FB: Northwest Conference

[umhb2001]

Another Wildcat vs Crusader showdown. Should be a good one. Pass heavy scheme vs the Cru D will be interesting. I watched the first half of the game today and it looks like Linfield is balanced, leaning towards the pass. Lots of chances deep. The Johnnies got three sacks that first drive and didn't get any more that half I don't think. Looked like Smith went to a 3 step to get the ball out quicker.

Thoughts?

Weather in Belton looks to be nice next week. Should be a fun matchup. I'm guessing UMHB will look to pound the running game and keep the ball away from a great Linfield attack.

If any of you are making the trip, I'd love to meet some of y'all. I made the trip with the fam to the NW this summer. I lived in Longview, WA for ten years from 87-97. Met some folks from Sherwood, OR several summers ago. They were in Waco. After staying in Gearhart for a couple nights, we went to McMinnville to see the Catdome up close. Great campus.

Anyways, have a great week and safe travels to all!

[bluenote]

I'm Proud and Amazed! Thank you Linfield Wildcats! Believe and Conquer.... 

[Wildcat64]

Way to go Cats....Great team effort...next up the Cru....we've beaten them before and can do so again...Leave No Doubt!

[MUC57]

Congrats to the 'Cats! I shall wear my Linfield sweatshirt (gift from Coco and Mrs. Coco) for 2 days this week. That, along with my Mount Union hat. Hey, after all.....!
Good luck against UMHB. I know they are familiar to you. Is this 2004 all over again?
Go Wildcats! (Go Raiders too!)   

[DuffMan]

So, Linfield = SJU West or SJU = Linfield East?

Maybe it depends on who's won most recently?

[D O.C.]

LINFIELD  > St.. John's ?

[DuffMan]

I mean, we've held it over you from 1965 till yesterday, so I guess we'll let you live it up for a bit. 

We'll be back and ready to rumble. 

[criswyly]

"I mean, we've held it over you from 1965 till yesterday, so I guess we'll let you live it up for a bit."
And that's exactly what I am doing.

[bluenote]

I mean, we've held it over you from 1965 till yesterday, so I guess we'll let you live it up for a bit. 

We'll be back and ready to rumble. 

The first game was a blowout... the second 2 could have gone either way.... Just glad we won this fourth one in Collegeville. I'm still on a natural high. I'd love to buy the whole team and coaches a steak dinner at Ringside if I could afford it!

[umhb2001]

Way to go Cats....Great team effort...next up the Cru....we've beaten them before and can do so again...Leave No Doubt!

And vice versa.

[Pat Coleman]

There should have at least been a coin flip for home field advantage.   NCAA is a biased group.    Very unfair.

Why? Just because you don't like the results?

Among unbeaten teams, St. John's was seeded higher in the bracket based on their strength of schedule. If that wasn't enough, the part of the criteria allowing the committee to use the teams' performance in the previous playoff as a tiebreaker would also favor St. John's, seeing as Linfield lost in the first round last time around.

Pat, I have long believed the NCAA playoff format is flawed.   Every team that reaches the 2nd round and beyond should have a good chance of having a home game.   If you won in the first round, why not?

Yes. Everyone does deserve a chance but only 50% of the teams that win in the first round can host in the second.

Regarding the 2nd paragraph, I understand what you are saying.   But to compare this year's Linfield to the one of two years ago is ludicrous.   75% (estimate) of the players are different.   Punishing this year's team based on 2019 is unfair.    

No kidding, but that is the criteria and hey, I suspect you remember that there was a pandemic and a year off in between so it's not like we would normally go back to 2019 for a 2021 bracket.

[olddog]

Congrats to LF

The game was won upfront. The D line dominated especially in the first half. Like I said after the first meeting with UR, this team is special.
LF needs to clean up a few coverages and establish the run game...against MHB. Field position will be the key in this game.
I very much like LF chances against MHB...This MHB team is a notch less athletic as in the past. Still a top 5 team.

[umhb2001]

Congrats to LF

The game was won upfront. The D line dominated especially in the first half. Like I said after the first meeting with UR, this team is special.
LF needs to clean up a few coverages and establish the run game...against MHB. Field position will be the key in this game.
I very much like LF chances against MHB...This MHB team is a notch less athletic as in the past. Still a top 5 team.

Just wondering what you are basing this off of. Not confirming or denying, just interested in your perspective and analysis. Thanks.

[DuffMan]

The game was won upfront.

I disagree.  Both defenses, especially, up front, played extremely tough football.  If you look at the box score, the statistics were very even.  The game was won:

1) On special teams
2) With superior QB play

[olddog]

Congrats to LF

The game was won upfront. The D line dominated especially in the first half. Like I said after the first meeting with UR, this team is special.
LF needs to clean up a few coverages and establish the run game...against MHB. Field position will be the key in this game.
I very much like LF chances against MHB...This MHB team is a notch less athletic as in the past. Still a top 5 team.

Just wondering what you are basing this off of. Not confirming or denying, just interested in your perspective and analysis. Thanks.

MHB fronts are not as quick as in the past,...I have liked your front slightly better than in the past. Your QB does not run as well as others too. Remember I am splitting hairs. One might say the safeties are not quite as good too....