FB: Northwest Conference

[spiritof86]

That turnover margain continues to astound me. The d will be ready.

[d-train]

There are several varibles in terms of weighing the level of competition. The first thing that pops out is the depth of D3 vs. NAIA. Sure PLU and Linfield have already claimed titles in D3, but they'll never be able to dominate the field the way they did in NAIA D-2 during the 1980's. There are simply way too many good programs just in the 'west'. St. John's, for example, ended the season of the NWC champ in '98, '01, '02, and '03. Central did in '00. Add to that Mount Union, the Texas teams, etc. I think the NAIA field was thinner in terms of legit national title contenders.

Another varible is that the NAIA is ever changing. There has been a mass exodus of teams to NCAA. Many of the strongest NAIA programs (especially NAIA division 1 programs) went NCAA D2. Findlay, Ohio used to give us fits. Carson-Newman, Tenn. was a powerhouse. Now so many are NCAA that there's only one division in NAIA.

Wildcat11 and myself were players in the NWC during the transition to D3. I played in the NAIA playoffs in '96 and the D3 playoffs in '98. We both are of the opinion that NWC football has been a very similar product over time. The NAIA (at the time we left) was at a similar level to D3.

Things now are almost harder to compare. The NAIA has under 100 football schools and there are probably less than 3 dozen that use a full allotment of 24 scholarships to get athletes that D3 schools can't with their financial aid packages and (in most cases) richer academic and athletic traditions. Carroll College never enjoyed much success against the NWC schools' NAIA days, but they have really stepped up recruiting, scholarships, etc. --- and (besides an Elliott-led Linfield team) would probably whip up on us now. But outside of Carroll and 5-6 other teams, I'd pick the D3 team in a head-to-head more often than the NAIA team. I just think that overall, D3 has a better thing going.

[AnotherJohnnie]

Thanks to d-train and everyone else.  That was very informative.

I find it unfortunate that NWC teams have such a hard time scheduling games.  I was just contemplating things like, what if the NAIA folded, then where would the teams go?  If some go DII, some DIII, it would seem like maybe sceduling problems would be lessened. 

I have heard some complaints about the SCIAC's unwillingness to schedule contests, but that is only part of the problem.  If there were more teams to choose from, it would be better - and it's not like there are no schools within 500 miles of Linfield.  It seems like the NAIA schools around you are a good fit, but the NCAA is probably closer to forbidding you from playing them period than taking them into account when playoff time comes.  What an unfortunate mess.

SJU still hasn't scheduled a 10th game next year, and I think they are having some trouble figuring out who to schedule.  I assume (hope like crazy) they do find one, but you are in a situation where you can't be all that picky about who you play.  Other in region opponents aren't all that realistic because that kind of travel is prohibitively expensive and time consuming.  I remember hearing Jim G (John's son and the O' coordinator) on the radio talking about the Eau Claire game and how it is nice because it isn't too far away, like most of the WIAC schools are.

Anyway, just trying to understand where others are coming from the week before the first playoff game.

['Cats Fa Natic]

Man.  Spent some time reading on the SCIAC board.  They're cannibals. I think some of those people would eat their own young.

I'm a bit surprised at the Oxy-Linfield pairing.  It would have been nice to have a team to "warm up" on but this will certainly test us.

If I have a beef with this pairing, it's that I can't stand the fact that the D-III schools have to bite their nails over a single playoff trip wheras D-I schools think nothing of flying all over the country, even bringing their own bands.  Sheesh.

But hey.  At least we have PLAYOFFS and not that stupid bowl system.

['Cats Fa Natic]

Dumb question, a bit off topic...

What's this whole karma thing, how do I get it, how do I give it?

[D O.C.]

Remember the previous board where you could vote for or against someone? Same here. It will not show on your own meter. You cannot do the same poster twice in a twelve hour window.

[Tuxguy]

.....DensLA........Plus now you have to post a number of times so we don't get the hit and run bandits of the past.

Cawcdad... Thanks for the stats! alittle side note, and it's the same for some of the other teams, But when you pull your starters in the 3rd Q of most games things can change the overall look of the stats. Which makes the #1,#3 and #11 overall rankings on "D" even more impressive.

You having to compile all those numbers from the (SCIA) shows even more what a great job Kelly Bird is doing at Linfield!

[cawcdad]

Tux guy, you're welcome. You are also right about the defensive stats getting skewed by having reserves in most of the second half. Here is some more that I gleaned. A  big thanks to Beancounter and Kelly Bird for making this pretty easy to compile

TDs given up by the starting D:
WOU - 1
UWSP - 1
PLU - 1
Whit. - 2? The rats scored 3 TDs in the 4th quarter, were starters out by then?
UPS - 1
SOU - 1
Menlo - 0
WU - 0 I'm assuming the starters were out for Waltons TD run late in the third quarter.
That is some impressive defense.

Tigers will keep it close for a half, but the Cats make the better halftime adjustments and  the salty D seals the win.

[Sabretooth Tiger]

Cawdad, excellent research.  The Oxy D is going to have to nut up to keep the Tigers in the game . . . here's hoping they do.

BubRub:  As to the "put up or shut-up" comments and comments suggesting Oxy doesn't deserve the ranking it has . . . look at Cawdad's stats on opponents won/loss record, and all of the other stats for that matter . . . and then think about the fact that last year Oxy prevailed over both Willamette and Concordia-Moorhead to get the the regional finals at McMinnville . . . and opened up better against the Cats than any other playoff opponent . . . sadly failing to carry the mo' through the second half of the game.  So this year, we re-play in round one instead of round three.

Looking for Oxy to show up for all four quarters, a hell of a game, and the winner to go all the way!

Eat-em up Tigers!
Io Triumphe!

[wildcat11]

sadly failing to carry the mo' through the second half of the game.  So this year, we re-play in round one instead of round three.

It was more of the adjustments the Linfield defense made than Oxy failing to carry the mo'.  By the end of the 3rd quarter...it was just another playoff blowout.

[Gig Harbor Cat]

Just another playoff blowout

  Like it

Phone it in, Its in the bank boys

[spiritof86]

Saturday is sahping up to be a great one for sports fans. My normal couch spot is reserved, and a special guest from OR will be in town to listen to the game.

[Gig Harbor Cat]

I may have to change it to a +30 at the half 8)  All of the mo at this game will be with the Wildcats--WE have the MOJO

[swede]

Dumb question, a bit off topic...

What's this whole karma thing, how do I get it, how do I give it?

'Cats Fan Atic
dens helped me out on this one. I still don't understand how I can lose something I never had. One of these times I'll figure out this Smiley face thing. Perhaps DENS will e-mail me on it.

[OxyFan21]

Spirit of '86,

Someone on the SCIAC board mentioned that you live in STL...me too. 

A fellow Oxy alum is planning a get-together for Oxy fans on Saturday as none of us can realistically afford the flight to PDX.  I read your post and am hoping that you and your guest have a good time listening as well!

Anyhow, it's good to hear of another person here in STL. 

There are 5 of us recent Oxy alums living/working here in STL.