MIAC Power Rankings For Sunday 1-28-18

Not that much in the way of changes in the rankings themselves this Super Bowl week but still some interesting developments that'll go a long way in determining how this season is going to shake out:


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


Another routine week for the Tommies as they ran roughshod over GAC on Wednesday night and thoroughly dismantled Hamline yesterday.  Meanwhile, it was a big bounce back week for CSB as they downed said Hamline team on Wednesday night before yesterday's thrilling come from behind win at Robertson Center over Bethel yesterday.  UST's upcoming week looks easy enough with in-town roadies at both Macalester and St. Kate's on the menu.  CSB's immediate future isn't necessarily that taxing either as they'll host Concordia on Wednesday night and then head down to St. Olaf next Saturday.  GAC recovered from their stomping at the hands of UST on Wednesday night to apply similar treatment to St. Olaf yesterday and the Gusties get a slumping Carleton team at home on Wednesday night before heading back up to the Cities on Saturday to take on always-tricky Hamline.  The big loser this week was Bethel which lost said thrilling game yesterday at home to CSB.  I could launch into a lengthy diatribe about how costly this latest setback was for the Royals but the bottom line is that their last lifeline is now long gone and it's going to be an all-or-nothing proposition for them the rest of the way wrt their postseason hopes.  They have to win the MIAC Championship Game at all costs to get in.  There's simply no other way for them and they know it.  They'll get St. Olaf at home on Wednesday night - an easy enough proposition - before hosting a tough SMU team next Saturday. 

Speaking of said SMU team, the Cardinals had a solid week; beating St. Olaf on the road on Wednesday night and then getting a big win at home yesterday against Augsburg.  The Cardinals will get St. Kate's at home on Wednesday night before heading up the River and the CP Rail River Sub mainline to the Cities on Saturday to take on Bethel so if SMU can come away with a split this week, that won't be bad at all.  It was a mixed week for the Auggies as they got the big win at Carleton on Wednesday night before taking it on the chin yesterday down in Winona against said SMU team.  But Augsburg has a chance to get two big wins to solidify their playoff chances this coming week as they host Hamline on Wednesday night and then make the roadie on U.S. Highway 10 and the BNSF's Staples Sub mainline up to Moorhead to face Concordia. 

It wasn't a terrible week for the Cobbers as they did come away with a split this last week; losing at Bethel on Wednesday night and then knocking off Macalester at home yesterday.  While this next week is a bit daunting for Concordia - at CSB on Wednesday night and then home to Augsburg on Saturday - Head Coach Jessica Rahman is building for the future and it won't be long before the Cobbers are in the mix again.  St. Kate's managed to come away with a split this last week as well; most notably knocking off Carleton yesterday down in Northfield.  Macalester meanwhile has been anything but consistent this season thus far as they beat St. Kate's on Wednesday night at Butler Center but then got dough-popped by Concordia yesterday.  IMHO, the big disappointment this season has been Carleton as the Knights lost two tough home games this last week - to Augsburg on Wednesday night and then yesterday's debacle with St. Kate's.  Given the fact that the Knights have to travel to GAC on Wednesday night before hosting said Macalester team next Saturday, they'll do well to come away with a split. 

Feel free to fire away with thoughts....