This week's list of games in Men's D1 college rugby is really interesting with several having ramifications for conferences, playoffs, and rankings too.
Big 10
The Big 10 finals are November 11 in South Bend and we're probably pretty sure who's going to be in the semis from the West, and Indiana is probably set in the East, but we're still waiting on Illinois, Wisconsin, and Purdue to figure it all out. So Illinois at Purdue is actually a very big deal in the context.
Also, fun fact, because of COVD and various other issues, Indiana's rugby team has not hosted a game on-campus in about 1,000 days. That time frame wasn't long enough for Anne Boleyn and too, too long for IU rugby. But this weekend not only are they hosting Wisconsin on-campus, they are hosting in the football stadium. It's a big deal. Results-wise, Indiana is favored.
MAC
One of the head-turning results last week was Cincinnati beating IUPUI. A team that had not started well, the Bearcats are now in the playoff conversation and Head Coach Kyle Roche said it's a very young team with probably more freshmen on the starting gameday 23 than any other class. Their are several more freshmen getting over injuries or just waiting their turn.
So while Bowling Green, Lousiville, and Western Michigan are pretty much set, but the #4 spot is up in the air. Pitt has no game this week but then plays IUPUI and Bowling Green; they are 3-2 right now and realistically could end up 4-3. IUPUI is not out of it at 1-3 because they have three games to go, against Louisville, Pitt, and Dayton. So that Pitt-vs-IUPUI game looms large now.
Cincinnati? They're 2-2-1 and have two very tough games left, against Bowling Green this week and then two weeks later against Western Michigan. The MAC uses bonus points, so what if Cincinnati loses to BG, but scores four points and maybe gets within seven? Then the WMU game is a really big deal.
Right now, this week, IUPUI has to perform against Louisville and at least make it close.
Liberty DIAA
Siena plays a very good Stony Brook team that has improved significantly. Head Coach Jerry Mirro brings a relaxed confidence to his job and shrugs at a game that could become a big win for Siena ... or not. They have nothing to lose. Boston College hosts Columbia and this is a Columbia side that keeps eking out close wins.
Liberty D1
Most of the playoff spots are probably secure. Dartmouth and AIC are solid in the East and Brown is solid in the West. Fairfield? Yes they can probably secure 2nd against a tough Syracuse team. Dartmouth at Brown is the Ivy League title game.
MARC
We talked a little about James Madison this week—Resurgent James Madison a Player in MARC Hierarchy—and they are in the middle of the chase for 1st. St. Joseph's is 1st right now but have played more games. They take on 3-0 Rowan so really this week is what it's all about.
NCRC
Boise State is good. Oregon is expected to be a solid competitor. This conference has been a bit lost in the wilderness for the last couple of years partly due to COVID issues and depth issues. Boise State hung on better than the others because they're in Idaho.
Heart of America
Arkansas can put their stamp on things here. Iowa State at Minnesota as a rematch of a 19-12 decision for ISU earlier this fall, so it's a big deal.
Lonestar
Texas State keeps winning.
Rocky Mountain and a Non-Conference
Oh this is fun. Colorado vs Colorado State. Big rivalry, two teams that compete well. Meanwhile, conference leaders BYU visit Life University in a non-conference game. For Buffs vs Rams game will give us a good idea of who might push for another spot in the D1A playoffs in the spring, potentially. BYU and Life clearly understand that the games will be tougher in the winter/spring and this meeting is an early test to remind everyone just what it's like later on. LIfe's Adisi side.
(FYI: Adisi is the name the Life program gives their development side. Life University is built on Cherokee land, and the Running Eagle, their mascot, is derived from a Cherokee ritual in which Human and Eagle merge to become a new being, also called the Adisi Eagle. Thus, Adisi, like Running Eagle, is an honoring of the Cherokee culture.)
Big Rivers
We spent some time discussing the Big Rivers this week. Thomas More is in very good shape to win this conference after beating Adrian but needs to back that up agianst a tough Marian side. Adrian is on the road against Wheeling, and that won't be easy, either. Expect both games to be competitive.
Rugby East
Army and Navy lead and have games they should probably win. Notre Dame College at Kutztown—we'll be there and this is a game that is a huge opportunity for both to move up. The same goes for Queens at Mary Washington. Whoever wins that game should get a tighter grip on 4th. St. Bonaventure vs Penn State is a rematch of the NCR D1 final last fall. Yes Penn State is 1-4 but they haven't been out of it in any game. St. Bonaventure could grab hold of 3rd with the win and then see if they can target Navy in a week.
