Week 9: NWC Pick 'ems

Yeah, I know Menlo is in town but I'm still hoping the 'Cats Students will show up in force.

Nice! Wildcat11 picked up the pace last week in going 6 for 7 and I can't believe St. John Fisher lost to stinking Alfred. How embarrassing to say you lost to a school called "Alfred". Turn in your man card SJF. With the solid week, WC11 is still locked into a 1st place tie on the NWC pick 'em page with a season count of 41 for 54 (75.9%) which is pretty dang solid. We have a few extra games to chose this week that might break up the race at the top so I better be on my game.

Northwest Conference Games:

Willamette (5-2) over Whitworth (4-3) (at Whitworth): Going up to the Pine Bowl is always a long hard road trip but Willamette is just a better team and should get the road win here. The Bearcats have a solid run defense and will shut down the Rats run offense. Withworth's might be within arm's reach at half but Willamette will pullaway with a solid double digit win.

Pacific Lutheran (5-1) over Lewis & Clark (4-2) (at L&C): This could be a very entertaining game up on Palentine Hills. While PLU has been a very good home team this season they have played so-so on the road in squeaking out some tight victories over sub-par compeitition. L&C has and explosive offense that will test the Lutes but PLU still has the better experience and talent that will win out the day for PLU.

Puget Sound (1-6) over Pacific (0-6) (at UPS): For the second time this season these two teams meet at the Mourge up in Tacoma. In the opening contest UPS beat the brand new Boxers 36-19 and while I expect UPS to get the win here I believe it will be a tight game with the Boxers starting to gain a little traction.

West Region Games of the Week:

Occidental (4-2) over Chapman (3-3) (at Chapman): The Tigers from Oxy were steamed roll last week by Redlands and that has to but a bitter taste on the tonge of the Tigers. Chapman is just o.k. and that's being nice. Look for Oxy to drop an elbow from the top rope for the big win.

Whittier (1-5) over Pomona Pitzer (0-6) (at P-P): Wow...we have a real crapfest here. Look for the Poets to write themselves up a victory and that's all the effort I'm going to put into that game.

National Games of the Week:

Cortland State (6-1) over #14 Montclair State (7-0) (at Cortland State): HUGE game in the NJAC this week as the top two teams and East Region Contenders (JV of DIII regions) face off in Cortland, New York. We have to teams that put up a little over 30 points a game and only give up under 10 points a game. I like Cortland due to the fact they are the home team and I had to pick at least one upset this week. Go Red Dragons!

Wabash (6-1) over Allegheny (5-2) (at Wabash): Big implications on the line for Wabash as they are trying to keep their name in the NCAC championship race and potential Pool C consideration. Allengheny has been beaten twice but by slim margins and I think they will drop their 3rd close game because Wabash always fights.