FB: Northwest Conference

[MonroviaCat]

H-man, I assume you're talking about the "if whitworth loses then what...?" right? 

I don't actually see it changing much except where the Rats would play next week.  I think if they win they get a home game vs. Oxy next week.  If they lose to the Loggers (which I think is certainly possible) then they play at Oxy.  I don't really see a Rat loss helping Linfield nor do I see it doing anything for the Loggers.  The loggers would still have 2 regional losses (1 to a weak PLU team and the other to a Linfield team who lost to 2 highly rated Regional Teams and beat UPS head to head).   

REally the only big if is "if W&J loses" does Linfield jump over them into the playoffs.... Hard to say.  Had the Loggers not lost to PLU then  this weeks game would be much more interesting in the play-off situation as a logger win would then have caused a 3 way tie for the NWC crown and the Loggers would have to be given some respect outside of the conference.  OH well....should have, could have, would have.....Good Luck this week!  I think it will be a fun one.
MC

[Pat Coleman]

BoBo:
I don't know about "influential donors to the athletic program." Pat Coleman will correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe one of the requirements to be in D-III is that a school may not use endowments or funds whose primary purpose is to benefit its athletic programs.

Not quite true. The rule is that such endowments cannot be used to provide benefits to student-athletes.

Believe it or not, that was legal and grandfathered in for a bunch of schools that had them when D-III started in the early '70s. Only a few years ago did they close the grandfather clause.

[hatchetman75]

H-man, I assume you're talking about the "if whitworth loses then what...?" right? 

I don't actually see it changing much except where the Rats would play next week.  I think if they win they get a home game vs. Oxy next week.  If they lose to the Loggers (which I think is certainly possible) then they play at Oxy.  I don't really see a Rat loss helping Linfield nor do I see it doing anything for the Loggers.  The loggers would still have 2 regional losses (1 to a weak PLU team and the other to a Linfield team who lost to 2 highly rated Regional Teams and beat UPS head to head).   

REally the only big if is "if W&J loses" does Linfield jump over them into the playoffs.... Hard to say.  Had the Loggers not lost to PLU then  this weeks game would be much more interesting in the play-off situation as a logger win would then have caused a 3 way tie for the NWC crown and the Loggers would have to be given some respect outside of the conference.  OH well....should have, could have, would have.....Good Luck this week!  I think it will be a fun one.
MC

Yeah, that was my thought on the whole process as well, but it helps hearing it from another person. Thanks again Monrovia Cat...once again you've proved that you're a sane voice in a squall of insanity.

[D O.C.]

Hey WILDCAT NATION...Lemme guess....you are out hunting elk in the Wallowa's or you have finally taken the time to take the wife down to Tahoe for that 2nd, 3rd,4th.5th or 6th honeymoon/anniversary that you shelved the past seasons.

I'm figuring some people think if you don't win you slink away. 

I'm figuring what can you say about a Lewis and Clark game nowadays?
I'm figuring what can you say about the NCAA?

Take a break.
Defrag.

[cawcdad]

My picks for the weekend.

Whitworth 20 - UPS 17: Both teams are playing for a great deal. Whit for a first round home game and UPS for their best season in many years and more respect .The Rats offense has had trouble scoring and they can give up up some yards to the run. Linfield, Menlo, Willamette all ran for 120+ and none have a back like Lee. If he has a good game it will be tight. I am picking the Rats but will not be surprised if the Loggers were to pull off the upset.

PLU 28 - Willamette 17: Two pretty evenly matched teams actually. Should be a good game. The Lutes passing should out duel the Bearcats running. But, interesting stat, no home field advantage, PLU hasn't won at home this year.

Menlo 17 - Macalister 14: The Oaks usually don't do well on the road, but Mac has played a softer schedule and the Oaks are trying get something to build on for next year. The tougher games against NWC foes help Menlo.

Linfield 49 - Lewis & Clark 0: Could be 70 - 0 or if the Cats turn the ball over like they have the last three games then it will be more like 35 - 7. Look forward to seeing many of you this Saturday. Do you all tailgate at L&C?

[Foss]

DOC, I just realized that for you the loss to Whitworth not only caused a lot of emotional pain, but likely means you now won't get to watch a 1st round playoff game in your backyard (is Oxy in O.C.? - I suck at California geography) between the 'Rats and OxyCollins. As many times as you've watched the Tigers down there the last couple of seasons you probably have mixed feelings about who you want to win up in Spokane during the 1st round.

[Foss]

Well, I guess it used to be in your backyard. L.A. is plenty north of O.C. isn't it. Too far north to go watch a playoff game if one is held there?

[MonroviaCat]

Foss,

Oxy is indeed in L.A. (or Eagle Rock to be precise).  It's not too far from the OC (probably hour to an hour and half) so our friend Dens could come up if a game is to be played at some point.  I was hoping the Cats might make it down here as I have, sadly, not attended a live Cat game since the days when they played Redlands down here (of course I've seen a Stag Bowl on TV and am glued to my computer most Saturdays during the season).  Alas, it's hard to make it up to Oregon with my only excuse being a football game (my wife's words of course).

MC

[Foss]

Gotcha, MC. I didn't know you were down that way, as well. It's great you guys outside the area at least have a chance to follow the 'Cats on the internet.

Funny you mention Redlands. I caught the end of the Rutgers/Louisville game. The Rutgers kicker just made a field goal, ending Louisville's shot at a national title game. The announcer said he is from Redlands, CA.

[D O.C.]

It is not the distance one has to drive down here (this is still the greatest fwy system Sunday morning 6 AM) but 8,000,000 cars on the road at once and some ignoramus drops a load of used mattresses off the '79 Dodge pick-up and 40 miles can take you 200 minutes.

California Highway Patrol willing I can get to
Chapman 15'
OXY 60'
Redlands 70'
La Verne 50'
Muddville 55'
Po Pitz 40'
CaLu 80'
Cal Tech 50' (watched cricket there once)
Whittier 45'

On further reflection, Monrovia Cat is just about alligned with all those institutions except Chapman. They are all somehow relative in their proximity to the 210 Fwy (Rose Bowl) and mountain foothills. Redlands is most east and Cal Lutheran the most west.

I posted once already  it is Whitworth's home game to earn but a pity they may not draw as many as 3000 if / when OXY comes to play.  Lots of  the LINFIELD community would like to see it and it's too far for a day trip.

[Lance Harbor]

All Right, I figured I'd chime in to say that I'm pissed off about Linfield's playoff prospects.  The Cats are so much better than either Carnegie Mellon or Washington & Jefferson it isn't even funny.  I think it's a crock that the committee has such stringent rules.

I'm sure this has all been discussed on the board like 17 pages ago, but I figured I'd post my Pool B breakdown on my website.  (I mistakenly thought that the NWC was a Pool A/C conference earlier).

http://bigredlance.blogspot.com/2006/11/2006-pool-b-breakdown-d3-football.html

Everyone knows about the whole Wash & Jeff vs. Bethany game, which Linfield needs to happen.  But also, hope that Willamette beats Pac Lutheran and that Salisbury beats Frostburg State.  That will bump Linfield's QW rating up and W&J's down enough that the Cats will officially have a better rating.

Those are key games.

The other team I want you to keep an eye on is Carnegie Mellon @ Thiel.  CMU is a crappy team.  They play in a crappy conference, and they have one of the easiest non-conference schedules in the country.  It includes:
-Hiram (0-9) - Worst team in the North Central Conference
-Grove City (2-7) - Worst team in the President's Conference
-Westminster PA (2-7) - Second-worst team in the President's Conference
-Franklin & Marshall (3-6) - Second-worst team in the Centennial Conference
-Colorado College (4-5) - Independent whipping post

Wow!! What a daring non-conference schedule!!    And to top it off, they really didn't beat any of those teams by a whole lot.

Carn. Mellon's QW rating is already pretty low considering they're undefeated.  Throw in a potential loss to Thiel, and they'll automatically be lower than Linfield in the QW standings.

The Bottom Line: If Carnegie Mellon or W&J swapped schedules with Linfield, the Cats would be undeafeated, and the other teams would be a whole lot worse than 5-3.

So, that's my rant.  It is what it is.  Just play hard, and good things will happen. 
I would absolutely LOVE to see Carnegie Mellon lose and have the decision come down to them and Linfield.  I'd take the Cats any day, week or month of the year.

[MonroviaCat]

Oh yeah Dens--I could hit any of those schools in under an hour (most in less than 30 minutes).  Even Chapman is probably only 40 minutes (or less).  Too Bad they won't play our WildCats!

[D O.C.]

Anyone know if that Westminster PA Lance Harbor mentioned is the one that used to knock people around in the NAIA?

(I had the time....1 minute thanks to d3.com set-up.)

Their home website:

Dr. Harold Burry, a New Castle native and 1935 Westminster graduate, would go on to lead Titan football to previously unthinkable heights. From 1952-71, Burry compiled a head coaching record of 127-31-5 (.794).

Coach Burry never knew a losing season in football in his 20 years at Westminster, while his Titan gridders posted six undefeated seasons. His teams posted 8-0 regular season records in 1953, 1956, 1964, 1970 and 1971 and a 6-0-1 mark in 1955. The 1970 record, when Westminster captured the inaugural NAIA Division II National Championship, was 10-0 overall, including two playoff wins. His 1971 record, where the Titans finished as national runner-up in NAIA Division II, was 8-1-1.

[Pat Coleman]

The other team I want you to keep an eye on is Carnegie Mellon @ Thiel.  CMU is a crappy team.  They play in a crappy conference, and they have one of the easiest non-conference schedules in the country.  It includes:
-Hiram (0-9) - Worst team in the North Central Conference
-Grove City (2-7) - Worst team in the President's Conference
-Westminster PA (2-7) - Second-worst team in the President's Conference
-Franklin & Marshall (3-6) - Second-worst team in the Centennial Conference
-Colorado College (4-5) - Independent whipping post

Wow!! What a daring non-conference schedule!!    And to top it off, they really didn't beat any of those teams by a whole lot.

Side-by-side that with Whitworth's schedule, eh?

[speedybigboy]

Anyone know if that Westminster PA Lance Harbor mentioned is the one that used to knock people around in the NAIA?

(I had the time....1 minute thanks to d3.com set-up.)

Their home website:

Dr. Harold Burry, a New Castle native and 1935 Westminster graduate, would go on to lead Titan football to previously unthinkable heights. From 1952-71, Burry compiled a head coaching record of 127-31-5 (.794).

Coach Burry never knew a losing season in football in his 20 years at Westminster, while his Titan gridders posted six undefeated seasons. His teams posted 8-0 regular season records in 1953, 1956, 1964, 1970 and 1971 and a 6-0-1 mark in 1955. The 1970 record, when Westminster captured the inaugural NAIA Division II National Championship, was 10-0 overall, including two playoff wins. His 1971 record, where the Titans finished as national runner-up in NAIA Division II, was 8-1-1.

D.O.C.,
interesting the ebb and flow of being on top for so long (Westminster won 5 NAIA D-II championships beginning in '76) and then dropping so far, reminds me of my LUTES, 

Makes Linfields "the streak" even more amazing.

Here's hoping for some upsets back east to give you guys a shot at getting in.  Looking at some past years and your record/schedule is not far off from Willamette in '04 and they got in.  The selection committee has given our conference some benefit of the doubt in the past.  If you don't make it I think the lack of the 10th game is hurting you bad.

And what's with you guys picking Willamette to beat PLU.  I understand Hatchetman... he seems to have great dislike for the Lutes.  But come on, every common opponent score, has PLU closer than Willamette, plus the Lutes are at home.

Cal Lu: PLU -3, Willamette -10
Menlo: PLU +24, Willamette +6
Linfield: PLU -23, Willamette -28
UPS: PLU +4, Willamette -8
Whitworth: PLU -12, WIllamette -14

Oh, I'm sorry I missed Lewis & Clark

Willamette +47, PLU +37  (score one for the bearkittens)

My predictions, humbly submitted,

PLU 42, Willamette 28
Whitworth 17, UPS 14
Linfield beats Lewis & Clark badly and talks Pacific into a fielding a team for a night game in Forest Grove thereby getting a 10th game, 7th win and squeaking into the playoffs.