We’ve predicted every Stagg Bowl since Stagg Bowl XXVII, and that year we were one of the few groups east of the Rockies to correctly predict Pacific Lutheran would beat Rowan.

We’re going to rest on those laurels … well, basically forever. We’ve been right every year except 2003, when St. John’s got it done against Mount Union against very long odds. Here’s what our assorted staff and contributors see happening Saturday in Stagg Bowl XXXIV:

Previous years’ picks: 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005

Pat Coleman, D3football.com Publisher
I missed last year with UW-Whitewater. I’m giving them one last chance to redeem me. Everyone on the Warhawk side is downplaying the “Win one for the … Bobber” factor. Can the Whitewater front line get pressure on either Mount Union quarterback? Can they and the Mount Union linebackers keep Nate Kmic in the 5-yard-per-category range? I don’t know — they have a better chance than most, but it’s hard to bet against the Purple Raiders. In the end, I am simply playing a hunch. This game, as the networks would say on election night, is too close to call. But a call is required:
Mount Union 23, UW-Whitewater 20

Matt Barnhart, publisher, Bridgewaterfootball.com
This 2006 Warhawks team will be the best all-around squad the Purple Raiders have faced since Bridgewater in 2001. The Eagles fell just three points short that year, but the Warhawks should have enough to get by the second time around. It is always tough to pick against Mount Union, but even on the big stage, they can lose. 2003 versus St. John’s and 2004, at home, against Mary Hardin-Baylor are shining examples.
UW-Whitewater 27, Mount Union 23

Ric Brienza, Mtunionfootball.com
This is supposed to be fun right? Well what could be more fun than winning a ninth national title?
Seriously, how can the eight-time and defending national champions be underdogs in Salem, VA? Once again Larry Kehres has his team thinking that way. This team is very focused and is ready to play, as is Whitewater I’m sure. It should be a very good game between two very good teams. We’ll go with the Purple Raiders in overtime.
Mount Union 34, UW-Whitewater 27 (2 OT)

Pat Cummings, D3football.com broadcaster, Around the Mid-Atlantic columnist
Mount Union has not had as glowing a postseason as we have seen from them in the past. A dramatic shift in their offense, while successful so far, has limited their output and forced me to Whitewater. Even as Justin Beaver was held in check against Wesley, the Warhawks have flowed on all sides and they shine with a spectacular assortment of receivers. They’ve all been here before, so nerves aren’t a factor. Sending Berezowitz out with a win will be all the motivation they need.
UW-Whitewater 23, Mount Union 17

Gordon Mann, D3football.com broadcaster
Going into last year’s Stagg Bowl, Mount Union had lost to ONU and didn’t dominate a wounded Rowan team in the semifinals. UWW survived the toughest region, took out the defending champ and destroyed Wesley. So I picked Whitewater with some confidence. After Mount Union proved me wrong (again), I vowed not to pick against Larry Kehres again. So I won’t.
Mount Union 28, UW-Whitewater 24

Keith McMillan, D3football.com columnist
It could go either way, but Berezowitz riding off into the sunset with a championship, in a rematch, against the greatest Division III program in history is too perfect an ending not to go with.
UW Whitewater 24, Mount Union 21

John McGraw, D3football.com broadcaster
The old saying goes, at least on D3football.com, never bet against Mount Union and Larry Kehres. But, I think 2006 is the year of the Warhawk. Whitewater’s defense has been stiffling all season long and absolutely shut down a potent Wesley offense last week. While Mount’s defense is stellar, the offense lacks a healthy Pierre Garcon. A returning Justin Beaver aids the Warhawks, as does their solid passing attack and outstanding wide receiver Derek Stanley.
UW-Whitewater 17, Mount Union 14

Tom Pattison, Warhawkfootball.com
The difference between last year and this year is UWW’s championship game experience gained in 2005’s 35-28 loss to the Purple Raiders. As Ryan Kleppe told me this week, “there were times during last year’s game that we played like deer caught in headlights.”

For Whitewater the key will be to not let Nate Kmic to have a game like last year. He may gain 100 yards but he can’t rip off big chunks of yardage. While the Warhawks set of linebackers have been called the most talented in Division III, the proof must be on the field on Saturday.

Saturday’s good weather will help Justin Beaver play with mostly repaired collarbone. It was very difficult for him to take hits in the bone chilling cold and frozen turf vs. St. Johns and Wesley leading up to Saturday’s game.
UW-Whitewater 31, Mount Union 24

This was about the strangest trip to Alliance I’ve ever been on. It was my seventh time at Mount Union, my sixth time at the national semifinals, and this one was decidedly different than the others.

First of all, usually Keith McMillan and I drive together, leaving D.C. far too late on Friday night, not getting much sleep, calling the game and driving back listening to (and singing) the ’80s songs that permeate the airwaves on a Saturday night.

But, of course, this trip did not go down that way. Keith and I don’t live in the same state anymore, so we traveled separately. It was a painfully long drive back to Connecticut. I’ll have to get a second driver or fly the next time I do that.

Her name is Rio and she dances on the sand.
Just like that river twisting through a dusty land.

Usually this trip results in us seeing a blowout. I made the trip solo in 1999, spending the night at the home of Mount Union broadcaster Ric Brienza. Mount Union lost to Rowan in overtime the next day and, for some reason, I have not been offered a bed for the night since. 🙂

Ray Martel and Pat Cummings and I made the trip in 2000: Mount Union 70, Widener 30.
Keith and I went in 2001: Mount Union 35, St. John’s 14
Ray and Keith and I went for a regular season game in 2002: Mount Union 35, John Carroll 16. I did not partake of the semifinal rematch, won by Mount Union 57-19.
Keith and I went in 2003: Mount Union 66, Bridgewater 0
Keith and I went in 2004 as well, for the loss to Mary Hardin-Baylor.

But this trip was none of that. It was a Mount Union win, in a close game.

We’re headed for Venus, and still we stand tall.
Cause maybe they’ve seen us, and welcome us all.

Sometimes I felt like I was witnessing my own final countdown on the Pennsylvania Turnpike in December on the way to and from Alliance. (Best thing about I-80 — it’s not the Turnpike!) My favorite combination — wind, snow, darkness, a twisty road and an old car. No thanks. One year I got directions that took me across the tip of West Virginia just to get off the turnpike sooner, but it wasn’t worth it.

Oh, we’re halfway there. Oh, living on a prayer.

Usually Keith and I are about the last ones out the door from the stadium. In 1999, when I was basically doing the site solo, Ed Barmakian of the Newark Star-Ledger and I baked in the old press box until at least 6 p.m. (Old heat, too, though it sure worked.) Lately it had become a routine to stop for dinner at the Arby’s on the Pennsylvania Turnpike just over the border from Ohio. And usually we pull into the Washington area about 1 a.m.

Everybody tell me have you heard? Pop goes the world.

This time I found out one of our Alliance staples was to be no longer. The Buffalo Wild Wings in town is giving up the franchise name and becoming a generic sports bar. A memorable experience there in 2000 made BW3/Buffalo Wild Wings a staple for D3football.com road trips. And a less than memorable morning after made the Mount Union/Widener game even less bearable.

But it was strange, but good. I enjoyed meeting some more Mount Union fans I hadn’t yet gotten to know. St. John Fisher fans either weren’t in the restaurant or didn’t want to say hi. I won’t hold it against you.

So you better go back to your bars, your temples …
your massage parlors.