FB: Region 6 fan poll

[emma17]

This is a fun poll to follow because there is so much uncertainty. You voters have a tough task with this region.

George Fox is intriguing. The region is so strong they can't crack the top 10, even though #3 UWP barely beat them (I'm not suggesting this is wrong). I look forward to their game against Linfield.

Depending on the two losers of the WIAC games, space may be freed up in the top 10.   

[wm4]

I count 12 remaining key games for these top 10 in the West.  7 of them will occur over these next two weeks (4 this weekend, 3 next).  Will be interesting to see where things stand after this first wave of games. 

[02 Warhawk]

             2017 Week 5 West Fan Poll

Rank      Team           Previous    Points   
1)   UW-Oshkosh (10)        1         100     
2)   St. Thomas             2          81   
3)   UW-Platteville         3          72   
4)   Linfield               5          71     
5)   St. John's             4          66     
6)   Concordia-Moorhead     6          58   
7)   Wartburg               9          53     
8)   UW-Stout               8          23     
9)   UW-LaCrosse           N/A         15   
10)  Whitworth              7          12

Dropped Out: UW-Whitewater

RV)  George Fox (9), UW-Whitewater (4), Lake Forest (3), Redlands (3)


Thanks to those who participated this week: art76, wartnight, wm4, astro9046, doolittledog, desercat1, HansenRatings, TwoArmedScot, smedindy and 02 Warhawk.

[02 Warhawk]

 
1)  UW-Oshkosh (10)      100      ( 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1)
2)  St. Thomas            81      ( 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 3, 4, 4, 6)
3)  UW-Platteville        72      ( 2, 2, 3, 3, 4, 4, 5, 5, 5, 5)
4)  Linfield              71      ( 2, 2, 3, 3, 3, 4, 4, 6, 6, 6)
5)  St. John's            66      ( 3, 3, 3, 4, 4, 4, 5, 5, 6, 7)
6)  Concordia-Moorhead    58      ( 3, 4, 5, 5, 5, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6)
7)  Wartburg              33      ( 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 8, 9, -)
8)  UW-Stout              23      ( 5, 7, 8, 8, 8, 9, 9, -, -, -)
9)  UW-LaCrosse           15      ( 7, 8, 9, 9,10,10,10,10, -, -)
10) Whitworth             12      ( 8, 8, 8,10,10,10, -, -, -, -)

RV) George Fox             9      ( 8, 9, 9, 9, -, -, -, -, -, -)
RV) UW-Whitewater          4      ( 8,10, -, -, -, -, -, -, -, -)
RV) Lake Forest            3      ( 9,10, -, -, -, -, -, -, -, -)
RV) Redlands               3      ( 9,10, -, -, -, -, -, -, -, -)

[02 Warhawk]

Have to say, we're all pretty much in agreeance this week. Only four teams received other votes, fewest we've had this season. I guess as the season progresses we're starting to see some clarity on who the top teams are.

The only question mark seems to be Stout. That's probably the only team we're kind of unsure on (as a group that is). Which is ok because that makes things interesting (conformity is boring ).

[wm4]

RE: Stout

I have Whitewater ahead of them, but just by a thread.  Fortunately they play each other this weekend so the debate between those two will resolve itself. 

I'm also cautious on LaCrosse, as they haven't yet hit the meat of the WIAC schedule yet. 

Overall I think 6-10 are very close, and we'll get more clarity this weekend.

[02 Warhawk]

RE: Stout

I have Whitewater ahead of them, but just by a thread.  Fortunately they play each other this weekend so the debate between those two will resolve itself. 

I'm also cautious on LaCrosse, as they haven't yet hit the meat of the WIAC schedule yet. 

Overall I think 6-10 are very close, and we'll get more clarity this weekend.

Ever since UWW's week 2 loss to Concordia, I haven't had them sniff my top 10. I'm trying my best not to rank them just because of previous year's reputation. This team hasn't done anything this season to suggest they're a top 10 west team. That's just my opinion, and maybe I'm being too hard on them...but their only win this season is against a 1-4 team.

[wm4]

Ever since UWW's week 2 loss to Concordia, I haven't had them sniff my top 10. I'm trying my best not to rank them just because of previous year's reputation. This team hasn't done anything this season to suggest they're a top 10 west team. That's just my opinion, and maybe I'm being too hard on them...but their only win this season is against a 1-4 team.

I agree, trying very hard to remove any bias from prior years and just evaluate this year's team.  They lost to IWU and CM and a loss is a loss, but they were close games and I think in each they had late turnovers in the red zone.  You make your own luck, and I just believe things will even out a little more for them this year. 

[emma17]

RE: Stout

I have Whitewater ahead of them, but just by a thread.  Fortunately they play each other this weekend so the debate between those two will resolve itself. 

I'm also cautious on LaCrosse, as they haven't yet hit the meat of the WIAC schedule yet. 

Overall I think 6-10 are very close, and we'll get more clarity this weekend.

Ever since UWW's week 2 loss to Concordia, I haven't had them sniff my top 10. I'm trying my best not to rank them just because of previous year's reputation. This team hasn't done anything this season to suggest they're a top 10 west team. That's just my opinion, and maybe I'm being too hard on them...but their only win this season is against a 1-4 team.

UWW is an interesting case. Agreed they shouldn't be ranked top 10- yet imo they have just as good or better a chance at beating #2-#10 as anybody in the West. Other than the UWO offense dominating their D (which I believe is a bit akin to a pitcher throwing a no-hitter), the losses don't suggest the Warhawks are overmatched.

[smedindy]

I have G. Fox in, not LAX. They're an 'outsider', but I think their results show their value.

[SpartanHouse]

Don't count out Monmouth. They have been banged up to start the season and are starting to get healthy. Had a few d-linemen and O-linemen out vs wartburg and hope. Starting to get healthy. Held Macalester to -14 yards rushing and Lawerence to 49 total yards in their last two games. Defense finished #1 in the nation last year and is close to full strength again. Still missing the big horse in #2. Should be back soon hopefully.

[bluenote]

I don't know why Linfield is ahead of SJU? We've never beat them... and I don't think we would this year. Plus I have a SJU sweatshirt from the early 2000's I'm selling in my garage sale.

[smedindy]

I had St. John's 3rd and Linfield 6th. The ultra-close loss to St. Thomas vs. the loss by Linfield against UMHB is heavily weighted in my mind. Whitworth may have had a mental block going to McMinnville.

I just can't see Linfield as the second best team out west. So that's a little shocking.

[02 Warhawk]

I think the stout win over St. Thomas may be holding St. John's back in the poll. Linfield lost to the top team in the country. St. John's lost to a team that lost to Stout.

[smedindy]

But it's not like Stout is Hamline....