FB: Northwest Conference

[MonroviaCat]

Fox is very good this year.  Big and physical and solid all-around.  As mentioned before I think it comes down to if our offense can produce against their defense.

The way things have gone this year, it might come down to if our Defense can produce against their offense!

[Pat Coleman]

the head coach isn't happy that they have had to play Linfield 3-4 at Linfield

I'm not happy that Fox bailed on the NWC back in 2013 and leaving teams holding the bag in having to find last minute replacements game (Linfield at CWRU) that cost tens of thousands of dollars but those are the breaks.

Basically red shirting the whole team so we get what we will see on the 21st.

It's nine players. I don't think delaying for a year created a developmental season, if I remember the timing of the announcement. A developmental season is fairly common for startup football programs. University of New England and Alvernia are going through one right now.

[gren]

the head coach isn't happy that they have had to play Linfield 3-4 at Linfield

I'm not happy that Fox bailed on the NWC back in 2013 and leaving teams holding the bag in having to find last minute replacements game (Linfield at CWRU) that cost tens of thousands of dollars but those are the breaks.

Basically red shirting the whole team so we get what we will see on the 21st.

Are those 9 players starters?

It's nine players. I don't think delaying for a year created a developmental season, if I remember the timing of the announcement. A developmental season is fairly common for startup football programs. University of New England and Alvernia are going through one right now.

[Foss]

I can't help but think GF might have a strong interest in the #9 UW-Platteville home game against #3 UW-Oshkosh this Saturday. UW-P beating UW-O and going on to win the WIAC could be huge for them if GF loses to Linfield, but wins the rest of their games. If their only losses are by 2 to the mighty WIAC champ on the road and Linfield on the road (if competitive) would they still have a slim shot at an at-large bid? Whereas, I don't see Linfield being in the running w/ 2 losses, since both games were at home.

[MonroviaCat]

I can't help but think GF might have a strong interest in the #9 UW-Platteville home game against #3 UW-Oshkosh this Saturday. UW-P beating UW-O and going on to win the WIAC could be huge for them if GF loses to Linfield, but wins the rest of their games. If their only losses are by 2 to the mighty WIAC champ on the road and Linfield on the road (if competitive) would they still have a slim shot at an at-large bid? Whereas, I don't see Linfield being in the running w/ 2 losses, since both games were at home.

I don't think they would have much of a chance.  First, it's more about who you beat than to whom you lost.  Second, 2 losses is really hard to overcome with the way the playoffs are determined.....sure it happens but I don't think it would in this case (for either team).  Also---the location of the games doesn't factor (to my knowledge) in the selection process.

[Foss]

I can't help but think GF might have a strong interest in the #9 UW-Platteville home game against #3 UW-Oshkosh this Saturday. UW-P beating UW-O and going on to win the WIAC could be huge for them if GF loses to Linfield, but wins the rest of their games. If their only losses are by 2 to the mighty WIAC champ on the road and Linfield on the road (if competitive) would they still have a slim shot at an at-large bid? Whereas, I don't see Linfield being in the running w/ 2 losses, since both games were at home.

I don't think they would have much of a chance.  First, it's more about who you beat than to whom you lost.  Second, 2 losses is really hard to overcome with the way the playoffs are determined.....sure it happens but I don't think it would in this case (for either team).  Also---the location of the games doesn't factor (to my knowledge) in the selection process.

Yeah, probably right. I guess I should have also mentioned wins that have so far included crushing then ranked Whitworth by 3 TDs, a win over Redlands (their only loss, so far anyway), and a 44-0 thrashing over a WIAC team, UW-Eau Claire (although they seem to be bad this year). At any rate, impressive and aggressive out of conference scheduling by GF - not a lot of schools are willing to play 2 WIAC teams out of conference. Plus Redlands (who happened to go 8-2 last year & made the playoffs - w/ 1 of their losses being to the champs, UMHB).

Linfield would have no chance w/ 2 losses. And I think a lot of things would need to fall in place for GF to get the rare 2 loss at-large bid. But it would at least be interesting if UW-Platteville happened to surprise and win the WIAC. Going to be tough against UW-Oshkosh, though (plus they still have La Crosse & Whitewater to play).

[Pat Coleman]

Not just this year.
2016   2-8, 1-6   WIAC
2015   0-10, 0-7   WIAC
2014   1-9, 1-6   WIAC
2013   2-8, 2-5   WIAC

[gren]

I can't help but think GF might have a strong interest in the #9 UW-Platteville home game against #3 UW-Oshkosh this Saturday. UW-P beating UW-O and going on to win the WIAC could be huge for them if GF loses to Linfield, but wins the rest of their games. If their only losses are by 2 to the mighty WIAC champ on the road and Linfield on the road (if competitive) would they still have a slim shot at an at-large bid? Whereas, I don't see Linfield being in the running w/ 2 losses, since both games were at home.

I don't think they would have much of a chance.  First, it's more about who you beat than to whom you lost.  Second, 2 losses is really hard to overcome with the way the playoffs are determined.....sure it happens but I don't think it would in this case (for either team).  Also---the location of the games doesn't factor (to my knowledge) in the selection process.

The only way a 2 loss team from the NWC goes to the playoffs is win the NWC

Yeah, probably right. I guess I should have also mentioned wins that have so far included crushing then ranked Whitworth by 3 TDs, a win over Redlands (their only loss, so far anyway), and a 44-0 thrashing over a WIAC team, UW-Eau Claire (although they seem to be bad this year). At any rate, impressive and aggressive out of conference scheduling by GF - not a lot of schools are willing to play 2 WIAC teams out of conference. Plus Redlands (who happened to go 8-2 last year & made the playoffs - w/ 1 of their losses being to the champs, UMHB).

Linfield would have no chance w/ 2 losses. And I think a lot of things would need to fall in place for GF to get the rare 2 loss at-large bid. But it would at least be interesting if UW-Platteville happened to surprise and win the WIAC. Going to be tough against UW-Oshkosh, though (plus they still have La Crosse & Whitewater to play).

[gren]

The only way a 2 loss team from the NWC goes to the playoffs is to win the NWC

[(509)Rat]

Linfield will beat Fox by at least 3 touchdowns

[Foss]

The only way a 2 loss team from the NWC goes to the playoffs is to win the NWC

Tell that to Willamette's 2004 team.

[Pat Coleman]

The only way a 2 loss team from the NWC goes to the playoffs is to win the NWC

Tell that to Willamette's 2004 team.

Apples and oranges. Different number of bids, different pool, no automatic qualifier.

[Foss]

The only way a 2 loss team from the NWC goes to the playoffs is to win the NWC

Tell that to Willamette's 2004 team.

Apples and oranges. Different number of bids, different pool, no automatic qualifier.

There was not mention of that, though, as the post could be construed as absolutist.

[Pat Coleman]

There was not mention of that, though, as the post could be construed as absolutist.

Pretty sure the intent was clear that in a discussion about 2017 playoff chances, discussion was about 2017.

[Foss]

There was not mention of that, though, as the post could be construed as absolutist.

Pretty sure the intent was clear that in a discussion about 2017 playoff chances, discussion was about 2017.

If that's how it was intended, then I agree. If not, I gave an example of an exception to this premise.