Villanova Wildcats: JMUSB CAA 2010 Football Preview #7

Defending National Champs

The Villanova Wildcats are the defending national champs, defending CAA champs, and clear-cut favorite again in 2010.  We could go on and on about them, but since I’m married to a Vanillanova alum myself, I’m going to move swiftly from serious coverage of the Wildcats to the more entertaining fodder our readers really expect. 

We are incredibly fortunate to have another fan interview (like the Rhode Island preview), this time with Nova alum, Main Line native, and incredible food blogger Amy Sep.  Amy and her husband Jonny write the food blog WeAreNeverFull.  Seriously, if you love pork, enjoy time in the kitchen with a glass of wine, or generally agree that doubling the butter never hurts, you have to check out what we think is one of the best-written and visually stunning blogs online today.  Now back to the football.

The Basics: With the news that Duke-killer Matt Szczur (pronouned Caesar) is returning for his senior season despite being drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the fifth round and spending this summer in the minors, the Cats are loaded again.  Including the multi-talented Szczur, they have FOUR All-American candidates of the highest order including potential NFL draft pick, Outland Trophy watch-list candidate  (rare for an FCS player), and all-around badass Ben Ijalana on the Offensive Line.  Nova also returns Senior QB and classic Trent Dilferesque game manager Chris Whitney, and senior LB and leading tackler Terence Thomas.

The Wildcats also have a fantastic coach in Andy Talley.  He’s quietly toiled in the massive shadow of Rollie Massimo, Jay Wright, and the gorilla that is the Nova basketball program without complaint and built a perennial FCS contender and a program that seems to be developing some staying power on the otherwise staid suburban campus.  And with 15 starters back including most of his skill position guys on offense and an oddly identical schedule to last year, Coach Talley should have them primed for another run at the CAA title.  Not that it can really be called an upset, but starting the year with a second-straight win over FBS Temple in the rivalry game at the Linc would really help again as Lehigh and Penn should be no competition in their other out-of-conference games.

2010 Prediction: 8-3, 6-2 CAA

Interview with Amy

1) Do you consider football an actual sport at Villanova: YEAH!

2) Number of games you went to the “field” party pregame?  Number of games you went to the actual game: (note: Villanova’s “field” is the equivalent to our Godwin field for pregame)  You mean throughout college or last year? Probably went to 10 games in college, one last year.  Drinking at the field was only allowed during big events – usually only homecoming or something like that… it is a dry campus and a catholic school – only the priests are allowed to drink there!

3) Describe “Public Safety’s” impact on regular, non-field tailgating at Villanofun? (note: Public Saftety is the Nova equivalent of Campus Cadets/JMU police)  They SUCKED – [JMUSB spouse] Shannon and I called them Pubic Safety for a reason.  I think at Villanova drinking was looked at worse than premarital sex.

4) How would you describe community support for Villanova football and/or the likelihood they would support Nova becoming a full-fledged D1 program in the Big East?  I think if they go D1 the surrounding villanova community (meaning those who live in the town and don’t attend the school) will be HUGE… i think the team will gain many more fans.  It would be awesome for the students and would definitely create the same type of excitement our basketball team does – they would prob. have to build a new stadium.

5) Did you know Nova won the National Championship game last year?  If so, did you watch any games on tv?  YEAH and YEAH.  (“yeah” is said between sips of a “wooter” ice apparently – probably Rita’s).

6) Best bar in Bryn Marw for watching the game in the event of a hurricane?  Not sure if Mallory’s (or whatever the hell it’s called now) would win. Maybe the new Kelly’s?

7) Could you name more potential basketball recruits yet to finish high school than current football players? NO!

#8) Favorite players during your time at Nova?  Football or basketball?  We were in the Finneran boys class so, i guess them. Kerry Kittles hooked up w a few of my friends but i was obsessed w/ eric ebertz (well, really shannon’s roomie melissa was) and we’d call his dorm room just to listen to his message.  Oh, and “lefty” (he was another of the few white guys but almost only played the bench – but we were friends w/ him. LOL!! !oh the memories.

9) Best Villanova player ever? A) Brian Westbrook, B) Howie Long, C) Brian Finneran, D) Matt Szczur  Since I’m also an Eagles fan I’m going with A) Westbrook COME BAAACK!

Final thought: Hopefully this year ends up like THIS again: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HrotoFmp8wc