It’s right around Spring Break. Maybe the college players are done with mid-terms and looking ahead to final exams. For DIA rugby, that means the playoffs.

We had a look at the playoff scenarios and situations, and here’s what we’ve got:

There will be 12 teams in the playoffs, with the top four seeds getting a bye to the quarterfinals, and the other eight playing in the first round. We know three teams that have qualified already:

Big East Champions Army

Red River Champions Oklahoma

Big Ten Champions Wisconsin

 

In addition, St. Mary’s will be California Conference Champions unless something really, really weird happens.

Two more conferences are up in the air. Any of the three teams in the Mid-South could win, although it’s going to be hardest for Davenport. Life is in the best position and can clinch with a bonus-point win tomorrow at Lindenwood. In the DIA West, Air Force is in a marginally better position than Colorado State, but if Air Force doesn’t make out on bonus points, or Colorado State blows out their opponents in their final two games, the Rams could take the conference.

There are six more playoff spots available, and they are determined by the DIA rankings. With the rankings in mind, and looking at the form of various teams, here’s who we think will get in:

Two of the following - Life, Lindenwood, Davenport (subtract the Mid-South conference winner)

The winner of Cal Poly and San Diego State on April 12

Colorado State or Air Force, whichever team doesn’t win the West

Penn State or Texas A&M or Wheeling Jesuit

Utah

 

The Utes, beat Arizona, St. Mary’s, and UCLA. So even though St. Mary’s didn’t run their 1st 15 against Utah, and even if they lost to Arizona State, I think they’ve done enough to warrant a place. However, a solid showing Saturday against BYU will help.

Penn State plays Wisconsin in April, and should the Nittany Lions not do well, A&M has a shot at passing them by. So, too, might San Diego State or Cal Poly if the game between those two is close.

The only team ranked high enough to get a spot who we know won’t participate is Kutztown. The Bears are currently ranked #7 by the DIA panel (of which I am a member) but they are playing 7s now.

If the season were to end with no change in leadership, then, the playoffs would likely look like this:

 

Bye to the Quarterfinals:

Life

St. Mary’s

Army

Air Force

 

1st Round playoff teams:

Wisconsin

Oklahoma

Lindenwood

Davenport

Utah

Cal Poly

 

 

Personally I think San Diego State has a fair shot at beating Cal Poly. Wheeling Jesuit has done enough to warrant an invitation, and so has Penn State, but there may not be room.

Colorado State still has an outside chance at bypassing Air Force.