Final Div. A Poll

[EvanFSU]

I dont see how BYU can be #3. They have been so inconsitent all year. I would put them around a #5 seed. I also dont think FSU should move down a spot since they realitvely breezed through their tourney. I would keep them as they are currently ranked, a #7. SSU wining the WCLL should move them up to the #3 as well. Just my thoughts.

[CATLAX MAN]

I would agree with Evan. FSU should hold #7 & UCSD will probably be #8. I think SSU will come in at #3 or #2 if Michigan drops 2 spots. CO & BYU will come in at #4 & #5 IMO. The rest of Dan's ratings with the exception of Oakland looks pretty reasonable.

[Bluevelvet]

Dan-
I have been critical of your other mock polls, but not this one. Even though I agree with Evan and Catlaxman on the details, this is a well reasoned and much more realistic mock poll.
Credit where credit is due. Nice job.

[wheelz33]

I think if anything, MSU's win over Michigan shows that you shouldn't have to just be in the top 16 to play for the title. Anything can happen on any given day, regardless of the rankings. Teams are given two ways to get to nationals, win your conference tittle or get an at-large bid. If you can't get in one of those two ways, you don't "deserve" to go.

[TrainerDan]

My rationale for putting BYU at 3 is simple, they went 2-1 since the last poll with convincing wins over Sonoma and Utah and a convincing loss to CU. I put them ahead of SSU mainly based on that head to head situation.

As for BYU being inconsistent, look back over the season and tell me where the inconsistencies are. They started 1-3 with losses at UCSB, Cal Poly and home to Arizona but the 1 win was over Michigan. I guess that first few weeks they were pretty inconsistent. Since the beginning of March they have lost 2 games in MDIA play, both to CU. During that same period they have beaten CSU, SSU, FSU, and Oregon, all top 10 teams and all relatively convincingly. Not to mention a sound thumping of Utah. Setting my natural bias aside, I have no qualms about putting them at 3.

As for FSU dropping, let's look at their conference. Granted it takes a lot to win a weaker conference (ask Michigan) but who has FSU beaten. Not 1 top 10 team this season. I would take UCSD for sure or even Cal Poly or Utah against FSU. UCSD has wins over top 10 teams, they've earned a higher ranking.

[FredaFelcher]

I am not sure if you noticed but CU and BYU have played twice recently, CU won both games, one was a sound beating(BYU's most recent game). How could they be ranked ahead of CU?

[TrainerDan]

I am not sure if you noticed but CU and BYU have played twice recently, CU won both games, one was a sound beating(BYU's most recent game). How could they be ranked ahead of CU?

Simple...BYU beat CSU which CU has not and BYU has better wins over better opponents on the season than CU. I'm taking since the last poll, where BYU went 2-1 and CU went 1-2. I know CU won big on Friday but I think the season as a whole has put BYU in this position.

[Bluevelvet]

Is this pretty close to the consensus?
1. CSU
2. Michigan
3. SSU
4. Colorado
5. BYU
6. Arizona
7. FSU
8. UCSD
9. UCSB
10. Oregon
11. Cal Poly
12. AQ GRLC Lindenwood
13. AQ UMLL UMD
14. AQ PCLL Oakland
15. AQ CCLA Northeastern
16. AQ LSA Texas

[horn17]

EDITED AFTER DANS RESPONSE...thanks for the clarification...

[You'reARabbit]

I agree with FredaFelcher that CU should ranked above BYU by virtue of their two victories in head-to-head play. Add to that the competitive game versus CSU in the championship game, and I believe that CU has legitimate claim to a #2 or #3 seeding depending on how the pollsters view the Michigan loss.

I also think that UCSD should be ranked higher than Arizona by virtue of their head-to-head victory and better showings against SSU.

[TrainerDan]

Dan...

I find it down right insulting to a young UMD team (a team that was not even listed on your poll) to say it doesnt matter, or they wont be challeging at all...didnt they beat both Poly and Utah??? And if these teams are so above them, why did they lose. Im tired of excuses for a loss to UMD, of a loss to a team that was in your eyes a lesser calibur....ask Poly and Utah what they thought before, and then after, maybe your skewed opinion could be corrected....

But anyways...cant wait for the final poll...

In all honesty it's ignoance that left them off. I really don't know anything about them or their conference and pretty much don't think that anyone past #12 has a chance at winning a game at the tourney in the first round.

[horn17]

sounds good Dan....edited out my somewhat attacking response..

[TrainerDan]

If this will make everyone feel better:

1. CSU
2. Michigan
3. BYU
4. CU
5. SSU
6. Arizona
7. UCSD
8. FSU
9. UCSB
10. Oregon
11. Cal Poly
12. Utah
13. Lindenwood
14. Oakland
15. UMD
16. Northeastern
17. Texas

I added a couple at the bottom and switcedh Lindenwood and Oakland because I think that's what I intended at first but put them in the wrong order. Hey...this is just one guy's opinion...but I would consider myself pretty knowledgeable but you are all welcome to disagree.

[FredaFelcher]

Will Sonoma drop below CU(who will be ranked higher than BYU) in this poll, b/c of their 2 losses last week even though they won their conference? Also, will Michigan drop a few for their lost to the Spartans? If so CU has a legit claim to the #2 spot.

[TrainerDan]

Will Sonoma drop below CU(who will be ranked higher than BYU) in this poll, b/c of their 2 losses last week even though they won their conference? Also, will Michigan drop a few for their lost to the Spartans? If so CU has a legit claim to the #2 spot.

I still don't think that CU has even earned the right to go ahead of BYU. CU has beaten BYU twice but has no other wins against anyone in the top 10. If it wasn't for BYU and CSU being in the same conference with them then they will have only played one other top 10 team all season (UCSB which beat them soundly). I'm not trying to say that CU is not good, they can definitely play, but they have not earned a #2 or #3 seed by virtue of 2 wins over BYU. Look at their schedule, not very intimidating.