The Wildcats boast six wins and no losses, despite the most challenging schedule among 239 NCAA Division III programs.
Linfield’s football team ranks No. 1 among 239 NCAA Division III programs for its strength of schedule an important statistical criteria used in determining playoff participants and host institutions in the postseason.
The strength-of-schedule quotient fluctuates week to week, based on each school’s regional winning percentage, its opponents’ winning percentage, and the winning percentage of its opponents’ opponents.
With wins in its first six games, the Wildcats appear positioned to capture the program’s fourth consecutive and 36thoverall Northwest Conference championship. Linfield faces a key NWC contest Saturday at McMinnville’s Maxwell Field where the ‘Cats meet longtime rival Willamette University (6-1) at 1:30 p.m.
Linfield’s regional record stands at 5-0. The Wildcats’ season-opening win over Menlo College, a NAIA program, is not factored into the strength-of-schedule equation.
