Photo by ISIPhoto.com
By IVES GALARCEP
The Maryland Terrapins are back, and after a slow start to the 2013 season that had the Terps looking like a very beatable side, the pre-season NCAA title favorites are now starting too look like a team worthy of high expectations.
Maryland is unbeaten in nine matches to help the powerhouse climb back into the SBI Top 25, checking in at No. 6 this week.
The top three spots remain unchanged from the last SBI rankings, with California continuing to be the class of the nation. The Golden Bears’ recent win vs. UCLA only solidified their place as the best team in the nation.
Akron and Louisville made major gains in the rankings, both reaching the Top Five. The Zips posted a mid-week victory vs. Wake Forest to propel them into the No. 4 spot this week.
Furman makes their debut in the Top Ten after pushing their unbeaten streak to 10 matches (a run that has seen the Paladins post eight shutouts). They’ll be putting that unbeaten streak on the line on Friday night against Elon.
Here is the SBI College Soccer Top 25 for Oct. 18th:
SBI COLLEGE SOCCER TOP 25
1- CALIFORNIA (9-0-2)
2- WASHINGTON (9-0-3)
3- NOTRE DAME (7-0-5)
4- AKRON (9-3)
5- LOUISVILLE (9-2-1)
6- MARYLAND (6-2-5)
7- COASTAL CAROLINA (10-2)
8- GEORGETOWN (9-3-1)
9- UAB (9-2-1)
10- FURMAN (9-1-2)
11- UCLA (7-3-1)
12- MICHIGAN STATE (8-1-2)
13- WAKE FOREST (6-3-4)
14- NEW MEXICO (7-3-2)
15- WISCONSIN (9-2-1)
16- UCONN (6-2-4)
17- NORTHWESTERN (8-3-2)
18- CAL-STATE NORTHRIDGE (11-2)
19- NORTH CAROLINA (4-2-5)
20- MILWAUKEE (10-2-1)
21- VIRGINIA (6-3-3)
22- CREIGHTON (6-4-2)
23- MARQUETTE (8-3-1)
24- WILLIAM & MARY (6-3-1)
25- DAYTON (10-0-2)
————–
HONORABLE MENTION
VCU (6-4-1), UCSB (9-4), Providence (8-2-2), Saint Louis (7-3-1), UMBC (11-1-1), Butler (9-3-1), Tulsa (7-4-1), Clemson (8-3-1), Elon (10-2-1), UC-Irvine (7-4-2)
—————–
What do you think of this week’s rankings? Who do you see being ranked too highly? Who do you feel isn’t getting enough respect?
Share your thoughts below.
Do you even watch college soccer outside the ACC, Big East, Big 10 and Big West? I see your ignoring Delaware has been covered, but do you seriously have UMBC in the honorable mention category? They have an RPI ranking of 3 for the past week, they’re ranked 7 in the coaches’ poll, have an opponent record of 90-70-24, and their best player was the PDL Under 21 player of the year, having scouts drooling.
Seriously, please have some more credibility when putting these rankings together.
The UIC Flames are being woefully disrespected. They’ve beaten Wisconsin (although it was exhibition), Gonzaga, Belmont (on the road) and now Milwaukee. They should at least get some votes come next week.
Saw Akron in person last week. Not the same since Porter left. Much as I hate to admit it, #4 is way way too high
Army only has one loss yet absolutely no love on SBI…I’m probably going up there tomorrow nite to take a look,
They’ve played nobody. Yes they are 9-1-1, but their opponents combine to go 65-102-28 this year. 8 of the 9 wins have come against teams with records worse than 4-7-1. The other win is Bucknell, who like Army, has a nice record, but only 1 win all season agaisnt a team above .500
FACT: All the great soccer is played in the Western US.
Not in college. There are some quality teams out west, but 8 of the last 10 NCAA champions have come from the East or Midwest.
How do you rate Delaware?
#17 in RPI, #2 honorable mention in NSCAA Are you unfamiliar or unimpressed?
(BTW fear the Chicken just doesn’t have a good ring)
Fear the Turtle! Graham Zusi representing this week