FB: Northwest Conference

[criswyly]

BTW Tiger fans your football venue looks awesome....and I can't help but notice that you have a winning program....

[wildcat11]

ADvantage 'Catdome =Tuesday's Truths and Quick Hits

[D O.C.]

Nash Nance is a good stage name....

http://www.hsc.edu/The-Record/2012-September/Nash-Nance-the-new-QB.html

[George Thompson]

WOW!    I am away from the NWC board for a day, and it goes nuts!   And I didn't create the havoc.

HS fans, welcome.   We look forward to a new face in the Catdome.

GT

[D O.C.]

It's supposed to actually rain somewhere in SoCal Thanksgiving so I got my winter coat out and found a charm in the pocket from November 28, 2009, a ticket stub from a 53-21 amazing win over Mary Hardin Baylor.
Go 'Cats

[speedybigboy]

Speedy is a PLU backer so don't lump him in with us.  The last thing a Lute wants to be call is a Wildcat so don't insult him. 

We've actually beat 3 teams with a winning record (PLU x2, Willamette, Pacific) and we've played one less game that HSC so that total victory number might be a little overinflated when doing a side-by-side comparison.

Linfield has been in the top 10 of SOS in multiple years in the past including having the number one SOS last season.  The program and the fans are very familiar with top end competition in Division III.  This year our SOS number has suffered dramatically since CLU and Hardin-Simmons took a bad turn this season and it's why we're sitting here with a 2 seed. 

HSC looks like a heck of a club, and as you say, they'll be expecting to win (all 16 teams should feel that way this weekend).  It should make for a good football game.

Thanks Wildcat, I thought I made it clear I'm not a Linfield backer, except on the bandwagon for the playoffs. 
And I never said anything about your schedule, although I don't think it was that bad, and frankly you guys blew threw it with ease.  Great teams don't lose to middle of the road conference foes.

I appreciate the tiger fans spunk.  Exactly what makes this website great.  And if they didn't defend their team I'd wonder. 

But then I really think Dawgcat's got it about right, barring weather that drags down the score, I think 52-14 sounds about right.

[OldCatProf]

It's supposed to actually rain somewhere in SoCal Thanksgiving so I got my winter coat out and found a charm in the pocket from November 28, 2009, a ticket stub from a 53-21 amazing win over Mary Hardin Baylor.
Go 'Cats

Who used your coat that day? And who won?

[Wildcat'64]

It's real simple, CATS.....LEAVE NO DOUBT....

[HSCTiger fan]

Nash Nance is a good stage name....

http://www.hsc.edu/The-Record/2012-September/Nash-Nance-the-new-QB.html

With all the stats and info you we've discussed I'm actually surprised that no one had not pointed this out sooner. Nash is the real deal - Rivals 3 Star recruit coming out of high school.  I have no doubt Yoder is every bit as talented.  I have really enjoyed the back and forth we've had on this board the last few days. I love my team, you love yours. If I give it I expect to get it back. I tend to be more the politically incorrect guy on the ODAC board.  Thus my 50/50 in the Karma. There's really not a lot of zings over there. I call it the sweetest board ever.

We'll arrive Thursday. Any suggestions for Friday activities. Please don't suggest visiting a winery to sip wine.

[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.

Wildcat11 you can stop tapping your foot now.

Running Game: I have already pointed out that our running game is very effective. I don't know how you can say it's not when we average as many yards rushing as you guys do passing. You certainly would not suggest your passing game is not effective.

Defense: Our defense is solid.  You point out our defense is ranked 77th in rush defense. But you don't point out in Total Defense that your team is 7th and we are 18th. Our Tigers average giving up only 29 more yards per game than your Cats -250 per game vs 279. I know you had lots of blow out victories.  So I looked up what you did against Pacific - 79 rushing and 307 passing. Against PLU last week 80 yards rushing and 299 passing.   If we protect the ball - I'd take 80 and 300 right now. I like the first down analysis.

Turnovers:  Always the concern for both teams. Our turnover margin is a little miss leading. We have had 29 turnovers to your team's 9. If we turn it over more than LC we are toast. Our turnovers are what they are but it's not like we turn it over 3 times every game. We had 13 of those turnovers in 2 games and 2 turnovers were by second team.  That's still 14 turnovers in 9 games. Too many.

Walker is a great player. We have other receivers that are very good as well. We have 9 other receivers that have each caught 11 or more passes. Walker does have 40% of our team's receiving yards but nearly 1800 yards came from others. If you double your efforts on Walker we will throw it to someone else.

I'm looking forward to visiting the great northwest! 

[Gig Harbor Cat]

Gig Harbor Cat

Maybe I'm missing reading your post but you come across as being a big pain in the a$$.

Always good to see two groups of Division III fans get to know each other.

Well now, that didn't take long  !!!   I think this is a playoff record, less than 10 drive by posts to get called out !!  You guys are too easy !!!

[Gig Harbor Cat]

Packing up to head down to Casa de Wildcat 11 for Turkey day with the family.  Then its back home to the harbor for a day .
Finally, finally, can pack up the G5 and take off to the Catdome,  Will load in some extra salt for our Salty D.  Will be making a special blend of GHC Electric Longies this week,  I think they could be used for fuel for the G5 !!!

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone.  See you at the Catdome.

Peace Out

GHC

[HSCTiger74]

   I've enjoyed taking in this week's banter from the sidelines; lots of passion evident from both sides. It will be interesting to see how it progresses as we get closer to game time.
   In the meantime, safe travels and a Happy Thanksgiving to all our new friends in the great northwest.

[wildcat11]

Our turnover margin is a little miss leading. We have had 29 turnovers to your team's 9. If we turn it over more than LC we are toast. Our turnovers are what they are but it's not like we turn it over 3 times every game. We had 13 of those turnovers in 2 games and 2 turnovers were by second team.  That's still 14 turnovers in 9 games. Too many.

That's some incredible magic in making half of your turnovers disappear. 

[Andy Jamison - Walla Walla Wildcat]

Here's hoping that the actual Wildcat team isn't as cocky as many of its supporters.  It would be entirely too easy for this to be the dreaded trap game where the focus is not 100% on this week's opponent but instead looking ahead to a possible quarterfinal matchup with UWW. Given our history with UWW I can easily see that happening especially as many of the DIII pundits have not had strong statements supporting the strength of the ODAC.

HS has a former D1 quarterback who is big, mobile, and accurate.  Reminds me a lot of Andy Collins from Occidental in 2004 and 2005. 

I am always leery of extremely mobile quarterbacks as they have seemed to be very effective against our defensive scheme over the years.

The great thing about DIII football is that we will get to settle this on the field playing against a new opponent.