It would be great if the Utica Observer-Dispatch develops some staying power and actually covers Colgate this season. We have oft been asked why we don't have more on the Raiders on the site, and the explanation has always been that nobody ventures to Hamilton to cover Colgate's games, so often there is nothing to link to.

The Observer-Dispatch is at least starting off on the right foot, with a preseason preview of the "new-look Raiders, which includes this quick synopsis from Emmitt Davis:

"Four of our top eight guys basically have been away from the game for a whole year: Dan Gentile, Marc Daniels, Kyle Chones and Kendall Chones," said Davis, whose team struggled to a 12-16 record last year while Gentile and Daniels were hurt and the Chones brothers were ineligible. "The challenge is getting them all back up to speed. The key is bringing everyone together. That's why we're playing such a tough non-league schedule."

The Raiders schedule is definitely beefed up from a year ago, when the annual loss at Syracuse was the only major on the slate. This season, if the 'Gate can get past Utah Valley State in the opener, their schedule will likely include Iowa, Princeton, Georgetown and either UTEP or Mississippi Valley State.

Depending on who Holy Cross ends up playing in San Juan, the Gate's schedule will likey be the second or third toughest in the league this year.