2006 MDIA Division A Preseason Top 25 Poll

[laxsk13]

It always seems the top 10 are the main topic of discussion whenever a poll comes out. What does everyone think about those ranked in the 11-25 range? Any surprises here? Anyone think some of the lowest teams should be switched out for others right on the bubble?

[Danny Hogan]

tough to say because the 'others receiving votes' are listed in alpha order rather than point totals.

[owenlipp]

now historicaly Buffalo hasn't been in the top 25 but to give Pittsburge a mention and not Buffalo when Buffalo absolutly killed P-burge in the falls season on their turf is rediculous. Seconldy Indiana? a joke, V-tech also should not be ranked that high.

[Danny Hogan]

it is fall ball
it is a preseason poll

both are often rIdiculous

[bste_lax]

Why isn't Iowa ranked?! I mean they were 4-2 this past fall with their one loss coming to their great alumni team. They also beat Augustana by 1 in OT. Plus, they lost by only 2 to Indiana over 3 seasons ago.....

[END SARCASM]

[univduke21]

There is too much parity between 11-40 for there really to be any idea where teams are going to end up at the end of the year. I however think that there are two teams that have gotten sort of a raw deal, University of Arizona and the University of Colorado. I think that Arizona is a much better team than the pollsters are giving them credit for. Again I feel like there is a problem with some teams in the top 10. Florida State, while it had ONE good win last year simply hasn't shown the ability to win games that they should and have only once won a game that they shouldn't of. While Oregon had a great win over BYU last year and an OT game against Michigan they lost to the team ranked behind them, Colorado. A team that went to triple OT to Sonoma State, and lost 4 players to graduation, while again picking up a number of key transfers. They did beat BYU in the first half of the game this fall when both teams just played their starters, and then beat CSU in their annual fall game as well. Why is there no love to Colorado? This is a team that will challenge for a National Championship yet for some reason no one ever gives them a chance.

[DG]

Quick question.... How does CU get ranked 8th after nearly beating Sonoma and beating Oregon during the season? To the best of my knowledge, they lost maybe 3 seniors. How do the pundits create these preseason polls? What is the system used? Just asking... Don't want to incur the wrath of any angry BYU fans.....

Maybe it's because CU finished 7th last year and the pundits decided to rank CSU #2, so CU goes down one spot to #8. OR maybe it's the curse of Jumbo. Clear the crease and take his candy.

That's the funniest thing I've seen on this board in a year...

[CATLAX MAN]

Let's just repeat this again for the umpteenth hundred time.

FALL BALL MEANS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING AS FAR AS THE PRE-SEASON OR REGULAR SEASON POLLS ARE CONCERNED.

Why can't this simple concept be understood???

Colorado is about where they should be for a pre-season poll. I expect that they will exceed that during the season, but until it is proven on the field, past results weigh more heavily on the pre-season votes. You don't see the UCSB people on here questioning why they aren't "given more love", do you? Relax, when it is earned it will be given. Have some faith in the system. It works pretty well.

[Dan Wishengrad]

I agree with you completely CATLAX. But this is why i was "mildly" surprised to see 'Noma #1. I won't be surprised at ALL if the Seawolves win the national championship in 2006. But usually deference in pre-season polls is given to the defending champ, so I thought either UCSB -- or maybe CSU (who was #1 with a win over the Gauchos before being ruled ineligible for the tourney) would get the pre-season nod. But this poll means nothing, of course. Not a single game that counts has been played yet in 2006.

[Laxbum]

It always seems the top 10 are the main topic of discussion whenever a poll comes out. What does everyone think about those ranked in the 11-25 range? Any surprises here? Anyone think some of the lowest teams should be switched out for others right on the bubble?

I'm trying to understand how teams like Michigan State jump 4 spots while a minnesota team drops 8 spots and Chapman dropping 4 spots while new hampshire drops out of top 25 and how Arizona state jumped into the top 25. I'm not trying to take anything away from these teams as I have not seen any of these teams play. I don't mean for there to be any sarcasm at all in this post. I'm just wondering if someone could explain a voters logic for these various moves at the bottom of the poll. I'd appreciate it if anyone (maybe a voter) could give their opinion.


Adam Weinstein
Women's Head Coach
University of Georgia

[Tim Gray]

I agree with you completely CATLAX. But this is why i was "mildly" surprised to see 'Noma #1. I won't be surprised at ALL if the Seawolves win the national championship in 2006. But usually deference in pre-season polls is given to the defending champ, so I thought either UCSB -- or maybe CSU (who was #1 with a win over the Gauchos before being ruled ineligible for the tourney) would get the pre-season nod. But this poll means nothing, of course. Not a single game that counts has been played yet in 2006.

I think a lot of voters realize the amount of talent that UCSB graduated, as well as realize that SSU is returning most of their team. Therefore,SSU being the runner up in the title game helped them secure the preseason #1.

I'm trying to understand how teams like Michigan State jump 4 spots while a minnesota team drops 8 spots and Chapman dropping 4 spots while new hampshire drops out of top 25 and how Arizona state jumped into the top 25. I'm not trying to take anything away from these teams as I have not seen any of these teams play. I don't mean for there to be any sarcasm at all in this post. I'm just wondering if someone could explain a voters logic for these various moves at the bottom of the poll. I'd appreciate it if anyone (maybe a voter) could give their opinion.

I was also surprised by some of the movement and positions of teams not in the top 10.

[Sonny]

It always seems the top 10 are the main topic of discussion whenever a poll comes out. What does everyone think about those ranked in the 11-25 range? Any surprises here? Anyone think some of the lowest teams should be switched out for others right on the bubble?

I'm trying to understand how teams like Michigan State jump 4 spots while a minnesota team drops 8 spots and Chapman dropping 4 spots while new hampshire drops out of top 25 and how Arizona state jumped into the top 25. I'm not trying to take anything away from these teams as I have not seen any of these teams play. I don't mean for there to be any sarcasm at all in this post. I'm just wondering if someone could explain a voters logic for these various moves at the bottom of the poll. I'd appreciate it if anyone (maybe a voter) could give their opinion.


Adam Weinstein
Women's Head Coach
University of Georgia

Seems like some of you are venting because the poll didn't replicate the exact end of year poll from last May. Perhaps the pollsters have done their homework, shared information among themselves, and made educated votes for the Preseason Poll?

[DG]

1. Sonoma State - 100% agree. Of the top teams, they lost the least amount of talent.
2. Colorado State - based on last year, as well as fall results...it's tough to put them anywhere else.
3. Univ. of California, Santa Barbara - I don't know who they have back, but lost a lot to graduation.
4. Michigan - continues to get stronger every year...this is where they have been for the last 4 years.
5. Brigham Young University - always a wild card until the spring roster is finalized...based on who they have left, they will be in the top 6.
6. Florida State - their schedule provides one big opportunity to prove they belong at this altitude. March 18th vs BYU.
7. Oregon - probably about right...they could flip flop with FSU. With a tough OOC schedule, they will get a chance to show the country they belong in the top 5.
8. Colorado - could be anywhere from #1 to #8. They have always had a lot of talent, but now they are playing better as a team.

If nationals started tomorrow, with these seedings, the quarterfinal matchups would be pretty tough.

SSU vs CU
CSU vs Oregon
UCSB vs FSU
Michigan vs BYU

I think the days of the quarterfinal "walk in the park" are over.

DG

[byualum]

1. Sonoma State - 100% agree. Of the top teams, they lost the least amount of talent.
2. Colorado State - based on last year, as well as fall results...it's tough to put them anywhere else.
3. Univ. of California, Santa Barbara - I don't know who they have back, but lost a lot to graduation.
4. Michigan - continues to get stronger every year...this is where they have been for the last 4 years.
5. Brigham Young University - always a wild card until the spring roster is finalized...based on who they have left, they will be in the top 6.
6. Florida State - their schedule provides one big opportunity to prove they belong at this altitude. March 18th vs BYU.
7. Oregon - probably about right...they could flip flop with FSU. With a tough OOC schedule, they will get a chance to show the country they belong in the top 5.
8. Colorado - could be anywhere from #1 to #8. They have always had a lot of talent, but now they are playing better as a team.

If nationals started tomorrow, with these seedings, the quarterfinal matchups would be pretty tough.

SSU vs CU
CSU vs Oregon
UCSB vs FSU
Michigan vs BYU

I think the days of the quarterfinal "walk in the park" are over.

DG

The only change I'd make is bumping CU to #6 and move Oregon and FSU down.

[SElaxalum]

A question for the UCSB insiders. I know they took a hit with graduation, do they return a solid enough team to be in the top five or are they a year away from potentially winning a national championship again?

My sleeper team in Georgia. While they arent top 10 material, dont be surprised to see them challenge for a spot in the SELC championship game.