FB: Northwest Conference

[D O.C.]

11: Menlo:...
I'm still chuckling.
I hope to hope Menlo is not the school to break THE STREAK some day.

[Orca Jr.]

Good stuff 11, but the Bearkitty's at #4, what's up with that?? Even with an easier schedule I don't see it happenin for them this year.  I think they go down against: Western, @Menlo, @linfield, @Whit, @PLU.  That put's them at 4-5 for the season.  We'll see though, should be a tough fight for 2-3-4 in the NWC. 
I'm with you on the "unknown" factor of Menlo, but they always play tough at home. Of course the notorious "12th" man never hurts! 

[rockcat]

11,

I like your rankings and agree with most of your comments.  My first thoughts are that you can flip-flop PLU and Willamette.  As you mentioned PLU's offense was very good when the season ended last year.

Also, your Whitworth and Oxy is an interesting one.  Are these based simply on who you think would win the head to head or are these projected regional rankings?  My guess is that the SCIAC chamion will have a higher regional ranking than the #2 NWC team, regardless of who anybody thinks is better.  Whitworth will have a chance to show how accurate your rankings are in that opening game against Redlands.  That's one September game that could have huge playoff implications.

[beancounter]

I'm a bit surprised this morning at the lack of outrage on this board at Pat's AA quarterback poll on the home page and why it did not include any Linfield quarterbacks.   What is up with the silence on that??

WC11, while I agree with your rankings, I have a bit of a "nit to pick" on your UPS comments.  Past history has shown us that funky offenses can work very well at the small college level.   Willamette went to the NAIA final using the "fly".   The fly wasn't the difference...Chuck Pinkerton was the difference running it at QB was.  Since he graduated, Willamette hasn't scaled those heights since, save for a couple of "one and outs" in the NCAA playoffs. 

Similarly, the problem with UPS isn't the offense necessarily....it is the guys running it.   Remember last season when UPS came to town and Rory Lee was piling up yardage left and right against the SCIAC portion of UPS's schedule?    Things changed when UPS face a different level of athlete on defense (and a different level of coaching as well).   They may have tricked Pomona and CMS, but not Linfield.   If/when UPS brings in a different level of athlete, we could see better results.

[rockcat]

I'm a bit surprised this morning at the lack of outrage on this board at Pat's AA quarterback poll on the home page and why it did not include any Linfield quarterbacks.   What is up with the silence on that??

What were they supposed to ask?  Was the poll supposed to look like this?

Collins
Orihel
Jacobs
etc
etc
Whoever wins the satarting spot at Linfield


That's a bit over the top don't you think.  Benzel and Sharer are both going to be good and maybe one of them will earn post season recognition but we shouldn't expect preseason recognition for a quarterback who has never started a game, especially when we don't even know who the starter will be.

[coco]

Beancounter, why are you trying to pick a fight with your fellow Wildcats?

WC11,  I'm pretty much in agreement with your list, too, although UPS could be a dark horse. I hope L&C can surprise us all with a good year.

[wildcat11]

Bean,

That is an excellent point.  Those Pearcat teams were special because Pinkerton was the dream QB to run that offense and Willamette has an incredible defense during 96-97. 

However,  I just don't think the UPS offense is very tricky or deceptive (unlike the fly), but do you need to be deceptive if you have the horses to run it?  I just think that offense is built to chew clock and keep it close and the fly is built to be a "wide open" running attack and ring up the scoreboard.

Rock,

Not a slight against the Oxy players, because they don't set up the schedule but if Whitworth plays Oxy's schedule then the Rats are 9-0 and headed into the playoffs during 04-05.  I think Whitworth is taking a bold move by setting up games vs. Stout and APU.  That staff knows they could have an exceptional team and the Window closes this year.  If they can win those early tough games they can ride that wave into Linfield and into the playoffs (ala Linfield taking that big game at Stevens Point in 2004).  That move could payoff huge if they win on the road.

[light n' darkness]

what up cat fans???
just wanted to send some love from the aloha state. i see that it is crazy hot in mac, sure glad i don't have to be there for practice.

anyway, looking forward to this season. it will be an interesting year. i really feel the cats will miss nothing and hit the ground running. although the head coach has changed and they lost some big guns offensively, i think the cats will do the linfield thing, some young kid (that has been on the sidelines chomping at the bit) will step up and take hold of his and the cats destiny.

polls are over rated, who cares what the "experts" think. ranked or not, we true cat fans know that the kids will dig deep and play hard..... its the linfield way...... the "linfield experience".

go cats!!!!!!

always in the shadows..... lnd

[Wildcat'64]

l 'n d,

Well said - history shows that it's happened many times before and 06 clearly has the opportunity for one more time!

[rockcat]

Rock,

Not a slight against the Oxy players, because they don't set up the schedule but if Whitworth plays Oxy's schedule then the Rats are 9-0 and headed into the playoffs during 04-05.  I think Whitworth is taking a bold move by setting up games vs. Stout and APU.  That staff knows they could have an exceptional team and the Window closes this year.  If they can win those early tough games they can ride that wave into Linfield and into the playoffs (ala Linfield taking that big game at Stevens Point in 2004).  That move could payoff huge if they win on the road.

I don't disagree with that one bit.  Year end polls can't always quantify the what ifs you are talking about.  If Whitworth loses to Stout, APU and Linfield they could still be the 2nd best team on the west coast this year but nobody would ever really know for sure.  I have a lot of respect for programs that aren't afraid to take on quality competition which is why, despite my utter distaste for anything Cardinal and Gold in Salem I have to give Willamette credit for usually playing a tough schedule.

[Pat Coleman]

That's a bit over the top don't you think. 

You apparently missed the sarcasm.

[D O.C.]

Some perspective from the SCIAC board...let anyone get watches and rings for participation. Give the rings to your girlfriend and do not wind the watches until.....

By the by, when Willamette went to the NAIA final do you suppose they got jewelry?

[Sabretooth Tiger]

So when Linfield earns the NWC title but no national championship, the players get a good slap on the back with a hearty handshake and no individual physical token/award/trophy/plaque to remember their success? 

[Pinebowl Paradise]

Big time Whitworth Pirate fan for the last few years since I moved to Spokane, first time posting on this site.  Just wanted to congratulate a couple of Pirates on preseason all-american honors, Ryan Marshall (1st team, Defensive Back) and Michael Allan (2nd team, Tight End).  Looks like reading over the Bucs preview, they seem pretty confident in making a run at the Northwest Conference and a berth into the playoffs.  Hopefully (JC) Joel Clark will find some targets to throw to besides Allan.  The defense has been young the last few years so hopefully they have learned something and can make a "couple" more stops this year compared to last few years.    I look forward to commenting on the Bucs as the season gets closer and as the season progresses.  I have enjoyed reading what all of you have to say.  Enjoy the 100 degree weather everyone and GO BUCS!!!  Good luck to all teams this year should be a fun season.

[Pat Coleman]

Big time Whitworth Pirate fan for the last few years since I moved to Spokane, first time posting on this site.  Just wanted to congratulate a couple of Pirates on preseason all-american honors, Ryan Marshall (1st team, Defensive Back) and Michael Allan (2nd team, Tight End).  Looks like reading over the Bucs preview, they seem pretty confident in making a run at the Northwest Conference and a berth into the playoffs.  Hopefully (JC) Joel Clark will find some targets to throw to besides Allan.  The defense has been young the last few years so hopefully they have learned something and can make a "couple" more stops this year compared to last few years.    I look forward to commenting on the Bucs as the season gets closer and as the season progresses.  I have enjoyed reading what all of you have to say.  Enjoy the 100 degree weather everyone and GO BUCS!!!  Good luck to all teams this year should be a fun season.

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