RFC Small College Preview: Northwest Conference (NWC)--(NCAA Division III)

Northwest Conference (NWC)


2014 Standings


Looking back: The Linfield College Wildcats extended their record streak of consecutive winning seasons to 59 straight in 2014, as they advanced to the national semifinals of the NCAA Division III playoffs en route to an 11-2 overall record. Despite a valiant effort, however, the Wildcats fell to eventual national champion Wisconsin-Whitewater, 20-14.

Looking ahead: While Linfield will be shooting for its 60th straight winning season, the Wildcats will likely get challenges from perennial Northwest Conference (NWC) nemesis Pacific Lutheran, as well as league upstart Pacific (Ore.).

Predicted order of finish (2014 overall record in parentheses):

1. Linfield (11-2): The Wildcats are the obvious team to beat in the NWC going into 2015. Until another team proves otherwise, that is.

2. Pacific Lutheran (7-2): With five straight winning seasons of their own under their belt, the Lutes hope to finally break through this fall, and dethrone Linfield.

3. Pacific (Ore.)--(6-3):  It took the Boxers just four seasons to finally achieve a winning record. Now, after finishing second in the NWC at 6-1 last season--including an upset win over the aforementioned Pacific Lutheran, they hope to take the next step towards a conference title and a potential berth in the NCAA Division III playoffs.

4. Whitworth (6-4): As the lone NWC squad to play 10 regular season games, the Pirates hope to improve on last year's 4-3 record in conference play from a year ago, by playing a full 10-game schedule again, this year.

5. Willamette (5-4): The Bearcats will play just two games outside of Oregon this fall: the season opener at Trinity (Tex.) on September 12, as well as trip to Pacific Lutheran on October 10.

6. Puget Sound (4-5): The Loggers will look to log their first winning season since 2006, when they finished 7-3 overall.

7. George Fox (1-8): The Bruins face a steep challenge in their second year since they resumed their football progam after a 46-year hiatus last season.

8. Lewis & Clark (0-9): The Pioneers have turned to former Linfield head coach Jay Locey to try and turn around their struggling program.

 
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