FB: Northwest Conference

[bluenote]

Linfield is going to crush Menlo, Whitworth, and Lewis & Clark by 35 points each.  That should impress the unimpresive committee members.  If the 'Cats are still rated lowly in the West, then perhaps demolishing a team like Redlands will open their eyes.

And when it really comes down to it, the 'Cats are going to need to defeat UWW and/or St Thomas to get out of the West anyway.

No team will want to play Linfield, no matter where the 'Cats are rated in the playoff picture.  Only 2 teams have played Whitewater close in the past few years........Mt. Union and Linfield.

I'm curious to see how STU fairs the rest of the season...from what I hear they are a little banged up at the skill positions and on the line...but only time will tell. If they keep winning and we are able to win, the matchup would most likely be at STU.

[Wildcat'64]

WC111,
I thought WC14 was "due".....did you decide to postpone the blessed event until after the Cats took it to the Oaks?

[D O.C.]

from what I hear  from what Touchdown Tommy is telling me they are a little banged up at the skill positions and on the line...but only time will tell

Too bad about A. Anderson

[speedybigboy]

I think the one thing that's easy to forget with the regional rankings is that some weak AQs aren't even ranked right now. MWC anyone?

Chaos in the CCIW and IIAC are probably your best friends at this point. A Central upset might keep both Coe and the Dutch out...maybe. If Auggie could pull off a win and Wheaton knocked off NCC, anything might be possible. A few OAC upsets (Ohio Northern) wouldn't hurt either...
Obviously a Bethel loss would be great for you as well, but I'm praying against that outcome 
Aside from playoffs, the weeks when the regional rankings are released are my favorite part of the season. Everything gets a lot more interesting and the games seem to take on an extra level of intensity. For Bethel, Linfield, PLU, CLU, Central, etc. the playoffs have really already begun. None of them can afford another loss and if they keep winning, they all have at least a shot at the dance.
Man I love DIII playoffs! I'm hoping PLU wins out just to keep the heat on the selection committee

I was going to retort that Linfield could take a loss to L&C or Whitworth and still win the conference but there are so many scenarios left where they wouldn't take the crown that my head started to spin and I figured it would be best to say that the cats should just leave no doubt as they like to say.

yes--isn't lewis and clark still in the hunt?  They just have to beat Linfield, Willamette, and PLU? (in reverse order)

I took a quick look at the standings and remaining games.  Statistically both L&C and Whitworth have a better shot at the title then PLU or Willamette.  If either team wins out (beating Linfield) and the other one loses to Linfield, they would win the conference title (by virtue of a head to head win against Linfield and a 2-way tie record, 5-1).  PLU and Willamette would likely need two losses by Linfield.  PLU and Willamette can each help Linfield and themselves by winning this weekend.  Of course I think it's highly unlikely that either L&C or Whitworth can win out.  Additionally, if Linfield loses to Whitworth AND  Lewis and Clark then the winner of PLU-Willamette would likely be the conference champ if they have not lost in the meantime.

[speedybigboy]

from what I hear  from what Touchdown Tommy is telling me they are a little banged up at the skill positions and on the line...but only time will tell

Too bad about A. Anderson

Having lost my senior season to a knee injury in the second week, I wish him a speedy recovery.

[Proud Papa Joe]

Goodmorning fellow posters. And a special goodmorning to GIG. Just leaving the hotel in canyonville. Should be at the Catdome around 10:00. Alot of good reading lately on the board. It's like picking up good book. Keep it up everyone. As for all the ranking stuff, I say we win our last 3 game and kick ass in the playoff. It don't matter who we get, the CATS will roll them. So lets go out there today and put it in high gear and don't let up.

Go Cats

Pound the Rock Baby, and let them purple Frisbees fly.

PPJ

[CalCat]

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2010/oct/29/whitworth-may-take-field-without-anderosn/

Anderson is out tomorrow for Whitworth (same ankle that kept him out last year).  Rats chances to beat Willamette just went from slim to none.

Yep and I understand Slim ain't making the trip !

[CalCat]

I think the one thing that's easy to forget with the regional rankings is that some weak AQs aren't even ranked right now. MWC anyone?

Chaos in the CCIW and IIAC are probably your best friends at this point. A Central upset might keep both Coe and the Dutch out...maybe. If Auggie could pull off a win and Wheaton knocked off NCC, anything might be possible. A few OAC upsets (Ohio Northern) wouldn't hurt either...
Obviously a Bethel loss would be great for you as well, but I'm praying against that outcome 
Aside from playoffs, the weeks when the regional rankings are released are my favorite part of the season. Everything gets a lot more interesting and the games seem to take on an extra level of intensity. For Bethel, Linfield, PLU, CLU, Central, etc. the playoffs have really already begun. None of them can afford another loss and if they keep winning, they all have at least a shot at the dance.
Man I love DIII playoffs! I'm hoping PLU wins out just to keep the heat on the selection committee

I was going to retort that Linfield could take a loss to L&C or Whitworth and still win the conference but there are so many scenarios left where they wouldn't take the crown that my head started to spin and I figured it would be best to say that the cats should just leave no doubt as they like to say.

yes--isn't lewis and clark still in the hunt?  They just have to beat Linfield, Willamette, and PLU? (in reverse order)

I took a quick look at the standings and remaining games.  Statistically both L&C and Whitworth have a better shot at the title then PLU or Willamette.  If either team wins out (beating Linfield) and the other one loses to Linfield, they would win the conference title (by virtue of a head to head win against Linfield and a 2-way tie record, 5-1).  PLU and Willamette would likely need two losses by Linfield.  PLU and Willamette can each help Linfield and themselves by winning this weekend.  Of course I think it's highly unlikely that either L&C or Whitworth can win out.  Additionally, if Linfield loses to Whitworth AND  Lewis and Clark then the winner of PLU-Willamette would likely be the conference champ if they have not lost in the meantime.

In order to keep it simple, I think I will go with Cat's over Whitworth next week taking AQ 

[D O.C.]

speedybigboy that took a lot of guts to leave the game last week to go with the kids. Too bad you couldn't Tivo the kids!

Chores around the house until kick-off because the surf is awful after the Oregon storm gift that passed through overnight.
Let us know the forecast in Mac.

Got to hit Menlo hard right away and score, score, score.  I do not want them to go out with a bang by getting away with anything to hang their helmet on.

[wildcat11]

WC111,
I thought WC14 was "due".....did you decide to postpone the blessed event until after the Cats took it to the Oaks?

Yeah WC14 is deciding to take her sweet time in making her debut.  However, I have to miss the game today due to work.  I'll be lurking on the update board since I've had a hard time streaming the audio/video at work in the past.  Go 'Cats!

[cawcdad]

What will be really interesting to see is if the committee would seed a team like (potentially) 8-1 Redlands, with an 8-1 regional record, over an 8-1 Linfield with a 7-1 regional record.  This could also be a factor for Coe, who played zero non-conference Division III games this year.

If that were to occur, I think cawcdad should start a riot at Menlo for killing Linfield's first-ever all D-III schedule.

You bet.  But UR's SOS should go down with their remaining D-III games (Laverne, Whittier & Chapman) and I believe Linfield's goes up (Whitworth and Lewis & Clark). That plays into the rankings. Interestingly, UR helps Linfields SOS once Linfield plays Whitworth since UR played Whitworh.

Anyway, ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL!!!!!

[D O.C.]

However, I have to miss the game today due to work.

Say, it ain't so, Joe.

[Bearcat Press]

Good morning to everyone from damp, foggy Spokane.  I'll be on the live updates board and in D3football.com's GameDay blog posting from the Pine Bowl press box.  I can confirm from the Whitworth two-deep released to me earlier this week that Anderson won't even be suiting up today.

[speedybigboy]

I think the one thing that's easy to forget with the regional rankings is that some weak AQs aren't even ranked right now. MWC anyone?

Chaos in the CCIW and IIAC are probably your best friends at this point. A Central upset might keep both Coe and the Dutch out...maybe. If Auggie could pull off a win and Wheaton knocked off NCC, anything might be possible. A few OAC upsets (Ohio Northern) wouldn't hurt either...
Obviously a Bethel loss would be great for you as well, but I'm praying against that outcome  
Aside from playoffs, the weeks when the regional rankings are released are my favorite part of the season. Everything gets a lot more interesting and the games seem to take on an extra level of intensity. For Bethel, Linfield, PLU, CLU, Central, etc. the playoffs have really already begun. None of them can afford another loss and if they keep winning, they all have at least a shot at the dance.
Man I love DIII playoffs! I'm hoping PLU wins out just to keep the heat on the selection committee

I was going to retort that Linfield could take a loss to L&C or Whitworth and still win the conference but there are so many scenarios left where they wouldn't take the crown that my head started to spin and I figured it would be best to say that the cats should just leave no doubt as they like to say.

yes--isn't lewis and clark still in the hunt?  They just have to beat Linfield, Willamette, and PLU? (in reverse order)

I took a quick look at the standings and remaining games.  Statistically both L&C and Whitworth have a better shot at the title then PLU or Willamette.  If either team wins out (beating Linfield) and the other one loses to Linfield, they would win the conference title (by virtue of a head to head win against Linfield and a 2-way tie record, 5-1).  PLU and Willamette would likely need two losses by Linfield.  PLU and Willamette can each help Linfield and themselves by winning this weekend.  Of course I think it's highly unlikely that either L&C or Whitworth can win out.  Additionally, if Linfield loses to Whitworth AND  Lewis and Clark then the winner of PLU-Willamette would likely be the conference champ if they have not lost in the meantime.

In order to keep it simple, I think I will go with Cat's over Whitworth next week taking AQ  

Not that simple.  If Linfiled beats Whitworth but loses to Lewis and CLark and L&C beats PLU, Willamete, and Linfield, Lewis and Clark will be tied with Linfield and will bget the AQ by virtue of the head to head win.  I realize that L&C winning out is about the same chance as WC14 enrolling in PLU as a kicker but still......they have a chance.

[criswyly]

"..........they have a chance"
And I am 59 with four years of NCAA football eligibility:)