MIAC Power Rankings For Sunday 1-21-18

Here's the latest version of my MIAC Power Rankings on this NFC (and AFC) Championship Sunday with most Minnesota Viking fans nervously awaiting the big showdown with Philadelphia this evening and with Winter Storm Jaxson setting its sights on Minnesota and the Twin Cities as well.  Some changes and shake-ups after this last week of action: 


1.  UST
2.  CSB
3.  GAC
4.  Bethel
5.  SMU
6.  Augsburg
7.  Carleton
8.  Concordia
9.  (tie) Hamline and St. Kate's
10.  Macalester
11.  St. Olaf


No question as to rules the roost in the MIAC these days as UST dispatched both Bethel on Wednesday night and CSB yesterday - on the road no less - to take sole possession of first place in the MIAC and in my Power Rankings as well and they seemed poised and primed to do the same against GAC when the Gusties pay a visit to Schoenecker Arena this coming Wednesday night.  I only have one message for CSB, GAC, Bethel, and the rest of those in the MIAC.  Do NOT - do NOT let UST grab an early lead on you and then try and play catch-up.  It is a sure death sentence.  It does not work.  The Tommies will make you pay and make you pay dearly for that mistake.  Bethel did recover enough to lay a big hurt on Carleton down in Northfield yesterday while GAC recorded two solid victories this last week in hopes of getting some momentum when they roll into UST's Schoenecker Arena this coming Wednesday night. 

The Cardinals had a good week this last week; knocking off Carleton at home on Wednesday night and then knocking off Hamline at Hutton Arena yesterday and SMU has a big opportunity to build on this momentum as they are at St. Olaf on Wednesday night and then home to Augsburg next Saturday.  Speaking of the Auggies, they took a pounding from GAC on Wednesday night before beating Macalester at Leonard Center yesterday.  This could be a big week for the Auggies as they have to travel to Carleton on Wednesday night before said trip down the River and the CP Rail River Sub mainline down to Winona and a date with SMU next Saturday. 

Carleton is still knocking on the door but nobody seems to be interested in answering it just yet anyway as the Knights dropped two games this last week - at SMU on Wednesday night and then yesterday's drubbing at the hands of Bethel at home in West Gymnasium.  The Knights have a two-game homestand this coming week and it's vitally important that Carleton take care of business on their home floor as Augsburg visits on Wednesday night and then an always-tricky St. Kate's team comes to town next Saturday.  Concordia managed to come away with a split this last week - losing at said St. Kate's team on Wednesday night before hammering St. Olaf at Skoglund Center yesterday.  To keep their slim playoff hopes alive, they've got to hope to come away with at least a split this next week as the Cobbers go to Bethel (ouch!) on Wednesday night and then host Macalester next Saturday.