FB: Northwest Conference

[d-train]

This year, Azusa is trying to upgrade their schedule with more NAIA schools

4 out of 10 can't be that many more.

[rbaikie]

Sorry - what I should have said was that they were trying to upgrade and change their schedule - the only D3 teams that they are playing are Whitworth (probably because Coach Tully, like Willamette's Coach Speckman, is an alum), and UW-LAX and UW-WW (a tougher opponent among D3's).

Their focus, as usual, is to play some D2's (Dixie, Humboldt), NAIA, and D1AA (San Diego). It is interesting though that among their games they have picked up a number of "young" programs.

Malone has had football since 1993 and has a new coach.
Dixie State is in its first year of "4-year" football after having been a 2 yr college.
Webber International started football in 2003.
Southern Nazeren has had football for 6 years.

But from their perspective, they are NAIA schools (except Dixie) and that factors into the rankings which factors into making the playoffs.

[rockcat]

Rockcat -

It takes two to tango. Just because a NWC (or WIAC) team is willing to fly somewhere doesn't mean a D-3 team is willing to play them. That other team might not need another game, they might not be willing to fly to the PacNW the next year when they could play someone more local, or they simply might not feel ready (as a program) to challenge a 'tougher team' before their conference race (you'll notice that Linfield has more trouble scheduling D-3 games than UPS). I don't think any WIAC or NWC coach would pass up a chance to play a D-3 game in favor of Azusa...but it's a matter of getting two sides together, not just one.

That makes sense.  I guess I didn't think WIAC teams would have the same problems that good NWC teams have in filling their schedule with DIII games.  I figured somebody from Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, etc would be willing.

[Cut City]

The other factor that comes into play is that the NWC has only 6, well 7 with Menlo now, teams. Compare that to the Miac with 9, Iowa has 9, meaning they only need to fill 2 games a year with non-conf. games to play their 10 game schedule. With menlo, the nwc needs to pick up 3 just to make a 9 game schedule. And for all you haters out there, that's the reason Linfield doesn't play 10 games, not because of The Streak.   

[rockcat]

The other factor that comes into play is that the NWC has only 6, well 7 with Menlo now, teams. Compare that to the Miac with 9, Iowa has 9, meaning they only need to fill 2 games a year with non-conf. games to play their 10 game schedule. With menlo, the nwc needs to pick up 3 just to make a 9 game schedule. And for all you haters out there, that's the reason Linfield doesn't play 10 games, not because of The Streak.   

That adds to my question of why WIAC teams need to fly to Azusa.

[Sabretooth Tiger]

Does the NWC set rules as to number of regular season games that can be played?  It's my understanding that the SCIAC expressly limits its members to a 9 game schedule.

[Cut City]

The wiac only has 8 teams and I think they try to play a ten game schedule as well, meaning they have to find three games to add just like us. Which could explain why a bunch of the NWC's are able to play them.

[rockcat]

Does the NWC set rules as to number of regular season games that can be played?  It's my understanding that the SCIAC expressly limits its members to a 9 game schedule.

Some NWC teams will play 10 games.  Whitworth has 10 this fall.

[beancounter]

Sabretooth....just saw your post on the Pool C business.

Last I heard, the NWC has a two year wait after Menlo comes in for football to get an AQ.  Therefore, everyone fights for Pool B bids this season as in the past.

[Sabretooth Tiger]

I thought that Pool B referred to conference champions from leagues that are too small to get an automatic bid, and that Pool C is for "at large" type bids, including independents and second place teams in automatic conferences (Pool A?) that might, due to ranking, get an invite?

Oh wait . . . the NWC is a pool B conference?  Got it . . . but you've still got Pool C hopefuls right?  Like in 2004 w/ Willamette?  Or am I completely confused?

[pineconefan]

I think it is time to shake off the hibernation and check in here. 

As a Pirate fan, I look forward to this fall.  Joel Clark and Mike Allan are back for their final seasons, which should be at least as strong as before.  I know there is a lot of talk about Oxy's Collins as the best QB on the west coast, perhaps DIII, but if you compare the numbers against their common opponents over the last two years (Redlands, ULV, Linfield), Clark has outperformed Collins.  Clark has just had to play in a huge shadow in the NWC the last two seasons.  Allan, a returning AFCA All-American, is the best pure TE in DIII.

Whitworth's defense, which was vastly improved last year, returns vitually intact (10 returning starters). 

The big question is the schedule.  Those first four games are tough.  If the Pirates come out of that stretch 3-1, they've set themselves up for a strong run at the playoffs.

But I agree with a previous poster, they need to finally put up a good game against Willamette.  They have the Bearcats at home again this year, so they need to make it happen.

[pineconefan]

Regarding Azusa, I have heard from folks inside the department that APU has had to kick in money to get teams to come and play them.  No one from the SCIAC will touch them anymore, so the schedule they have to put together is rediculous.  After they come up to Whitworth this fall, they will give Whitworth something like 10k to go to SoCal next year.  I have to assume they are providing the Wisconsin schools a similar deal.

[Wildcat'64]

Take nothing away from Collins or Clark but everyone except diehard Linfield fans will likely be surprised by Benzel.....he is definitely All American calibre and is a Senior.  Unfortunately he has had to play in the shadows of two back to back All American Quarterbacks in Matthews and Elliott but he is clearly head and shoulders above the vast majority of quarterbacks in Division III.  His completion rate last year was actually better than Elliott's if my memory serves me correctly.  He is definitely a good field marshall and may well surprise many an opponent this fall!

[Tuxguy]

'64, I agree with you on Benzel, I believe he will open some eyes.  He has waited his turn and will surprise many db's this year. His back up should be Trevor Scharer who is also very good .
The wr's of Kaluza and Vierra are back I believe, anyone know if jered Thomas went through graduation? He had 1 yr of elg. left.
as in the past.....The Cats don't rebuild they reload!!!!!

                           LEAVE NO DOUBT  '06

[Cut City]

First on the Pool C thing. Pool A bids are reserved for Pool A qualifying teams. Pool B goes to non-pool A qualifying teams (ie the NWC, menlo, etc). Pool C goes to all the teams who don't get a playoff bid, regardless of whether they were pool A or B.

Example: Oxy takes the Pool A(automatic qualifier) for the sciac, Redlands finishes at 8-2 for 2nd in the conference. They are eligible for Pool C.

Linfield finishes with a 9-0 record along with 5 other Pool B teams. L&C finishes 8-1, but all the Pool Bids have been given to stronger teams. L&C is also eligible for pool C.

Redlands, L&C and all the other teams who didn't get either A or B bids are eligible for C. (I chose L&C just to remind everyone this is a made up example)


On the Benzel thing. The guy is the real deal. Players not only like, but respect him on and off the field. He may not put up the numbers as in years past but don't think he won't be able to win games like Elliot did. He throws a tight ball and can throw deep on a dime.