Preseason recognition is flattering but season-long success is the bottom line

The annual publication of Top 25 polls and All-America teams is an annual rite of passage into a new football season. The information is definitely fun to read for football fans around the nation especially here in Warhawk Nation.

D3football.com is the “bible” for NCAA Division III football fans. Published earlier this week the 2013 preseason D3football.com All-American team and preseason Top 25 Poll were released.

UW-Whitewater is one of three Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference teams ranked in D3football.com’s preseason ranking.

Following its 7-3 record last year, the Warhawks will enter the upcoming season ranked ninth according to D3football.com Top 25 Poll voters. UW-Platteville, coming off its tie for second in the conference, is ranked 11th while defending WIAC champion UW-Oshkosh checks in at No. 12.

Obviously, most fans consider a high national ranking a great honor – and it is. But these rankings come out prior to teams around the country even arrive at training camp.

This brings me to my “word of the day.” The word is speculation: The definition of speculation: Contemplation or consideration of a subject. A conclusion, opinion, or theory reached by conjecture.

What UW-Whitewater football players, and hopefully fans have come to realize is that rankings, All-America lists, and championships is such lofty success is really totally based on success throughout its 10 games regular season and possible post-season berth.

This is really what POUND THE ROCK stands for. It is a "day at a time – game at a time mentality" that championship seasons are built on.

Loussaint Minett, Tyler Huber, Cole Klotz, Kyle Wismer and Eric Kindler have received preseason All-America recognition. They are all outstanding players entering their senior season and will be looked on to provide the “senior leadership” necessary to eventually reach team goals.

Ty Huber has been elected one of the team captains for the upcoming season. In the wake of the publication of all the preseason polls and All-America lists that included his name, Huber tweeted the only list that matters is the one at the end of the season. No worries...Put it on the field and let your game do the talking! Can you say “senior leadership?”

Players return to campus for the start of its 2013 preseason training camp in just 25 days!