, I just don't want anyone to hand us the crown us right now. I don't think anyone is doing that but let's make sure that if we do get the crown, it will happen in Chatty and not midway through the regular season.

As you can probably tell, I get supersticious when it comes to UNI sports. Thats just how I get and I don't mean to ruffle anyones feathers.

[Panther-at-Arms]

I understand that it's fun to speculate on what might happen and I do believe our team is very good, I just don't want anyone to hand us the crown us right now. I don't think anyone is doing that but let's make sure that if we do get the crown, it will happen in Chatty and not midway through the regular season.

As you can probably tell, I get supersticious when it comes to UNI sports. Thats just how I get and I don't mean to ruffle anyones feathers.

I'm very superstitious as well (I was getting made fun of for insisting on wearing my jersey to watch the WIU game even though it was TiVo-ed and already over) and you'll never hear me saying things like "this team is going all the way," but I don't mind other people saying it. I guess the former athlete in me gets nervous about "the jinx" but as long as its the fans and not the players saying (out loud) then I'm good with it.

[TH1974]

Its the team's job to stay focused on game at a time. The fans' job is to freak out over all the different possibilities of getting screwed. Its what we do. We're good at it.

True. I don't think any talk here will influence the season or postseason one way or the other.

[TH1974]

Unless you're like me and think that any talk of future success is a "jinx". I'm a little superstitious.

I don't believe in any of that nonesense. I think we'll win it all this year. Here's a link for you, though -- Funny that we're talking about this now, this story was on ESPN.com today:

Poll results: 1 in 5 fans try to improve luck for favorite team

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/news/story?id=3075146

[FMPanther]

I think right now with all the talk of being #1 and possibly getting home field advantage throughout the playoffs, we are getting ahead of ourselves.

We need to realize, and hopefully the team realizes, that we have four games, count them, four games left. Before we can start talking about home field advantage, the fans and players need to be focusing on one game at a time.

If the players can be focused on each team as they come, and determined to beat each of those teams, I think we will be fine and then we can talk and argue about who's should get home field advantage.

I know it's fun to speculate about what could happen but it's not even close to being here yet and we have to remember that there are 4 games between us and that sort of conversation coming into play.

I don't mean to bash all of the playoff talk, and believe me I get chills thinking about having home field advantage, but we are 4 weeks from that. Lets focus on YSU right now and if we play like we are capable of playing, the rest will take care of itself. With that said, GOOOOO PANTHERS!!!!

Well, Hartzell already admitted in the Courier that we would probably be outbid by an undefeated Montana for a semifinal game.

Your post is sort of silly. We can have all the fun we want by thinking about this. How often does this come around? Enjoy it while you can. if we lose, we certainly won't be talking about it...

[unigriff]

We Knew Who Panthers Were! I Mean Are!!!

[UNI MadCat]

Can we point out the irony of your screen name considering what you're telling us we can't talk about?

Chill out my friend... the players/coaches are focused. Nothing we say here has any bearing on the game and, frankly, you cut a lot of the fun out of being a fan if you put these types of parameters on the level of excitement we're allowed to have.

Besides, I'd say that most people keep their statements within check. Its not an exaggeration to say that if we play the way we are capable (like we are right now) this team has the ability to do great things.

[Panthers#1]

Can we point out the irony of your screen name considering what you're telling us we can't talk about?

Chill out my friend... the players/coaches are focused. Nothing we say here has any bearing on the game and, frankly, you cut a lot of the fun out of being a fan if you put these types of parameters on the level of excitement we're allowed to have.

Besides, I'd say that most people keep their statements within check. Its not an exaggeration to say that if we play the way we are capable (like we are right now) this team has the ability to do great things.

I am in no way saying you can't talk about what you want to talk about. In case you haven’t noticed, THIS IS A MESSAGE BOARD AND PEOPLE CAN POST THEIR OWN OPINIONS JUST LIKE I AM POSTING MINE!! Go ahead and talk about what ever you want. I am not trying to be negative or take the fun away from this season. All I am merely saying is, and I'm sure everyone knows this, is that we have 4 games to go and we need to take them one at a time.

From now on, I’ll keep all of the “not counting your eggs before they hatch” talk to myself and refrain from posting MY opinions. I don't think I could take another verbal flogging from Mad Cat.

[UNI MadCat]

I don't think I could take another verbal flogging from Mad Cat.

Wow!! That paints such a gross picture. That seems like something you'd have to pay extra for at one of that there "Gentlemen's Clubs" I keep hearing about!

I didnt mean to sound like I was blasting you, of course you can talk about what you want to talk about. However, like you said, its a message board and we can all post our opinions so you shouldn't be surprise if there is an opposing view.

Sorry, I just always get a huge kick out of the posts that seem to indicate that what us crazy posters do here on the board has some sort of effect on the team.

[Panthers#1]

Sorry, I just always get a huge kick out of the posts that seem to indicate that what us crazy posters do here on the board has some sort of effect on the team.

It does in the land of Unicorns and Pixy Sticks!!

I know you meant nothing by it. I know that I am very supersticious towards UNI athletics. I just hope our team is ready to go this Sat. against YSU.