MIAC Power Rankings For Monday 2-6-12

Okay, after an unexpected week off last week I'm back at it and it's once again time for the weekly MIAC Power Rankings:

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

No question as to who's at the top as UST continues to run roughshod over everybody in the conference despite a few close calls.  GAC remains numero dos as they've demonstrated time and time (and time and time) again that they're very happy and content at being the second-best team in the conference after getting punched in the mouth (again) by UST the weekend before.  The Gusties clearly had a big-time hangover from that embarrassment as they looked sloppy at beating Augsburg, getting punked at St. Olaf, and then bringing their B- game to St. Kate's this last Saturday.  Gusties are pretty much locked into the #2 spot when it comes to playoff time but they have to ratchet up the intensity level coming down the home stretch.  Perhaps, even more important, they HAVE to ditch the "We're nice so we're going to play nice" attitute and replace it with a take no prisoners approach if they ever want to entertain thoughts about knocking off UST and winning the MIAC Championship game.

St. Olaf remains in the third spot after hanging on at home against Bethel on Saturday but their comfort zone is diminishing rapidly as Concordia is nipping at their heels.  SMU manages to win games that they shouldn't be winning so they're at the 5 spot for the moment.  I'm just not sold on this group.  The sixth playoff spot is going to be a battle as Bethel and Augsburg are in a fight for their playoff lives and I'm not sure who I favor at the moment.  CSB managed to get a big win on the road at Hamline on Saturday but trying to get themselves into position for the sixth spot will likely be a bridge too far for them.  Speaking of that game, I'm hoping that Hamline's Stephanie Rice is making a full recovery after the inadvertent elbow she took to the head that required a trip to the hospital afterward.