Who really deserves to go to Blaine...

[laxcd1]

The conference playoffs are going to have a huge impact on the MDIA championships. I have the following questions:

My first question is why Oakland is ranked so high. They have defeated the #22 team by 1 goal and #23 team by 5 goals. I cannot see how a voter can justify ranking them #12 in the country.

My other questions is regarding Utah. Sure Utah has played teams tough, however, they have only defeated one team in top 25 (#19 Cal Poly). How can anyone justify ranking them #13 in the country?

Unless they can pull off an upset in the RMLC playoffs, I cannot imagine sending this team to the MDIA Championships.

I understand the position the pollsters are in, and how incredibly tough this is, but I really don't understand the rational regarding the rankings of these two teams.

If Arizona loses to UCSB, do they still deserve to go to Blaine? They seem to be falling off, and with the loss to ASU, I have to imagine that they need a strong showing in the WCLL playoffs to secure a bid.

Will Cal Poly have a chance to attend the tourney? They have played a really tough schedule, and they have a great chance to make it to the WCLL Final Four. Is a WCLL Final Four appearance going to land a team in the tourney?

If Chapman can find a way to upset UCSD, does this mean they also have a chance of going to Blaine? Would a loss to Chapman leave UCSD out of the MDIA tourney? UCSD has beat three top 25 teams (Georgia Tech, Cal Poly SLO, and Chapman early in the season). If you compare UCSD and Chapman's season, they seem to be very comparable in many aspects. Does the winner of this game definitely earn a spot at the tourney?

There are so many different scenarios, and I am excited to see how the playoffs shape up. I am also excited to hear everyones thoughts regarding this post.

[eplsoccer77]

I believe that the chapman vs ucsd will be a great game. UCSD is not that solid of a squad. They only beat Univ of San Diego 8-5 and they are in the B division. They did play Arizona to a one goal game which is impressive. But they havent played many other solid squads. Just because they have a solid record doesnt mean they should be ranked so highly. I think Chapman has a good chance. I think people are also over looking Chico State. They may only be 9-5, but one loss was to NDNU a DII team, a one goal loss to Oregon and Sonoma, and at the time a loss to a top 16 ranked Simon Frasier. I think Chico is tough and Im glad I dont have to play them..I think Chico is going to do well....I cant wait to see it unfold

[Big D]

I also think Chico is a very good team and that they are underated right now. I think they will make a strong showing in the wcll playoffs, but we will have to wait and see if they can make it to Blaine.

[slider]

I really liked Alex Smith's bubble article that touches on the same points. In the WCLL: Arizona, Cal Poly, UCSD, Chico, and Chapman are playing to stay alive for nationals this weekend. My question is; is making the WCLL semis enough for these teams? I'm not making a prediction, but if any of these teams were to win this weekend only to lose big in the semis, would that knock them right back out of contention?

[jessexy]

wouldnt it be cool if Utah made it to the Dance and the RMLC had 4 of its 5 teams playing for the National Championship?
That would kill all arguments about best conference!

[DanGenck]

I've said before that I would really like to see Utah go to nationals. In the 4 years I have spent playing in the USL MDIA, they have grown as a program tremendously. I think it would be a great reward for their players and their coaching staff for all of their hard work if they could come up to Blaine in a few weeks.

At the same time, I recognize there are several other programs in the same boat. I suppose all I'm trying to say is that I am personally pulling for a Utah bid.

[Has No Left]

If media has any influence on voters (which it ultimately does in all sports), Utah is on television tomorrow night and all 30 voters will get to see them. Oakland, Lindenwood and Chico don't get that opportunity and if the Utes show they can play, that can only improve their postion.

[GoldFish7]

You're overexagerting the influence of the media, The game is on BYU tv i believe(I may be wrong) and i dought that alot of voters even get it

[Danny Hogan]

anyone can get it over the web. its a valuable tool.

[Dan Wishengrad]

You're overexagerting the influence of the media, The game is on BYU tv i believe(I may be wrong) and i dought that alot of voters even get it

Anybody with a computer can watch the live streaming broadcast. The quality of the picture is remarkably good. Just go to byutc.org and look for the link for live streaming.

[Daniel Morris]

If media has any influence on voters (which it ultimately does in all sports), Utah is on television tomorrow night and all 30 voters will get to see them. Oakland, Lindenwood and Chico don't get that opportunity and if the Utes show they can play, that can only improve their postion.

This is a double edged sword though. Utah gets their asses handed to them the way Oakland did against Michigan televised on the web for all to see, they may take some lumps in the next poll barring a RMCL playoff miracle.

[oaklandlax]

look at AU losing to ASU and UofM figure that out!

[laxcd1]

Figure what out? Arizona has won some big games, and they have also dropped one that will absolutely have an impact on their trip to Blaine. Bottom line is that Arizona has wins over quality teams, and Oakland has a 1 goal win over #22 Pitt, and another win over #23. I cannot imagine justifying Oakland as the #12 team in the country. Anyways, the playoffs will give everyone a good idea where Oakland stands.

[lax 34]

why dont you give the teams that oakland beat like pitt any credit? pitt lost to oakland in ot when they were 8, and BC by 1, maybe pitt's ranking isnt justified

[Parkyourcar39]

why dont you give the teams that oakland beat like pitt any credit? pitt lost to oakland in ot when they were 8, and BC by 1, maybe pitt's ranking isnt justified

22 seems to be a pretty good spot for them- if you lose 'competitive' games to say the #5 and #8 teams, it doesn't make you a #10 team. You need wins to back up your "competitive losses"