COLLEGE FOOTBALL: Vikings ready for round 2 with Western Oregon

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If there's a fortuneteller in Bellingham, Western Washington University football coach Robin Ross might be interested in catching a glimpse of the future.

With the Vikings facing Western Oregon University for the second time in a month, this time on the road as they start the round-robin portion of their Great Northwest Athletic Conference schedule, WWU will take any bit of help it can get.

"You look at the change-ups, " Ross said. "You look at what you did, what they did, what you will do, what they might do. You try to get your crystal ball out. You look at what matchups they might switch up. That's about all you can do."

The Wolves (3-2, 3-1) came out on top in the first meeting, spoiling WWU's home opener with a 36-27 win at Civic Stadium. The Vikings (2-2, 2-1) held a 27-23 lead late in the third quarter, but WOU scored the final two touchdowns and ate up most of the clock, running the ball in the fourth quarter.

"That game was fairly recent, but both teams will be a little different, " Ross said. "Really for us, we haven't seen everyone in the GNAC yet with Central Washington still to play. Once that happens, these games are going to start hitting and everyone will be coming back around."

The Wolves have won their last two games, both GNAC counters, dropping Dixie State and Humboldt State on the road. WOU's only loss this season came against Central Washington at home.

"In the last few games, they've shown some more formations since we played them, " Ross said. "They've shown some different pressures that they didn't against us. But they may not do that this time. Everybody is going to have different game plans. It's just a matter of trying to figure out how they are going to attack us."

The game could also have far reaching implications on the GNAC race. With a win the Vikings would be a game behind conference-leading Central heading into the Battle in Seattle on Oct. 11. A loss and the Vikings will need a lot of help from the rest of the conference to stay in the postseason hunt.

"We're right back in the race now, " Ross said. "But this is a big one for us."

Reach Joe Sunnen at joe.sunnen@bellinghamherald.com or 756-2862

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Saturday, Oct. 04, 2008

COLLEGE FOOTBALL: Vikings ready for round 2 with Western Oregon

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