The Women's College 7s Championship is happening this weekend, and with Norwich unable to make the trip to Denver, a new champion will be crowned. We take a look at each pool and lend some predictions below, but be sure to watch this two-day event on USA Rugby TV, which will be live-streaming games.

Pool A: Montana State, Penn State, Rutgers, UC Davis
None of the teams in Pool A look like each other. The favorite, Penn State, is fresh of its 10th 15s title and used last weekend to freshen up its 7s game by winning the Subaru 7s. PSU has a great cast of players, but no one is carrying the team. The Eagles, All Americans, and up-and-comers all share the try-scoring, breakaways, turnovers – even Meya Bizer, the only one with USA 7s experience, takes an even role on the field. That’s what depth allows.

The Nittany Lions, which have never won a USA Rugby 7s championship, are expected to go undefeated during pool play and deep into the knockouts. But PSU can expect a challenge against UC Davis, the other DI team in the pool. The Aggies have some great athletes in Kristin Shum and Sydnee Watanabe, among others, and they have the potential to be damaging. But we suspect their newness to 7s and this level of play will affect consistency.

The closest game will probably occur between Davis and Rutgers, which is the three-time reigning Tri-State 7s champion. The New Jersey team missed the ACRA 7s championship, where it could have played some tougher competition in preparation for nationals, but Rutgers did not save its pennies to under-perform in Denver. The DII side has competed in DI 7s and has held its own.

This 2014-15 season has been about new experiences for Montana State, and Air Force is the only nationals participant that has seen MSU in action. Fortunately for head coach Ed McKenna, the squad is led by several high school rugby veterans, who are helping along the newcomers. Nationals is going to be an eye-opener for the Bobcats, but hopefully they’ll bank a lot of positive lessons.

Prediction: Penn State wins pool, and UC Davis moves onto the Cup quarterfinals

Pool B: Air Force, Stanford, Texas Tech, Virginia
It’s going to come down to UVA and Stanford. The East Coast team has a solid 7s history directed by the coaching influence of nearby NOVA. UVA has played at the CRCs and nationals, and continues to reiterate how well suited it is to 7s. Stanford has nationals experience, too, but their middle-of-the-pack past should change in 2015. The Cardinal exited playoffs a little early this year, and the 7s championship is a good place to refocus its energy.

We highlighted both Joy Jefferson from UVA and Olivia Bernadel-Huey from Stanford in our Players to Watch (read more), but both sides have good athletes who can all score. Settle in for this game; it’ll be the one to watch in the pool.

Air Force and Texas Tech are not to be overlooked. The former will hopefully have all of its seniors released from a mandatory academy event, but even if they don’t, they’re well fit and will be competitive. Texas Tech doesn’t come out of a very competitive region, but it has had lots of time to prepare for the championship – and that’s never a bad thing.

Prediction: Stanford takes top seed out of pool; UVA advances to Cup alongside the Cardinal.

Pool C: Central Washington, Humboldt, North Carolina, Princeton
Central Washington is the team to beat, if not simply for their caliber of athlete. The Wildcats shouldn’t have any problem transitioning from 15s (which it was playing until May 9) to 7s, as their style favors a more wide-open game anyhow; their success will hinge on the mental recuperation from the DI 15s final. But truthfully, we’re not worried that a title-worthy team won’t take the field.

It’s a tough call for #2, but we’re leaning toward North Carolina. During 15s, the Tar Heels were most dangerous when the ball moved away from the breakdown and into the hands of their very dangerous finishers. Princeton, though it has lots of history at nationals and in 7s, is young this year and that dearth of experience goes a long way in 14 minutes of play. Humboldt is in the same boat, fielding its first 7s team ever, but its players are playoff-ready, and they inject a nice brand of physicality into the pool. These three teams should all produce good games against each other.

Prediction: Central Washington wins the pool, North Carolina advances to Cup round.

Pool D: Cal, James Madison, Lindenwood, Texas
This pool is anyone’s pick. There is loads of nationals experience between all of the teams except Lindenwood, and so picking a favorite is tough. But we’re going with Cal and Lindenwood.

Cal plays good 7s and has always had good coaches guiding their development. Jess Lewis, Stacey Wong, CJ Whiteside – these are all prominent players on the 7s scene, and their influence will be obvious over the weekend. We’re also hoping that 7s nationals is where Cal will reach its potential for the year, picking up its success from the fall 7s season and continuing it in Denver.

As previously mentioned, Lindenwood is without some very good players due to injury, but an injection of new players at the beginning of the year, as well as the stepping-up of others, has seen the Lady Lions within striking distance of Penn State in a couple of tournaments. When one looks at the talent coming into Lindenwood next year, it’s intimidating; however, the Missouri team has the potential to start its legacy in spring 2015.

The game to watch is Cal vs. Lindenwood, but don’t discount what James Madison and Texas bring to the competition. They know what to expect at nationals, and it’s nice to have these tournament veterans in the mix. If there’s any pool with room for a surprise, then this is it.

Prediction: Cal and Lindenwood advance to the Cup and play some tough games along the way.