FB: Northwest Conference

[(509)Rat]

But, Colorado College's offense is the spread that teams like Florida, Utah, Texas, West Virginia, etc. run. So that puts a lot of pressure on the defense, especially when the QB has speed and is a good decision maker on the option read. Plus if he can throw the ball, that's an added dimension that is tough to defend. The QB at CC is a string bean, I think he was 6-1, 155 two years ago, but is fast and seems like he is an accurate passer.

That being said, Menlo's offense plays into UPS' defense's hands. UPS struggles against teams that spread them out, but play very well against physical teams.

Parker is exactly what you described above, they will line him up in shotgun, spread you out, and then if they are smart they will run those spread option/designed QB run plays at you, and throw to that tight end of theirs.  UPS should win, I think they get upset...but it all depends on Menlo's coaches in my opinion.

[Foss]

DT48, out of curiosity, where did you find that conference tie-breaker info. Is it somewhere on the nwcsports.com page? I've always wondered where that info was just in case there was a three way tie for first place and all the teams had identical overall records w/ the Team A beat Team B who beat Team C who beat Team A scenario.

By the way, as DT48 and MonCat state, it looks like from the present info there really isn't a tie-breaker. I guess then it would be up to the playoff committee to select a rep(s) from the conference based on its own criteria.

I saw discussion on another board about a three way tie in a different conference. I believe all the teams had one loss and people were trying to figure out how the tie-breaker would decide the conference champ and who was most likely to perhaps get a playoff bid (and be second most likely).

[speedybigboy]

Anybody else getting the "upload folder is full" error message?  Could be that photo I was trying to upload.

So.....  If Linfield wins and Whitworth beats UPS next week are both teams likely to make the playoffs?

[Foss]

Yes, most everyone thinks that (both teams in w/ that scenario), including the guru himself and Keith McMillan.

[downtown48]

It's on the NWC site under "information"

[D O.C.]

MonroviaCat....amend to that!

[Foss]

Thanks DT48.

MonCat, come to think of it that's exactly what happenend in 2001, where they just awarded PLU, Whitworth, and Linfield tri-champs. Yeah, maybe in 2008 when the conference gets an autobid they'll change it, OR maybe they will choose to just stay with a dual-champ or tri-champ thing and then let other criteria determine who goes to the playoffs.

[ClassicCat]

I tell ya men, the game this weekend against the Rats boils down to how Coach Tully handles his team. He's had his week of preparation, it's been colder than a witches tit in Spokane. Were his practices good? If they're serious about winning the big one, does he travel his team Thursday or Friday? Is he superstitious, does he stay with the same lodging and carry out the same routine as two years ago? Oh, some many trips to Mac and oh no wins. Finally, does he choose to receive, defend, or defer at kickoff. His choice determines his mental attitude not only about himself but also his team.

When it's all said and done, the Pirates walk the gangplank!

CATS WIN!  CATS WIN!  CATS WIN!

[cawcdad]

. . .and if Menlo's coaches figure out how to use parker (#4) any time soon, there running game will be good.  Menlo is going to have one of the best if not the best D-line's you've seen all year, and they have talented skill guys.  With UPS's offense which will never blow out a quality opponent (because it is impossible to do so running the football as much as they do), Menlo will always be in this game no matter how much better UPS is.  This is my upset of the week, although from the sounds of it, my Whitworth pick is an upset too.

(509)Rat, having seen all of Menlo's home games this year I agree with most of your comments. Although #4 is very athletic and runs very well, he tends to panic and make poor decisions. Willamette saw this and that is one of the reasons the Bearcats hung on to win. WU started bringing everyone on almost every play and #4 went into full panic mode even though there were wide open recievers. The RBs and wide recievers are average, but the TE is their big weapon. I sometimes wonder why they didn't go to him more. UPS better have their punt and kick coverages on their marks becuse the Oak return men will burn you. I toyed with with picking Menlo, but they just don't seem to travel well. Gave up 28 to L&C and only scored 3 against Linfield.

[MonroviaCat]

Seems like the NWC will ammend their bilaws as the autobids (Pool A) go to the "Conference Champion" which will therfore have to be defined in a way that there is only 1 (through a tiebreaker scenario of some sort)---Hopefully it won't be as lame as my highschool league that actually determined these situations by flipping a coin (or maybe it was rock scissors paper) rather than head to head competition or overall record.  Lame!

[Bucs06]

Classic Kitty,

Despite the sub freezing temperatures in the 509, I hear the Bucs had tremendous practices this week. That means the predicted temp of 58 degrees for Saturday's game is going to be a blessing for us. Perfect weather for the plundering of the "catdome" by the pirates. ARRGGHHH.

Go BUCS.

[D O.C.]

For those of you that do not realize it, one may (Windows Registered) right click on MonroviaCats small image and view it in closer detail.

This suggestion is also for the Spokane travelers who might enjoy something to talk about on the way to the Willamette Valley.

[ClassicCat]

M Cat,

AWESOME

Thanks for the heads up D.O.C.

[Orca Jr.]

Major, Major props MonCat.  Very solid effort. 

[pennstlbu]

Parker is exactly what you described above, they will line him up in shotgun, spread you out, and then if they are smart they will run those spread option/designed QB run plays at you, and throw to that tight end of theirs.  UPS should win, I think they get upset...but it all depends on Menlo's coaches in my opinion.

The thing w/ Menlo is that they are a terrible road team. They have not played well away from home the past few years. In 2002, UPS went 1-8, and Menlo went something like 5-4 or 6-3, but UPS got its only win that year against Menlo at home. Then the next week Menlo beat down PLU. They can be a schizophrenic team, playing well @ home, and poorly on the road.