2019 Game 1 Preview: Linfield (0-0) at Rowan (0-1)

Tight End Jacob Calo is looking to point Linfield in the right direction.

YEAH, the college football season is once again upon us and it’s time for another year of Linfield College football.  Can you feel it in the air?  The 2019 Linfield Wildcats have been hard at work in the ‘Catdome getting really for a really strange schedule that will see the ‘Cats on the road for all of September before the ‘Cats make their home debut in Mid-October.  But those are the breaks, and if anything, it presents Linfield with a unique opportunity to start the season on the east coast for what must be the program’s longest regular season road game in Wildcat history (I didn’t look that up, just guessing).  Yeah, the ‘Cats have been on the east coast before (last time was 2014 at Widener for the NCAA Quarterfinals) but never during the regular season. So, right out of the gates, the ‘Cats will have to deal with a long flight and play against an opponent that has a game under their belt in the Rowan Profs.  But Linfield’s path is rarely easy in during the non-conference and 2019 is no exception.

Going into the season the ‘Cats have a mixed bag.  The 'Cats have a ton of reasons to be excited about what this team could develop into and then also having questions that have to be answered for this squad to reach that potential.  This season very much reminds me of last year in some regards.  Last year, the ‘Cats had potential to be a dangerous team but suffered some early season stumbles.  After the Whitworth road loss, Linfield still had some ups and downs, but at the very end against Pacific, the ‘Cats put it all together and would have been a dangerous playoff team.  The Linfield team I saw that day reminded me of the Sam Riddle led playoff teams from ‘14-‘16.  But it didn’t matter because the 2018 ‘Cats did what any NWC team doesn’t want to do and that’s leave it up to a playoff committee.  So that’s a big take away for this 2019 team that I hope has stuck with them this past winter, spring, and fall camp.  Linfield cannot afford to come out of the gates slow and stumble in the non-conference.  My hope is this Wildcat team doesn’t wait to forge an identity and comes out of the gates swinging.  Linfield must be willing to put a stamp on what this team is going to build upon as the season progresses.

The Linfield Athletics page already did a team breakdown by position group with some quotes from Coach Smith so I’m not going to rehash all the different players by each group and keep it more of a 10,000 foot view of each side of the ball.

The offense is going to come down to how quickly Linfield’s talented but untested young offensive line handles the pressure.  Smith has looked great at Quarterback this fall camp (continuing his fine play from the second half of 2018) and the ‘Cats have legit play making ability at both receiver and at running back. But that will mean little if Linfield can’t move bodies and allow Smith to stay in the pocket. I’m not expecting perfection from the offensive line early, but I am hopeful they can develop sooner rather than later in the season.

Flipping over to the defense, yes the ‘Cats do look strong here, but also have some positions that need to get sorted out and have guys seize the opportunity and solidify what should be a strong unit.  I think the ‘Cats defensive line should be a difference maker.  We’re not huge up front but we have dudes that can flat get after it.  I think there are multiple All-Region and better talent in up front on the ‘Cats defensive line.  I think a spot that’s really going to step up is at Linebacker.  We’re still youthful at LB, but again, we have a big opportunity to be very good at this spot as the season moves along.  At the end of it, the defense is going to be as good as we can cover guys. Our schedule is loaded with opponents that have guys that can make big plays in the passing game.

One thing that I have noticed, and it’s something that isn’t on a stat sheet, is the vibe of this team.  Not saying in the previous couple of seasons that the team chemistry was bad, but it’s very noticeable how tight this 2019 team is.  It’s one of those things that you gotta be around to feel and notice it but it’s very apparent with this group.  Yeah, this isn’t a measurable, but I think is a positive signal about what could be in store for the 2019 Wildcats.

The Wildcats will need that togetherness right off the bat as Linfield has a big old hill to climb with a long flight out to New Jersey to face a quality opponent in the Rowan Profs.  The Profs are members of the New Jersey Athletic Conference and will present a hard test for this Linfield squad.  The Profs feature excellent combination of size in the trenches and game breaking talent in the skill ranks.
Rowan does have a leg up on Linfield on multiple fronts.  With the fact they’re not having to travel across the country, get to play at home, and they already have a game under their belt to work out some of the issues that tripped them up in their week 1 loss (38-28) to a fine Widener Pride program.

This will be a challenge game for Linfield as some of the Profs strengths, defensive line and receiver, are going to be attacking the ‘Cats freshest faces, O-Line and defensive backs.  I think this is going to be a tight and hotly contested ball game.  If you don’t think Rowan will be hyped to have a program of Linfield’s caliber coming into their house, you’re only fooling yourself. The ‘Cats better be ready to buckle it up.

Wildcat11’s keys to victory

Don’t wait, come out fast:  Rowan came out a little flat last week but then picked it up as the moved on. That momentum will carry into this Saturday, so Linfield can’t wait to work stuff out of their system for a half.  The ‘Cats need to start fast because you know the Profs will be looking to get Linfield on their heels early.

Need offensive balance: Linfield’s offense must find a way to be a balanced attack.  That’s much easier said than done as Rowan was stout last week in only yielding 86 rushing yards (2.5 avg) against Widener.  Linfield's offense will scuffle if the 'Cats can’t find a way for Rowan to respect the rushing attack.

Bottle up the Prof running game: Rowan has dudes that can move on the outside but if Linfield allows the Profs to establish a running game, it’s going to be a long day for the ‘Cats defense.

Take care of the football:  Being careless with the football is a quick way to 0-1. Anyone that touches the ball for Linfield must put a premium on security and Wyatt Smith must make good decisions in the pass game. Not turning it over will not guarantee a victory but it certainly will help the cause.
Making plays on the football:  When the ball goes in air, who is going to want it more?  I feel the passing attack is going to be crucial for both teams and the team that make more plays on the ball will be a major deciding factor on the victor.

Making plays on the football:  When the ball goes in air, who is going to want it more?  I feel the passing attack is going to be crucial for both teams and the team that make more plays on the ball will be a major deciding factor in the victory.

Overall:

Linfield by 3. What a way to start the season. Yeah, D3football.com put a high ranking on Linfield during the preseason but to me that meaningless right now. If this Linfield team gets on this flight thinking Rowan is just going to roll over because of Linfield’s history and rank, then the ‘Cats might as well stay home. The Profs are going to be hyped and want nothing more than to slap down the ‘Cats.  Saturday is going to be a battle for Linfield, but I feel that the ‘Cats are going to be ready to go.  Expect To Win!