Yup!

NWC Week 6 Power Rankings

1. Whitworth - Looks like a 1 and done team in the postseason but they're the best we've got this year.
2. Linfield - Not sure why this team can't put it all together yet. Plenty of talent
3. L&C - Had a WR playing QB and was within 1 TD of Linfield.
4. Fox - Building for next year and could be tough in 2026.
5. PLU - Played Whitworth close so that's nice.
6. Pacific - Have Fox this weekend. We'll see if they can stay in this one.
7. Puget Sound - Have forced Linfield into some stinkers in previous years at home.
8. Willamette - Not good, but like previously said, more competitive.

'Cats defense played great in limiting L&C to their lower offensive output on the season and only giving up 14. The Pio offense has some speed and the 'Cats bottled that up for the most part today.

5-2 is a hell of a lot better than 2-5.

Oxy was a pretty unique set up. I did enjoy the fact Oxy's team was on the opposite side of the stands. I figured that was done so the coaching staff didn't have to listen to armchair QB's in their home crowd and less distractions.

NWC Week 5 Power Rankings

1. Whitworth - Going to win the NWC.
2. Linfield - Improving passing game but need to put it together for a full 4 quarters.
3. L&C - Despite the injury bug, still took Whitworth to the limit.
4. Fox - Started 0-5 good chance to finish 5-5
5. PLU - Hot start in NWC was fool's gold.
6. Pacific - Middling football program
7. Puget Sound - At least they can score some points.
*8. Willamette - Tough remaining slate

*I do want to shout out to Willamette. They're still not good but at least showing some signs of improvement. Last season in NWC play they lost to L&C, Pacific, PLU and UPS by an average of 27 points. This time around they only dropped those games by 12 ppg. Still losing but becoming more competitive.

I'll take the win. 

Easily, the best day throwing the ball for McNabb and the offense this year. Luke and the receivers played great. However, for whatever reason, it takes Linfield a half before we start putting things together offensively. I do appreciate the offensive staff making the adjustment and saying we're a throw first team and not try to pound the ball as much.  If we are going to run, Spurbeck has to be the primary guy (I would like to see the Frosh more too).

Besides the one long TD run, the 'Cats starting defense played well.  Our defensive line still can't generate a rush and that concerns me for next week.

Our special teams continue to stink. That group killed us in the 1st half and are flat out bad.

Next week should be entertaining.  L&C can score a tons of points.

Quote from: (509)Rat on October 20, 2025, 06:42:53 PM

Quote from: MonroviaCat on October 18, 2025, 07:31:16 PMYup- this might be the weakest 'Cat team in the D3-era.

This Whitworth team is worse than the previous 3-4 versions (the playoff teams). Your assessment is probably not far off.

The 'Cats made Lacio look like Joel Clark.

Agreed that Linfield hasn't improved and that's surprising as hell.  Worst Linfield offensive line in 25+ years and that's not an exaggeration. I die a little inside every time Linfield tries to run the ball inside for a 1/2 yard gain.

Quote from: olddog on October 20, 2025, 12:05:30 PMPS...Pat I guess the D3 pollsters got it wrong having LF in the top 20, given the thumping sub par WW put on LF last Saturday.  Hum ?

Never should have been in the top 25 or receiving votes to begin with this year but you have such a deep history of being a top 25/15 program than voters will give programs the benefit of the doubt.  I don't fault voters for that.

NWC Week 4 Power Rankings

1. Whitworth - Out coached and out toughed Linfield in the 'Catdome.
2. PLU - Won 3 in a row, 3-0 in NWC and handled Pacific more convincingly than Linfield.
3. Linfield - Last lost to PLU was in 2001, PLU could break that run this weekend.
4. Lewis & Clark - Giving up 42 to Fox is one way to take your first lost.
5. Fox - Only 1 win but knocking off an undefeated team shows growth.
6. Pacific - Should stay above Willamette and UPS.
8. Puget Sound - Out of the basement.
9. Willamette - Back to the basement.

Congrats to Whitworth.  Played better in all 3 phases of the game today and executed their game plan.

For Linfield, the issues that have been there since day one were again there today and it exposed the 'Cats.  Can't run the ball, terrible special teams play, trouble generating pressure our of the front four, etc, etc.

The 'Cats better have a sense of urgency because there isn't a game left on the schedule I would say Linfield is going to steamroll and then get recruiting their asses off in the off season.

NWC Week 3 Power Rankings

1. Linfield - Could be number 3 next week depending on the offensive output vs the Rats
2. Lewis & Clark - Good looking football team
3. Whitworth - Making some good strides, going to have a shot this weekend at the 'Catdome
4. Pacific - Defense isn't too shabby, but their offense stinks.
5. PLU - Not sure what to think of PLU at this point.
6. George Fox - Has to be the most billboards ever for an 0-5 team.
7. Willamette - Played pretty dang well vs L&C
8. Puget Sound - At least they didn't give up 50

A win is a win and 3-1 is a heck of a lot better than 1-3 so I'll take it.

'Cats defense continues to jell and has been stout vs the run.  Great to see the DB's make a number of huge plays against the pass.  The defense was put in some terrible positions but came through clutch.

All I can say about the offense is 23 points is the lowest total a Linfield team has scored against Pacific since the Boxers brought back football in 2010.  The two high points is that Dalziel is back on track kicking FG's and the freshman RB, O'Bagy.  That kid runs North and South, hits the holes hard and needs to be a guy they feature more.

Whitworth is going to be much stiffer challenge.

NWC Week 2 Power Rankings

1. Linfield - Not a 'Cats team of the past but still plenty of talent.
2. Lewis & Clark - Rolling along in 2025
3. Whitworth - Bad loss to Redlands but still better than most of the NWC
4. Pacific - Fox's old/Pacific's new DC will keep the Boxers in most games
5. George Fox - At least they have the best quality video broadcast
6. PLU - Willamette having a lead in the 4th quarter is not a good thing
7. Willamette - Better than 2024's team
8. Puget Sound - Giving up over 50 points a game

That might have been the worst 1st quarter of Linfield football that I can remember but thankfully the 'Cats course corrected.

Linfield's defense continues to shine but the problems are still the problems. No running game (offensive line is not physical) and some questionable decision making in the passing game.  However, thank the football gods that McNabb decided to just do what he does best and that's make plays with his legs. That turned the game around for the offense and it was all 'Cats once he found the lanes.   Also, our Special Teams are either tremendous or they're hot garbage every time out.

Wrapping it up, let's go under center 1st and goal at the 1 yard line moving forward.  Please.

Lewis and Clark continue to impress.  Yeah, it's Puget Sound but that's what good teams do to bad ones.