Since there are 24 teams in the men's division of this tournament, I may not provide a complete analysis of each and every team. However, since this is college rugby taking place in Texas, I will make my picks anyway.
As with the women's prognostications, I will list my picks below in the order I expect them to finish.
Pool A
Life 3-0
Wisconsin 2-1
Colorado St.1-2
Northeastern 0-3
No surprises here, Life will roll on 3-0. None of the teams in this pool will give them pause, nor have answers to the questions Life will pose.
Pool B
Arkansas St 2-1
California 2-1
North Carolina State 1-2
Middlebury 1-2
Arkansas St v Cal may result in a true draw, but the Red Wolves are bigger and more experienced at this than Cal. Both teams should be in the Cup QFs.
Pool C
Central Washington 3-0
Kutztown 2-1
Texas 1-2
Virginia 0-3
CWU v Kutztown will be a battle, but expect CWU to pull through. K-town will need to put up some serious points against UT & Virginia to move to the QFs. Kutztown may end up battling Lindenwood for the Bowl.
Pool D
Dartmouth 3-0
Cal Poly SLO 2-1
Air Force 0-2-1
Navy 0-2-1
No secret here which team should be out front (Dartmouth), but this is one of the three "pools of death" for the men's division of this tournament. Cal Poly is a much improved 7s team from last year (and they were good then). The Zoomies and Middies will play hard, but will not make a break for the Cup or Plate this year.
Pool E
St Mary's 3-0
Texas A&M 2-1
Western Washington 1-2
Bowling Green 0-3
St Mary's is the better team on paper in this pool. However, A&M & WWU learned valuable lessons last year and have been playing as a team in much the same grain as SMC did in 2011 (their considerable talent aside, SMC's team play last year was the primary reason for advancement). BGSU will show well, but not well enough. This is the toughest pool defensively. A&M & WWU are neck-in-neck, but I'll give the edge to A&M because it is their home field.
Pool F
Davenport 3-0
San Diego State 2-1
Lindenwood 1-2
Delaware 0-3
Davenport has been up and down in 7s this year, but they will have their game faces on at the National Champiosnhip. SDSU is a much better team than they were in 2011, but they haven't turned the corner to be a top 8, yet. Lindenwood is fast and knows the in-goal. Delaware is coming off of a championship at the NY 7s. SDSU, Lindenwood & Delaware could very well cancel each other out of Cup/Plate competition.
As with the women's prognostications, I will list my picks below in the order I expect them to finish.
Pool A
Life 3-0
Wisconsin 2-1
Colorado St.1-2
Northeastern 0-3
No surprises here, Life will roll on 3-0. None of the teams in this pool will give them pause, nor have answers to the questions Life will pose.
Pool B
Arkansas St 2-1
California 2-1
North Carolina State 1-2
Middlebury 1-2
Arkansas St v Cal may result in a true draw, but the Red Wolves are bigger and more experienced at this than Cal. Both teams should be in the Cup QFs.
Pool C
Central Washington 3-0
Kutztown 2-1
Texas 1-2
Virginia 0-3
CWU v Kutztown will be a battle, but expect CWU to pull through. K-town will need to put up some serious points against UT & Virginia to move to the QFs. Kutztown may end up battling Lindenwood for the Bowl.
Pool D
Dartmouth 3-0
Cal Poly SLO 2-1
Air Force 0-2-1
Navy 0-2-1
No secret here which team should be out front (Dartmouth), but this is one of the three "pools of death" for the men's division of this tournament. Cal Poly is a much improved 7s team from last year (and they were good then). The Zoomies and Middies will play hard, but will not make a break for the Cup or Plate this year.
Pool E
St Mary's 3-0
Texas A&M 2-1
Western Washington 1-2
Bowling Green 0-3
St Mary's is the better team on paper in this pool. However, A&M & WWU learned valuable lessons last year and have been playing as a team in much the same grain as SMC did in 2011 (their considerable talent aside, SMC's team play last year was the primary reason for advancement). BGSU will show well, but not well enough. This is the toughest pool defensively. A&M & WWU are neck-in-neck, but I'll give the edge to A&M because it is their home field.
Pool F
Davenport 3-0
San Diego State 2-1
Lindenwood 1-2
Delaware 0-3
Davenport has been up and down in 7s this year, but they will have their game faces on at the National Champiosnhip. SDSU is a much better team than they were in 2011, but they haven't turned the corner to be a top 8, yet. Lindenwood is fast and knows the in-goal. Delaware is coming off of a championship at the NY 7s. SDSU, Lindenwood & Delaware could very well cancel each other out of Cup/Plate competition.