FB: Northwest Conference

[bbaddict]

You're hardly an idle spectator, BearcatFan.  Usually busy writing & posting from where I sit.  I don't believe in jinxes --  the team will continue to play well.   I do think UPS as a team can be a surprise now & then, but I'm glad it's a home game.

As far as playoffs go, we have to trust that things get scheduled fairly.  But first, Go Bearcats -- beat UPS & Menlo!!

[d-train]

Last week the question was asked as to what has happened to PLU.  I think the Linfield/WOU dynamic speaks to this same question.  I have stated before (last year I think).  It is my opinion that part of the "problem" at PLU is that some of the players who used to opt for PLU are now going to CWU and WWU.  It has taken longer for this to happen in Oregon because Linfield has been a winner for so long and WOU was not as competitive (as CWU and maybe WWU) prior to the shift from NAIA to D2/D3. 

This is just a theory from an ex player who is NOT close to the current team and has had little contact with PLU for a couple of decades.

speedy,

Your theory has some validity, but as you mention, other D3's in the PacNW and beyond face the same challenge so it can only explain so much. For example, Central's success hasn't kept the Pirates from building a strong program. I'd list it as only a minor factor among many others for the Lutes.

[speedybigboy]

Last week the question was asked as to what has happened to PLU.  I think the Linfield/WOU dynamic speaks to this same question.  I have stated before (last year I think).  It is my opinion that part of the "problem" at PLU is that some of the players who used to opt for PLU are now going to CWU and WWU.  It has taken longer for this to happen in Oregon because Linfield has been a winner for so long and WOU was not as competitive (as CWU and maybe WWU) prior to the shift from NAIA to D2/D3. 

This is just a theory from an ex player who is NOT close to the current team and has had little contact with PLU for a couple of decades.

speedy,

Your theory has some validity, but as you mention, other D3's in the PacNW and beyond face the same challenge.

D,

True, all the NWC schools are competing with the D2 schools for those players, but my thoughts are that in the past in Washington, PLU was getting those players, not Whitworth or UPS (at least since shortly after they left d2 in '82) and in Oregon most of those players were going to Linfield, not Willamette, Lewis & Clark, or Pacific.  The effect is to bring PLU and eventually probably Linfield closer in talent level to the rest of the conference.  Then when those teams start to be competitive year after year, they even out their ability to compete for players with PLU and Linfield thereby making the conference overall more competitive and less likely to have a team dominate.  I have little knowledge of the situations outside the NWC.

[speedybigboy]

Nice seeing a photo of Adam Anderson (Whitworth) on the front page Statistical Spotlight, even if he did it against my Lutes.  Even worse, now I find out he's only a Junior.

[d-train]

Last week the question was asked as to what has happened to PLU.  I think the Linfield/WOU dynamic speaks to this same question.  I have stated before (last year I think).  It is my opinion that part of the "problem" at PLU is that some of the players who used to opt for PLU are now going to CWU and WWU.  It has taken longer for this to happen in Oregon because Linfield has been a winner for so long and WOU was not as competitive (as CWU and maybe WWU) prior to the shift from NAIA to D2/D3. 

This is just a theory from an ex player who is NOT close to the current team and has had little contact with PLU for a couple of decades.

speedy,

Your theory has some validity, but as you mention, other D3's in the PacNW and beyond face the same challenge.

D,

True, all the NWC schools are competing with the D2 schools for those players, but my thoughts are that in the past in Washington, PLU was getting those players, not Whitworth or UPS (at least since shortly after they left d2 in '82) and in Oregon most of those players were going to Linfield, not Willamette, Lewis & Clark, or Pacific.  The effect is to bring PLU and eventually probably Linfield closer in talent level to the rest of the conference.  Then when those teams start to be competitive year after year, they even out their ability to compete for players with PLU and Linfield thereby making the conference overall more competitive and less likely to have a team dominate.  I have little knowledge of the situations outside the NWC.

Ah, the way you've clarified your theory helps me buy it a bit more. It's not so much (or not only) that some talent goes to the D2's, but the available talent has been spread out throughout the conference. I think that's clearly true. Linfield hasn't won the league in three years and the Lutes have three losing seasons in the past four. Whitworth is much tougher, obviously Willamette is far better than when you played, and UPS has become a better product (in some years) as well. I'm not sure if Menlo actually draws kids from the rest of the conference - but they are improved this year, play tough in California, and have added an interesting element to the conference.

[Bearcat Press]

All right, I'll come out and admit it: I'm really, really superstitious when it comes to sports, probably because of the fact that (prior to this year) I've never actually been a fan of a winning team.

But that's not the point I was trying to make.  Let me elaborate on my earlier post.  I, personally, am really uncomfortable looking ahead to the playoffs when we haven't even clinched the auto bid yet.  It's a fact that we've lost to UPS the past two years, and last year's loss was pretty unexplainable.  Do I honestly think we'll lose to the Loggers on Saturday?  No.  But if Kavin Williams plays like he did against Linfield, we could have some problems.  Likewise, the UPS defense held Linfield to 250 fewer yards than the Bearcats did.  This concerns me.

That being said, we're ranked 10th in the country. 8)

Are we good?

[Gig Harbor Cat]

PPJ,
  I know exactly wht you mean., and those were the best of times.  Used to drive the Mrs crazy that on roadtrips I would only fuel up at pump #11 and we would put $11.99 in the tank.  At the games we would sit with The Higgins and sit in seat # 11 and 12.  It goes on and on from there-- you get it. sometimes I crack myself up
I wont be down this weekend, the Tides host a first round game here in Gig Harbor, so I will be at that game as my boys make their run.

Phone it in

GHC

[D O.C.]

70's, 80's have nothing to do with 2008. I know.

Neither does 1999.

Let's all just pull for Pacific to build a stadium and dilute the talent pool a bit more.
Parity. Everybody gets a chance.

At least we could drop Monmouth.

[bluenote]

So, who is gonna beat the Bearcats?

A team that doesn't turn the ball over and make mistakes, has a very physical disruptive front defensive line/linebackers and db's that don't get burned. That's who.

[bluenote]

At least we could drop Monmouth.

I agree, but I'll have more of an opinion after the game this Saturday. I want to see if the Wildcats still have some firepower.

[fbgcat]

Is it just me or does the pic of Adam Anderson on the front page look Heisman-esque?  I'm not suggesting anything, just noticing.

Something else to ponder-  Just how many names has Western Oregon had anyway?
     Oregon Normal- What's up with that?  If you went to school somewhere else you weren't "normal"?
     Oregon College of Education-
     Western Oregon State Univ-  My era.
     Now, Western Oregon Univ-  Woooooooouuu!

Y'all have a good one.

[d-train]

Something else to ponder-  Just how many names has Western Oregon had anyway?
     Oregon Normal- What's up with that?  If you went to school somewhere else you weren't "normal"?
     Oregon College of Education-
     Western Oregon State Univ-  My era.
     Now, Western Oregon Univ-  Woooooooouuu!

Normal School = Teachers' college

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Normal_School


Western, Eastern, and Southern Oregon were all "Normal" schools originally. Eventually they were renamed "...College of Education," then "...State College," and finally changed to "...University" around the same time (late 90's). Eastern, Western, and Central Washington have the same 'normal school' roots.

{edit: forgive me for going a little 'Cliff Clavin' there}

[RedandPurple]

I just received a copy of the Fall issue of Linfield Magazine in the mail. Nice article about Ryan Carlson and his work on the catdome alumni web page.
Great job Ryan and thanks for all the time and effort you put in keeping the "Linfield Faithfull" updated and entertained. GO 'CATS!

[RedandPurple]

Is it just me or does the pic of Adam Anderson on the front page look Heisman-esque?  I'm not suggesting anything, just noticing.

Yes, it does look like the statue. His stats against PLU are impressive to say the least, but it also shows how well the Linfield defense stopped him when the pirates played at the Catdome this year.

At Linfield:
Rushing               No Gain Loss  Net TD Lg  Avg
--------------------------------------------------------
Anderson, Adam  25   66    4     62     1 14  2.5

[(509)Rat]

I think both NWC and SCIAC fans are getting a little overly optimistic.  How would an NWC or SCIAC runner up get one of 6 pool C bids when an 8-1 NWC champion gets left home?  Throwing another team from the west into the equation creates another flight that the NCAA has to pay for...does anyone really think that's gonna happen?

Let's just hope this year they stay true to seeding and give both Oxy and Willamette the first round home games they deserve...instead of matching them up first round.