Winter Break is here for most teams in the ACHA which means the third of five ACHA rankings is set to come out this week. With only two weeks to determine this ranking, the Western Showcase two weeks ago threw the entire West Division for a loop which means shakeups in the rankings.
The number in parenthesis is the rank from the 2nd ACHA Ranking.
1. (1) Utah State Aggies (15-2-1, 1-1-1 this ranking period)
Key Wins:
Key Losses: Colorado State
The Aggies only played three games in this period and it did not help their case for number one with a tie to #10 Colorado and a loss to #4 Colorado State. Utah State could definitely be overthrown at the top especially after how ASU is playing right now.
2. (3) Arizona State Sun Devils (13-3-3, 3-0-1 this ranking period)
Key Wins: Northern Arizona, Weber State (x2)
Key Losses:
The only thing that keeps me from putting ASU from number one right now is the fact that Utah State has beat them twice. Despite starting flat this year, the Sun Devils are back in form and are one of if not the hottest team in the West right now (no pun intended). Blowout wins against Weber and the win and draw against NAU could propel them to the top spot in this ranking.
3. (2) Northern Arizona (10-3-3, 0-1-1 this ranking period)
Key Wins:
Key Losses: Arizona State
NAU is probably the best team on this list that hasn’t really beaten anybody above number 8 in the polls, and that could hurt them this time around. With the loss and draw against ASU in this period, they won’t be number one but should stay in the top four.
4. (4) Colorado State Rams (9-6-1, 2-1 this ranking period)
Key Wins: Utah State, San Jose State
Key Losses: Utah
The Rams started the Western Showcase on a low note, losing to Utah which could have slipped them down the polls. They followed it up though with a big win against Utah State to put them at number 4 in this ranking. Despite the loss to Utah, the strength of their schedule should keep them at four.
5. (7) Utah Utes (17-5, 5-1 this ranking period)
Key Wins: Colorado State
Key Losses: San Jose State
Not only have the Utes played the most games of anyone this ranking period, they have also won the most, which helps them big time in this ranking period. The third loss to San Jose will haunt the Utes but thanks to the rest of their resume I have them at number five in the polls. Of the remaining teams in the polls, Utah holds more wins against top opponents than the others.
6. (6) Weber State Wildcats (16-7-2, 2-3 this ranking period)
Key Wins: San Jose State
Key Losses: Blowout to Arizona State (x2), Denver
After the way the Western Showcase went down, the Wildcats were poised to sit at number five or even four for this ranking period. That dream came crashing down after losing 7-1 and 6-1 to Arizona State this past weekend. The Wildcats have had an impressive season so far and should be at five or six in the polls.
7. (5) San Jose State Spartans (12-7-1, 1-3 this ranking period)
Key Wins: Utah
Key Losses: Denver, Weber State
Despite beating Utah three times this year, the Spartans stay in the top five is over after losing the rest of their games in the showcase. A 1-3 showing isn’t gonna do it, especially when the rest of the teams you’re competing against are beating teams you lost to.
8. (13) Denver Pioneers (7-7-1, 2-2, this ranking period)
Key Wins: San Jose State, Weber State
Key Losses:
Before this ranking period, the Pioneers were dead in the water. A couple of wins but most of them came against low D2 or D3 teams. After the showcase, the Pioneers are back on the map after wins over San Jose and Weber and almost pulled upsets over Utah State and Utah. The impressive showing is enough to move them back into the top ten.
9. (8) San Diego State Aztecs (5-8-1, 0-0 this ranking period)
Key Wins:
Key Losses:
The Aztecs are tricky to peg as they are the only team to not play a game in this ranking period against a D2 team. The wins they have so far should be enough to keep the Aztecs in the top ten.
10. (9) Loyola Marymount Lions (12-3-1, 3-0 this ranking period)
Key Wins:
Key Losses:
The Lions didn’t play any teams in the top 15, but didn’t lose either so that should keep them in the top ten. They only have 5 games left this season and should be able to go to regionals if they win them all.
Best of the Rest:
11. Colorado
12. Oregon
13. Texas A&M
14. Cal State Long Beach
15. Dallas Baptist
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