Haven't posted in a while but have enjoyed reading the comments this season.

I see our persistent comments on non conference schedules have arisen again like the phoenix.  Thanks to RFB for the recent rundown on the postseason for the SCIAC teams.

It appears that since SCIAC champion gets the auto bid this topic is getting a little stale except if you are playing for second place in the conference.  You win the conference you go to the playoffs.  The only question would then be the home away issue since the money/travel issue makes it almost certain the SCIAC champ will either host an NWC team or travel to the NWC.  Given that it seems the strength of schedule question is not that big of an issue for the SCIAC champ.

The real topic concerning non conference schedule seems only to exist to ensure a continuing topic of discussion for the board (which isn't a bad thing when posting gets slow!).  Of course, I might change my tune if Oxy loses to Cal Lu!

Go Tigers!

2nd BE comments.  AFCA doesn't have the roster posted yet either, so I assume Pat has inside info.  Big surprise there!

Boy it didn't take long to hear the smack start for next season.  I personally find it hard to believe that the OC for Redlands finished off their season.  At least that is what it sounds like Dawgs fan is saying.  Hard to believe the OC is responsible for the turnovers that killed the dawgs in many of there games.

However, Dawgfan is correct about one thing.  At this level the addition of one or two key impact players who are or would have been a D1 factor can help out a team in a major way.

Gosh;  I am honored to just be mentioned in the same sentence as folks like OB, BE, DOC, etc.  Truly humbled!! 

By the way Tooth was hosed--Civility Diety should have been his in a walk!  OB and DGI would have been my picks for co-honors in Offensive posters (as in leading the offense, not personally offensive) of the year  .

Thought the conference picks looked pretty good.  Two names that I would add would be Tromello (as already mentioned)  also what about the Jenkins kid.  Pretty solid stats.  But like someone said about the WR's surplus.  A lot of deserving kids so hard to choose.

Any one this year from the conference be able to pull a Hula bowl invite like last year?  Collins maybe?

Dear oxymoronic 

I like your new moniker!

Actually, I did e-mail the sciac director using the e-mail address off of the SCIAC website after posting my comment.

That was almost 3hrs ago.  By the way it was a reasonable post just asking when they would make the conference announcements.

Hey, that would make a good poll.  How long does it take for SCIAC to respond to a question.  Less than one business day,  less than 2 business days,  Less than 7 business days, or never??

This is typical of the SCIAC for all-conference results.  As Pat said it hurts the players. 

I also know that the teams and coaches know who has received what but I don't expect Pat and the other decision makers to be calling each coach in the conference to get results. 

That said, the SCIAC has a lot going for it but this area borders on the unexecusable.  The teams know, the kids know but the rest of D3 football doesn't know.  Hopefully an AD or head coach should be rattling some cages at the SCIAC.

Pass d was solid, not spectacular but solid.

Did execute corner blitz well but think there was enough time to make the quick hit on a slant or across the middle.  Oxy had good success with the wide screen (at least that's what I call it), when they ran two wide and one wr sets downfield for 3 yds or so and hit the guy trailing to pick up a block.

Long passes downfield were covered well for the most part.  Guess only thing that we maybe should have done different in 3rd and 4th qtr is hit the 3-4-5 yd short pass and worked a couple of 1st downs.

Just to add my 2 cents worth on the playoff game.

What a great game!!  Maybe a couple chances lost in the 1st qtr to hold Whitworth out of the endzone but Oxy offense and defense did a great job all day!!

Not to leave out Whitworth both sides of their team did very well.  They did get "gunshy" in the middle of the game and kept the ball on the ground after a string of interceptions.  However their D kept the game close and gave them a chance at the last second.  Clark did a gutsy job. 

As most of the thinking posters realized, this was going to be a close game and it lived up to its billing.  Either team was capable and worthy of winning.  A shame one team had to see their season end but no reason not to hold your head high.  This game is a fine example of college sports and Oxy football at its finest.  I am very proud of the team, the fans, and the coaches at Oxy.  Go Tigers!!

Gotta second tooth.  It's going to be a "dog fight"  for 2nd place in the SCIAC next year.  Some tough Oxy footballers coming back to replace critical losses on both sides of the Oxy ball,  but they should be more than ready.  So Cal Lu, Dawgs, look at your schedule and see what it takes for the pool c bid!!

Best holiday wishes to all

May be too late now to get your responses but from LT, Oxy Bob, Sabretooth, et al.  Are you all going to be up there?

My flight gets in just before 1PM on Friday, visit and get ready for the game on Sat.  Hope to run into you all at the hotel.

Look for a 49 yr old with a mustache and we'll talk some football.

Heck I will even speak with 509 Rat!!

wc 11;  know you are consistent in your prediction but what about this thought from you a little bit ago?

WC 11 quote: "I think if Whitworth had another dangerous WR that could line up on the other side of the field it would really be tough on defenses when they split Allen out.  If I was Oxy I would have two dudes on him all the time and dare the other WR's make Oxy pay the price.  If you can double Allen and put pressure on Clark then you are going to shut them down (ala Linfield)." 

Now I also agree with the home field advantage to Whitworth.  Should be worth at least 6.  But like OB, close game but Tigers leave with the W.

OB, thanks for posting the quote from Kevin back from the Concordia and Willamette games.  I was going to use those examples for 509 in answer to some of his questions a few posts ago.

Looking at this board as well as the NWC board I am impressed (so far) with the even handness by the fans going into this game.  I have to agree on the this game should be close.  In reference to why I favor Oxy with more reason then just being a fan how about this.

Oxy has been scored on more:  True but not whole story.  Oxy outscores opps by at least 2-1 thru 3 qtrs.  4th qtr Oxy 69 points,  opps 72.  That means our 2nd and 3rd string (if we have one is in).  Whitworth hasn't scored as much and in the 4th qtr it is 59/15.  So much for sitting the starters?

Defense:  Pretty equal across the board.  Similar TFL and sacks.  Whitworth has 24 ints vs 18 for Oxy.  Oxy run defense probably better, Whitworth secondary possibly has the edge.  

Offense:  This is the area where the difference is.  On running the ball it looks like it is all Clark where Oxy has two potent threats:  Anderson and Collins.  On offensive production.  Oxy 21 rushing TDs vs 8 for Whitworth.  Passing;  Oxy 27 TD's vs 16 for Whitworth.  Finally.  Oxy has 5 receivers with at least 4 TDs, Whitworth only two and the big one is Allen.  I think the offensive edge has to go to Oxy here.  Bottom line perhaps.  As a couple of NWC folks have alluded to.  Shut down Allen and shut down Whitworth.  Easier said then done perhaps but still the key.  Against Oxy you have to get a to-fer.  Collins and Anderson, plus 4 other WR's.   A tougher task.

Special teams probably a toss up but Jorenstad can hit consistently from 40 plus yds in.  Don't know about Whitworth.

Now Anderson hopefully will be back at 100% after sitting out last weekend.  Clark is banged up but am sure the adrenline will carry him through.  

So with that I think this game will come down to coaching!!  Which staff is better at breaking down film, making pre-game plans and most importantly, which staff is better at adjusting at half-time.  With out a doubt Whitworth has had a good tough schedule but the Oxy staff has been here before.  Slight edge Oxy.

That is why I favor Oxy in a close game.

Actually got to agree on Anderson.  From what I have heard he adds another dimension and defensive problem both from running and receiving.  Think his absence on Sat played some factor in Oxy's offense taking a while to get started.

Don't think there is anyway, unless Clark is completely missing his ankle, that he doesn't start on Sat.  That said, if he is limited in mobility, Oxy and their pass rush could be a difference maker.

By the way, give me a shout either this board or on PM.  Completed my travel plans for this weekend up to Spokane and would like to hook up with all the Oxy fans up there.

For a laugh, if you haven't checked out the discussion board on the brackets do so.   For example, Hardin Simmons and Mary Hardin meet in the first round and and interesting discussion on modern maps on the internet and travel re: Millsaps.

From Oxy Oswald:  "...that there is some value in playing playoff caliber games at some point in your season, prior to the playoffs."


Granted and without a doubt.  The only however in this case is:  as good as Linfield was for the past 3 years would it have mattered if we had played a Trinity, et al in the schedule?  

Again, the year Oxy beat Willamette and Concordia we had essential the same schedule as now.  So the arguement can be made that strength of schedule didn't matter.  Also the big thing that helped that year was a strong 2nd place team in Willamette and two bids out of the NWC.

Actually that should be the real discussion point for at least the SCIAC and maybe for the NWC (because next year doesn't the NWC get an automatic bid?).  Anyway what needs to be done is to work for a pool b or c bid for the 2nd place team.  And that goes back to schedule.  Imagine that.  NWC champ hosts SCIAC #2 and SCIAC champ hosts NWC#2.

Wouldn't that burn up the boards??

P.S.  with this I fully intend not to discuss strength of schedule or anything like that until next years schedules come out!!

P.S.S.  That's cool D.O.C.  also appreciate the comment about meeting so early.  Knowning that out of two very strong teams that one would lose far then they probably should have probably caused more heart burn.  BTW; don't suppose there is any chance for a C bid for Linfield?

There you go RFB!!

That is the key for any SCIAC champ!  The farther past the 1st round the better for the entire conference!

And if it is your turn next year that is who gets my support

DGI;

Glad to see your latest post.  I have to say that most of the posters on this board have given credit where credit is due.  UR has talent, they had their problems early on, had problems with T/O's as well.  But they have a potentially great game coming up and can use it as a launching point for next year.

However, it seems, again (I know I have) have had postive things to say about the other schools and that, again at least I do, look forward to a strong SCIAC run next year.  Oxy has some great solid kids waiting their turn to start, they have a strong RB who is going to be a Sr.,  Cal Lu we all know has a strong QB coming back, and the Dawgs, while having a tough year appear to be deep in talent and will compete.

I do have to say this recent explosion in sniping and "what until you lose Collins"  is what is more insulting.  DGI you know this more than a lot of folks.  Those types of comments demean the poster as well as dissing the rest of a bunch of kids on the Oxy team who should see a lot of conference kudos and who have had a lot to do with the teams success.

D.O.C.

quote "CRZK, is part of your point why schedule an in-region loss?"

Cute come back.  

I think if you look at my post closely, you cannot come to that conclusion.  Now there have been a couple recent posts from some Dawg fans about looking at their non-conference schedule--maybe one tough and one average team.  Perhaps a valid point.  As far as Oxy's schedule goes CC this year was not the rollover they have been in the past.  In fact CC looks to go .500 for the first time in a while.  And they played some tough teams, including from the NWC.

Actually, far from your opinion, how about this.  Why schedule Linfield just to play them twice?  Once in the schedule and once in the first or 2nd round?  As far a loss goes, that is immaterial for the SCIAC as long as you win the conference.  So again,  what is the point??  What does either school gain.

In fact, look at the playoffs for the last three years.  Regardless of Oxy's schedule, three years, three NWC teams.  Do you really think that if Oxy (or any SCIAC champ for that matter) went out and beat "Trinity or Whitworth or Central or for that matter Linfield in the non-conference they would have Oxy or the SCIAC champ NOT leave the west coast??  So that is my point.

Now you have well thought out opinions can you address my thoughts w/out the jab?