Game 2 Preview: Linfield vs La Verne

Kickoff at the 'Catdome is slated for Noon.  Be there.

That Bye Week felt like a lifetime. Thankfully it's over and the 'Cats can get back to the task at hand, which is zeroing in on the next rung in the 2011 ladder. The rung this Saturday is a non-conference get together with the Leopards of La Verne University out of the SCIAC. The is the 2nd and final installment of a 2-year agreement with La Verne as last year the 'Cats went down to a blistering hot Los Angeles and put in a sound but not very exciting 30-3 victory. Since we've last seen La Verne there has been much change for the Leos. Out is Head Coach (and man who agreed to play the 'Cats) Andy Ankeny, who compiled a 4-32 record over 4 years and in is new head coach Christopher Krich. Krich comes to La Verne from Millikin University (Ill.) where he spent 5 years as the Big Blue's Defensive Coordinator. Krich has a solid foundation of experience but has a big task on hand in rebuilding a La Verne program which has suffered for years.

Starting off the year, La Verne, has the same schedule setup as the 'Cats, where the Leo's opened up play on September 10, had a Bye-Week, and are now getting back into action. The difference is La Verne didn't start the season off on a great note in getting hammered by a very strong Azusa Pacific (#15 NAIA) by the tune of 65-14. It's obvious that La Verne is going to have some growing pains and going to need time to see some positive growth as a program.

Turning to our 'Cats, while there is much to be optimistic about, this Linfield team has yet to arrive and have plenty of areas to grow and improve as a team. Don't get me wrong, beating CLU 24-14 to start the season was fantastic and some questions hanging over the team were answered but this team can't afford to just rest on the accomplishments of a single victory. The 'Cats need to be on a roll headed into game number 3 and can't afford to have an uninspired effort at home this Saturday. That's the danger of having some inexperience at some spots is getting comfortable too quickly and that's when you can let a lesser team catch you napping at the wheel. I'll be curious to see how mentally and emotionally sharp the 'Cats will be on Saturday.

GET TO KNOW A WILDCAT

#70 Jordan Barnes, Senior, Offensive Guard

Favorite Place in Mac to Eat: Golden Valley Brew Pub

Favorite Movie: The Dark Knight

Favorite Music: Rap and Hip Hop

Favorite TV Show: Sons of Anarchy

Favorite Pro Football team: STEELERS!!!

Class I Most Look Forward to: Engineering Statics and Dynamics

Mac or PC: PC

Cpu Homepage: Find me on Facebook and Twitter

Xbox, PS3, or WII: XBOX (What real gamers play)

Favorite Coach Hire Saying: HBR (Heart break ridge)

Do O-Linemen always cheat: O-Linemen never cheat, we always play within the rules and are probably the best at doing so.

Worst part about being an offensive lineman: Not having a 6 pack

Your Favorite Part About Playing at Linfield is: The history of this school and knowing I'm playing for something much bigger than myself. Also the family atmosphere is incredible.

Post Linfield aspirations? Becoming an engineer. Either Civil or Structural.

Wildcat11's Keys To Victory:

Come out early and take care of business: Linfield needs to be ready to be sharp and play with the same type of emotion that we saw on September 10th. You don't get too many opportunities to play in a college football game so it would be foolish for the 'Cats to mail in an effort when Linfield needs to be getting better in many aspects of the game. I want to see the 'Cats come out, put the hammer down, and not let off the gas until Coach Smith calls off the dogs...errr...'Cats.

Be the more physical team upfront: Linfield's offensive line did a great job in running the ball in the season opener and I know the Linfield faithful would LOVE to see more of this physical attack up front. Defensively, I'm looking for the same thing. Get after it on those passing downs/situations and create havoc when La Verne tries to establish the run game. Linfield can put this game out of reach in a hurry if we dominate upfront.

Keep Mickey Inns on his feet: Mickey took a beating vs CLU and that had to bother the 'Cats offensive line and running backs to no end. Let's keep our QB upright in the pocket so we can get the ball down field.

Take care of the football: We've seen it before, one team is clearly superior but it winds up being a tight ball game because the "superior" team gets sloppy with the football. It winds up making believers out of the team on the other sideline and next thing you know it's a major fight to the end. Linfield needs to be better in the Red Zone and not put the ball on the ground. No Freebies.

Overall

'Cats by 24+   Look, if Linfield comes out sharp and ready to play then there is no reason the 'Cats shouldn't put La Verne down early and not let them off the mat. However, if the 'Cats are sloppy and don't have their head's right the Leo's are going to be more that willing to punch the 'Cats between the eyes and try to make major waves. Over the past two years, we've seen lesser teams give the 'Cats fits at home, the first case was in 2009, when a bad UPS team was hanging around in the 4th quarter (41-36) before the 'Cats finally put the dagger in late. Then last year, an O.K. Whitworth had a 17-14 lead over Linfield at half before the 'Cats snapped out of it and strung 28 straight points together in the 2nd half.

This 2011 Linfield team isn't at the place where they can roll the ball on the field and phone it in. They need to come out, bring the hard hat, and get to work. If Linfield does have the right approach then it should be a beautiful day in the valley. Go 'Cats!