FB: Northwest Conference

[(509)Rat]

I seriously doubt any of the elite guys (Mt., UWW, UMHB, Wesley, etc) are ever purposefully "running" up the score. It's really an inevitability when the talent gap between them and the below average to terrible d3 teams is soooooo big.

I'm sure some of those coaches do have the (509)rat philosophy of putting in your back-ups but utilizing your whole playbook, just like you would with the starters. That could explain the larger margins of victory/higher point totals. Seeing backups go in just to run the ball 3 times and punt, drives me nuts. Let the guys play, let them run a normal offense, give them real experience and make the film/coaching sessions on Sunday mean something. All you can do is put in 2nd and 3rd stringers, if the other team can't stop 'em that's their problem.

[bluenote]

I agree with you Rat.... my point was... I just don't think it's much of a story when a top ranked team drops 70+ points on a weak team. It's like big deal....that doesn't impress me.

[MonroviaCat]

I agree with you Rat.... my point was... I just don't think it's much of a story when a top ranked team drops 70+ points on a weak team. It's like big deal....that doesn't impress me.

I think the story was how many of the top ranked teams dropped 70+ in the same week....and I agree with Rat as well---"let them play, let them play...."

[bluenote]

I agree with you Rat.... my point was... I just don't think it's much of a story when a top ranked team drops 70+ points on a weak team. It's like big deal....that doesn't impress me.

I think the story was how many of the top ranked teams dropped 70+ in the same week....and I agree with Rat as well---"let them play, let them play...."

...agree with you MonCat....but my point is ....Big Deal...it's not a story ....maybe then next week they will drop 80+ WOW Whoopee!. Then I guess they have a new story that is lame.

[MonroviaCat]

I agree with you Rat.... my point was... I just don't think it's much of a story when a top ranked team drops 70+ points on a weak team. It's like big deal....that doesn't impress me.

I think the story was how many of the top ranked teams dropped 70+ in the same week....and I agree with Rat as well---"let them play, let them play...."

...agree with you MonCat....but my point is ....Big Deal...it's not a story ....maybe then next week they will drop 80+ WOW Whoopee!. Then I guess they have a new story that is lame.

careful Blue--you might have to start writing "real stories" for the site 

Speaking of "real stories"--I'm stuck at a class in San Diego all day this weekend so....I'll be lucky if I catch any of the games on my phone at lunch break....

[Pat Coleman]

Ryan's take: Linfield. The Wildcats didn't reach the 70-plus mark that other top-10 teams did in Week 8, but that's certainly not an indictment on the talent the team has. This week pick isn't an indictment, either. Willamette is more than five-scores better than Linfield's opponent from last week, and I don't expect the Linfield to play into a particularly drastic margin this week. Still, Linfield can probably hang 40-something on the Bearcats and win comfortably.

I'm really not that impressed with everybody's amazement at the teams that are putting up 70 points + a game like these guys seem to be. WE could score a bunch more if we wanted to IMHO. But Joe doesn't pile it on like some teams do .......

Bluenote -- I feel like we've done a very good job of expressing that on multiple occasions. At least once, probably twice in separate podcasts I've said something to the effect of "Nobody does a better job keeping from scoring points when the game is out of hand than Linfield."

[Pat Coleman]

I agree with you Rat.... my point was... I just don't think it's much of a story when a top ranked team drops 70+ points on a weak team. It's like big deal....that doesn't impress me.

I think the story was how many of the top ranked teams dropped 70+ in the same week....and I agree with Rat as well---"let them play, let them play...."

...agree with you MonCat....but my point is ....Big Deal...it's not a story ....maybe then next week they will drop 80+ WOW Whoopee!. Then I guess they have a new story that is lame.

And so yeah, it kinda seems to me like you didn't really understand or pay attention to our analysis at all, because it wasn't just about what number was on the scoreboard, but how that demonstrates the difference between the top teams and the rest of Division III.

[bluenote]

Bluenote -- I feel like we've done a very good job of expressing that on multiple occasions. At least once, probably twice in separate podcasts I've said something to the effect of "Nobody does a better job keeping from scoring points when the game is out of hand than Linfield."

Thank you Pat.... I did hear you guys talk about that..... I kind of agree with Rat on this one. When the 3-4 string team goes in it seems like Joe is not as aggressive on his play calling. But I'd rather see him be conservative.

My biggest question is not on this subject..... What I'd like to know is what you guys think is an "Elite Team" in D3? Give me the statistical criteria?

[bluenote]

And so yeah, it kinda seems to me like you didn't really understand or pay attention to our analysis at all, because it wasn't just about what number was on the scoreboard, but how that demonstrates the difference between the top teams and the rest of Division III.

I don't think running up the score tells anything about a team or it's relation to the rest of the nation. If you were Joe Blow playing Moe Pow ...the score could be 127-35. Don't care.

[D O.C.]

Oh brother.

[bluenote]

Oh brother.

+K .... LOL! 

[MacQuiz]

I seriously doubt any of the elite guys (Mt., UWW, UMHB, Wesley, etc) are ever purposefully "running" up the score. It's really an inevitability when the talent gap between them and the below average to terrible d3 teams is soooooo big.

I'm sure some of those coaches do have the (509)rat philosophy of putting in your back-ups but utilizing your whole playbook, just like you would with the starters. That could explain the larger margins of victory/higher point totals. Seeing backups go in just to run the ball 3 times and punt, drives me nuts. Let the guys play, let them run a normal offense, give them real experience and make the film/coaching sessions on Sunday mean something. All you can do is put in 2nd and 3rd stringers, if the other team can't stop 'em that's their problem.

GOOD TOPIC, ESPECIALLY NOW.
All good points about when to lighten up on the gas.  2s and 3s need game time....using the playbook is essential for their development.
That being said...we are three weeks away from being absolutely at 100% max on everything for the 1st squad.
How do you keep them on their game if they don't play the game?
Clearly, they have to play to maintain fitness and skill set.

[desertcat1]

Oh brother.

Gee  no Gte 

[bluenote]

Oh brother.

Gee  no Gte 

Get'em fired up DC1 

[(509)Rat]

How do you keep them on their game if they don't play the game?
Clearly, they have to play to maintain fitness and skill set.

Linfield starters, for example, get more out of practice against their scout team than they do playing against L&C, GF, etc.

I guess you just hope PLU, Pacific, Willamette (most years) are on your schedule prior to playoffs if you are concerned with "rust?" Otherwise, I can guarantee you beating up on a team who misses tackles, assignments, is poorly coached, has no talent, etc. in no way, shape, or form "maintains fitness and skill set." A good coaching staff/team takes care of fitness in the offseason and skill set mid-week during the season...42 points in one quarter against the Pios is all you need as a starter, in my experience.