FB: Northwest Conference

[DarkHarvest]

When you mention Whitworth finishing strong and you hope they don't drop another one to Willamette.  I would like to point out that they did not DROP one to the Bearcats last season.  They were absolutely outeverythinged.  They came in averaging 36 points per game and ended up with 17.  The Cats kicker missed 3 short field goals and two extra points or the 28-17 score would have looked a lot worse.  I think that it is great they give a good showing against Linfield every year but just because they play somebody tough does not mean they should get a look at the playoffs.  Just as UPS has to prove it can consistently beat some of the big 4 in NWC Whitworth needs to be able to Beat Willamette before they can even think about crying playoffs. 
Prediction:
Linfield National Champs undefeated
Only one NWC team into the field of 32
WU will play Linfield for the Conference Championship and get beat
Whitworth will finish with a better record than the Bearcats but still end up third in the conference.

[Foss]

Pat, thanks. That makes sense.

DarkHarvest, the reason I hope Whitworth makes the playoffs over Willamette is because I think they'd give a better showing for the NWC than Willamette. I'm big on overall conference strength and performance. If Whitworth wins the rest of their games, I think they deserve to get in. If they do not (which can easily happen) then they definately do not.

[pineconefan]

Regarding Saturday's game - Linfield just has too many difference makers.  When I say difference makers, I mean players that combine extra size/speed with way above average athletic ability.  I counted at least five Wildcats that I think fit that description: Elliott, Allen, Hazenberg, Olson, Dailey (seriously good kick offs are a vastly underrated weapon).  There may have been more.  And I don't separate out these guys to put down anyone else on that team.  There were plenty of other great players.  So much so, that our former 1st team All-NWC WR looks like just another player on that team. 

The only concern they might have is if the next four games go too easily for them, there is a possibility of losing that necessary edge.

The Pirates played hard, kept coming back, but they just didn't have the difference makers.  In my opionion the Bucs have two of those type of guys (Clark and Allan).  But I like their chances in the next four games.

[pineconefan]

Dark Harvest - Interesting prediction about the Pirates and the NWC.  So the Pirates have to prove they can beat the Bearcats?  How about the Bearcats proving they can win at Whitworth since the last time Willamette won in Spokane most of the current players were in Jr. High. 

[CamCat]

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[eastcoastlute]

Wi and 11,

Thanks for the kind thoughts.  We got out safely, had a place to go, and a means to get there.  In the end that's all that really mattered.  Things are a little tougher on my wife, who was 35 weeks pregnant with our first child when we evacuated from New Orleans.  Baby is due Friday, so we are very excited.

She is originally from Yakima, so that's where we are currently.  Very difficult to be so close to NWC football and not be able to catch a game live.  You should have seen the look she gave me when I suggested I might take a trip to Puyallup for yesterday's game.  She then gave me an earful that included the word "contraction" and ended with the word "divorce".  Obviously I didn't go.

[frank uible]

back2back: If DIII paid its refs like DIA does, it would probably get a better class of them. In fact, some of them might prefer to work DIII because of lack of crowds, lack of traffic problems, pleasant settings and proximity to home.

[wyd]

back2back,

I was reading through your post and found it suprising to hear that Frosty is leading the charge on fund raising for facilities.   There have been some massive upgrades on the PLU campus the last couple of years.  I have always said that Frosty would be key to new facilities.   I am prompted to look into this... D-Train, have you heard anything about this?

[DarkHarvest]

Pincone,
That is probably true, the only thing I can say for a fact is that your buzzsaw of an offense got chopped down last season and held to one of your lowest point totals of the season and WU had over 500 yards of offense, no doubt the bucs will be tough at home, I am just saying they need to beat WU before they talk playoffs.

[desertcat1]

Pinecone:  

I told you boys that last year.That "he would NOT start for the Wildcats" Then and does not start now.  Don't get me wrong we are glad to have him as a wildcat this year. And we still have the best 3 WR in the NWC If not D3?

Dark Harv.  The RATS will beat the bearcats this year.. "Take that to the bank" ..  The rats out gained the cats and look what happened to them sat? 

Go Cats

50 in 05

[spiritof86]

I will be curious to see Whitworth's season play out. They are a high quality team, but I think it is safe to say they do a few things that especially give linfield trouble. Unlike last years game though, the defense of the cats played pretty dang good this time around. They gave up 32 pts, but earned back at least 14, probably more like 21 thanks to the bad fake punt call.

I know wu went to a 2nd string qb, so what in the world is up with sou giving up so many passing yards? That does not bode well for them.

I agree on the Linfield difference makers. When the going gest tough, the ball will only go to a handful of guys.

[d-train]

WYD,

Yeah, I've heard a few things but nothing all that organized yet. I think a stadium on PLU's campus is still something of a long shot and several years from materializing. However, the rumor is that it has more legs now than ever before. The new AD has a pretty strong fund raising background and Frosty has made it one of his key goals in retirement. The Administration had set other goals for the University, including an endowment raising campaign and securing fund to work on a few buildings (Tech. Center, Eastvold and Xavier upgrades). With those other major campaigns more or less in the home stretch (except for Eastvold), perhaps they'll review the idea of tapping the alumni for a stadium project. Personally I think funding for 'Frosty Stadium' could fall into place somewhat quickly as long as the Administration and the Development/Alumni Office helps to lead the effort (or is at least 'on board') rather than standing in the way.

I think BacktoBack and ECLute are dead on: the facilities at PLU are more of a liability than ever. All the other NWC football schools have nice settings on campus and four of the other five have raised the stakes considerably (with field turf at two schools). When Frosty was the leading man, I don't think that facilities and recruiting were as big of an issue as they are now. There were simply enough quality players that were drawn to Frosty and wanted to play for him. Scott is a quality coach and a great offensive mind, but he doesn't quite have that same kind of personality that draws people in an inspirational type of way. The program is still unique and there is still some of that 'EMAL' draw, but not to the level where it overcomes obvious challenges as in the past.

BTW: Any chance you'll make the SOU game in Hillsboro? We're talking about putting together a tailgate hosted by several Portland/Vancouver area Lutes.

[Pirat]

Excellent effort on Saturday RATS.  I am proud of the way you guys hung in there.  You'll need to clean up the unforced errors and bonehead calls, though.

The playoffs start at UPS.  Amp up the intensity and come ready to play like it is one and done. Because you can't afford another regional loss.

GO RATS 

[OregonCityCat99]

Regarding the game from Saturday..

We were all ultra-impressed with the Pine Bowl.  That is definitely a top-notch facility and sounds like it will be even better after the grandstand renovation.

The Pirates cause problems for us because they flood the field with receivers and have a QB that can run. He just made too many mistakes to win the game.  The fake punt call was perhaps the worst call I've ever seen.  The 'Rats had all of the momentum, and plus it was 4th and fairly long.

I think Whitworth would definitely best represent the NWC as a 2nd team.

[wildcat11]

"grandstand renovation" at the PineBowl??

PiRat, Pinecone....do you have a inside look at what we be looking at.  Because the place looks great but the press boxes and concessions are hurting some.

If I was to rank facilities in the NWC right now (including Menlo):

1. Linfield (the best will keep getting better,  Don't think there is a field in the conference that gets its fans that close to the action)

2. Whitworth (great sod surface and the feel of the Pine Bowl is great.  Already talked about the negatives)

3. Willamette (Modern grandstand, field turf, nice locker rooms, but just lacks game day feel, and not crazy about the stadium being off campus)

4. Lewis & Clark (Probably has the most natural beauty of any stadium in the NWC.  The big negative is that it's Lewis & Clark and that old turf is an injury waiting to happen)

5. PLU  (Yes, I know it's 15 miles away from campus, community stadium, old style turf, but the game day atmosphere and crowds are always great)

6. UPS (Still terrible.  Hate the field, hate the backdrop, hate the way the P.A. does his job, just never like playing there and never liked watching a game there.  Place is a morgue).

7 Menlo (Never been there but if the idea of the visiting coaches "box" is a scissor lift....then the place is dump.  Just a sub par high school facility)