Some things definitely got shook up here over this last week and yesterday so let's see how this affects my Power Rankings on the NFC/AFC Divisional Playoff Weekend:
1. Augsburg
2. Hamline
3. (tie) Bethel & GAC
4. CSB
5. Macalester
6. St. Olaf
7. (tie) Concordia & St. Kate's
8. Carleton
9. SMU
10. St. Scholastica
Little question about who's the king of the mountain right now - that's Augsburg as they rolled over St. Scholastica and then got a huge home win over Hamline yesterday to remain undefeated in the conference. Another big one looms for the Auggies this next week as Bethel makes a trip over to Si Melby Hall on Wednesday night before they take a quick trip down I-35 to Northfield to take on Carleton. I have Hamline in my number two spot right now and, despite the loss yesterday to Augsburg, you've got to give the Pipers credit here as they did get a split this last week with the big win over at Bethel this last Wednesday night. This coming week isn't nearly as taxing for Hamline as they'll host SMU on Wednesday night before going down to St. Olaf next Saturday.
Bethel meanwhile got back on track in a big way yesterday with a huge win down in St. Peter against GAC that helped ease the sting of the loss to Hamline last Wednesday night. Still, the Royals have a lot to prove and this next game against Augsburg on Wednesday night is going to be huge for them and their chances going forward. IF, if they can somehow knock the Auggies off their perch, the road ahead for them is very favorable. GAC finds more ways to disappoint than perhaps even the Green Bay Packers as yesterday's 53-47 loss to Bethel was a big setback for this team. It was a horrible day shooting-wise for the Gusties yesterday and though they're certainly not out of it by any stretch, they're going to need some help down the stretch and they're going to have to take care of business on the road this next week with games at St. Olaf and Macalester in the offing.
This last week was a very good week for CSB as the Bennies got a big win down in Winona against SMU before yesterday's somewhat surprising narrow win at home against St. Scholastica yesterday. Another big opportunity awaits for the Bennies to consolidate on their latest victories this next week but they'll have to do it on the road as well as visits to both Carleton and Concordia await them. Macalester recovered from the home loss to St. Olaf this last Wednesday night with a big win down in Winona yesterday against SMU and you can bet it was an enjoyable ride back up US Highway 61 and the CPKC River Sub mainline for Head Coach Katie Kollar and her squad. But the Scots now have a big task in front of them this next week as Concordia comes to town on Wednesday evening followed by a big one with GAC next Saturday.
I put St. Olaf in the sixth spot right now simply because I think they deserve to be there after getting dubs this last week against both Macalester this last Wednesday night and then against St. Kate's yesterday. But those smiles on the west side of Northfield right now could easily turn to frowns as both GAC and Hamline pay visits to Skoglund Center this coming week. We'll see if the Cobbers can make something of this disappointing season for them as they host Carleton today before making the long trek down US Highway 10 and the BNSF Staples Sub mainline to the Cities to take on Macalester on Wednesday night before a big home game in cavernous Memorial Auditorium vs CSB next Saturday. St. Kate's fortunes keep slipping and slipping as yesterday's defeat down in Northfield at St. Olaf would suggest. The 'Cats have absolutely got to take care of business against St. Scholastica up on the shores of Gitche Gumee on Wednesday night before battening down the hatches when Bethel pays a visit next Saturday.
Feel free to fire away with thoughts.....
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