FB: Northwest Conference

[D O.C.]

Ralph....would you rather see one of the ASC sent to the west just so that first round match-up would not happen? Would you rather they stay and slug it out in their own region? I am not taking into consideration the ironclad, assiduous, steadfast 500 rule.

[Ralph Turner]

Hello Dens,

In 2001, we had HSU sent to the North (MUC) Region.  They hosted Wittenburg and blew a lead in the 4th quarter;  Wittenburg destroyed Thomas More the next week before losing to MUC in week #3.  UMHB lost at Trinity in the Bridgewater Region.

If I had a chance to separate the #2 and the #3 teams (yes those are the official NCAA Seedings), I would jump on it.  Remember in 2002 how John Carroll was sent to the East Region and ran the table only to lose to MUC in the Semifinals!  What fun!

[Foss]

The Bethel upset of St. Johns has helped Whitworth's seeding because the Pirates (#3) are now seeded higher than St. Johns (#7). If Whitworth defeats Oxy, they get the winner of Central/St. Johns, which is kind of a toss up game. Central is seeded #2, St. Johns #7. If the Pirates win and Central wins, it's a trip to Iowa for Whitworth. But if the Pirates get it done agains Oxy and SJU wins, the 'Rats would get two home games. UW-Whitewater being on the other side of the West bracket is not a bad thing, either.

[cawcdad]

Congratulations to tightend #88 (Ackerman) of the Wildcats. He scored his first touchdown during the Lewis and Clark game. Way to go kid!

Here you go RedandPurple:


Click here for the rest of the pictures from Saturday's Linfield - Lewis & Clark Game.

I have been lucky enough to have seen all the NWC teams except UPS this year. I have enjoyed photographing the games and I hope you guys have enjoyed looking at them. Many of the photos are on film and if anyone wants the original print, send me a PM and I will send it to you gratis.

[MonroviaCat]

I was just rumaging around through the stats for Oxy and Whitworth and this game could be a good one.  Both teams have a pretty good balance on offense and both teams have played pretty solid defense.  The Rats obviously have the advantage on pts allowed but Oxy scored more consistently this year.  Turnovers, penalites, etc. are all pretty close (though last nights game probably will hurt Oxy some in this category once the stats get added).  I think the home field advantage is big for the Rats this week and I think learning how to use Allen more effectively opens up their game some.  I think the game might be a close one (I'll be suprised if there is an Oxystomp this year) but I think the Rats can win this one.  Heck, I'll even throw out a score early (since I only have one game to give a pick in this week):  Rats 28 Oxy 24  Should be a good one!   Good luck to both teams---Go NWC!

[D O.C.]

cawdad....looks like the rain broke just for you. The fall colors impress way down here.

I feel good, and sorry, for Lewis and Clark. Good they came back from last year and sorry for that series of four images you have of a db with no size or technique trying to stop the LINFIELD runner from going into the end zone. The NWC needs L & C to be competitive in all sports while not sacrificing academics or cheek and tongue piercings.

[criswyly]

Ralph Turner
Would replacing NAIA and Div2 schools on our schedule with DIII schools only...even if we have to play some DIII schools twice in one season improve our overall chances in the playoff system?

[(509)Rat]

Whitworth completed their first internet video broadcast of a football game this last weekend.  They are able to allow only a limited number of connections so you could only watch it by invite.  I haven't heard how the broadcast went though, but maybe steveflegel can respond and let me know how it went.

[Ralph Turner]

Ralph Turner
Would replacing NAIA and Div2 schools on our schedule with DIII schools only...even if we have to play some DIII schools twice in one season improve our overall chances in the playoff system?

Hello cris,

I think that playing D3 schools is always better.  If the only way you can get schools is to play them away, then going on the road and getting some split of the expenses may be an option.  The QOWI favors road over home by one point on the index all thru out the system.  Did defeating So Dakota St help UW-Lacrosse?  Maybe, but would a loss have helped them as well?  I don't think so.  Linfield did not benefit from their non-D3 games.

As I said, I think that Linfield's beating HSU would have given them a Pool B bid, even with losing to Whitworth.  In 2008, the NWC joins Pool A, and the at-large bids are tougher than in Pool B.

Also, Pool B is shrinking.  See my discussions on the Pool B boards.  The Pres AC takes it Pool B bid to Pool A next year.   In 2011, the SLIAC will take another Pool B bid to Pool A.  The NWC's migration to Pool A in 2008  may mean only a single Pool B bid remains in 2011.  That depends on the number of new schools adding football, but Pool B is going away, probably only to a single bid!  I hope that the NWC can get new teams out of Pacific and/or someone else.

Have a good day!

[dawg gone it]

Just an observation from someone who saw both teams play and who is supporting the SCIAC team. 

The Rats are bigger, stronger and faster. 

Both teams have a great qb and a very good offensive scheme. The Rats cant let Collins get on a roll.  The Tigers need to contain Clark on the run. Both teams have a good offense, the Rats may be a bit more balanced.

This game is decided IMO by who plays the best defense and, from what I saw, if I had to bet, Id pick the Rats.  However, go SCIAC.

[Browneagle64]

All you NWC guys that live near Whitworth are lucky. I hope that you guys will learn and see what Collins and Co. can really do once they are in rythm.

Can you fellas on this board please further explain how the O-line for the rats measure out. People keep on saying that they are big, but that does not seems to be the case. Btw, how many key returners do the bring back from last years O-line.

Homecoming for Andy will sure make him play above and beyond. Have fun watching him play and enjoy the game.

[wildcat11]

Don't think the Whitworth's offensive line is that big....Their offense is just zone block left and right with some counter mixed in.  Like Oxy, Whitworth doesn't have a running back that is any real danger.  Their best runner is their QB but Mike Allen is the dude that will hurt Oxy all day long. 

It doesn't seem that Oxy is as strong as last year and Whitworth's defense makes big plays.  People are saying this will be close but the more I look at it, the more I think Whitworth will win by a comfortable margin....14 points or more.

[Tuxguy]

Browneagle64,

No one lives close to Whitworth, upper North east corner of Washington. It's a long drive from any where on a 2 lane Hwy. Now if it was being played near Tacoma I'd be there.

It's "tuff" with my team turning in gear, but if you could explain what you meant by,
"I hope that you guys will learn and see what Collins and Co. can really do once they are in rhythm?"
I had the pleasure of watching Andy  and Co. play the Wildcats the last 2 years, is something different?
I think Both Qb's should be fun to watch. Both bring a different approach to the Qb position.

D O C,
thanks for the updates, The Lewis and Clark team will be fine in a few Years. From an inside source, They have a very large Football budget, and plan to recruit across the country. It wasn't long ago, 1996 when I was leaving the game with 2-3 minutes to go and watched from outside the fence 3 pass attempts or something inside the 10, fall to the ground and save the streak! 
Good luck guys, keep it in the West!

Good luck this weekend guys, keep it in the West!

Nice photo's cawcdad, you missed the nice one of the handsome   8) Father and   8) son team. Just kidding, please don't! 

[wildcat11]

Very Sad News today out at Linfield as Freshman Women's Basketball Player, Chelsea Peterson (Hockinson, Wash) died on early Sunday morning in a single car accident near Newberg.

http://www.linfield.edu/sports/release.php?id=1778

Please take a moment out of your day to send a positive thought, prayer, condolences for the Peterson family and Hockinson/Linfield communities.

[Browneagle64]

Tuxguy,

What i was trying to say was that for all the whitworth fans that have not seen Andy and Co. play then they should learn how this offense works. I know that you guys(linfield posters)l have seen oxy play for the past two years. For those rat fans that haven't seen Andy play, he sure will be different than what Clark offers.

And yes even i will learn about Joel Clark as well.

Thanks for the Info and insight. Please keep it coming