FB: Northwest Conference

[NWCprops]

While the Wildcats of McMinnville are the undisputed kings of D3 football in the west (and specifically the NWC).  There is little doubt that the Bearcats of Willamette are the second best program on the west coast.  Sure....Occidental is riding high at the present with D1 kickback Collins at the helm...but where were they just a few years ago.....at the bottom of the heap.  Remeber, Redlands was the king pin of the SCIAC...and was getting thumped regularly by the Bearcats
(I think the last two meetings were 52-38....and 35-14 WUcat wins).  Southland independent Chapman also cut the Bearcats off after back to back 52-21 and 54-0 beatings by the Salem pack.  The proof that the Bearcats are the second best the NWC has to offer is evident in their conference record over the past four years.  4-0 vs. Pacific Lutheran, 4-0 vs. UPS, 3-0 vs. Lewis and Clark and 3-1 vs, Whitworth.  The loan loss to the Pirates was in over-time two years ago.   So that makes the Bearcats 14-1 vs. the balance of the league since 2002.  Of the 13 losses the WUcats have suffered since "02"..... 4 have come at the hands of perennial  power UMHB..and 3 in NWC title games vs. Linfield.  This is not a push for the B-cats to be placed in the NCAA field but rather evidence that supports their place as second best in the west (not the region).  I'd love to see them make the play-off....but they need to pull off a shocker this Saturday to make a clear cut case....and well thats......why they play the games. Regardless of the outcome Saturday....I said earlier in the year that Willamette would be the thorn in the side of the NWC contenders .........and that they have been....they ended Puget Sounds hoped early....they ended PLU winning season streak and did Whitworth in two years in a row (just when they were on the brink of a play-off bid).  So who knows....maybe a little more majic in Salem this Sat-Nite.

[d-train]

While I won't deny the Bearcats recent strugglehold on second place in the NWC, I think you need to actually win a few D-3 playoff games (or maybe a national title) before you can crown yourselves the second best program on the West coast. 

[Wildcat'64]

Has anyone heard if Pacific decided to go forward with football for the 2006 or 2007 season?  If L & C comes home and with Pacific and Menlo finally the NWC could be eligible in a couple of years for an automatic bid to the playoffs and perhaps then even get a second team without all the  hassles!

[rockcat]

Last I heard was that the board and president supported football but that the faculty still had to make a decision.

[rbaikie]

I may be wrong (if so - Pat or somebody else in the know please clarify)

I believe Menlo is becoming a member (affiliate) for 2006 - If LC returns football then or Pacific adds football for 2006, then there is a 2 year waiting period for an AQ so it would be available (if nobody drops out) for the 2008 season.

As for Pacific, how would they work? I would think that if they added football, they would probably want at least one season with the team either as a club or JV team so that the first year together on the field, they wouldn't walk into the buzzsaws against Linfield, Whitworth, and Willamette - you know the first year is going to be tough anyway, but if you at least have some time to devlop the team, it might be less painful! Based on this, I wouldn't expect them to play any real NWC games until 2007 or 2008.......

[rockcat]

I think if when Menlo is added the NWC will get an automatic bid (if L&C keeps football).  My guess is that Menlo will get the boot if and when Pacific is ready to join the conference.

I'm not sure about who Pacific would schedule that first year.  What have other programs done?  Maybe Pacific would just take their lumps...they're used to losing at everything else.

[D O.C.]

NWCprops...frightfully sorry about your loan loss to the Pirates. Perhaps you were federally insured and recouped the loss.
Your on-the-field losses are going to be much harder to recoup because the world bought the barelycats pleas last year and you embarrassed us. 
OK.
I'm sorry.
We are a kinder, gentler WILDCAT NATION.

[d-train]

I think getting a second team in will still have plenty of "hassles". The committee(s) have actually been pretty darn generous with the NWC already. Choosing the most worthy among several one loss teams for a handful of at-large bids will be no cleaner in Pool A/C as opposed to Pool B. 

[Catville Commissioner Elect]

Now Listen tuxGuy,  I know that you have hard enough time outfitting me for the annual gala event, I am not sure what you could do with Swede.  On the other hand, the last time I saw Swede in a tux (oh well never mind that story).

By the way Swede,  Could you also stop by Section A (you know the seats.  I could always use a good hot dog and some refreshments also.  I will bring my camera and make sure I get a good picture of you to post on the board.  I already have found several from quite a long way back that I am sure the other posters would love to see.

Topcat1 

[d-train]

No, no, no...topcat1 does not need another hot dog. 

[Catville Commissioner Elect]

Camcat,

Are you going to make it to Cat Dome South this weekend.  If so, I will be looking for you.  You are always welcome to sit by us.  We can discuss playoff tickets.  Hopefully by then I will have my plans made and see what I have left.

We normally sit as you come into the stadium, in the first section about 2/3 the way up.

Hope to see you there.  Too bad the politician from the great State of Alaska cannot make it down.  I have been watching his local Abode and have some bad news to report to  him  

[swede]

Beancounter....I have to dissagree with you on that one! We need games... games with a CAPITAL "G". Get It? I'm tired of playing only 3 games at home and 5 away...    I don't care if we play the Bad News Bears... whatever! bring 'em on, DUDE! 

Chill bluenote, the wildcats take care of business Saturday and you could have six home games this year. How many teams in the country can say that. As for next year we'll get at least four to start with.

[swede]

I hope it works out for the Pios. maybe The Cats could play the J.V. against them, before you trash me, the J.V. just beat the second best team in the country..... Linfield Alumni. IMHO

On the tux and swede.......stop on by, we will see what we can do! I want more then a Hotdog though!!!!Just 2 rows up from Bluenote!

I only wear purple tux and it has to be cardinal purple and not Mounts purple. I won't escort the men to the potty room but ladies.......Now remember though I need to sign that waiver releasing me of any and all damages to the tux that may occur on account of the ladies tearing it apart not to mention the bearcats. . Sorry about the hot dog though. I'll have to furnish all those women with dogs.

[swede]

Last I heard was that the board and president supported football but that the faculty still had to make a decision.

Never knew the faculty had the final say.

[swede]

Camcat,

Are you going to make it to Cat Dome South this weekend.  If so, I will be looking for you.  You are always welcome to sit by us.  We can discuss playoff tickets.  Hopefully by then I will have my plans made and see what I have left.

Topcat1
Don't forget me on those tickets. You can pick' em up anytime. I have to work. e-mail me and I'll let you know how many. You can add a service charge but NO HOT DOG. Also I owe Pauly $4.00 from the game last Saturday.
    Where did all your posts go?