FB: Northwest Conference

[Gig Harbor Cat]

Really top tier?  In who's eyes? 

Pretty much everybody that knows anything about DIII football. Including the people that vote in the poll above. I must be blind but I didn't see a school named Hampden-Sydney anywhere on the list?

You're not blind. But there aren't 25 teams left playing. There are only 16 and we are one of them. Maybe your team is the best of that group and maybe we are the worst.  Polls mean nothing but if you want to see a poll with us in the top 25 here's one. http://www.compughterratings.com/D3/ratings.

Interesting placement of the Raiders . 

[wildcat11]

Film looks good BUT who Did you play ? Lewis and Clark? C'mon man.

Well, it looks like Lewis & Clark has a Gagliardi finalist:

http://www.d3football.com/notables/2013/11/gagliardi-finalists-announced




(No, I'm not implying that they are any good; and no, he wouldn't get my vote.)

I will say that I've never seen anyone throw the ball out of bounds quite like Keith Welch.

[Gig Harbor Cat]

Film looks good BUT who Did you play ? Lewis and Clark? C'mon man.

Well, it looks like Lewis & Clark has a Gagliardi finalist:

http://www.d3football.com/notables/2013/11/gagliardi-finalists-announced




(No, I'm not implying that they are any good; and no, he wouldn't get my vote.)

You have got to be kidding me !!!Wowsa Dee--  That's all I got.  It was great to see you at the Catdome again,  Your boys are tough..

[Gig Harbor Cat]

Keith Welch, QB of Lewinsky and Clark,  Mr MMA !!  cause he tapped out of 2 of the 3 games he participated against the Cats in.  He is Mr Weak Sauce !!!  He doesn't like being in the Shark Tank !!

Oh and HSC Tiger Fan, the Catdome Shark Tank is the same as the QB's pocket area. 

Lets do this boys !!!

GHC Out

[HSCTiger74]

This is fun! We should do it more often.   

[criswyly]

That's the spirit...

[HSCTiger fan]

....that's a different poll....never seen that one before?

Don't confuse a computer ranking with a poll. Call those what they are: rankings.

Also, don't confuse the "final 16" with the "top 16" -- each team got here in a different way. Almost nobody who is still alive played a ranked team last week, but Linfield did.

I understand very well that it's the final 16. But by virtue of the way the tournament is structured by the NCAA, by default we are one of the best 16 because no others are playing. Last week we saw Wartburg whip a highly ranked team. Even in your poll HSC is 34th. I'm not saying HSC will win but I have confidence that they can. But more importantly our Tigers "expect to win".

[criswyly]

"What is your KIND? Sorry, couldn't resist..." wartnight
I'll let you know as soon as I figure that out....in the meantime +k

[dawgcat]

Comparing the CATS and the Tigers: Part Three

My take on the comparisons between the big cats and the Wildcats are a little different than those provided by HSC TF:

In terms of the team comparisons between the CATS and the Tigers, there are three significant areas of difference that jump out at me. All of them should be the keys to a CAT victory. The three areas are: the CAT running game, the CAT defense and turnovers (I think HSC Tiger Fan failed to mention this area).
Running game: Outside of Nance, the QB, the Tiger running game has not been effective and cannot be considered a strength for the Tigers. Their overall running game is #114 in D3. On the other hand, the CATS have a strong running game with multiple players contributing to the #19 ranked rushing offense in D3. Therefore, the CATS running game really needs to be operating on all cylinders and dominate the Tiger defense. By doing so, the CATS will also be keeping the Tiger offense off the field. 
Defense: The CATS rank #2 in D3 in Passing Yards Allowed and #2 in the country with their Rushing Defense. This bodes well against the Tiger passing game. The CATS also rank #7 in the country in terms of their Total Defense and their Scoring Defense. The CAT defense must dominate the Tiger offense. First down will be the key down to stop the Tiger offense. The Tigers rank #9 in D3 with their First Down Offense whereas the CATS rank #9 in terms of their First Down Defense. Keep an eye on this first down collision. The CATS need to keep the Tiger first down yardage to a minimum, pressure the quarterback and work hard to slow down the Tiger passing attack.
Turnovers: In turnover margin, the Tigers rank # 169 in D3. They gained 20 turnovers yet turned the ball over 25 times for a -5 turnover margin. The Tigers rank #117 in the number of Fumbles Lost (CATS rank #3) and the Tigers rank #205 in terms of Passes Intercepted (CATS rank #36). The CATS have turned the ball over just 9 times while gaining 29 fumbles or interceptions. This is a +20 turn over margin and good for a #4 ranking in D#. Therefore, the CATS must force the Tigers to continue turning the ball over while protecting the ball themselves.

Additional note: The Tiger wide receiver, Holton Walker (#13, 6'2" and 205 lbs.), does lead all D3 receivers in a number of receiving categories e.g. Receiving Yards/Game and Total Receiving Yards. The CAT D needs to stop him in the same way they slowed down Kyle Warner, another top D3 receiver, last Saturday. 

As we all know, regardless of these statistics, the CATS must play to win on every down on both offense and defense. The Tigers cannot be overlooked or taken lightly. So, leave no doubt, CATS!

My question of the day: Which team on Saturday will experience the "deer in the headlights" moment?

My early prediction: The CATS win going away...52-14.

[HSCTiger fan]

Comparing the CATS and the Tigers: Part Three

My take on the comparisons between the big cats and the Wildcats are a little different than those provided by HSC TF:

In terms of the team comparisons between the CATS and the Tigers, there are three significant areas of difference that jump out at me. All of them should be the keys to a CAT victory. The three areas are: the CAT running game, the CAT defense and turnovers (I think HSC Tiger Fan failed to mention this area).
Running game: Outside of Nance, the QB, the Tiger running game has not been effective and cannot be considered a strength for the Tigers. Their overall running game is #114 in D3. On the other hand, the CATS have a strong running game with multiple players contributing to the #19 ranked rushing offense in D3. Therefore, the CATS running game really needs to be operating on all cylinders and dominate the Tiger defense. By doing so, the CATS will also be keeping the Tiger offense off the field. 
Defense: The CATS rank #2 in D3 in Passing Yards Allowed and #2 in the country with their Rushing Defense. This bodes well against the Tiger passing game. The CATS also rank #7 in the country in terms of their Total Defense and their Scoring Defense. The CAT defense must dominate the Tiger offense. First down will be the key down to stop the Tiger offense. The Tigers rank #9 in D3 with their First Down Offense whereas the CATS rank #9 in terms of their First Down Defense. Keep an eye on this first down collision. The CATS need to keep the Tiger first down yardage to a minimum, pressure the quarterback and work hard to slow down the Tiger passing attack.
Turnovers: In turnover margin, the Tigers rank # 169 in D3. They gained 20 turnovers yet turned the ball over 25 times for a -5 turnover margin. The Tigers rank #117 in the number of Fumbles Lost (CATS rank #3) and the Tigers rank #205 in terms of Passes Intercepted (CATS rank #36). The CATS have turned the ball over just 9 times while gaining 29 fumbles or interceptions. This is a +20 turn over margin and good for a #4 ranking in D#. Therefore, the CATS must force the Tigers to continue turning the ball over while protecting the ball themselves.

Additional note: The Tiger wide receiver, Holton Walker (#13, 6'2" and 205 lbs.), does lead all D3 receivers in a number of receiving categories e.g. Receiving Yards/Game and Total Receiving Yards. The CAT D needs to stop him in the same way they slowed down Kyle Warner, another top D3 receiver, last Saturday. 

As we all know, regardless of these statistics, the CATS must play to win on every down on both offense and defense. The Tigers cannot be overlooked or taken lightly. So, leave no doubt, CATS!

My question of the day: Which team on Saturday will experience the "deer in the headlights" moment?

My early prediction: The CATS win going away...52-14.

Running game not effective?  What are you reading? Nance is not even our leading rusher. Here's what I wrote -HSC runs 3 guys Nance 540 yards, Macko 557, and Shembo 461 these 3 total 1558 - 4.58 per rush.  LC's top 3 Yoder has 611, Hilll has 600 and Willis hasa 300 totaling 1511 on 339 carries - 4.45.

I'll drill this down more later.

[wildcat11]

I'll drill this down more later.

/pulls chair up
//sits on edge of chair
///waits while tapping my foot

[dawgcat]

HSC,

The Tigers are ranked #114 in rushing in D3; the CATS are ranked #19. I did not make this up. It is what it is, my friend. Hope you have a powerful drill 

[tigerfanalso]

Linfield has the better team. If we go by stats, ratings and any other measuring stick, Linfield wins in a blow out. The game is not played on paper, if it was HSC should stay at home and enjoy Thanksgiving with family and friends. Our chances are slim but we do have that chance. Time will tell if the outcome is decided by the obvious or by factors not accounted for on a spreadsheet. A HSC win would probably be the biggest upset in D3 history, but they have that opportunity. One cannot successfully argue that Linfield is not the better team/program. History/performance speaks for itself. What is so great about sports is the best team does not always win; the underdog has a chance; App. St. beat Michigan/JMU beat Va. Tech/Boise St beat Okla., etc. We'll see if HSC has it in them to pull a major upset. Lets face it, if that were to happen it might be the biggest upset in D3 history but HSC must cling to that possibility. All of this other info is fun to read but reality is very clear to me  relative to this matchup.

[dawgcat]

Thoughtful comments TigerFan. All of what you say is true. We all know this is what makes every game in every sport so fun and exciting. And, the most important thing is respect...respect for yourself, your teammates, your team. your opponents, their team and the coaches and officials. However, I still have to set the record straight for your sidekick HSCTigerFan.

HSC, here some other thoughts on your recent post regarding the HSC running game:
1) Nance actually (680 total yards) outgained Macko (568 total yards); 2) By the nature of his position Nance accumulated a fair number of negative yards that impacted his net yardage and yes, Macko did outgain Nance in the net yard gained category; 3) Of course, in your 52-0 blowout win over Guilford, Macko was still running the ball all through the fourth quarter. Nance was on the bench, and 4) the CATS total yards rushing were 30% more than the Tigers (2916 to 2042), their net rushing yards were 33% more than the Tigers, and the CATS have scored 40% more rushing touchdowns than the Tigers (48 to 29). It is what it is. Drilled.   

I do respect your effort and passion. It is all in fun!

[Gig Harbor Cat]

Just Get on the plane !!!