FB: Northwest Conference

[D O.C.]

From the Wildcatville Blog regarding the Kevin Bacon 6 degrees of separation to the Super Bowl...

http://wildcatville.blogspot.com/2011/01/linfield-football-fans-might-recognize.html

[Bearcat Press]

LC is a stretch. Otherwise I can't complain too much with that. I'm curious to see if Whitworth goes back to the big play, vertical passing game now that Anderson is gone. A 2nd place finish wouldn't surprise me, a 5th place finish wouldn't surprise me...

2011 NWC football? CAN'T WAIT!

If the L&C/Whitworth game were being played in Spokane, I'd go with the Pirates.  But the turf at L&C (even the new stuff) favors the Pios' speed.  That's my rationale, at least.

[river]

So, in the interest of firing up some offseason discussion,* here's my "Way Too Early 2011 NWC Predictions That Will Absolutely Change Before Kickoff."

1. Linfield.  Champs until proven otherwise, though there are big shoes to fill at some key spots on offense (Boehme) and defense (Hedin).
2. Willamette.  The defense needs to be rebuilt, but the Bearcats have by far the friendliest schedule this year: six home games, including Linfield, PLU and Whitworth.  UWSP and HSU are also coming to Salem this year.
3. PLU.  The Lutes graduate eight offensive starters, but the defense will carry them pretty far.  I don't doubt the Lutes are looking at a post-2007-style meltdown.
4. L&C.  I think the Pios are going to break through this year: they bring back everybody and have a schedule that could give them a 6-0 start.  If they were playing PLU at home, I'd pick them third in a heartbeat.  But weird things happen at Sparks.
5. Whitworth.  "Brandon Martin is not walking through that door.  Adam Anderson is not walking through that door."
6. UPS.  I like Jeff Thomas and I think he'll get UPS turned around, but not this year.  Replacing Duncan White and finding a defense are the two biggest problems in Tacoma.
7. Pacific.  The Boxers showed me enough at the end of the season - playing each of their last four opponents into the fourth quarter - to believe that they'll get a win this year.  I'm just not sure where it'll come from.

*And ignoring an absolutely horrific basketball season.

Actually Linfield has a far more friendly schedule this year.   Five home games in a nine game schedule, with two of the three non-conference opponents they play (Menlo and Laverne) who together scored 3 total points against the Wildcats this past season.   

[wildcat11]

ADvantage Catdome: There's no flopping in football! Or is there?

[RFB]

ADvantage Catdome: There's no flopping in football! Or is there?

Don't you mean 1999 Gagliardi Trophy Winner Danny Ragsdale?

[wildcat11]

ADvantage Catdome: There's no flopping in football! Or is there?

Don't you mean 1999 Gagliardi Trophy Winner Danny Ragsdale?

Yup...same guy.  Once a flopping cheater, always a flopping cheater.

[RFB]

ADvantage Catdome: There's no flopping in football! Or is there?

Don't you mean 1999 Gagliardi Trophy Winner Danny Ragsdale?

Yup...same guy.  Once a flopping cheater, always a flopping cheater.

You're reaching my friend. I'm sure If I went through 12 years of Linfield football play by play I would find something similar. Don't knock a guy that holds virtually all Redlands passing records and also is in the record book as a receiver as well.

[wildcat11]

You're reaching my friend. I'm sure If I went through 12 years of Linfield football play by play I would find something similar.

You wouldn't.  We don't flop.

Don't knock a guy that holds virtually all Redlands passing records and also is in the record book as a receiver as well.

By watching the video if you do knock Ragsdale he throws himself to the ground like a grenade just exploded at his feet.

[RFB]

You're reaching my friend. I'm sure If I went through 12 years of Linfield football play by play I would find something similar.

You wouldn't.  We don't flop.

Don't knock a guy that holds virtually all Redlands passing records and also is in the record book as a receiver as well.

By watching the video if you do knock Ragsdale he throws himself to the ground like a grenade just exploded at his feet.

Don't worry, the delusions will go away once you get back on a regular sleep pattern

[Bubs1856]

Don't you mean 1999 OSCAR (Gagliardi Trophy) Winner Danny Ragsdale?
[/quote]

Redland's motto for 2011 -- If we can't play our way into the playoffs, we'll flop and dodge our way in.

[RFB]

Don't you mean 1999 OSCAR (Gagliardi Trophy) Winner Danny Ragsdale?

Redland's motto for 2011 -- If we can't play our way into the playoffs, we'll flop and dodge our way in.
[/quote]

Redlands will be back in the playoffs soon enough. I'm sure they won't host though like some other team did this past fall that didn't deserve it.

[Bubs1856]

One creates their own luck!

[wildcat11]

Ragsdale flop video has gone big time!

http://thebiglead.com/index.php/2011/01/26/heres-some-vintage-college-football-acting-that-vlade-divac-would-be-proud-of/

TheBigLead.com is a huge sports blog!  Nice!

[RFB]

Ragsdale flop video has gone big time!

http://thebiglead.com/index.php/2011/01/26/heres-some-vintage-college-football-acting-that-vlade-divac-would-be-proud-of/

TheBigLead.com is a huge sports blog!  Nice!

Shouldn't you be making another video about freshmen that are tenth on the depth chart and how they got suckered into dropping 30K a year?

[wildcat11]

Shouldn't you be making another video about freshmen that are tenth on the depth chart and how they got suckered into dropping 30K a year?

20K cheaper than Redlands and 20X a better football program.  Seems like a better deal all around.