For the three NE mid-majprs, last night's results are killers, although certainly not unexpected. BU now has one chance (Santa Clara on Sunday) to get a win against a ranked opponent and help there chnaces at the at-large birth. They still have NC State looming in the distance (and next Friday with U Mass) but I don't think either opponent will end up offering enough RPI value to get the Terriers over the hump. Its hard to imagine that a team faces a legitimate "must win" situation on September 9! But because of BU's unique status with the AE... that is exactly what they face.
U Mass too has a desperate must win situation on Sunday against Virginia Tech. They, of course, can still win the A-10 and get its auto bid, so things are less concerning in Amherst. I watched some of the U Mass game on TV and they did exactly what they had to against the Demon Decons. It was awfully ugly (and that's why I stopped viewing at the half) but a perfect example of how you defend and counter against a much more talented opponent. They just don't have the offensive weapons to convert when they do a get a rare chance. Let's see ifit works against the Hokies?
The Dayton loss for Harvard basically ends their at-large hopes, unless they can pull a huge upset off against BC. Not a big deal as they should be favorites in the IVY, although winning out against their ancient in-league rivals is a tough task. Columbia and Cornell offer relatively easy wins, but the rest have all been better than average in NL play and I still think Dartmouth is a dark-horse come league matches. The Big Green have a tough test Sunday against 6-1 Rutgers and an upset there (combined with their previous win at Southern Fla) puts Dartmouth in a decent spot for an at-large bid if they win out. Like Harvard, however, that would likely mean an Ivy title and its auto spot. Don't be surprised to see Yale steal at least a point off of Northwestern on Sunday. That is my "sort of" upset pick of the week!!
The game of the week is obviously BC vs. UCF at Chestnut Hill on Sunday. Believe it or not, UCF has the nation's BEST unadjusted RPI, and with the Stanford struggles this year, represents the Eagles toughest test to date!! BC beats UCF and they will be at least #2 in the national polls and the early National Champion favorites. How the Eagles handle this lofty position will be interesting. UCF is going to challenge them physically and if the ref lets 'em play, it could be a lot like the NU game - except UCF is much much better. They have enough speed and talent in their MF to keep Mewis at bay, but that is no easy task and I think in big games the biggest players need to dominate. Just like in the tourney. So Sunday is a eraly season tourney preview of sorts.
U Mass too has a desperate must win situation on Sunday against Virginia Tech. They, of course, can still win the A-10 and get its auto bid, so things are less concerning in Amherst. I watched some of the U Mass game on TV and they did exactly what they had to against the Demon Decons. It was awfully ugly (and that's why I stopped viewing at the half) but a perfect example of how you defend and counter against a much more talented opponent. They just don't have the offensive weapons to convert when they do a get a rare chance. Let's see ifit works against the Hokies?
The Dayton loss for Harvard basically ends their at-large hopes, unless they can pull a huge upset off against BC. Not a big deal as they should be favorites in the IVY, although winning out against their ancient in-league rivals is a tough task. Columbia and Cornell offer relatively easy wins, but the rest have all been better than average in NL play and I still think Dartmouth is a dark-horse come league matches. The Big Green have a tough test Sunday against 6-1 Rutgers and an upset there (combined with their previous win at Southern Fla) puts Dartmouth in a decent spot for an at-large bid if they win out. Like Harvard, however, that would likely mean an Ivy title and its auto spot. Don't be surprised to see Yale steal at least a point off of Northwestern on Sunday. That is my "sort of" upset pick of the week!!
The game of the week is obviously BC vs. UCF at Chestnut Hill on Sunday. Believe it or not, UCF has the nation's BEST unadjusted RPI, and with the Stanford struggles this year, represents the Eagles toughest test to date!! BC beats UCF and they will be at least #2 in the national polls and the early National Champion favorites. How the Eagles handle this lofty position will be interesting. UCF is going to challenge them physically and if the ref lets 'em play, it could be a lot like the NU game - except UCF is much much better. They have enough speed and talent in their MF to keep Mewis at bay, but that is no easy task and I think in big games the biggest players need to dominate. Just like in the tourney. So Sunday is a eraly season tourney preview of sorts.
Comment