Linfield is ranked #3 by Sporting News and Lindy’s 2014 preseason Top 25

College Football is right around the corner!!!!!

It’s that time of the year again when the college football season is on the horizon and the preseason and All-American teams start rolling out to get folks primed for another glorious season of college football. Both the Sporting News and Lindy Sports have slotted the Wildcats 3rd in their Division III 2014 preseason rankings (links below).

If you’ve been following division III football for any length or time you will know D3football.com’s preseason top 25 and USA Today’s Top 25 are the most well thought out preseason polls that you will find.  D3football.com is Division III football and USA Today’s Top 25 is put together by D3football.com’s Executive Editor, Pat Coleman, so you know there isn’t a better source on our division.  It’s non-debatable. Those polls won’t come out until later this summer but in the meantime both the Sporting News and Lindy Sports has published their mega college football previews where D3 is lucky enough to grace one or two pages. 

In 2010, I wrote a post on these preseason magazines that wasn’t too flattering about Sporting News and Lindy's preseason polls and I still feel that way for the most part.  However, the way I look at them now is slightly different.  Preseason polls mean nothing.  They have no bearing on the eventual outcome of the 2014 season.  Nothing.  Linfield knows this and doesn't take them seriously.  However, I’ve come to look at these preseason polls has more of a nod of recognition of what pundits think about where your program’s standing is in the world of Division III football.   These polls are saying that Linfield has proven itself to be a top 5 program over the past years and they expect that trend to continue.  

Do I expect Linfield to be in the national title hunt in 2014?  Absolutely, but making the pundits looks smart is up to the players on this team and their efforts this past winter, during this summer, and ultimately on the field this fall.

As a program we should appreciate the tip of the cap from these publications but remember that Linfield is the team that’s circled nine times on opponent’s calendars this fall.  Success doesn't come via a piece of paper printed in the month of May.

Links:
Sporting News 2014 Preseason Top 25 (pdf via hopkinssports.com)
Lindy Sports 2014 Preseason Top 25 (pdf via hopkinsports.com)

Hyland and Schultz selected as preseason All-Americans by Sporting News

This should be the first of many preseason accolades for Linfield Defensive End Brynnan Hyland and Offensive Tackle Steven Schultz.  Hyland is making his return to action after missing all of 2013 after a knee injury in fall camp last season.  Hyland was looking to continue his domination after earning All-American status in 2012 after piling up 19 sacks, 20.5 tackles for loss, 43 total tackles, and 2 forced fumbles.  The 6’ 5”, 300 lbs. Schultz will look to anchor what should be a dynamic Linfield offensive line.  Schultz has developed a well-earned reputation as one of the finest offensive tackles in the country after being named a 1st team D3football.com All-American in 2013.