Our Opponents' Games Begin!

Two of Columbia's out of conference opponents begin their 2017 season this weekend.

It all starts tonight as week one opponent Wagner takes on Division II St. Anselm, in what amounts to really more of an exhibition game... but it's still a game.

Wagner opened its season last year against St. Anselm and won 38-16. Not only is St. Anselm a Division II team, but it's not a very good one. The Hawks went 2-9 last year and gave up an average of 35 points per game. In tonight's game, St. Anselm's starting offensive line will average 275 pounds per man vs. Wagner's starting defensive line that will actually average a pound more per man. If you can find any other game in the nation where the defensive line averages a heavier weight than its opposing offensive line, let me know.

Looking at the Wagner game notes, there are some changes to note. As I wrote back in June, Wagner's entire starting 2016 offensive line is returning for this season. But I also noted that their O-line wasn't very good. So there are some changes in the starting lineup at least for this game in what looks like an attempt at a shakeup. Last year's starting Right Guard Titus Richards has been moved to Center as former starter Daniel Clifford is not the backup. Sophomore Chris Gangarossa is the new starting Right Guard

Willie Dale and D'Erren Wilson are two new starting receivers with the returning senior John Williams who came on impressively at the end of last season. Expect Williams to get some big numbers tonight.

Denzel Knight, who had a monster game against St. Anselm last year is again the starting RB. He'll be running behind that O-line that averages 288 pounds per man going up against a Hawk D-line that averages 253 pounds per player.

For some reason, excellent senior DB Jesse Flaherty is listed as a backup, but that may be to protect a mild injury or some other non-serious reason.

But again, what we can actually learn from this contest is probably not much considering the level of competition.

Marist vs. Bucknell

Week four opponent Marist begins its season Saturday against the Patriot League's Bucknell Bison, but Marist has not yet published its game notes. We'll keep an eye out for that.

Columbia Scrimmage

Of course the Lions get to finally hit some non-Columbia players tomorrow in a 1pm scrimmage at home against New Jersey's Montclair State.