FB: Northwest Conference

[02 Warhawk]

02,

The pressure from the d-line forced a bad throw on that last pick. 

Not doubting that. Besides, that pick only led to a FG. The two special teams mistakes led to 14 points. Which was huge considering Linfield won by just 3.

That's enough sticking up for SJU from me for one day. 

[DuffMan]

That's enough sticking up for SJU from me for one day. 

I was beginning to wonder if you were feeling OK. 

[hazzben]

LF fronts are the best I have seen this year. The second best is NCC...the game is won up front. It humors me to hear anything else, so thanks in advance

Ice Bear says olddog is licking his own ass here

Well, that gets olddog onto my All Region Flexibility Team, I will say that! 

[CalCat]

Only one had a great QB.

And only one committed two pivotal special teams blunders.

And only one committed two pivotal blown coverages resulting in 14 points. The 1st Backes to Buck 61 yards a Linfield D-lineman was frantically waving his arms toward sideline as ball was being snapped trying to get coaches attention that something wasn't right.  Backes  took the snap and hit Buck over the middle with no secondary in sight. The 2nd blown coverage was Backes to Patrick for 52 yards under a minute left. Video clearly showed corner staying under Patrick and coming off him l would assume thinking he had a safety over the top.  Whoops no safety and Patrick long gone. Uncharacteristic for Linfield to blow coverage twice like that just like uncharacteristic for SJU to have two special team "blunders ".  So I'm calling it a wash.

[speedybigboy]

I saw those heaters... was impressive. I thought DuffMan forked the bill for that. 

I'd have footed the bill for heaters for PLU, but you Linfield bastards can freeze your heinies off. 

I have to ask, Whats your affinity for my alma mater?

[DuffMan]

I have to ask, Whats your affinity for my alma mater?

It was partly just a dig at Linfield because I know you're rivals, but I played at SJU from '99 - '02 and always respected Frosty's teams.

[D O.C.]

I tried to post CalCat's observation but I'm having internet problems out here on the edge of the prairie.
Only one team let receivers get ten yards behind them.
Score would not have been close without those two lapses

Will not happen again unless it's fantastic speed that does it.

I still see that pass going the Colton Smith's hands that would have set up a very short field.
That hasn't happened all season. He had that db beat

[DuffMan]

I'd argue that something in SJU's game plan was at least partly responsible for the two referenced pass plays.

Linfield wasn't responsible for the muffed punt (regular returner dislocated his hip vs. Lake Forest) or the poor punt snap (regular snapper tore his ACL vs. Bethel).

I'm not saying Linfield didn't earn the win, because they did.  My main point was that I don't feel that Linfield won due to superior line play, as olddog seems to think.

[DuffMan]

Only one team let receivers get ten yards behind them.
Score would not have been close without those two lapses

Ok, so you remove those two pass plays and the two special teams mishaps by SJU and you have a 17-14 game--still close by my MN math.

[D O.C.]

The line play was really fun for this fan to watch after SJU got to Smirk 4 times in 2 minutes.
Congratulations
Unprecedented

[DuffMan]

I agree with that.  Two teams with very good lines.

[umhb2001]

Congrats to LF

The game was won upfront. The D line dominated especially in the first half. Like I said after the first meeting with UR, this team is special.
LF needs to clean up a few coverages and establish the run game...against MHB. Field position will be the key in this game.
I very much like LF chances against MHB...This MHB team is a notch less athletic as in the past. Still a top 5 team.

Just wondering what you are basing this off of. Not confirming or denying, just interested in your perspective and analysis. Thanks.

MHB fronts are not as quick as in the past,...I have liked your front slightly better than in the past. Your QB does not run as well as others too. Remember I am splitting hairs. One might say the safeties are not quite as good too....

Our front 7 have been very good this year. Lead by a lot of seniors, we are also very deep. I do agree that our sideline to sideline speed seems to be a bit slower, but that has been made up for to some degree by some underclassman getting opportunities a few games back.

Our QB1 ran track in high school and while not as speedy, is able to trick guys. Our QB2 has only had a few starts and he has been reading defenses very well. He is a career backup and knows the offense very well. He will run for some yards too.

Our safeties are actually very good. Jefferson Fritz is an All American who serves as our punter and as a kick returner too. I'm sure the Linfield QB will want to take some shots deep, so we'll see what happens. The CBs are very physical and defend well. There will be good matchups all over the field.

[bleedpurple]

Not having a Cat or a CRU in this fight, here's how I see this one going down. The conclusions are based on the assumptions that both of these teams have good defenses and playmakers on offense. Those are givens. 

I think UMHB has an edge in size and speed. Those are pretty big deals.  However, I think the Cats have an edge in QB play and creativity on offense. While both are talented teams, I think they are not built the same.

I believe the key comes down to two things the Cats MUST do to win the game. And they must do both. If they do both they win. If the CRU forces them to do only one or neither, the CRU wins.

1. Linfield must NOT turn the ball over more than ONCE. The CRU feasts on momentum and if they get more than one turnover, they win.
2.  Linfield must stop the run. If they can significantly slow down the CRU's running game, their passing game will not be able to generate enough to overtake what Linfield will do offensively. However, if the CRU gets rolling in the running game, they will soar past the scoring total Linfield will post.

I believe Linfield will score between 17 and 24 points.  I think the CRU will pull up short of that if they can't get the running game going and don't get turnovers.  If the CRU does get their running game going OR if they get turnovers, I think they score just enough to win.  If they do both, they win comfortably.  If they do neither the Cats win by 7-10.

[FarAwayCat]

Not having a Cat or a CRU in this fight, here's how I see this one going down. The conclusions are based on the assumptions that both of these teams have good defenses and playmakers on offense. Those are givens. 

I think UMHB has an edge in size and speed. Those are pretty big deals.  However, I think the Cats have an edge in QB play and creativity on offense. While both are talented teams, I think they are not built the same.

I believe the key comes down to two things the Cats MUST do to win the game. And they must do both. If they do both they win. If the CRU forces them to do only one or neither, the CRU wins.

1. Linfield must NOT turn the ball over more than ONCE. The CRU feasts on momentum and if they get more than one turnover, they win.
2.  Linfield must stop the run. If they can significantly slow down the CRU's running game, their passing game will not be able to generate enough to overtake what Linfield will do offensively. However, if the CRU gets rolling in the running game, they will soar past the scoring total Linfield will post.

I believe Linfield will score between 17 and 24 points.  I think the CRU will pull up short of that if they can't get the running game going and don't get turnovers.  If the CRU does get their running game going OR if they get turnovers, I think they score just enough to win.  If they do both, they win comfortably.  If they do neither the Cats win by 7-10.

I think if the CRU turn it over twice on special teams then the Cats will win and the CRU fans will all talk about how lucky we got!   

Great analysis.  Going to be a huge game and as much as I want the Cats to be up by 50 at halftime I'm afraid that's not going to happen and this is going to hopefully be a hard fought win by the Cats and their D!

[FarAwayCat]

Jefferson Fritz is an All American who serves as our punter and as a kick returner too.

That is unique!