MIAC Power Rankings For Sunday 2-7-16

A few more changes in my power rankings on this Super Bowl Sunday.


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


Tommies solidify their hold on the number one spot with two big wins this last week and the remaining regular season schedule that includes three games at home in the friendly confines of Schoenecker Arena seemingly gives them the inside track to the MIAC regular season title.  SMU also recorded two wins this week; including a nail-biter at home against St. Kate's on Wednesday. But as the regular season progresses to its conclusion, the greater the uneasiness I have about this squad.  Barring a late-season collapse, they're probably a lock for the  number two seed but, for some reason, I just have my doubts about this team.  It's almost as if, in my mind anyway, that the whole is somehow less than the sum of the parts here.  It's the best explanation I can come up with and if there's anyone out there that is in disagreement with me, please, by all means, let your feelings be known.

So, while some things change, others remain the same.  And then there's the matter of GAC taking on its nemesis UST; which resulted in yet another "L" in the long-standing series between these two teams.  I could easily say, "Same old Tommies.  Same old Gusties."  However, to their credit, the Gusties came back on Saturday and threw a thumb to the nose of gloom and doom and snared a huge overtime victory at Moorhead against Concordia.  Because of that, I keep GAC entrenched in the third spot.  Certainly a tough, disappointing loss for the Cobbers who had to settle for a split this last week but the schedule down the stretch is favorable on paper and if they're going to overtake GAC for the third spot they'll have to take care of business.

Bethel DID take care of business this last week recording wins over both St. Olaf and Macalester but now a huge and daunting week awaits them that could easily decide its postseason fate:  SMU on Wednesday night and then UST on Saturday.  Both are in the friendly confines of Robertson Center and the Royals did beat UST back in early January at Schoenecker.  I think that the Royals are going to have to somehow come out with at least a split this week to solidify their shaky playoff status. CSB got a win as expected against Macalester but took one on the chin yesterday against SMU and the home stretch will not be easy for the Blazers as dates with both Concordia and GAC await.

A big week for Augsburg as they recorded wins against both Hamline and St. Kate's.  Now comes the tough part - going over to play at UST this next Wednesday night.  They're still in the hunt but they'll need to win and get a lot of help along the way as well.  St. Olaf had two home games this last week but could only come away with a split.  Considering the road ahead (games with GAC, SMU and UST), they'll need a bigger miracle than the '69 Mets to make it into the MIAC playoffs.  The heartbreaks just keep on coming for St. Kate's.  They've been so close in their last three games and just.....can't....quite.... get over the hump.