Pollsters a moment of your time

[onpoint]

That's a good point, Tim. I just think voters should be careful not to throw their poll away every week and start over looking at what the voters came out with last time. That's all. When you start talking about those 20-30 teams, you are really just guessing at that point anyway. It's so hard to determine those slots in the poll, but a team that starts doing well will find themselves in the poll sooner or later. If you do your research, you will know that a team like Georgia is undefeated and will have them in your top 30 or so. I make a list down to about 40 so I have some teams to move in and out at the bottom.

[bbandlax]

I think that while you shouldn't let the poll affect you too much, you should at least look at it and consider what other people think. For instance, Alex, let's say you did your poll and for one reason or another didn't put (for example) Oregon State on there. Maybe they're a xxxx good team, but for one reason or another they just weren't on your radar. By looking at the poll, you might think "xxxx, they should have been on my poll, I'll get them on there next time". I think the most responsible way to vote is yes, to keep your own poll from week to week, but at the same time look at what other people are picking to see if there's something you might have missed.

This was exactly what I was thinking after reading Alex's post. I have complete confidence that Alex (and the other voters) do the absolute best they possibly can in rating teams across the country. However the biggest problem our pollsters face is the fact that they won't be able to actually see live many of the teams in the top 30. It is very difficult to rate a team when you have not seen them play. I believe the MDIA board has done a pretty good job of keeping each region represented in choosing the pollsters. I think the pollsters should also have a certain level of trust in each other. Even though a pollster on the west coast may see very few, if any, teams from the PCLL there are pollsters from that area and there views should be taken into account because they see those teams play. Maybe pollsters should be able to see how each other are voting in order to get a better handle on those teams they don't see play. All that being said I am not a pollster nor do I consider myself qualified. I do not envy their position and they are doing a great job despite all the obstacles they face.

[Sonny]

I believe the MDIA board has done a pretty good job of keeping each region represented in choosing the pollsters.

The MDIA board doesn't pick the pollsters (and they never have). (I do.) The poll is a function of USLIA.com. Just like the NCAA doesn't get involved with the selection of the pollsters for the AP or USA Today/ESPN football or basketball polls.

[bbandlax]

Sonny,

I did not know that. Thanks for correcting me.

Well then the USLIA.com has done a good job of selecting the pollsters.

[BB]

My point is still a little muddled. LU beats Duluth and Miami. Which should raise them in the standings as it did, and lower Duluth and Miami. Which it did. The only reason Duluth and Miami dropped was because they lost to Lindenwood. So I do understand that Duluth and Miami are not ranked where they were.... But the only reason why; was that they had lost to Lindenwood.

So it's a damned if you do damned if you don't situation for them, and they are taking slack for wanting to enjoy beating to good teams, and their new ranking. While the People's Champ is stating they are undeserving in more or less words.

Yes there is a big difference between the top dogs, and the second tier as I stated before. But I think the best way to prove that you are in the top of that second tier is to beat teams in that second tier rather than, getting beat up by CSU, UCSB.... While that may help you prepare for Minneapolis, I don't think getting shelled by a top team will help you get to Nationals anymore. You have to beat other similar teams, which LU did, and then look how they did against other teams and other conferences this year.

And then try and put a good showing together in Minneapolis, against a top team. I do agree with you there is a big difference between Sonoma, UCSB, and Duluth and Miami. That is my point. I just think the best way to get ranked ahead of Duluth and Miami is to beat them. I don't think LU is trying to claim to be a top 8 team. They just want to enjoy where they are. Then hopefully turn heads in Minneapolis, and play big.

[Aaron Myers]

My point was that UMD and Miami were overranked, not just because they lost to Lindenwood, but also because of their season's scores against other teams. All three teams have very close scores with teams that are not traditionally strong. Hence the question to the pollsters. Was I missing something. After hearing your argument BB I think not. YOur justification for Lindenwood being where they are is that they beat teams that were in that range. Yes, but as the season has progressed it has become evident that those teams were overranked and Lindenwood's win shouldl consequently have less wieght in future polls.

PC

[Rad44]

The whole issue of the polls is very difficult to comprehend sometimes. Outside of the top 5-7 teams, anyone could rank from say 8-16 and so on. Boston College, as is the case for some other teams, is victimized by a weaker league. They destroyed Stanford, Cal, UC-Davis and Chico though, teams which generally gain some attention. While the level of play may represent one thing, teams are often considered on a bases of what league they are in.

Missouri thought they were legit last year, when in reality, on a running clock and shortened game at nationals, BC took their starters out after 10 minutes and Missouri was ranked 15 I believe! BC, FSU, VT and Oregon are stong teams that deserve rankings from 7-12. Based on a league analysis and mediocre schedule, BC may to some, appear overranked, however expect them to win each game by anywhere from 5-10 goals and to seed well in Minn.

[Daniel Morris]

The whole issue of the polls is very difficult to comprehend sometimes. Outside of the top 5-7 teams, anyone could rank from say 8-16 and so on. Boston College, as is the case for some other teams, is victimized by a weaker league. They destroyed Stanford, Cal, UC-Davis and Chico though, teams which generally gain some attention. While the level of play may represent one thing, teams are often considered on a bases of what league they are in.

Missouri thought they were legit last year, when in reality, on a running clock and shortened game at nationals, BC took their starters out after 10 minutes and Missouri was ranked 15 I believe! BC, FSU, VT and Oregon are stong teams that deserve rankings from 7-12. Based on a league analysis and mediocre schedule, BC may to some, appear overranked, however expect them to win each game by anywhere from 5-10 goals and to seed well in Minn.

Hey now! It is totally unfair to call the PCLL a weak league. UNH, BC and even Northeastern have shown they can play with anyone outside the top 5 teams, and even then, I think they could hold their own against the nation's best. BC dominated in Cali. UNH won all their games in Texas. Northeastern had a very strong showing in Florida, losing to only FSU who is a top 15 team. All these teams were playing their first games of the season, some without even practicing outside when everyone they played had 5-6 games under their belts. Even URI had a admirable showing in Seattle, and they had a very tough schedule. Took Simon Fraser to OT, played a very solid Wahington and also took on Oregon St. This is a team that is rebuilding and was midlevel in our league last season. Not too shabby.

Bottom line, the PCLL isn't weak. We have player talent as good as any other league. What we lack is the length of season and ability to draw Top 15 teams in late March & April when we can guarantee decent weather. When that starts to change, you will see perceptions about our league start to change as well.

[Walter]

When that starts to change, you will see perceptions about our league start to change as well.

things will change when you win in the first round of the tournament. Last year was the best chance you ever had facing a #8 seed an you couldn't do it. Perceptions will remain the same until success in MN comes.

[Daniel Morris]

Last year was the best chance, but also our only chance so far. Every other year we went in as 15 or 16. Going in against Colorado St or UCSB is a death sentence. Oregon was a great team last season and BC was short some key players for the first round. I believe it was anyone's game, but with a weakened BC team, I would edge towards the Ducks, and they pulled it out. BC did beat handily two solid programs in the remainder of the tourney. This year, I hope whatever teams make it from the PCLL, their players don't mislead professors and get stuck missing the first day.

[Dan Wishengrad]

Even URI had a admirable showing in Seattle, and they had a very tough schedule. Took Simon Fraser to OT, played a very solid Wahington and even took on Oregon. This is a team that is rebuilding and was midlevel in our league last season. Not too shabby.

Although the PCLL website lists URI's third opponent at the H.I.T. as the "University of Oregon", rest assured it was Oregon State and not Oregon (the Ducks were in California playing Sonoma at the time) that beat the Rams 12-6 Saturday indoors in Seattle. The Beavers have been drawing some poll votes all season, and this past weekend's games at the HIT (OSU beats URI 12-6, plays well in 17-14 loss to ranked UW) shouldn't hurt Oregon State's reputation at all.

[Daniel Morris]

Even URI had a admirable showing in Seattle, and they had a very tough schedule. Took Simon Fraser to OT, played a very solid Wahington and even took on Oregon. This is a team that is rebuilding and was midlevel in our league last season. Not too shabby.

Although the PCLL website lists URI's third opponent at the H.I.T. as the "University of Oregon", rest assured it was Oregon State and not Oregon (the Ducks were in California playing Sonoma at the time) that beat the Rams 12-6 Saturday indoors in Seattle. The Beavers have been drawing some poll votes all season, and this past weekend's games at the HIT (OSU beats URI 12-6, plays well in 17-14 loss to ranked UW) shouldn't hurt Oregon State's reputation at all.

Sorry Dan, in haste I left off the St. I edited my post to reflect changes.

[BB]

So much animosity.

I look at one thing. The WCLL is losing the stranglehold it has on the top rankings and they are not happy about it.


each other league is getting better has teams that are getting better and suddenly there is some parity and people are getting really defensive.

Peoples Champ, other than those two games name a game that Dulth didn't do as expected? They have 3 teams that are curretly competitive in their league. Minnesota and WI Stevens Point. That I understand. But they hung with Lindenwood better than any team has all year and they just smoked NC State. Which played georgia Tech, and FSU relatively even.

and Miami who's only losses came to Georgia Tech and Lindenwood.

So if they are of guilty of anything it is scheduling the same opponents. How do you have a clue how good these teams are.

While Georgia tech's only loss came at the hands of FSU which lost to Minnesota, which would make the Minnesota Dulth game of importance to all the above teams.

There really seems to be a serious bias against any team that doesn't schedule a WCLL top team. Which shouldn't be the case now that there are numerous good teams outside of the WCLL, that do play against WCLL teams, and then against other opponents throughout the conferences.

While I do still think the WCLL and RMLC are on top. I don't see how certain people can blow off every other conference as insignificant, especially based off the surprising scores this year. Oakland, Pittsburgh,
Georgia Tech and Lindenwood have really stood out this year so far.

There is much more parity. Thats all I have to say, the top teams dominate and then everyone else falls in the middle. So nowadays 1 or 2 losses outside of the top 5 doesn't completely hurt a team, it just means the league has become more fun to watch and much more competitive, while 4-6 losses in the WCLL doesn't mean you get a bid for hanging with the big boys anymore.

[sohotrightnow]

I don't think the WCLL is losing its stranglehold at all. So they may send 4 teams this year as opposed to the 6 teams that they did in 2002...that doesn't necessarily mean that there is a transfer of power. The same 4 teams are going to be in the MDIA Final Four once again, so I really don't see how the WCLL or RMLL for that matter have lost their dominance in the MDIA. As for Boston College, I think they have made significant strides with their program. However, destroying Cal and Stanford in 2005 is not really saying much. Neither of those teams have spent more than a week in the top 25 since 2003. As for beating Davis...well I think Davis has about 3 WCLL wins in the past 3 years, so take that as you will. I will, however, give credit where it is due. Beating Chico, especially on the road by a significant margin is an accomplishment for BC, so kudos to them. I just hope they can show something come tournament time.

[Rad44]

Wow wow wow- im not bashing the PCLL at all- in fact im saying, and you HAVE to agree, there have been weak teams, nevertheless, BC, NU, UNH and even URI now are comming up with some impressive wins. The weather holds the league down considerably, so the influx of travel this year by such teams, plus their wins was quite impressive.

As for BC, the first year in the league saw a championship and what do you expect in the tourney when you play CSU. The program is new and is therefore not widely aknowledged in the school- some key players were unable attend nationals each year. In the case of last years tourney, Oregon was a good team, though the game was a tossup and without Brian Kinsella (All-American) and John Montana (All-League). After that, Texas and Missouri did not even hold a chance to really even be competative, although Texas played pretty well.

As for the PCLL, it is awesome to see the league grow. Almost every team traveled and in the next month, will see several national teams come up east. NU was impressive as was UNH. URI, who was at the bottom of the league represents the most hope for the league as they are comming out of nowhere and are young. Although they will probably finish 3rd or fourth, they have shown that they can play and will continue to improve. The PCLL is becomming pretty deep.

Expect BC to win the league and maybe crack top 6 this season. With UNH, NU and Pitt all either ranked now or close to ranking, the team looks to build a stronger schedule each year and could get some quality wins.