Men’s College Preview & Picks: Are More Surprises In Store This Weekend?
Men’s College Preview & Picks: Are More Surprises In Store This Weekend?
FloRugby looks at the best college matchups of the weekend and our picks for all of the games.
There has been no shortage of unpredictable results this season, but perhaps none was more stunning than BYU's margin of defeat to Saint Mary's last week.
The Gaels beat the Cougars by 20 points, the biggest loss BYU has endured in almost 10 years. The Cougars lost by 52 in the 2008 D1 national final (to Cal) and by 30 points the year before in the same final (also to the Bears). But since then, we don't think BYU has been handed such a sizable defeat.
Looking ahead to this week, we could see a few more surprise results. But first, a look at our predictions from last week. Of the 23 games we predicted that produced results, we got the winner right 18 times, which is a relatively adequate percentage of 78 percent, but we expect to be higher than that.
Baylor's loss at Oklahoma was a big surprise and a good indication of how OU has improved. We predicted San Diego State would beat UCLA by eight, but they ended up tying. We took a "wrong" on that but it wasn't that bad. Western Oregon over Oregon State was a bit of a shocker. LSU over Texas A&M and Nevada over UCSC weren't all that surprising. We just guessed wrong.
On the plus side, we got one result exactly right, and Cal vs. Arizona we missed by one point. Overall we had a very strong week in winning margin accuracy.
This week, let's have a look at the games to watch.
No. 24 Davenport at No. 2 Life
Life leads the Mid-South but has not yet played what is a pretty strong Davenport team. The key for the visiting Panthers is that, despite dealing with bad winter weather, they logged some difficult games in the fall. Davenport is well-tested and won't back down from the Running Eagles' challenge.
UBC at No. 3 Cal
One of the longest-running college rugby rivalries comes back again. However, it's a rivalry that has changed somewhat. The University of British Columbia has ramped up its efforts to support the rugby team, and the Thunderbirds play in what is still probably the toughest club league in North America in the BC Premier League.
Cal has blown away its competition so far this year, but UBC is 15-3 so far. Since January 20, the Thunderbirds have beaten Nanaimo, the UVic Vikes, and Seattle Saracens, while losing a close one to Capilano. UBC is probably favored in Saturday's game as a result.
No. 29 Clemson at No. 5 Lindenwood
This game is being shown as part of the Lindenwood High School Invitational on Saturday. Both teams are coming off close losses that they felt they could have (or should have) won. Both also know this game is part of a pathway to a national D1A playoff spot.
Glendale at No. 1 Saint Mary's
After beating BYU 37-17 last week, Saint Mary's takes on the Glendale men's club program, and this will be a chance for the Gaels to test themselves against an older, potentially more physical team. For Glendale, this is an opportunity to see who can match the pace of the No. 1 team in the country.
Claremont Colleges at (D1AA No. 23) Long Beach State
Shift your attention for a moment to D1AA. In the Gold Coast, Claremont Colleges is looking at an NSCRO title. Long Beach State is looking to win the conference and move on to the D1AA spring playoffs. Both are undefeated. The key here is whether Long Beach State can say it's the best team in Southern California in D1AA. To do that, the 49ers need a win this Sunday at home.
Note: Arkansas at Baylor has been called off due to bad weather.
Our Picks
2/24 | San Jose State | at | Nevada | Nevada by 22 |
2/24 | Sacramento State | at | Stanford | Stanford by 5 |
2/24 | Kansas State | vs. | Oklahoma State | K-State by 55 |
2/24 | BYU | at | Utah Valley | BYU by 50 |
2/24 | Arkansas | at | Baylor | Canceled |
2/24 | Houston | at | Texas A&M | A&M by 29 |
2/24 | UCLA | at | Utah | Pick 'em |
2/24 | Arizona State | at | Arizona | Arizona by 35 |
2/24 | USC | at | California | Cal by 59 |
2/24 | Davenport | at | Life | Life by 12 |
2/24 | Clemson | at | Lindenwood | Lindenwood by 18 |
2/24 | Boise State | at | Western Washington | WWU by 16 |
2/24 | Oregon | at | Washington State | Oregon by 10 |
2/24 | Western Oregon | at | Gonzaga | WOU by 8 |
2/24 | San Diego | at | Loyola Marymount | San Diego by 21 |
2/24 | Cal State Northridge | at | Cal State Fullerton | No idea |
2/24 | FSU | at | FAU | FSU by 17 |
2/24 | UNF | at | USF | USF by 20 |
2/24 | Georgia Southern | at | Kennesaw State | KSU by 20 |
2/24 | UBC | at | California | UBC by 18 |
2/24 | Seattle Dev. | at | Central Washington | CWU by 25 |
2/24 | Glendale Club | at | Saint Mary's | St Mary's by 18 |
2/25 | Western Oregon | at | Eastern Washington | WOU by 6 |
2/25 | Claremont | at | Long Beach State | Pick 'em |