University of San Diego did about as much as you'd hope for a #1 to stay #1, winning in convincing fashion over a Fresno State team that we had at #12.

And we are seeing a special upper-echelon of teams in D1AA. American River, which, like St. Thomas, is school supported, won well over San Jose State. We might well see SJSU close that gap later this season, but right now the top four or five are very strong.

Arizona State moves into our Top 25 after a close loss to a very good Claremont Colleges team. That meant we had to move a team out of the Top 25. And the most logical move was to look at the three teams out of the NCRC that we had at #23, #24, and #25. Now, why not just ove out #25? Because we felt that team, Washington, had challenge Western Washington sufficiently for us to keep them in the rankings. 

Also, with everyone beating everyone else, sort of, we felt we needed to look at the NCRC conference a bit closer.

Oregon is in the Top 25 mostly because they beat Western Washington 17-15 early in the fall. It was Oregon's only win in-conference, and they lost to Oregon State and Washington. They also had a game with Boise State that was no played and appears to have been listed as a forfeit. Boise State, a team we haven't ranked, is now 2-2 in-conference but that includes that unplayed game we just referenced. They lost to Western Washington and Oregon State, but beat Washington. They also beat Utah and Utah State early last fall. Our problem with Boise State was that on the road they have not performed well.

Washington beat Oregon and Oregon State but lost to Western Washington and Boise State. 

So you know we have a philosophy about throwing out results, and those results generally have to be early in the season, and very close. Oregon 17 WWU 15 fits. And if we throw that out, or at least put a pin in it, the Ducks slip down below the other NCRC teams. 

So we looked at Boise State, Oregon State, and Washington, comparing all of the results. Here's what we found:

1. The results against Oregon are a wash because UW and OSU won competitive games, and Boise State's game was not played.

2. Against Western Washington, UW and OSU had virtually the same result, and Boise State lost 0-55 (on the road ... we mentioned Boise State has struggled on the road). So advantage OSU and UW.

3. Against Oregon State, Washington won 32-20, and Boise State lost 52-17 (on the road ...). Advantage Huskies.

4. Against Boise State, Washington lost 45-17 in Boise, and OSU won 52-17 in Corvallis. Advantage OSU over Washington.

5. Against Washington, Boise State won 45-17, while Oregon State lost 32-20. Advantage Broncos. 

What this brings us is, if you track these factors as wins and losses, Boise State ends up 1-2-1, UW 2-1-1, and OSU 2-1-1.

So that's why, at the moment, Boise State is not in the Top 25.

So we're left with Washington and Oregon State, and Washington beat Oregon State 32-20 in Seattle on November 23. That's the key result that now moves UW over OSU.

Looking ahead, for these teams, Boise State hosts Oregon State this coming weekend and is at Oregon. They visit Washington in April. Those games are huge. If Boise State can't perform on the road, ranking them is tough.

Washington is at Oregon this coming weekend. That's a big one, as well. Win in Eugene and you solidify your spot.