Game 7 Preview: Linfield (5-1) at Pacific Lutheran (2-3)

One of Wildcat11's favorite games of the year.

Time to hit the road again for Linfield’s second longest road trip of the season as the ‘Cats will point the buses North on I-5 and make their way up to Sparks Stadium in Puyallup to face long-time foe, Pacific Lutheran. Don’t let the PLU record fool you.  The Lutes’ are 13 points away from being 5-0 and making this weekend a showdown for control of the Northwest Conference. Yes, PLU have lost those game but this is a team where every game has been decided, win or loss, by 13 points or less. It’s just been tight game after tight game for Pacific Lutheran. With Linfield having issues on offense with health and productivity, this could be very well a game where Linfield gets more than just a stiff challenge. Linfield could very well get a game that doesn’t get decided until late in the 4th quarter.

Where the ‘Cats are physically and emotionally this weekend will be something to keep an eye on. Linfield’s offensive line had multiple starters playing with nagging injuries, lost a starting receiver due to injury before the Fox game, and not sure the status of a few defensive players as we go into this weekend as well. The ‘Cats depth and ability to develop talent is being tested this season. Just look at the offensive unit. Starting at the skill positions this past Saturday; starting at wide receiver was a senior, sophomore, and a freshman. Starting running back is a sophomore in his first year in the program. Starting quarterback is a sophomore in his first year in the program. Tight End is a sophomore.   It’s a talented but still young group of players overall.  I’m not surprised there have been some ups and downs on offense this season but eventually, the ‘Cats need this group to solidify and raise their level of play. I’m hoping that if the offensive line can get healthier over the next three weeks will help get this offense on track to being a game changer.

On the other side of the football, the Linfield defense has been leaving their mark all over opposition quarterbacks this season and more.  The expectations were high for the defensive line and linebackers and both units have lived up to the hype. It’s been impressive to see them snuff out rushing attack after rushing attack and get after quarterbacks on passing downs. But what has made this defense complete so far in 2017 has been the play of the ‘Cats defensive backs. There was a lot of concern going into camp about if there was enough playmaking out of this group and the Linfield DB’s has done nothing but put those concerns to bed. It’s actually a diverse group of players in terms of style but they function so well as a unit. On top of that, it seems like nobody on the field for either team has more fun playing the game than these dudes.

The Linfield special teams have been a mixed bag.  The kicking has been excellent and critical to the success of the 2017 Linfield Wildcats.  The return game has been solid but not game breaking, but the kickoff team still needs to prove something in terms of their coverage.  They will need to bring it against the Lutes in order for the ‘Cats to help control the field.

Overall, this has been a fun team and fun season up to this point. I still contend that the 2017 Linfield Wildcats haven’t played their best football game and still have to have a daily sense of urgency in getting better and taking every single opponent remaining on the schedule as a serious threat. Linfield is going to have to keep that playoff mentality this weekend against a PLU program that loves the challenge of playing Linfield and will no doubt bring their best fight at the ‘Cats for a full four quarters.

Wildcat11’s Keys To Victory:

Bring the physicality: The ‘Cats have to bring the physicality on Saturday. PLU is a team that plays with emotion and togetherness so you know they are going to bring the effort on Saturday. Linfield has owned this series since the early 00’s because of the physicality the Wildcats play with. That has to be the calling card for Linfield in Washington this Saturday.  From the interior players to receivers on the edges, the ‘Cats have to be physically attacking the Lutes and then attack some more.

Establish a rushing attack: This is a good defense that Linfield is going to face. The Lutes are only allowing 19.0 points per game and are led by an outstanding secondary.  That secondary is only allowing 208.6 passing yards a game and has piled up 8 picks on the year so it’s critical for Linfield to establish a rushing attack to not have to play into the strength of the Lutes’ defense.  Get bodies on bodies and let’s get those shoulders going downfield.

Make the PLU offense one dimensional: Along with all the formations and motion, the Wildcat defense is going to see lots of veer and run/pass/options concepts. PLU spreads the wealth on the ground but quarterback Cole Chandler is their best playmaker rushing the football. This Lute team loves running play action and the best way for play action to be effective is if you get the running game going. IMO, the ‘Cats have to make the PLU running game an afterthought and makes those play action fakes less effective to help bottle up the big plays. 

Play assignment football: Both the PLU offense and defense throws a ton of looks at you.  On defense, they have linebackers coming from all different angles and positions of the field and offense you are going to once again see a ton of formations and motion to get the defense out of alignment and confused.  Linfield has to be great on their assignments and with their in-game communications. PLU thrives on chaos so it’s on the Wildcat players to be solid coming into this weekend’s game on being prepared.

Team pass protection: The Lutes get after the quarterback with their blitzing defense and currently average over 3 sacks a football game. Linfield has had a few bad protection days in a row and the ‘Cats offensive line, running backs, and tight ends need to rise to the challenge and allow our QB’s to process and make decisions upright in the pocket.

3rd/4th down defense: Not only do the ‘Cats need to get the Lutes’ offense off the field on 3rd down but Linfield has to be ready to bring in on 4th down as well.  PLU goes for it on 4th down almost 3 times a game and I’m assuming will be doing the same this Saturday.  These 4th down stops will be critical moments that will be huge emotional swings. Bring it.

Play with a disciplined edge: Up above, I talked about being the more physical team but please remember that physical doesn’t equal being out of control with decision making and with your emotions. The ‘Cats need to show they can play on the edge without falling off and getting unnecessary penalties.

Overall

‘Cats by 10.  Linfield is a banged-up football team coming off an emotional win. PLU is better than their record indicates and is used to playing in tight football games. This has all the appearances of a game that could be a tight one if the ‘Cats don’t bring the heat from the very snap. I suspect that PLU will be jacked for this football game and throw the kitchen sink at the ‘Cats.  I’m excited to see how the Linfield respond this weekend and think this ‘Cats team will be fully ready to play with emotion and urgency. Go ‘Cats!