FB: Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[El Tigre]

However, if the Linfield -Oxy film is any indication of the difference in quality of play, the entire SCIAC in trouble. 

I don't think that you can say just because of what happened with the Linfield game has anything to do with the SCIAC or Oxy individually. To say that the SCIAC is in trouble because of one game doesn't sound like you have much support for the league.  Linfield has had a very solid program the last couple of years and they are a good team.  The SCIAC has never really received the credit in deserves, but I feel that this is beginning to change especially with Redlands making the playoffs and then Oxy winning two playoff games in 2004.  Oxy played a decent Willamette team 28-14 then took on a Concordia-Moorhead team that was undefeated (11-0) and beat then also in a tough fight.  Just because Oxy lost to Linfield does not mean that the SCIAC is in "trouble" it just means that Linfield had a better team than oxy did and got it done.  
  Now you can say well in 2003 Redlands kept up with Linfield ... well I think Linfield played a bad game (not putting down Linfield guys).  

Here is the link to the game summary: http://d3football.com/story.php?story=5912

I am saying is they fumbled 5 times losing three and had 10 penalties.  I mean I might be out of line by saying what I have, but does anyone else have anything to add?

[rockcat]

Linfield did play a bad game against Redlands in the playoffs that year.

[Sabretooth Tiger]

However, if the Linfield -Oxy film is any indication of the difference in quality of play, the entire SCIAC in trouble. 

Unfortunately for the SCIAC it has been that way for a while.  As posted earlier the entire conference has only won two games since the automatic bid era.  Oxy did a good job of earning some respect for the conference a couple of years ago but a team needs to get through the west for everyone to take notice.

Follow DIII football long enough and you'll find that there is quite a talent gap between the top handful of teams in any year and the everyone else, even the rest of the top 25.  I've seen St. John's, Mount Union, Mary Hardin Baylor and a number of Linfield games in person the last four or five years and it is clear that their long term success is due in large part to superior talent (the other factor being excellent coaching).

I think that Rockcat brings a very valid point as to the difference between the teams that are consistently at the very top of DIII ball.  

As noted earlier (can't remember by whom) . . . the key for the SCIAC champion is to have an NWC or SCIAC team get an at-large (Pool C) bid so that the NWC and SCIAC champs are not automatically paired up in the first round . . . as an Oxy fan, I much preferred the 2004 pairings to the 2005 . . . duh.

At any rate, that's likely the best way for the SCIAC to pick up a few more wins in the playoffs . . . until the quality of the NWC champ takes a hit . . . I'm looking forward to seeing how Linfield's season develops with the departure of Elliott and Allen . . . I expect that they'll still dominate the NWC . . . maybe w/ smaller point spreads.

The 'Cats first two games should be telling as they open against DII Western Oregon then travel to SW Preseason # 18 Hardin Simmons for week 2.

Any strong competition for Linfield in the NWC this year?  Haven't seen much discussion on the NWC board about any other programs.  

8)

[downtown48]

You're right, that game was too close for comfort.  The usually solid T. Ford got sloppy with the ball late and the dogs forced a couple of fumbles.  Good game though...Linfield's defense stepped up when it had to.  Much closer than it needed to be and much closer than Linfield 49-10 victory over Redlands at the beginning of the year.

I will say that the special Linfield teams didn't start with Elliott and Allen.  The 04 and 05 Oxy team wouldn't have beaten any of Linfield teams from the 21st century.  These squads rolled up conference champion Redlands 59-21 and 49-10, and a combined 294-115 against the SCIAC.  Every time we've played a SCIAC squad, with the exception of Whittier, they've been the conference champions that year.  Good win over Willamette though.  They were looking decent at the end of the season and their offense is tough to prepare for in a week if you've never seen it before...

A Linfield/Oxy match-up would be a good one this season...just don't sleep on Linfield's new QB, he's not chopped liver.  From what I can remember, nobody was too worried when he was set to take over for Matthews two years ago.  Elliott just kinda fell into our laps.

Whitworth will be tough this year.  Stud QB.  PLU...we'll see.

[rockcat]

Saber,

Congrats on post #200 and the honors and come with it.

The NWC board has been pretty quiet this off season.  It seems like the non-Linfield supporters have taken the summer off for the most part.  For decades the conference was basically controlled by two teams, Linfield and PLU.  The Lute's have been down the last couple of years.  I think everyone is still waiting for somebody to take their place, jockeying for the rights to fight for the conference championships.  Willamette and Whitworth have had playoff teams in recent years but get blown out when they play Linfield in the regular season.

There is no reason to think this will change this fall.  The Cats lost some unbelievable talent but should still run away from everybody.  I'm waiting for PLU to get things going again.  When both teams are good that rivalry is as good as it comes.

One correction about Saber's schedule comments...Linfield plays Western Oregon, not Western Washington.  That Hardin Simmons game on the road in Texas will be a great early season test.

[OXY Oswald]

Sorry, thats just my opinion.  Are your permitted to have one on this board?

No. 

[Sabretooth Tiger]

That's what I said . . . Western Oregon (stealth editing complete)  

Thanks Rockcat

[downtown48]

Classic Oswald!

[OXY Oswald]

DGD,

And as far as respect for your opinion goes, you might have been better off leaving your identity a little bit of a mystery.  The rantings of a freshmen, non-football parent aren't necessarily held in the highest regard.  

With time and experience comes respect... so I guess we'll see you at the games.  

Go Tigers!
Back to Back to Back SCIAC Champs in '06  

[cawcdad]

DGD,
OXY Oswald said it well. I was basically in the same boat as you. A daughter headed to her school of choice with a good football program. I too found this site but, lurked for a season and a half, reading posts, and watching quite a few games (so I had some semblance of knowledge) before I came on and started to give my opinions, such as they are. 

Good luck to your daughter and let's get the season going!

[dawgs go deep]

Yeah I probably should have not mentioned that my daughter was going to Redlands.......I did play football, like most of you, and coached football for several years.  My son, who is the oldest did play some at USC.  I might not be well versed in the SCIAC yet, but I do know football and can recognize talent. One of you guys mentined the size of the receiver from Linfield, the incoming (hopefully) qb at Redlands is bigger.  He will, and I dont know when, be a significant impact on the SCIAC.  Remember, I said it first.

I realize that one game, in one year, does not define the difference between two conferences.....but, in that film clip, with respect to size and speed, Oxy looked like a high school team next to Linfield.  I realize that the film was from a couple of years ago....but, man they sure looked overmatched.  How was last years matchup......what was the score and did Oxy put up a good fight?

Can someone pleae point out where can I find the Redlands highlights that I think Downtown mentioned?

cawdad, ....thanks for the advice, you probably did it the right way, I was just trying to see if the baord was alive or not and I guess......my somewhat factually based opinions woke some people up.......Hey, someone had to be the goat!

Can someone tell me if Collins is #1 in the video of the Linfield-Oxy game?

[OXY Oswald]

2004's game between the 'Cats and Tigers was closer than this years contest.  (2004: Oxy 27 - Linfield 56 / 2005: Oxy 21 - Linfield 63  )

In '05 though, the game was tight in the beginning - it was a few Oxy mistakes that Linfield capitalized on early and the game quickly got out of hand.  It was unfortunate because Oxy came in with all the confidence in the world and left unsatisfied.

The highlights for the Redlands/Linfield playoff match up can be found here:  http://www.geocities.com/catdomealumni/

Thanks to Wildcat11

[dawgs go deep]

Oxy....thanks for the site....
Can you tell me if Collins is the QB in the film, #1?

I watched the Redands film and like both films they are Linfield highlites...I must say that the Redlands team seemed to match Linfield in size, they had some big boys.......but they sure missed alot of tackles!

[OXY Oswald]

Yes, Collins is #1.

[dawgs go deep]

Cant really tell from the Linfield highlites but he looks small, what is his size?  What is his arm strength like? I could not tell from the film because in the film he is constantly hurried and obvioulsy makes some bad throws.  Also, cant say that it was his fault, looks like he was swamped the entire time.

No insult intended, but is he really AA material?  Is he one of the best in d3?