Not that you should feel sorry for us at all but this week's rankings seemed especially difficult.
Because we are ranking all DIA, NCR D1, and DIAA teams together, there is some crossover, meaning that DIAA teams are ranked above some DIA teams. But it's a tough balance to make. Witness Siena winning all their DIAA-level games by large margins, and then losing a close game to the Liberty #3. But Siena's win over Binghamton was not the equal of Boston College's. So you see there seems to be some merging.
Who is #1?
Given that Lindenwood beat Army by a greater margin than did Navy shouldn't Lindenwood be #1? Well, no. Strength of schedule counts for something, too. Navy has played (and beaten) seven ranked teams. Lindenwood has played three (four once they play Davenport next week). The Lions will have ample opportunity to move into the #1 position in the New Year as they are one of a small number of teams that play in both the fall and the spring.
But right now? Navy remains #1.
Big Ten Impresses
We got the chance to see all eight Big Ten teams in action and there is quality there. We bumped several teams higher as a result. Wisconsin, a team we weren't sure of because of their schedule, impressed the most. They can play rugby, they beat Michigan State, and go from being unranked to #29.
Meanwhile, we've been spending some extra time looking back at results in the Liberty especially, but in the SCRC and other leagues to see if there need to be adjustments. We've made a few.
Fall-Only
Remember also that this is a Fall-Only ranking. A team has to be significantly active during the fall. So no ranking for Arkansas State, and yes, while some of the Californian teams have been playing, it's not a lot—no ranking for Saint Mary's or for CSULB or the Southern Californian teams, or Grand Canyon. Wait for winter.
