Faceoff Factor

NCAA Power Rankings - Week of 1/29

Andrew Chiappazzi | College/NCAA

Jan 29, 11:00 PM | Hype this story!

I said last week that if I mentioned stability finally becoming a force in the power rankings, that something would happen to disrupt that notion.

How about #1 handing three points to a key conference and in-state rival? Oops.

Welcome home to Miami, the #1 team for much of the season. The Redhawks not only reclaimed sole possession of first place in the CCHA, but have reclaimed the even more prestigious #1 in the Faceoff Factor NCAA Power Rankings.

Seriously.

The rest of the top 20:
1. (2) Miami of Ohio (25-3-0) – CCHA
Two weeks to rest up after sweeping Alaska. Guess who’s next? *2. (1) Michigan (22-3-1) – CCHA *
These guys. Perhaps the most exciting matchup of the season is just two weeks away. They cannot look past Northern Michigan, though, not after what Michigan State did to them this weekend.
3. (4) Michigan State (17-5-5) – CCHA
Weekend has reaffirmed their status as defending champs, and also gives CCHA the 3 best teams in hockey.
4. (5) Denver (18-6-0) – WCHA
Pioneers happy to move up a spot after not playing this weekend, and even happier to not be involved in the latest WCHA referee incident.
5. (3) Colorado College (18-7-1) – WCHA
Horrible performances at inferior Michigan Tech. Tigers have to be careful – Denver’s behind them in the standings, but has played 4 fewer WCHA games.
6. (6) Notre Dame (20-9-1) – CCHA
While the big guns fight each other, Notre Dame will get Ferris State in two weeks. That could be the last opportunity for ND to make a run at a title. Otherwise, they’ll have to make their move in the CCHA Tourney.
7. (7) North Dakota (16-8-1) – WCHA
Speaking of making a run, UND up to 2nd in the WCHA, but still five points behind Colorado. Further progress can be made against Minnesota this weekend.
8. (8) New Hampshire (15-7-1) – Hockey East #1 in the Hockey East with a sweep of Boston and Vermont up next…
9. (9) Boston College (12-5-7) – Hockey East
...while #2 has to deal with upstart Providence. A twist in the winds could put the Eagles on top to start February.
10. (11) Clarkson (15-7-2) – ECAC
St. Cloud State’s fall is Clarkson’s gain. Welcome to the Top Ten, you bastion of the tiny schools.
11. (15) Niagara (15-8-1) – CHA
Perhaps a solid indication that Niagara is right behind Bemidji State and well in front of Robert Morris – their dismantling of Quinnipiac this past weekend. Bobcats handed RMU their rear-ends in Pittsburgh, but Niagara returned the favor to QU.
12. (10) St. Cloud State (11-12-3) – WCHA
Two big losses took the bite out of the Huskies, especially in the WCHA.
13. (13) Massachusetts (9-8-6) – Hockey East
This begins the “lurkers” section of the power rankings, teams with warts that just can’t seem to make a move. Also, most of them lost big, like the Minutemen handing 3 points to Vermont…
14. (14) Northeastern (11-8-3) – Hockey East
...And Northeastern coughing up ten goals to Providence to fall out of the lead in the conference.
15. (12) Air Force (12-10-4) – Atlantic Hockey
Three losses in the voting week will do a lot of damage. Ouch.
16. (20) Princeton (11-8-0) – ECAC
One of few bottom teams to win, and they did it just a few hours ago at Robert Morris.
17. (18) RIT (12-9-4) – Atlantic Hockey
Air Force’s follies, plus Sacred Heart’s inability to capitalize, helps out RIT. Falcons are better, but Tigers have the Atl. lead.
18. (17) Quinnipiac (14-7-3) – ECAC
Bobcats can’t worry about non-conference losses to Niagara. RPI and Union – conference games – loom this weekend.
19. (18) Massachusetts-Lowell (11-8-4) – Hockey East
Another team that can’t worry about non-conference losses – this time to Minnesota-Duluth. Vermont/Maine wins would be more impressive; otherwise they could fall out of contention and the Top 20. *20. (20) Minnesota (12-11-5) – WCHA *
Another performance against North Dakota like they had against Wisconsin and Gophers could join the Badgers on the outside-looking-in.

DROPPED OUT
None

ON THE OUTSIDE, LOOKING IN:
Bemidji State, Bowling Green, Minnesota-Duluth, Robert Morris