whose gonna take it all this year in the CCLA

[laxfan25]

Indiana posted a couple convincing wins against Clemson and Tennessee.
They could be an up and comer!

[LaxGuru]

I'd say Michigan-Oakland are the front runners with Pittsburgh, Indiana, Mich. State and Miami as teams capable of toppling the two.

[Bentiss]

Unfortunately for the other teams, that's the way things are working out.

[CDSLax8]

I don't know why people are giving Oakland so much credit. They have not played anyone too special this year, and when they played their conference game against Pittsburgh they had to go into overtime to win. Also, the only thing they did last year was beat Michigan in the conference tournament and then went on and beat a decent Miami team in overtime in the championship, a game in which Miami had all but won. Michigan is clearly the best team in the conference, everyone else is a notch below them.

[Bentiss]

Have you seen Oakland play? If so, keep saying that they are a notch below. You're entitled to that.

Not that Oakland should have gone to OT against Pitt, but Pitt is VERY underrated. Oakland scheduled what was thought to be a tough Texas trip at the beginning of the season and dominated.

Oakland has done nothing but win and continue to prove to be a Top 10 team and a Top 5 contender. It's up to them to continue to win and prove people like you wrong...

[CATLAX MAN]

"Thought" is the operative word there. Turns out it wasn't very tough at all. Therefore, it shouldn't be surprising that people are still unsure about Oakland because they haven't been tested. . .except by unranked Pittsburgh.

[Bentiss]

"THOUGHT" is the operative word there.

That's exactly what I was saying, CATLAX MAN. But I think that the more knowledgable/important people in the league know that Oakland has something special this year and although ALMOST untested, Oakland has responded. As I said, I think UNRANKED PITT will be no longer nor should be no longer come the new poll. IN MY OPINION Pitt is a Top 20 team, NOT CONTENDER...

[CATLAX MAN]

For perhaps the first time, we agree on something. I agree that Oakland deserves their ranking and that Pitt probably should be ranked now. I was trying to point out that it shouldn't be surprising that some are still unsure about how good Oakland is as there isn't enough relevant data yet.

[Bentiss]

For perhaps the first time, we agree on something. I agree that Oakland deserves their ranking and that Pitt probably should be ranked now. I was trying to point out that it shouldn't be surprising that some are still unsure about how good Oakland is as there isn't enough relevant data yet.

I understand how people may not be sold on Oakland yet due to the lack of exposure they get (partly their fault), and the narture of this league. Teams are hyped by word of mouth; not television, radio, newspaper, etc.

It's completely fair for people to not be sold on Oakland, but because I was part of the program and still have some ties, I feel like there is nothing wrong with my defending them. I know a lot more than a lot of people about the program due again to the nature of the league.

[CDSLax8]

My point was Bentiss, someone said Oakland and Michigan are the front-runners and a couple other teams are below them, well if that's true then they shouldn't be pulling out games in OT against. I think Oakland is on the same level as Pitt, Miami, Mich. St., and Indiana. Michigan is the only great team in this league until proven otherwise. That is why I question their high ranking.

[Bentiss]

Michigan is the only great team in this league until proven otherwise.

Oakland has been the only team to beat them in the CCLA...One win doesn't necessarily constitute a dethroning, but it says something. Michigan vs. Oakland this year will and should be extremely hyped...

[s-kim77]

Oakland is the defending CCLA champs, and apparently other coaches within the CCLA think they are probably better than Michigan, due to the fact that they were the preseason favorite to win the CCLA, am I correct??
But my question for Bentiss or anyone else involved with Oakland, is how are their underclassman?? Do they have a good recruiting class coming in?? Michigan obviously gets excellent recuiting classes year in and year out, what about Oakland, are they going to be able to run with Michigan for the next few years, or once Binge and Opron graduate, will they become a team that fades, like Buffalo from a couple years ago.
Personally, I'm a fan of Oakland and would like to see teams challenge Michigan in the CCLA, but the last few years it seems that teams can only challenge Michigan for a year or two.

[CDSLax8]

Well from playing them last year, I didn't think they were anything special. Maybe a lot has changed, but judging from the schedule, I guess the Michigan game will show how good they really are and if they deserve their top 10 ranking.

[LaxGuru]

I stated Michigan and Oakland are the frontrunners because 1.) Michigan does it year in year out. 2.) Oakland beat them last year, are current CCLA champs untill dethroned 3.) Look just as impressive this year 4.)People underestimate the Pitt team that took them to OT. 5.) MDIA voters will never recognize good east teams unless they travel west, never mind that the west only travels to play overhyped florida teams and calls that "East" 6.) While both Mich & Oak are THAT good, there are a few teams that can beat them in the CCLA if they play up to it 6.) Oakland might have done it two years ago if they weren't being punished for a roster violation.
I'm not from Oakland so don't accuse me of being a homer, but I've seen them play the last 4 years and they are a VERY impressive unit. I watched the BYU-CU game and Oakland could run with them easily. Michigan lost by 1 or 2 at BYU so that means if they play at a neutral site it's a pick'em.

[defense_wins_championship]

CDSlax8 I'd like to know where you got your opinion on CCLA lacrosse and Oakland. You put them on the same level with teams like Michigan State who has an extremly weak schedule. You've played Oakland once?And you know how they stack up to Michigan? I've played against Oakland for the last four years and they've gotten better every year. Last year they should have gone to the Tourney but got screwed by a crappy eligibilty rule. We've already played them this fall and they are the best I've ever seen them and that was only the fall. I saw them play in the semifinals against Michigan last year and they showed they wanted it more. Michigan is the class of the league but the coaches voted for Oakland for a reason. I'm counting on them making the national tourney this year and making an impact. LaxGuru makes many great points but whats very understated is the lack of respect CCLA teams get outside of U of M. It's nearly impossible to get out of conference games because our great state. Nearly all the CCLA's out of conference games come on the road and then when they run somebody the excuses come. The CCLA is highly competitive and has at least four teams that could make a national impact. And yes Pitt is a highly underated team.