FB: Northwest Conference

[D O.C.]

FLASH!  Soccer news....

Thomas More will host both the men's and women's PAC Championship matches

[d-train]

So this is the logical list for Pool C at this point?

Wabash (7-1, 0.607 SOS, 2-0 vs RRO)
Bethel (7-1, 0.658 SOS, 1-1 vs RRO)
Concordia-Moorhead (7-1, .577 SOS, 0-1 vs RRO)
Huntingdon (5-2, .605 SOS, 1-1 vs RRO)
Elmhurst (7-1, 0.545 SOS, 0-1 vs RRO)
Rowan (6-2...6-1 in D3, 0.508 SOS, 0-1 vs RRO)
Heidelberg (7-1, 0.430 SOS, 0-1 vs RRO)

...which leaves PLU, Lycoming, and Louisiana College on the table when the pickin' is done.

Yeah, that wally_wabash guy seems to know his stuff pretty well.  One point though (which he'd fully acknowledge), this weekend's results will change things.  For example, Concordia-Moorhead hosts St.Thomas and will either win (and grab the MIAC Pool A) or lose and drop off that list.  If Willamette sneaks into the regional rankings, that gives PLU a boost - and other teams on that list have some tough games in the last two weeks.  PLU also has two tough games remaining, so that's where their focus needs to be.

[wildcat11]

So this is the logical list for Pool C at this point?

Wabash (7-1, 0.607 SOS, 2-0 vs RRO)
Bethel (7-1, 0.658 SOS, 1-1 vs RRO)
Concordia-Moorhead (7-1, .577 SOS, 0-1 vs RRO)
Huntingdon (5-2, .605 SOS, 1-1 vs RRO)
Elmhurst (7-1, 0.545 SOS, 0-1 vs RRO)
Rowan (6-2...6-1 in D3, 0.508 SOS, 0-1 vs RRO)
Heidelberg (7-1, 0.430 SOS, 0-1 vs RRO)

...which leaves PLU, Lycoming, and Louisiana College on the table when the pickin' is done.

Yeah, that wally_wabash guy seems to know his stuff pretty well.  One point though (which he'd fully acknowledge), this weekend's results will change things.  For example, Concordia-Moorhead hosts St.Thomas and will either win (and grab the MIAC Pool A) or lose and drop off that list.  If Willamette sneaks into the regional rankings, that gives PLU a boost - and other teams on that list have some tough games in the last two weeks.  PLU also has two tough games remaining, so that's where their focus needs to be.

I think PLU will handle Whitworth (not very much athleticism on the field for Whit) but that Menlo game is going to be a bear. 

[desertcat1]

D T ,
keep ringing those cowbells buddy..  one game at a time.. 

[d-train]

d-train
Hopefully by next Tuesday the fire in Rome will be under control and those bumps in the road definitely need to be investigated.  Until then, D3 football is  a honest distraction.

I was talking about UW-Whitewater...nothing to do with politics.

[MonroviaCat]

So this is the logical list for Pool C at this point?

Wabash (7-1, 0.607 SOS, 2-0 vs RRO)
Bethel (7-1, 0.658 SOS, 1-1 vs RRO)
Concordia-Moorhead (7-1, .577 SOS, 0-1 vs RRO)
Huntingdon (5-2, .605 SOS, 1-1 vs RRO)
Elmhurst (7-1, 0.545 SOS, 0-1 vs RRO)
Rowan (6-2...6-1 in D3, 0.508 SOS, 0-1 vs RRO)
Heidelberg (7-1, 0.430 SOS, 0-1 vs RRO)

...which leaves PLU, Lycoming, and Louisiana College on the table when the pickin' is done.

Yeah, that wally_wabash guy seems to know his stuff pretty well.  One point though (which he'd fully acknowledge), this weekend's results will change things.  For example, Concordia-Moorhead hosts St.Thomas and will either win (and grab the MIAC Pool A) or lose and drop off that list.  If Willamette sneaks into the regional rankings, that gives PLU a boost - and other teams on that list have some tough games in the last two weeks.  PLU also has two tough games remaining, so that's where their focus needs to be.

I think PLU will handle Whitworth (not very much athleticism on the field for Whit) but that Menlo game is going to be a bear.

Of course the Menlo game isn't supposed to matter (for play-off/ranking purposes)

[desertcat1]

yeah right ,  we have been there too?

[BearcatChatter]

The game last Saturday was disappointing but you're right, bbaddict, this is still going to be a season with a lot of good vibes (assuming the Bearcats don't get rolled by Pacific or UPS).  I have to think they will come out and make sure that doesn't happen. 

An important question needs to be answered and that is can the Bearcats consistently challenge Linfield and PLU and win at least as often as it doesn't.  Winning more is better.  That actually has been answered and very emphatically in the past.  Both Linfield and PLU lead WU in head to head wins and losses over the history of our competition.  But, to use one example, from 1993 through 1997, the Dan Hawkins era, the records were, against Linfield 4-1-0, and against PLU 3-1-1.  The year before Hawkins came we were 1-8-0.  What changed?  There was a new, energetic coach, a new system, a fresh attitude and lots of intangibles.  I loved Mark Speckman and all that he brought to the program during his tenure as head coach.  His overall record speaks for itself.  But, in my opinion, it was time for a new direction.  The program had become too predictable and too one dimensional.  Everybody knew how to defend against the Fly.  Linfield and PLU were especially successful.  What do we have now?  A new, energetic coach (and offensive coordinator), a new, more balanced system, a fresh attitude, and, hopefully, lots of those intangibles.  Recruiting is going to have to be a big part of the mix.  Because of the university's academic standards it isn't easy to recruit for WU and bring in players in the numbers needed to compete at the top of the NWC but we know it can be done.  The next few years will tell the tale but I am very encouraged with the direction the program is going and see only good things for the future.

FightBearcats, I think we have the right system in place, but I also think we were incredibly lucky to have Shepard come in when he did, with a loaded senior class. Having Malley and Pollard back didn't hurt either. Now we're losing 4 of 5 starters on O-line, both starting receivers as well as a lot of our depth (unless Malley uses his last year of eligibility, which I don't think he will). Furthermore, we're losing our entire D-line (all three of em), all of our LB corps besides Nelson (who may actually just be able to record 40 tackles a game) and all of our secondary expect Galvan (who's playing basically without one of his fingers).

Shepard came in and gave us the element of surprise off the bat, which is why I think our offense was so dynamic early on. If we had played PLU and Linfield earlier on in the season (definitely before the 'Cats had as much time to gel as they did) I have no doubt they would have been a very different kinds of games.

Now, we're almost barren of experience, save Dean and Jones. I think it will be a two years or so before we're back in serious contention. Speck brought a big recruiting presence in California that we depended on (given Linfield's stranglehold of D3 in Oregon. I'm also cautious about how long a coach with Shepard's talent and immediate success will stay coaching at a D3 program. He has connections in college and the NFL.

I'll always have the best hope for my Bearcats, but the state of things in Salem isn't looking entirely optimal. This year was our year to make some noise. Unfortunately a little rain, bad timing, and and little bad luck at Sparks proved to be the difference.

Represent us well, Linfield. I'll probably be back around the time of All-NWC/West/America postings, hopefully get to see a few of my boys on there.

[d-train]

This year was our year to make some noise.

I've heard that as well.

Unfortunately a little rain, bad timing, and and little bad luck at Sparks proved to be the difference.

Wow, that's it?  Really?  I think there was more going on than a minor bad break or two in those losses.

[criswyly]

d-train
Okay so I am bad at interpreting between the lines....

[George Thompson]

So this is the logical list for Pool C at this point?

Wabash (7-1, 0.607 SOS, 2-0 vs RRO)
Bethel (7-1, 0.658 SOS, 1-1 vs RRO)
Concordia-Moorhead (7-1, .577 SOS, 0-1 vs RRO)
Huntingdon (5-2, .605 SOS, 1-1 vs RRO)
Elmhurst (7-1, 0.545 SOS, 0-1 vs RRO)
Rowan (6-2...6-1 in D3, 0.508 SOS, 0-1 vs RRO)
Heidelberg (7-1, 0.430 SOS, 0-1 vs RRO)

...which leaves PLU, Lycoming, and Louisiana College on the table when the pickin' is done.

I am not sure. PLU has a SOS of .714 (#9) and two close games with Top 10 teams.   No conference should have three teams in,
even the respected MIAC and WIAC.    PLU needs to win out though.


GO CATS! GO!

[Pat Coleman]

Well, it has happened in the past. It's rare but the MIAC practically ran the table in non-conference play this season, especially against regional opponents.

[AO]

I am not sure. PLU has a SOS of .714 (#9) and two close games with Top 10 teams.   No conference should have three teams in,
even the respected MIAC and WIAC.    PLU needs to win out though.

The MIAC teams are ranked 4th, 12th, and 17th.  In a 32 team tournament, who could argue they don't deserve 3 bids?

[d-train]

I am not sure. PLU has a SOS of .714 (#9) and two close games with Top 10 teams.   No conference should have three teams in,
even the respected MIAC and WIAC.    PLU needs to win out though.

The MIAC teams are ranked 4th, 12th, and 17th.  In a 32 team tournament, who could argue they don't deserve 3 bids?

Well here's another way to see it: there are only 7 at large bids; should 2 of those seven go to one conference?  In the case of a three-way conference tie (with only one-loss each) I can see it.  But inviting the third place team with two losses...no.  If you are arguing that the best 32 sould make it, the UMAC champ (and others) stays home. 

[desertcat1]

D-train, 

you're on the wrong track this time ..  If a 2 loss team gets in yes the best sos should be in too.  but i think they were talking about all three at one loss only ?   i could be wrong again/still i was yesterday and I could be again tomorrow if the lord willing and the creeks don't rise ..

rat killing time ..