2017 Game 3 Preview: Linfield (1-1) vs Whitworth (3-0)

You Ready?

After a week off to reassess this 2017 Linfield team and shake off a tough loss to the University of Mary-Hardin Baylor, the ‘Cats are back and kicking off Northwest Conference play with a giant football game. Coming to town is the undefeated and red-hot Whitworth Pirates who have lit up the competition and filled their roster with confidence that this is the year they could dethrone the ‘Cats as the top team in the NWC. The Rats have good reason to be confident, as their offense is led by one of the best quarterbacks in Division III in Ian Kolste who is paired with a deep and fine receiver group.  The Kolste led offense has been on a blistering pace in putting up 554.0 yards per game and tacking up 52.7 points per contest.  In watching Kolste, he’s in total command of the offense as he has a full grip on where his receivers are at all times and knows if his primary targets are not available, he can quickly unload to his always present release valves. It has been impressive to watch.

In all the talk about the Whitworth offense, what has truly made the difference and turned the Rats into a scary team has been the turnaround of their defense.   In the previous three seasons under the Sandberg era, the Rats defense has been the suspect at times in allowing 28.5 points per games from 2014-2016. So far this season, Whitworth is only allowing 7.7 points per game as the Rats defensively switched from a 3-4 to a 4-3 front. The switch has been just what the doctor ordered for Whitworth as the Pirates defense looks much more physical at the point of attack and has done a fantastic job in keeps points off the board.  You pair the turnaround of the defense, with an electric offense, and solid special teams and you have a legit contender to come knocking for what Linfield has owned since 2009.

For the ‘Cats, I’m stating the obvious that this is big. The playoffs for Linfield started just as soon as the clock vs. UMHB hit 00:00. The path to reach the long term goals for this Linfield team is now much narrower than at the start of the season. The ‘Cats have had two weeks to grow from an UMHB game where Linfield’s staff was truly able to gauge where the roster needs to be fine-tuned before NWC play starts. What we do know is that Linfield’s defense has a chance to be very good.  Our defensive line can create pressure without the need to bring extra bodies and leave the secondary more exposed than needed.  That is a big reveal so far this season.  Along with that, our linebacking corp has lived up to the hype with their combination of experience, speed, and physicality.  Linfield is going to need our front line of the defense primed and ready to go because our emerging secondary is going to get their first real challenge in the passing game this weekend.

Offensively,  I know that the game vs UMHB felt like a step backward but Linfield, myself, and our fans need to realize that UMHB defense is the cream of the crop in Division III and the reason the Cru will be heavy favorites to repeat as Champs. There was no hiding from where this offense must improve upon but I’m incredibly confident that our offense is going to continue to grow as this season moves along and is going to become an explosive group. We have skill and talent bubbling all over the place, it’s mostly a matter of getting this group firing on the same page play after play after play. When this happens, the 2017 Linfield Wildcats are going to be a nightmare to deal with. But we all know that needs to start happening this Saturday in the ‘Catdome.  My gut feeling is that the identity of this offense is going to be a run-first offense and burn you with big passing plays. That’s where this offense needs to go to reach the potential that’s on the roster and once they get there....look out.

I’m fired up for Saturday. This is a gut check moment for our ‘Cats to see if they can answer the call and face a program that’s has been circling this game for about 3 years. Whitworth is a worthy challenger and Saturday should have a playoff game atmosphere.

  

Wildcat11’s Keys To Victory

Playing to this Roster’s Potential: This team is close to forming up like Voltron but they need to forget the Linfield teams of year’s past and just find their own identity and let it rip.  That’s been the beauty of Linfield football for the past 60 years.  Each team upon itself had its own unique skill set and personality. That’s what this 2017 team needs to decide; just who they are and jump into the fight with that identity as a shield and a weapon.

PRESSURE: The ability for Linfield’s front four to make Ian Kolste uncomfortable is paramount in this game. If Linfield can’t move him off his spot and can’t put him into the turf time after time, it could be a long game for the Wildcat defense.  Kolste internal clock is excellent but there are times where he’ll hang onto the ball to let the routes develop downfield. The ‘Cats defensive line has to be the hammer and have the gas pedal down to the floor the entire game.

Establish the Running Game: I’m sure the Whitworth coaching staff has been preaching it for two weeks that if the Rats are going to win, they have to limit the ‘Cats rushing attack. They’re right.  Linfield must be able to gash the Rats defense on the ground in order to control this game and set up the big play passing attack. If Linfield can get North/South and challenge the Whitworth safeties to get more involved stopping the run, the rest of the offense is going to open up for the ‘Cats.  

Win 3rd down: The Pirates currently sit #3 in the country in 3rd down offense in converting at a 57.8% clip (26 conversions on 45 attempts) and the Rats defense is allowing teams to only convert 18.8% of the time (9 conversions on 48 attempts – 4th in D3). That’s where these games with Whitworth has been won or lost since the 2014 season.  The ‘Cats defense has to have answers on 3rd down and Linfield must be in short yard situations during the game in order to get that conversion rate high and keep giving the ‘Cats offense the advantage.

Makes Plays on the Football: Needless to say but the ball will be in the air early and often against Whitworth.  I’m sure the Rats will try to show a run game to keep Linfield’s defense honest but the ‘Cats defensive backs are going to have their first real challenge.  Our DB’s have to rise to the occasion and be aggressive when that football gets put up in the air.  On the flip side, our offense has to do better as well on the deep ball and make those big plays that this offense needs.

Cash in on every scoring possibility:  Whitworth is going to score. I think Linfield’s defense has a chance to keep the Rats down but they are going to get points up on the board so it’s imperative that Linfield coverts on every possible opportunity to get the ball into the end zone or split the uprights. The ‘Cats can squander points on Saturday if they want to win.

Own the Field Positon Battle: Gonna have to get it done in this department.  Linfield can ill afford to give Whitworth short porches to operate offensively and the ‘Cats offense can spend the game pinned deep in their own territory. This ties back into winning on 3rd down but also on our special teams to be lights out.  Whitworth has some dudes that can hurt you in the return game do a great job in coverage. The ‘Cats special teams have to rise to the challenge and own this phase of the game.

Overall

‘Cats by 3. I’ve done lots of typing here but ultimately, like it is every game, it’s up to the players to execute the game plan and get it done. While Whitworth won’t have the physicality of UMHB, if Linfield sleeps on Whitworth’s ability to move the ball and job they’ve done on defense this season, then this game is lost before it begins. The Rats are legit and Linfield must put it together this weekend if the ‘Cats want to become the team they want to be this season.  I’m a believer and when the dust settles on Saturday afternoon it’s going to be a great day in the valley. Go ‘Cats!