FB: Northwest Conference

[d-train]

 

[RFB]

Wait, RFB is single? The surprises just keep piling up today.

Ball and chain married for too long. Free at last, life has never been better.

[RFB]

I am expecting a much, much different final score this Saturday than what we saw for the prior matchup. Whitworth now knows what they have to bring to the game, they have nothing to lose, no pressure, etc., etc. The Cats can easily look ahead to the next weeks game and have a Willamette 2014 on their hands very easily..

I'm not buying that at all. No chance the team overlooks anyone at this point of the season. Especially seniors, when they know every game going forward could be their last ever. Whitworth had nothing to lose last time, etc., etc. I expect a better game, but I just don't think Whitworth's offense matches up well with Linfield. They throw short and quick passes, and Linfield is too athletic for that to be successful multiple times. I think a team has to pound the rock and be physical upfront to win this year.

One thing to add, I feel like Linfield has ran an extremely conservative offense this year, and there really hasn't been a reason to do anything otherwise. I am sort of excited to face a team that will force the Cats to sling the ball just as much as they run it.

I see the early forecast shows a dry weekend. So here's to hoping that the stadium is packed and the game is fast and fun.

Should be a good one, playoff football intensity gets racketed up a few levels.

[D O.C.]

I am expecting a much, much different final score this Saturday than what we saw for the prior matchup. Whitworth now knows what they have to bring to the game, they have nothing to lose, no pressure, etc., etc. The Cats can easily look ahead to the next weeks game and have a Willamette 2014 on their hands very easily..

Don't believe that is the scenario.
This is the second season.
It won't matter how much we win by. ( who knows if it does to NCAA?)
It won't matter what we show to other teams in the playoffs.
This is where the team wanted to be and all the roster that gets to participate knows their job.
We fans are not privy to any injury reports and why would we be with these forums and our spare time?
AND LINFIELD cannot charge us for the games on the web!!!!

GO 'CATS!!

[MonroviaCat]

AND LINFIELD cannot charge us for the games on the web!!!!

GO 'CATS!!

which means everybody and their cousin will be watching and the bandwidth will be overwhelmed....

[gren]

AND LINFIELD cannot charge us for the games on the web!!!!

GO 'CATS!!

which means everybody and their cousin will be watching and the bandwidth will be overwhelmed....

I think I will just watch it in the CATDOME!!!

[CalCat]

I am expecting a much, much different final score this Saturday than what we saw for the prior matchup. Whitworth now knows what they have to bring to the game, they have nothing to lose, no pressure, etc., etc. The Cats can easily look ahead to the next weeks game and have a Willamette 2014 on their hands very easily..

Don't believe that is the scenario.
This is the second season.
It won't matter how much we win by. ( who knows if it does to NCAA?)
It won't matter what we show to other teams in the playoffs.
This is where the team wanted to be and all the roster that gets to participate knows their job.
We fans are not privy to any injury reports and why would we be with these forums and our spare time?
AND LINFIELD cannot charge us for the games on the web!!!!

GO 'CATS!!

Second game after a blowout many times can end up a much tighter game. In 2003 non conference down at Redlands Cats had an easy time of it 49-10. Forward to 1st round at Catdome and Cats had a tight one with Redlands 31-23. Cats played a pretty much flawless game 1st time with Whitworth and jumped on them quickly before Whitworth knew what happened. I am sure a well coached Whitworth learned a lot from that experience and have a nasty game film to remind them. Whitworth knew they were a bubble team and knew if they got in they would face Cats again. Who did they finish with last week ...L&C. Bet they spent a bunch of time working on gameing for the Cats. If the Cats can forget the first game and are totally focused on Whitworth then they will win....but I think Whitworth will be much more competitive  this time around. Every game has to be approached as a one game season from here on in.

[D O.C.]

MCat...I thought of the bandwidth and considered it a foregone conclusion.
Being D# #2 did we not experience that the last 3 games of the season? It felt like it.

CalCat....seasoned playoff teams always have a new twist to throw at the retreads. Good defense is essential.
No bad snaps.
No penalties.
Limit turnovers.
Run when it rains.

Same old bland recipe football coaches love on the table.

[gren]

Whitwoth holds Cats under 50 and still only musters a couple scores. Same story different date.

[MonroviaCat]

Whitwoth holds Cats under 50 and still only musters a couple scores. Same story different date.

Honestly--The only team to hold the Cats under 50 this year is the CATS....bad snaps, penalties, etc. have been problems in our lower scoring games.  Our D has been solid--even last week when they seemed a little "off" for parts of the game--they still only gave up 10 points.  So as long as we play our game---we win this week. 

[FarAwayCat]

Second game after a blowout many times can end up a much tighter game. In 2003 non conference down at Redlands Cats had an easy time of it 49-10. Forward to 1st round at Catdome and Cats had a tight one with Redlands 31-23. Cats played a pretty much flawless game 1st time with Whitworth and jumped on them quickly before Whitworth knew what happened. I am sure a well coached Whitworth learned a lot from that experience and have a nasty game film to remind them. Whitworth knew they were a bubble team and knew if they got in they would face Cats again. Who did they finish with last week ...L&C. Bet they spent a bunch of time working on gameing for the Cats. If the Cats can forget the first game and are totally focused on Whitworth then they will win....but I think Whitworth will be much more competitive  this time around. Every game has to be approached as a one game season from here on in.

I have to agree with this assessment.  Whitworth will be stronger and smarter than they were 5 weeks ago.  The true test in this game (IMO) will be of the Linfield O.  Looking forward to seeing them step up!

Who schedules a wedding on a Friday? 

I really don't want to disrespect the board and post much further about this.  But just a quick FYI, I'm getting married in China to my Chinese wife on 12/18 at 18:18 hour.  Apparently that's "good lucky".  And technically that will be at 5:18am on the 18th in US EST time so I will be able to watch the game the morning after my wedding at 8am via TV.  I'd just much rather be in Salem if they are there and I wish I could go back and replan the date, but no chance of that happening now.  So here's to hoping that I have to wake up at 8am after the big night!

[wildcat11]

I truly believe that Linfield will be ready to go this weekend. This is what they've worked so hard for this past off-season and during the regular season.  Whitworth is a good ball club but if Linfield plays to their potential, the 'Cats will advance.  Will it be like it was 5 weeks ago?  No, but all that matter is winning and advancing.  Who cares about style points.

[OldCatProf]

"Supposedly," McMinnville weather will be fairly good for Saturday's game. At the moment the forecast is 54 degrees and no rain. Of course, this is Oregon so that's probably as reliable as our so-called "intelligence" regarding ISIS.

Best wishes to FarAwayCat and his bride-to-be. If you've picked the right person you should have many decades of marital bliss. I've been outrageously fortunate in this regard [52 years and counting]. I sincerely hope that you will be too.

Go Cats!

[gren]

I truly believe that Linfield will be ready to go this weekend. This is what they've worked so hard for this past off-season and during the regular season.  Whitworth is a good ball club but if Linfield plays to their potential, the 'Cats will advance.  Will it be like it was 5 weeks ago?  No, but all that matter is winning and advancing.  Who cares about style points.

I care about style points that's why I've scheduled a hair cut for this weekend RC.

[d-train]

Best wishes to FarAwayCat and his bride-to-be. If you've picked the right person you should have many decades of marital bliss. I've been outrageously fortunate in this regard [52 years and counting]. I sincerely hope that you will be too.

+1; I can relate.  It's amazing if you've found the right partner.  Congrats and best wishes.  Unfortunately RFB's experience is more and more common (and I'm glad he is free and happy now), but don't dwell on that for a minute.

Getting back to football already (geez), the 'Cats running game may prove to be a nice asset in the coming weeks.  Your backs seem to have tiger blood and Adonis DNA.