D1A Rugby this weekend is packed with action. Championship weekends, must-win games, games with pride on the line. It's all there.
Allied (both matches will be live - streamed on the ARC's Ustream Channel).
1pm Oklahoma v Texas Tech - The game that never was. As I've said previously, cruel fate stole their regular season match. Tech will be out to prove something. Oklahoma is smarting from a shellacking by A&M. Both teams need this win for pride. From 6-14, these teams are fairly evenly matched. However, Tech suffered some injuries on the front row on their visit to College Station. Oklahoma needs to take advantage of that. Both teams have been lacking at kick coverage by the deep three and both teams need to keep their tackles low late in the game. This will be a high scoring game, but I think the Sooners will have the lead at the end.
3pm Texas v Texas A&M - The season's W-L record means nothing after this match finishes. Winner takes home the trophy. The Aggies have their machine wound tight, but they need to play their pattern for a full 80. Texas is smarting from injuries and must take action the second that the Aggies slack off. If A&M pressures the 9 & 10 as they did in Austin, this game could be a wash. If the Longhorns will get off their derrieres and play to their potential for 80 minutes, this could turn into a nail-biter. Texas A&M by 14.
Big Ten
Indiana v Wisconsin - Wisconsin has a BIG, tough team that ran the table in the Big10 West. Indiana barely made 2nd in the Big10 East. The high school rugby craze in Indiana will not pay off this year. Wisconsin by a bunch.
Illinois v Ohio State - The Big10 East is the weaker of the two Big10 divisions. OSU & Illinois ended the year with the same amount of series points. Illinois was just better at preventing their opponents from scoring than the Buckeyes were. Defense will win the day. Illinois by 7.
California/Independent
St Mary's v Central Washington - This non-conference game is the test both teams need before entering the playoffs. Both teams have already clinched a spot in the post-season. Central Washington has some key players questionable due to injury. Expect them to sit these players in this game so they will be healthy later AND so their replacements can get much needed experience. The Gaels have had a couple of tough matches this year and they cannot let up on the gas at all against CWU (like they did for a few moments hosting SDSU). I don't think they will, so St Mary's by 3.
UCSB v Sacramento St. - You could tell these teams these games don't mean much, but I doubt they would believe you. While Sac St needs the win more, I think UCSB is on a roll right now and can take them.
Santa Clara v UC Davis - I'm a fan of all Aggies, so between these 2-3 teams, I'll pick UC Davis.
East
Army v Delaware - Army has too much depth and experience and size and speed. Delaware is a very good, solidly-coached team - I've said it before. But the Blue Hens just do not stack up against the Black Knights and the performance culture that Pohlidal cultivates. Delaware needs this year in this conference to see where they need to be before they step up. Army by a lot.
Kutztown v Penn State - There are few teams in D1A that are so evenly matched this season. This match could easily be a draw. JB thinks the battle will be in the front row. I think the turnover count will be the decider. Kutztown by 1.
Midsouth
Life at Davenport - Davenport is learning some lessons in D1A. Hard lessons that will make them VERY difficult to beat next year. I think that Life will prevail, but they will not have as easy of a time at it as the Red Wolves did.
West
Northern Colorado at New Mexico - The Lobos may be at home, but UNC will win this one.
Wyoming at Colorado - Colorado at home will be tough to beat and Wyoming has not had the easiest of seasons thus far. I pick Colorado to win by two tries.
Allied (both matches will be live - streamed on the ARC's Ustream Channel).
1pm Oklahoma v Texas Tech - The game that never was. As I've said previously, cruel fate stole their regular season match. Tech will be out to prove something. Oklahoma is smarting from a shellacking by A&M. Both teams need this win for pride. From 6-14, these teams are fairly evenly matched. However, Tech suffered some injuries on the front row on their visit to College Station. Oklahoma needs to take advantage of that. Both teams have been lacking at kick coverage by the deep three and both teams need to keep their tackles low late in the game. This will be a high scoring game, but I think the Sooners will have the lead at the end.
3pm Texas v Texas A&M - The season's W-L record means nothing after this match finishes. Winner takes home the trophy. The Aggies have their machine wound tight, but they need to play their pattern for a full 80. Texas is smarting from injuries and must take action the second that the Aggies slack off. If A&M pressures the 9 & 10 as they did in Austin, this game could be a wash. If the Longhorns will get off their derrieres and play to their potential for 80 minutes, this could turn into a nail-biter. Texas A&M by 14.
Big Ten
Indiana v Wisconsin - Wisconsin has a BIG, tough team that ran the table in the Big10 West. Indiana barely made 2nd in the Big10 East. The high school rugby craze in Indiana will not pay off this year. Wisconsin by a bunch.
Illinois v Ohio State - The Big10 East is the weaker of the two Big10 divisions. OSU & Illinois ended the year with the same amount of series points. Illinois was just better at preventing their opponents from scoring than the Buckeyes were. Defense will win the day. Illinois by 7.
California/Independent
St Mary's v Central Washington - This non-conference game is the test both teams need before entering the playoffs. Both teams have already clinched a spot in the post-season. Central Washington has some key players questionable due to injury. Expect them to sit these players in this game so they will be healthy later AND so their replacements can get much needed experience. The Gaels have had a couple of tough matches this year and they cannot let up on the gas at all against CWU (like they did for a few moments hosting SDSU). I don't think they will, so St Mary's by 3.
UCSB v Sacramento St. - You could tell these teams these games don't mean much, but I doubt they would believe you. While Sac St needs the win more, I think UCSB is on a roll right now and can take them.
Santa Clara v UC Davis - I'm a fan of all Aggies, so between these 2-3 teams, I'll pick UC Davis.
East
Army v Delaware - Army has too much depth and experience and size and speed. Delaware is a very good, solidly-coached team - I've said it before. But the Blue Hens just do not stack up against the Black Knights and the performance culture that Pohlidal cultivates. Delaware needs this year in this conference to see where they need to be before they step up. Army by a lot.
Kutztown v Penn State - There are few teams in D1A that are so evenly matched this season. This match could easily be a draw. JB thinks the battle will be in the front row. I think the turnover count will be the decider. Kutztown by 1.
Midsouth
Life at Davenport - Davenport is learning some lessons in D1A. Hard lessons that will make them VERY difficult to beat next year. I think that Life will prevail, but they will not have as easy of a time at it as the Red Wolves did.
West
Northern Colorado at New Mexico - The Lobos may be at home, but UNC will win this one.
Wyoming at Colorado - Colorado at home will be tough to beat and Wyoming has not had the easiest of seasons thus far. I pick Colorado to win by two tries.