MCLA Nike / IL Division I Poll - 02/12/13

[LaxTV_Admin]

1. Colorado State 675 (27)
2. Arizona State 635
3. Brigham Young 608
4. Chapman 593
5. Michigan State 537
6. Colorado 508
7. Oregon 461
8. UCSB 439
9. Virginia Tech 417
10. Pittsburgh 397
11. Stanford 386
12. Cal Poly 371
13. Buffalo 347
14. Boston College 346
15. California 325
16. Sonoma State 277
17. Minnesota-Duluth 208
18. Florida State 207
19. Connecticut 204
20. Northeastern 165
21. Texas 161
22. Simon Fraser 146
23. Arizona 104
24. Clemson 69
25. Chico State 37

Others Receiving Votes
Davenport (33), Utah (20), Texas State (17), Georgia (14), Minnesota (13), Grand Canyon (11), Central Florida (8), Georgia Tech (8), Florida (6), UNLV (5), Missouri (3), Southern Methodist (3), Boise State (2), Illinois (1), Richmond (1), New Hampshire (1), South Carolina (1), Santa Clara (1), Texas Christian (1)

Read the Full Story Here - http://insidelacrosse.com/rankpoll/mcla/2013-02-12

[Ravaging Beast]

This is total horse poo. I was told that no rankings would be based on the preseason poll, but the pollsters are clearly having problems with that. For example, UCSB has played 3 games against teams that have played 1-2 games. They lost to Stanford in OT at Palo Alto, crushed Cal Poly in SLO, and barely beat Cal in OT in SB. So how is Stanford not ahead of UCSB and how is Cal Poly ahead of Cal? I understand how this can be complicated late in the season when some teams have losses to a team behind them but wins against teams ahead of them, but this is pretty clear cut. I think both UCSB and Cal Poly are benefiting from their preseason rank. Gary, can you stress this point to the voters again? We will continue to have the same teams in the top 10 if this does not change.

[LaxTV_Admin]

This is total horse poo. I was told that no rankings would be based on the preseason poll, but the pollsters are clearly having problems with that. For example, UCSB has played 3 games against teams that have played 1-2 games. They lost to Stanford in OT at Palo Alto, crushed Cal Poly in SLO, and barely beat Cal in OT in SB. So how is Stanford not ahead of UCSB and how is Cal Poly ahead of Cal? I understand how this can be complicated late in the season when some teams have losses to a team behind them but wins against teams ahead of them, but this is pretty clear cut. I think both UCSB and Cal Poly are benefiting from their preseason rank. Gary, can you stress this point to the voters again? We will continue to have the same teams in the top 10 if this does not change.

Couldn't agree more. As a voter, I have tried very hard to focus on this season even dropping teams who haven't played games yet in favor of those that have. For instance, SSU has dropped in my poll because we haven't played yet, so it is hard to give us the nod over teams who have played top 20 teams and won. In reference to your specific teams, I voted

Stanford - #7
UCSB - #11
Cal - #16
Cal Poly - #21

That means some other voters are seriously skewing the other way. This is often good in case of regional bias or correction, but I would be curious who could justify putting Stanford much lower than #7 at this point or Poly much higher than #21. I am sure it will balance out but right now the poll should be fairly volatile in terms of how the teams are moving.

[OAKS]

Is the preseason poll made up by voters, or just media / IL?

I for once agree with the BCS in not releasing a poll until 4+ weeks into the season. With the season now starting in January, I don't see any major reason (I guess the league wants more stories, eyeballs, pageviews, etc?) why a poll couldn't start say February 15th or even March 1st? That still gives 2 - 2.5 months of polls for the season, gives the teams some time to stabilize, and accounts for teams that haven't started playing.

[WCLLPREZ]

Will: I like that idea of having a pre-season poll but then not starting the regular season poll until afew weeks into the season. May be something for the agenda at the Summer MCLA meetings.

Panchito: glad to see you are open and honest and willing to post how you have voted.

Beast: Yes it does appear that there is still some regional bias being demonstrated in the polls. If you could see the aggregate data you would be amazed at how the different coaches see what has transpired.
for example: Stanford was voted as low as # 24 on one ballot to a high of # 6. Virginia Tech who hasn't played a game ranges from # 2- 18.

I will work with the conference directors to weed out inconsistent or biased voters and I will again caution the pollsters to base their votes on WHAT HAS TAKEN PLACE ON THE FIELD and not in the past. Only exception I feel is justified is # 1 to CSU. It's their's until they start play and then their results will speak for themselves.

[Ravaging Beast]

I am sure it will all work itself out in the end. My only concern is that teams will be rewarded for beating a team that was not very good, but they were ranked high because of preseason rankings. In the end, it should all work itself out.

Will: Any way to do that poll tracker graphic you did a few years back? I think it's great to see how teams move up and down from week to week.

[Dan Wishengrad]

Good early season game today between undefeated Oregon and Stanford. The Ducks have already beaten two ranked opponents in Simon Fraser and Chapman, while the Cardinal knocked off UCSB and under-rated OSU. Should be a good one down at the pac-12 Shootout that will have a big bearing on the next poll.

[Ravaging Beast]

I was a little concerned about Oregon after their game against SFU, but not so much any more. It does make me question the dominance of Chapman though.

[Dan Wishengrad]

Big win by Stanford 14-7. Cardinal should be ranked ... in Top 5 or 6? Voters might be put off by the narrow win over Oregon State earlier, but I believe the Beavers are pretty good and will make some noise this year (they handled Utah today 13-9). Close losses at Simon Fraser and to Stanford underscore this.

[LaxTV_Admin]

Big win by Stanford 14-7. Cardinal should be ranked ... in Top 5 or 6? Voters might be put off by the narrow win over Oregon State earlier, but I believe the Beavers are pretty good and will make some noise this year (they handled Utah today 13-9). Close losses at Simon Fraser and to Stanford underscore this.

Where do you think Stanford belongs? Better yet, who has a better resume than them and should be ranked ahead of them?

[Ravaging Beast]

Stanford has a great argument for #3 or #4. May even drop BYU because they will have time to prove themselves as the season progresses. The only quality games left on the Cardinal schedule are BYU and Cal. Cal Poly, Sonoma, and Chico could also prove challenging, but it is too early to tell if those teams are good or not. Until someone knocks off Stanford, I think they are a top 5 team.

[Chris Larson]

Stanford has a great argument for #3 or #4. May even drop BYU because they will have time to prove themselves as the season progresses. The only quality games left on the Cardinal schedule are BYU and Cal. Cal Poly, Sonoma, and Chico could also prove challenging, but it is too early to tell if those teams are good or not. Until someone knocks off Stanford, I think they are a top 5 team.

West Coast Bias

[Ravaging Beast]

Stanford has a great argument for #3 or #4. May even drop BYU because they will have time to prove themselves as the season progresses. The only quality games left on the Cardinal schedule are BYU and Cal. Cal Poly, Sonoma, and Chico could also prove challenging, but it is too early to tell if those teams are good or not. Until someone knocks off Stanford, I think they are a top 5 team.

West Coast Bias

You got me.