Pat Coleman, D3football.com Editor and Publisher
Mount Union 45, St. John's 20

Mount Union looks better and better as the weeks go by. Unless some cataclysmic weather event neutralizes the Purple Raiders' powerful advantage up front and speed advantage in the receiving corps, it will be tough for St. John's to stay in the game.

Keith McMillan, Around the Nation columnist
Mount Union 49, St. John's 14

I, for one, am finished thinking that other teams can stay with the Purple Raiders, or that this Mount Union team pales in comparison to previous ones. Forget about it. This team has beaten three top ten teams en route to the Stagg Bowl, outscoring them 161-24, the past two wins by sheer annihilation. I'm certainly hopeful St. John's can make this Stagg Bowl as competitive as the last time these two teams met in Salem, and if anyone can scheme something up to slow Mount Union, it's the legendary John Gagliardi and staff. As for predicting a Johnnies victory however, I don't want any of that action.

Pat Cummings, Mid-Atlantic Region columnist
Mount Union 51, St. John's 13

I too have projected some upsets in the past few Stagg Bowls. I predicted a 20-17 Bridgewater win over Mount Union in 2001 and had the final margin, with the teams reversed. My Trinity prediction was a bit short-sighted last season. All in all, I have been hoping for an upset on the merit that it would be fresh, something new. That will not happen this season. Mount Union toyed with Bridgewater, Wheaton, and La Crosse. I suspect the same will happen on Saturday. Having seen the Purple Raiders abuse the top ten teams in Division III this season, the Stagg Bowl will show just how far they are above the rest of the pack; adding to the litany of lessons the rest of D3 needs to learn from if they have any hopes of improving.

Ric Brienza, Mount Union Play-by-Play Broadcaster
Mount Union 44, St.John's 10

It's always hard to predict the outcome of a game when you've only seen one of the two teams play. I haven't even seen any of the Johnnies opponents this season, so how do I compare? Well, let's revisit the WIAC. Mount Union beat UW-Whitewater 40-17 and UW-La Crosse 39-14. St. John's beat UW-Eau Claire 24-10. Eau Claire beat La Crosse 24-21 but lost to Whitewater 45-7. So how does that help in predicting the Mount Union, St. John's matchup? It doesn't. I'll have to go by the fact that I've watched the Purple Raiders soundly beat three very good teams in the playoffs, with two of the finishes by ridiculous margins. I've watched this Mount Union team develop into one of the best ever fielded at the college. I respect St. John's coaches and the players, but I would be surprised if we have a repeat of the fantastic 2000 Stagg Bowl. My best guess:

Mark Simon, D3football.com Features columnist and broadcaster
Mount Union 24, St. John's 21 (OT)

I don't know why, but I've had the feeling for quite some time that this is going to be one of the best Stagg Bowls ever, and I think you have too. Maybe it's because we know that Blake Elliott isn't going to go down as easily in his last collegiate game. Maybe it's because we know that the "243-6" second-quarter scoring differential for Mount Union is some sort of typo. Maybe it's because this game was predestined in September as the one everyone expected, and the one that everyone has been waiting to see. Please note that I don't have the best history with these picks. I still get laughed at for my pick of Rowan 41, Pacific Lutheran 13 a few years ago. And if the final score is 80-0, please don't start a thread on Post Patterns saying I jinxed the game.

Tom Wilson, East Region columnist
Mount Union 38, St. John's 17

I really don't think that this Stagg Bowl rematch will be close like 2000. This game may be close going into halftime. I expect Mount to begin to wear down the smaller Johnnies squad early in the 3rd quarter. This game will be won in the trenches.

Ron Boerger, South Region columnist
Mount Union 41, St. John's 21

How can you go against Larry Kehres and the monster he's built in Alliance? No doubt the Johnnies will have a few things up their sleeves, but I still like MUC.

John Regenfuss, Midwest Region columnist
Mount Union 38, St. John's 14

I could utilize this opportunity to analyze the Mount Union-St. John's championship contest in terms of consequential individual and unit matchups, key players to watch for, team tendencies, and coaching proclivities in order to point to which squad will ultimately have an advantage but, in all honesty, why bother. With absolutely no disrespect intended towards St. John's, predicting Mount Union to win the 2003 Division III national championship is like portending that the sun will rise tomorrow, Monday will come after Sunday, and that I will pay taxes this year...it's a foregone conclusion. A personal plea: To the athletic administrators at Mount Union, I have just three words...Division II, PLEASE!

Adam Johnson, West Region columnist
St. John's 20, Mount Union 17

Why this score? Well, I relate it to Super Bowl XXXVI when the "greatest show on turf" -- St. Louis -- met the team that wasn't supposed to be there -- New England -- and the Patriots stunned them with a last second field goal as the clock hit 00:00. Now, while MUC is the greatest show on any playing surface in Division III, I definitely think SJU belongs in this game. While MUC has the streak, Larry Kinnard and a home away from home hotel in Salem, SJU has Gagliardi, history and the greatest Division III football player in the all the land in Blake Elliott. His health and the level at which he is able to play is the key to the Johnnies success. With an offense that can be led in receiving by their halfback and in rushing by their wide receiver, I think they will have just enough to knock of the mighty MUC Purple Raiders. And just like Super Bowl XXXVI, the Johnnies will haul placekicker Brandon Keller off the field after splitting the uprights with 00:00 on the clock.