FB: Northwest Conference

[wildcat11]

Being a UWW fan, i think the NCAA gave UWEC the benefit-of-the-doubt for going 5-2 in the toughest conference in DIII. It's very tough to win on the road in the WIAC. Even Whitewater had a couple close ones on the road, With that being said UWEC had a better strength of schedule than Whitworth did.

Sure the WIAC is the toughest confernece in D3 but UWEC isn't more deserving than Whitworth.  It's not like the Rats are playing a crap conference.  I believe the NWC is considered one of the top 5 conferences in the country.  The Rats only lost one D3 game on the year (to a conference champion and playoff team) while EC lost to a 3-7 River Falls team.  That alone should have sealed the deal. 

It's a terrible snub. 

*note of reference:  The NWC is 7-4 vs the WIAC during the d3football.com era.  (This doesn't mean that the NWC is a "better" conference but just pointing out that the NWC does just fine vs our cheese eating friends).
 

[speedybigboy]

Funny, I received the exact same copy and paste message from Mr. Burrow. He would not directly answer my question as to what happened for UWEC to jump Whitworth in the regional rankings. I think we know by now that nothing actually happened. Also, no response as to why a loss to a 3-7 team would not be a "major factor", much more so than a loss to a conference champ who is going to the playoffs, especially when this was a second D3 loss to Whitworth's one.

Pathetic.

Being a UWW fan, i think the NCAA gave UWEC the benefit-of-the-doubt for going 5-2 in the toughest conference in DIII. It's very tough to win on the road in the WIAC. Even Whitewater had a couple close ones on the road, With that being said UWEC had a better strength of schedule than Whitworth did.

02 Warhawk,

I won't dispute that you have a tough conference but so is the NWC.  NWC vs. WIAC this year was 2-1, and I know that with so few games it's hard to compare.  Whitworth had tough games to deal with also, PLU, Linfield, & Willamette and while they drew 2 out of 3 at home they still won out.

[downtown48]

Being a UWW fan, i think the NCAA gave UWEC the benefit-of-the-doubt for going 5-2 in the toughest conference in DIII.  

This may indeed be the case and I think everybody would be able to move on a lot easier if everyone would simply admit that there is some subjectivity that goes into the process.  Either that or make the final regional rankings public so that there isn't this big veil of secrecy involved in the process.  

Done on this topic...Whitworth got screwed, there's no way around it...it won't be an issue next year...win the conference and you're in!...now, onto rooting for a first round Monkey Stomp of Redlands and UWEC!  

[02 Warhawk]

Funny, I received the exact same copy and paste message from Mr. Burrow. He would not directly answer my question as to what happened for UWEC to jump Whitworth in the regional rankings. I think we know by now that nothing actually happened. Also, no response as to why a loss to a 3-7 team would not be a "major factor", much more so than a loss to a conference champ who is going to the playoffs, especially when this was a second D3 loss to Whitworth's one.

Pathetic.

Being a UWW fan, i think the NCAA gave UWEC the benefit-of-the-doubt for going 5-2 in the toughest conference in DIII. It's very tough to win on the road in the WIAC. Even Whitewater had a couple close ones on the road, With that being said UWEC had a better strength of schedule than Whitworth did.

02 Warhawk,

I won't dispute that you have a tough conference but so is the NWC.  NWC vs. WIAC this year was 2-1, and I know that with so few games it's hard to compare.  Whitworth had tough games to deal with also, PLU, Linfield, & Willamette and while they drew 2 out of 3 at home they still won out.

Yea, you might be right. But the two top schools in the NWC beat two week teams in the WIAC (both close games in fact). Goes to show the bottom of the WIAC can compete with the top teams in most conferences.

[wildcat11]

Yea, you might be right. But the two top schools in the NWC beat two week teams in the WIAC (both close games in fact). Goes to show the bottom of the WIAC can compete with the top teams in most conferences.

True...but the difference is that the NWC teams didn't lose to those bottom teams while EC did. 

BTW, Linfield finshed tied for second and held the tie breaker over PLU but I'm really spliting hairs at this point.

[Pat Coleman]

Pat....what is the reasoning behind UWEC going ahead of Whitworth? There has to be some type of explanation.....if you could find that out we would all be greatfull. This might mean that if Linfield would have beat Whitworth...they may not have gone either so I guess we all have a special interest in knowing what happened and the basis for the snub.

They both had 2 overall losses but Whitworth had 1 DIII loss where as UWEC had 2 DIII losses....what were the deciding factors??? It would seem that same division win/loss % would be primary criteria?

Pat....what is the reasoning behind UWEC going ahead of Whitworth? There has to be some type of explanation.....if you could find that out we would all be greatfull. This might mean that if Linfield would have beat Whitworth...they may not have gone either so I guess we all have a special interest in knowing what happened and the basis for the snub.

They both had 2 overall losses but Whitworth had 1 DIII loss where as UWEC had 2 DIII losses....what were the deciding factors??? It would seem that same division win/loss % would be primary criteria?

Still waiting for an answer on this......Pat?

George....I just sent an email also. Maybe one of us will get an answer as to what they were thinking? Hopefully someone will post it.

Still no answer from Pat or Keith......I thought they had connections?    

Right. This isn't demanding at all. 

The people being critical of the e-mail responses they receive should sit back for a second and ask if they expect different responses to the same question. How ridiculous would that be? And how ridiculous is it to expect a busy person to rewrite individual responses when receiving the same question over and over?

[RedandPurple]

"...It was a very difficult decision, but Whitworth did not have as high a ranking as the other teams when a full analysis of the selection criteria was performed.  I would also point out that Whitworth's loss to Redlands played a major factor in how the teams were ultimately ranked in the region. My job as staff liaison is to sit in with the committee and work with them to assure that all the criteria is followed.  The six-hours that the committee reviewed and analyzed the team followed all policies and procedures."

Agree or disagree this sounds like a clear answer to me. Forget about the it's all about the money thinking.
Perhaps Whitworth needs to follow Linfields example next time and "Leave No Doubt".

This season is over, time to move on.

CATDOME LIVES!

No offense to you RnP but I don't think he answered the question AT ALL.  The question is not where Whitworth ranks in relation to Redlands but in relation to Eau Claire.  When I get a chance later today I intend to go over the "criteria", but from what I remember Whitworth should be in ahead of Eau Claire.  Then I will move on and support REDLANDS in the playoffs.

Off the subject of football, as I celebrate Veterans Day today, I'd like to thank all the Veterans who have served our country.  They have ensured that we continue to have the Freedom of Speech we so thoroughly enjoy in this venue.

No offense taken speedy...sports and disappointments go hand in hand. Rankings, games, outcomes, scores, et al. always linger on, I'm sure there are still some pop warner and high school games that we all wish we could have back or thought the outcome should have been different.

I join you in honoring all our VETERANS today and everyday.

A man who is good enough to shed his blood for the country is good enough to be given a square deal afterwards.
Theodore Roosevelt

[swede]

Swede,


OK, what did you do to get Gene Foreman in trouble in archery? Who did you shoot with an arrow?

Coco
Those large round archery targerts stood against the back of the right field baseball fence this was nothing new it was always done that way. P.E. was my last period of the day and that week we were out there with or bow and arrows and Loyal Rich was having infield practice (game day) I had the bow and arrow above my head and when bringing it down I pulled the string back before I should have and OOPS the arrow slipped from my grasp and went high and straight at the second baseman. a split second before it stuck nicely in the ground coach Rich hit one to the second baseman causing him to move. The coach yelled for eveyone to come in. I can't remember what Gene said but that was the last time they ever had target practice there. I doubt Gene would ever forget this one.

Where is Gene now?

[Gray Fox]

Swede,

  +k for coming clean.

[speedybigboy]

Yea, you might be right. But the two top schools in the NWC beat two week teams in the WIAC (both close games in fact). Goes to show the bottom of the WIAC can compete with the top teams in most conferences.

True...but the difference is that the NWC teams didn't lose to those bottom teams while EC did. 

BTW, Linfield finshed tied for second and held the tie breaker over PLU but I'm really spliting hairs at this point.

11,
Even as a Lute fan I'd readily admit that we were the 3rd best team in the conference, you beat us H2H, and handily I might add.

[speedybigboy]

No offense taken speedy...sports and disappointments go hand in hand. Rankings, games, outcomes, scores, et al. always linger on, I'm sure there are still some pop warner and high school games that we all wish we could have back or thought the outcome should have been different.

I join you in honoring all our VETERANS today and everyday.

A man who is good enough to shed his blood for the country is good enough to be given a square deal afterwards.
Theodore Roosevelt

Well, since I never played on a winning football team until I went to PLU, there aren't a whole lot of pop warner and high school games I'd wish to have back.    

There is one game, one play to be specific, that I would like to replay though, from the 1983 NAIA D2 Championship.

Two if you count the cheap shot from a Logger that took out my ACL and ended my senior year in the 2nd game.

Great quote from Teddy!

[speedybigboy]

At the top of each page it now lists who is logged in.  Nice new feature.

[Pat Coleman]

It's here on a trial basis. We'll see what happens.

[speedybigboy]

It's here on a trial basis. We'll see what happens.

8)

[speedybigboy]

Yea, you might be right. But the two top schools in the NWC beat two week teams in the WIAC (both close games in fact). Goes to show the bottom of the WIAC can compete with the top teams in most conferences.

02 Warhawk,

I wouldn't call the PLU-River Falls game close.