FB: Northwest Conference

[jknezek]

Why should the NWC teams play only D3 teams, even regional teams?

The theory is, as I think I understand it, is that if you beat regional teams and have a strong SOS, it helps in the seeding for the playoffs.   This year proved that is an illusion, at best. 

The whole two D3 conferences west of Minnesota or Texas are at a huge disadvantage.   Most of the colleges from Minnesota east do not need expensive travel to schedule all of their games.  Out west here, we have many NAIA and D2 teams we could play.   And heck, those NAIA and D2 teams have had much longer rivalries with NWC teams than we have with teams east of the Rockies.  Many D3 teams east of the Rockies schedule NAIA and D2 teams.    Why not us?

Linfield had two long distance overnight flights this year.   VERY expensive.   And too far away for most of our fans to attend.    Why don't we save a bunch of money and start playing Southern Oregon, Eastern Oregon, Western Oregon,  Central Washington or Simon Frazier again?   Yes, they are not D3, but they are close by.   No overnight trips required.    No expensive flights needed.

I am sure the NWC colleges can figure out how to use those expensive travel costs for some better purpose in their football and athletic depts.

George

In Linfield's case this probably makes a lot of sense. With a Pool A option likely, playing your OOC against non-D3 teams isn't a problem. Also, because of the likely game with another island team in the first round, it probably has a limited effect on Linfield's playoff pairings.

In the case of a team looking more consistently at a Pool C bid, I would be much more concerned. A D3 record is more comparable. Franklin got in on an A, so their one game against a non D3 didn't matter. Same with Wittenberg. Wesley got a Pool B bid, which is a much smaller grouping, so that is a different kettle of fish. I wouldn't have wanted to have Wesley's D3 record in Pool C.

When I first read the post I was somewhat skeptical, thinking that a D3 schedule is always the better option, but I have to admit, for Linfield especially, that may not be the case. Interesting idea.

+K

[d-train]

Why should the NWC teams play only D3 teams, even regional teams?

The theory is, as I think I understand it, is that if you beat regional teams and have a strong SOS, it helps in the seeding for the playoffs.   This year proved that is an illusion, at best. 

The whole two D3 conferences west of Minnesota or Texas are at a huge disadvantage.   Most of the colleges from Minnesota east do not need expensive travel to schedule all of their games.  Out west here, we have many NAIA and D2 teams we could play.   And heck, those NAIA and D2 teams have had much longer rivalries with NWC teams than we have with teams east of the Rockies.  Many D3 teams east of the Rockies schedule NAIA and D2 teams.    Why not us?

Linfield had two long distance overnight flights this year.   VERY expensive.   And too far away for most of our fans to attend.    Why don't we save a bunch of money and start playing Southern Oregon, Eastern Oregon, Western Oregon,  Central Washington or Simon Frazier again?   Yes, they are not D3, but they are close by.   No overnight trips required.    No expensive flights needed.

I am sure the NWC colleges can figure out how to use those expensive travel costs for some better purpose in their football and athletic depts.

George

George,

Those schools you list in bold are not the ones who voted to disband the Columbia Football Association in the early 90's . Nor are they the ones who voted not to allow EOU conference membership when it was a D3 a little while later.

So while it is expensive and I wish D3 recognized our scheduling challenges with a bit more flexibility...being aligned nationally with other D3 schools (like Case Western) is exactly what the administrations at most NWC schools wanted. I'm sure WOU would play you if you reach out.   

[wildcat11]

Speaking of Schedules...

The Linfield 2014 schedule is official: http://www.linfield.edu/sports/schedule.php?sport=fb

Sep 13th 2014    @ Chapman        
Sep 20th 2014    @ Redlands    
Oct 4th 2014    @ Pacific Lutheran    
Oct 11th 2014    George Fox    
Oct 18th 2014    Whitworth    
Oct 25th 2014    @ Lewis & Clark    
Nov 1st 2014    Willamette
Nov 8th 2014    @ Puget Sound        
Nov 15th 2014    Pacific       

Like:
- Non-Conference games with the 2013 top of the SCIAC.  Both 7pm starts and should be great tests to start the year.
- No overnight NWC road game
- No cross country flying during the regular season.  Thank goodness.

Don't Like:
- Only four home games (Will get 5 in 2015 but still...)
- Home opener isn't till Oct 11th.  But beggar's can't be choosers when it comes to the Non-Conference.  Could be worse (Menlo) so I'm not going to get too upset about that.

[MonroviaCat]

Speaking of Schedules...

The Linfield 2014 schedule is official: http://www.linfield.edu/sports/schedule.php?sport=fb

Sep 13th 2014    @ Chapman        
Sep 20th 2014    @ Redlands    
Oct 4th 2014    @ Pacific Lutheran    
Oct 11th 2014    George Fox    
Oct 18th 2014    Whitworth    
Oct 25th 2014    @ Lewis & Clark    
Nov 1st 2014    Willamette
Nov 8th 2014    @ Puget Sound        
Nov 15th 2014    Pacific       

Like:
- Non-Conference games with the 2013 top of the SCIAC.  Both 7pm starts and should be great tests to start the year.
- No overnight NWC road game
- No cross country flying during the regular season.  Thank goodness.

Don't Like:
- Only four home games (Will get 5 in 2015 but still...)
- Home opener isn't till Oct 11th.  But beggar's can't be choosers when it comes to the Non-Conference.  Could be worse (Menlo) so I'm not going to get too upset about that.

Now I can officially like the fact that the Cats are headed to Southern California twice this season!  

[RFB]

Speaking of Schedules...

The Linfield 2014 schedule is official: http://www.linfield.edu/sports/schedule.php?sport=fb

Sep 13th 2014    @ Chapman        
Sep 20th 2014    @ Redlands    
Oct 4th 2014    @ Pacific Lutheran    
Oct 11th 2014    George Fox    
Oct 18th 2014    Whitworth    
Oct 25th 2014    @ Lewis & Clark    
Nov 1st 2014    Willamette
Nov 8th 2014    @ Puget Sound        
Nov 15th 2014    Pacific       

Like:
- Non-Conference games with the 2013 top of the SCIAC.  Both 7pm starts and should be great tests to start the year.
- No overnight NWC road game
- No cross country flying during the regular season.  Thank goodness.

Don't Like:
- Only four home games (Will get 5 in 2015 but still...)
- Home opener isn't till Oct 11th.  But beggar's can't be choosers when it comes to the Non-Conference.  Could be worse (Menlo) so I'm not going to get too upset about that.

Glad to see the phone lines are working again at Redlands. So Redlands is opening the season with UMHB & Linfield? Holy Moly! I put the Dawgs as the early leader in the clubhouse with the nations toughest SOS.

[bluenote]

- Only four home games (Will get 5 in 2015 but still...)
- Home opener isn't till Oct 11th. 

....Don't like.......

[dahlby]

I am excited that Chapman has scheduled Linfield, as this will be the strongest nonconference program scheduled in its 20 year modern history.

If anyone coming to the game needs help scheduling hotel reservations or finding a place to tailgate, please let me know.
The school is located within the largest national historic district in the country and has several places to eat and sleep.

I look forward to meeting any Linfield supporter coming to the game and we can meet before or after the game and I will give a tour of our school . Drop me a line and let me know.

I am excited to host such an outstanding program!   

[D O.C.]

Pool party my place September 13th!
Yes, dahlby, you can come too.

[George Thompson]

Speaking of Schedules...

The Linfield 2014 schedule is official: http://www.linfield.edu/sports/schedule.php?sport=fb

Sep 13th 2014    @ Chapman        
Sep 20th 2014    @ Redlands    
Oct 4th 2014    @ Pacific Lutheran    
Oct 11th 2014    George Fox    
Oct 18th 2014    Whitworth    
Oct 25th 2014    @ Lewis & Clark    
Nov 1st 2014    Willamette
Nov 8th 2014    @ Puget Sound        
Nov 15th 2014    Pacific       

Like:
- Non-Conference games with the 2013 top of the SCIAC.  Both 7pm starts and should be great tests to start the year.
- No overnight NWC road game
- No cross country flying during the regular season.  Thank goodness.

Don't Like:
- Only four home games (Will get 5 in 2015 but still...)
- Home opener isn't till Oct 11th.  But beggar's can't be choosers when it comes to the Non-Conference.  Could be worse (Menlo) so I'm not going to get too upset about that.

Now I can officially like the fact that the Cats are headed to Southern California twice this season!

This is the best schedule Linfield has had in many years.   My son lives in San Diego, so I will be there for 10 days to see both Chapman and Redlands games.   

Somehow, I really hope the Wildcats never take overnight, long distance flights any more before late November.

We also always seem to alternate between 4 and 5 home games.    Almost never 3 or 6.

GT

[George Thompson]

Why should the NWC teams play only D3 teams, even regional teams?

The theory is, as I think I understand it, is that if you beat regional teams and have a strong SOS, it helps in the seeding for the playoffs.   This year proved that is an illusion, at best. 

The whole two D3 conferences west of Minnesota or Texas are at a huge disadvantage.   Most of the colleges from Minnesota east do not need expensive travel to schedule all of their games.  Out west here, we have many NAIA and D2 teams we could play.   And heck, those NAIA and D2 teams have had much longer rivalries with NWC teams than we have with teams east of the Rockies.  Many D3 teams east of the Rockies schedule NAIA and D2 teams.    Why not us?

Linfield had two long distance overnight flights this year.   VERY expensive.   And too far away for most of our fans to attend.    Why don't we save a bunch of money and start playing Southern Oregon, Eastern Oregon, Western Oregon,  Central Washington or Simon Frazier again?   Yes, they are not D3, but they are close by.   No overnight trips required.    No expensive flights needed.

I am sure the NWC colleges can figure out how to use those expensive travel costs for some better purpose in their football and athletic depts.

George

George,

Those schools you list in bold are not the ones who voted to disband the Columbia Football Association in the early 90's . Nor are they the ones who voted not to allow EOU conference membership when it was a D3 a little while later.

So while it is expensive and I wish D3 recognized our scheduling challenges with a bit more flexibility...being aligned nationally with other D3 schools (like Case Western) is exactly what the administrations at most NWC schools wanted. I'm sure WOU would play you if you reach out.

So the NWC doesn't want to lower themselves to play state colleges, but then we play the Wisconsin state colleges almost every playoff year.   Makes no sense to me.

We had good rivalries with WOU, SOU and even EOU.    And, again no long distance flights and no overnight travel.

GT

[desertcat1]

hey George,   

here is a new rope be happy ..

Go CATS
GO BIG D..

[wildcat11]

Looking down the road the great news is that 2015 will be a GREAT year for local Wildcat fans wanting to take in games as the only game of distance will be the Whitworth game.

Everything else will either be at home (Redlands, Chapman, PLU, L&C, UPS) or within a 30-45 minute drive from Mac (at Willamette, Fox, Pacific). 

[MonroviaCat]

Looking down the road the great news is that 2015 will be a GREAT year for local Wildcat fans wanting to take in games as the only game of distance will be the Whitworth game.

Everything else will either be at home (Redlands, Chapman, PLU, L&C, UPS) or within a 30-45 minute drive from Mac (at Willamette, Fox, Pacific).

Ha!  Guess I'll start saving my pennies for a flight up north for next year!

[speedybigboy]

anyone see a schedule for the Lutes next year yet?

[d-train]

anyone see a schedule for the Lutes next year yet?

I'm 95% sure we've got CLU again...and then 7 conference games.  So there is really only one game in question (won't be Redlands).  Doubt we'll play 10.