NWC Week 11 Predictions...

Pacific Lutheran vs Menlo

       (6-2)                     (4-5)

Last week:  Pacific Lutheran is coming off an impressive 35-14 win over Whitworth; Menlo is coming off a 31-21 loss to St. Francis (IL). 

Thoughts entering the game:  These two teams come into the game going in opposite directions.  After starting out the season 1-2, with the losses coming to Cal Lutheran and Linfield, Pacific Lutheran has won five straight games, and enters the contest ranked 24th in the nation.  Menlo started out the season 4-1 and looking like a very explosive team offensively; they come in having lost four straight games, the Fly offense getting slowed to a crawl.  While this game won’t affect PLU’s second-place spot in the NWC standings, a playoff berth is at stake for the Lutes, and that may be all the motivation they need.

Prediction:  Pacific Lutheran

Willamette vs Pudget Sound

         (7-2)              (0-8)

Last Week:  Willamette is fresh off a come-from-behind win over Pacific, beating the Boxers on the road 35-31.  Pudget Sound is coming off a 47-7 loss to Third-ranked Linfield.    

Thoughts entering the game:  This game has the look of an absolute blowout, as has been the norm for UPS this season.  Willamette has the second-best offense in the conference, and UPS has arguably the worst defense in the nation.  The Loggers offense is the worst in the NWC, while the Willamette defense is a solid unit.  Don’t really see Willamette having to survive an upset bid this week.     

Winner:  Willamette

Whitworth vs Lewis & Clark

       (6-3)                (4-4)

Last Week:  Whitworth is coming off a 35-14 loss to Pacific Lutheran.  The Pirates trailed 28-0 at halftime in that game, and the Lutes were able to cruise in the second half.  The Whitworth defense was blown away all day, getting run over and passed around whenever PLU wanted to.  On offense, Whitworth was held to 294 yards of offense.  Bryan Peterson went 19-32 for 189 yards and two touchdowns with two interceptions, while Ronnie Thomas finished with 88 yards on 22 carries.  Lewis & Clark is coming off a bye week.          

Thoughts entering the game:  Both teams go into the season finale desperately seeking a win.  For whitworth, a win would help the morale of the program as they go into the offseason, as well as prove that the NWC is indeed four-deep in 2012.  For Lewis & Clark, a win is desperately needed not only to break a four-game skid, but would give the Pios consecutive winning seasons for the first time since they had three straight winning season in the years 1989-1991.  Lewis & Clark has one of the best QBs in the conference in Keith Welch, but Whitworth has the triune of Bryan Peterson, Ronnie Thomas, and Jake DeGooyer.  This game could be a good one, but the Pios are really on the downswing. 

Winner:  Whitworth