GRR: College Men
Some major moves this week.
There were only three games where both teams involved were ranked D1AA teams. We had a non-ranked team (Columbia) beating a ranked team (Binghamton). We had a D1AA team beat a D1A-level team (Sam Houston State over Texas A&M), and a team that tied a NCR D1 team (Tennessee).
As we have said before, the opening week of rankings is a bit of a guess and relies heavily on last year.
But small changes in teams can make for big changes in their fortunes. SLU's win over Washington University was a good example of that, as was RPI's win over Albany.
Early fall brings some college matchups we wouldn't normally see in conference play and it provides an intriguing glimpse into where those programs are in various pecking orders.
Whie some teams performed as expected we do have some shifts in the first post-results rankings for D1A.
McKendree and Ohio State move into the Top 25 after impressive victories. Army and Penn State nudge up. We did consider moving both Mary Washington and Mount St. Mary's up, but given that both have big games ahead we'll wait.
After something of a line in the sand was officially drawn, all teams in the Big 10 Conference will be members in USA Rugby and pay the CRAA $20-per-play fee.