I have been reading a lot of polls, social media talk, and announcers talking about what they think the polls should be. This year, particularly after yesterday, is really difficult. Teams are playing very up-and-down and parity is stronger than ever.

One problem that I have noticed is that people are sticking way too closely to the preseason polls. They are putting who is "supposed to be good," first. To an extent, that is correct. We know that some teams are really good but have had bad games, look at Denver. I think you need to look very closely at what teams have actually done this year and who they have beat. Strength of schedule is massive in any sport where teams play drastically different schedules. Who did you beat and who did you lose to play into this equation way more than winning all of your games. For me, this plays largely into the decision to put Penn State where it is and Rutgers behind some one loss teams. Those one loss teams, have better wins and lost to better teams than anyone Rutgers and Penn State has played yet. 

Rutgers has a chance at marquee wins down the line against Maryland and Hopkins. If they win the games they should and beat one of two of these monsters, they have a very legit grip at being a top team at the end of the season. They really might be that good. 

Princeton too.... They only lost to Hofstra and dismantled Hopkins. If Hofstra really is that good, then Princeton might be really good too!!! This sets up for a massive Garden State showdown Wednesday night On The Banks!!!! One of these teams will have the chance to prove that they are for real! 

Why wasn't Hofstra ranked? They were undefeated with a win over Princeton, who beat Johns Hopkins and UNC, who beat Denver.

Hofstra should be #1 because they are undefeated with wins over Princeton (who beat Hopkins) and UNC (who beat Denver). If Hofstra is undefeated and beat the team that beat Denver, shouldn't they be ahead of Denver???? I say, YES. Now, who is ahead of Denver???? Not UNC, the rollercoaster has been moving too fast. They beat Notre Dame who beat Maryland. Ex post facto - Hofstra is the king (for now)

Why are we ranking teams so early in the year? They haven't had a chance to prove themselves. If you are going to rank so early in the year, you better be ready to make changes as results come in. 

My gut instinct tells me, that at the end of the year. One of the big 3 (Maryland, Denver, ND) will be there. Hofstra does not have the strength of schedule to stay above these teams despite their loses. 

Notre Dame - Big win over Maryland. One goal loss at Denver puts them behind Denver.

Maryland - Surprisingly no big wins but a one-goal loss at ND is proof that they are as good as they look.

Rutgers - Needs a big win to really prove that they are a top 5 team. Maryland and Hopkins provide those opportunities. Princeton and Army need to keep it rolling to support Rutgers claim.

Army - Army beat 'Cuse and only lost to Rutgers who might be very good!

'Cuse - Albany and UVA are strong W's, Army might be very good!

Princeton - Handled Hopkins and their only L is Hofstra who is proving to be very good.

Albany - One Goal Loss at Cuse, beat other teams easily.

Penn State - Not their fault the teams on their schedule are not living up to preseason hype, but with that being said, SOS is very low.

Johns Hopkins - Goods Wins and L's to good teams.

UNC - Up and Down - Big wins and Big L's.

Duke - Strong W's.

Loyola - Good team w tough schedule - not penalizing them for that.

Towson - Quality W & Quality L.

UVA - Playing a tough schedule, one goal win over Cornell is questionable.

Boston U - Providence only team w winning record so far.

Michigan - ND is really good, teams will lose to them.

UPenn - Beat UVA, not bad loses.

Richmond - One-goal loss to Duke, needs a quality win.