FB: Northwest Conference

[Foss]

Willamette becomes the 4th different NWC team to win at least one playoff game in the last 8 years, this time taking out a #2 seed. More than half the frickin' conference with playoff success. And moreso, in what is widely known as the most difficult region top to bottom to win playoff games. How many other conferences (especially with only 7 teams) in all of D3, if any, can say that?

Good to see Bluenote and Tuxguy. Nice meeting BearcatPress – enjoy the run and I'm sure you'll have fun writing up the game story on this one!

Congrats, Willamette. Hopefully your boys can find a way to come up with the game of their lives next Saturday against the juggernaut from Wizzy. I think they're going to need it.

...edited due to bbaddicts correction............

[bbaddict]

Good points, Foss.  Actually the NWC has only 7 teams for football, so the math is even better!

[Foss]

bbaddict, thanks for the correction. For some reason, ever since Menlo was added to the NWC for football I keep thinking there are 8 teams instead of 7. At any rate, you're right. 4 out of 7 - yep, even better math.

[(509)Rat]

Oxy reminded me of a decent UPS or Whitworth team

I can't believe you just compared Whitworth to UPS...not even close.  A decent Whitworth team (this season) is equivalent to a decent Linfield team at least.

[bluenote]

Oxy reminded me of a decent UPS or Whitworth team

I can't believe you just compared Whitworth to UPS...not even close.  A decent Whitworth team (this season) is equivalent to a decent Linfield team at least.

I see what you mean...but I guess they just reminded me of Whitworth with their outfit color scheme.

[Mr. Ypsi]

The CCIW has had four different teams win playoff games in just the last five years.  Of course, we are an 8-team conference (if you absolutely insist on counting North Park ).

It helps that we generally don't have to face Mt. Union until the 2nd or 3rd round.

[(509)Rat]

Ok Bluenote, I can see where you were going with that now...

[Foss]

Mr. Ypsi, interesting. I wonder if there are any other conferences with 4 or more teams with playoff wins this millennium, or if that's it. Any from the East like the E8 maybe? The sight is too overloaded for me to check their previous seasons right now.

[(509)Rat]

So much for a kinder and gentler Wildcat nation...one of you knows what I'm talking about

[river]

Props again to the Bearcats!!!  Great win against a tough Oxy team.  WWW will be an even tougher opponent if the Warhawks can put together anything like the game they had against Mount Union last year.    
Warhawks win 2007 Stagg Bowl(courtesy WC11)

GO BEARCATS!!!  GO NWC!!!

[bluenote]

So much for a kinder and gentler Wildcat nation...one of you knows what I'm talking about

We're always kind, especially when we're on the outside looking in..........

[BoBo]

Now,now,

perhaps the best team Willamette has played all year, besides LINFIELD

we are a Kinder, Gentler WILDCAT Nation, not a more apologetic one. There was truth in that statement. Just because we let them do to us what they did to the SCIAC undefeated Champion.....

Besides, we probably have to root for them because now a) they will be an underdog to the defending National Champion  b) the hawks that stole your dream are, once again, coming near the den

I don't know that the Bearcats will be underdogs. Today, UWW is #4, WU is #6. If there's much of a point spread at all, it'll probably be less than a touchdown, especially with the game being in Salem. If I were making book on this game, I'd probably have the Bearcats at -2.5 to open and see where the money falls.

Go Bearcats!

Point - Counter Point...

9/27  UWW 60 @ Puget Sound 7   

11/8  Puget Sound 27 @ Willamette 48

Rankings are meanngless, in my mind.  UWW has arguably improved since that early season trip to Puget Sound, half way across the country for the young Warhawks. They did play a stinker against Stevens Point and I think they learned a lot from that game.  I'm not too sure about Puget Sound, but Willamette was on a roll all year.  IMO, most observers outside the NW would probably favor UWW in this game (being playoff tested and defending national champs) or at worse, call it a pick'em game, when considering it's being played at Willamette. However, something to think about, the Warhawks top RB, freshman Levell Coppage, left the game in the 3rd quarter with an ankle injury.  He never returned, but his back-up, Antwan Anderson piled up 157 second half rushing yards and 2 TD's against what was a very good Johnnie defense coming into the game. If Coppage can't go next week, Anderson provides a difference in style, but nevertheless, little drop off in talent. The UWW defense is battle tested, well coached, physical and fast. They are a small in the backfield, but make up for it in skill.  Line play will be crucial. Warhawks overpowered the Johnnies on both sides of the ball and simply wore them down. The mis-direction and deception of the fly is something UWW doesn't see, but they are good enough to make the adjustments necessary to be effective, IMO.  Should be one of the best second round match-ups.

[bbaddict]

So much for a kinder and gentler Wildcat nation...one of you knows what I'm talking about

It's OK Rat, I've got your back!

[MonroviaCat]

So much for a kinder and gentler Wildcat nation...one of you knows what I'm talking about

It's OK Rat, I've got your back!

I am so confused.... did somebody take Blue seriously again? 

[Foss]

IMO, most observers outside the NW would probably favor UWW in this game (being playoff tested and defending national champs) or at worse, call it a pick'em game

BoBo, I'm a NWC honk who is hoping Willamette will challenge UWW, but thinks the Warhawks are the favorite, even without the homefield. Defending champs and 3 straight Stagg appearances is enough for me.