There is one more weekend of play before several college conferences host their respective playoffs, but the fields are pretty clear. We talked about the Pacific Mountain conference (read more), but here are some playoff match-ups working out:

Division I

MASON DIXON

This conference kicks off quarterfinals this weekend. We’ve already outlined the match-ups (read more) but there is one update: North Carolina State has withdrawn, leaving West Chester with no opponent Saturday. The Golden Rams have had some important pre-season games cancelled and only banked a friendly against women’s club White Horse last Saturday, which went West Chester’s way 59-10. All American Nicole Benedetti scored three tries, while flyhalf Katie Walston slotted six conversions. The game was head coach Tony DeRemer’s 100^th career win.

We expect North Carolina, Virginia, West Chester and James Madison to advance to the semifinals, which will be held March 28-29 at JMU. This conference is likely to receive several seeds to the national playoffs, so the consolation match on Sunday will be as important as the championship.

SOUTH INDEPENDENT

Life is far and away the best DI team in this region, going 5-0 and outscoring opponents 381-3. This past Saturday was spent running around Florida to the tune of 70-0. Kaitlyn Broughton, who was added to the Life roster this year, added five tries to her impressive tally, while Deshel Ferguson (3), Christina Swift (2) and Megan Rom also scored tries. Madison Ohmann slotted five conversions, while Sarah McCandless tacked on two points.

Playoff details have not been released, but if the traditional #1 v #4, #2 vs. #3 format is followed, then Life will play Georgia Tech, and Central Florida will play Florida on Sat., March 28.

Division II

WEST COAST

The top four teams will meet in Sacramento next weekend. One more game between Humboldt and Sacramento State that must occur this Saturday, but the top four teams are well established.

Leading the league are Humboldt and UN Reno. The pair faced off in February and reigning champ Humboldt pulled out a 38-36 victory. Both have won the rest of their games easily.

Joining the standings leaders will be UC Santa Cruz and Sacramento State. The aforementioned played each other on Valentine’s Day, and the Banana Slugs won 36-22.

One can assume that the March 28 semifinals will pit #1 Humboldt vs. #4 Sacramento State, and #2 UN Reno vs. #3 UC Santa Cruz, but that is unconfirmed.

Last year, the West Coast sent its champion directly to the Round of 16, while UC Santa Cruz dueled eventual DII finalist CSU Northridge for a play-in spot to the national playoffs. After defeating UCSC, Northridge knocked out Humboldt in the Round of 16.

CASCADE

Western Oregon received an automatic bid after winning the Pacific Northwest conference, but there wasn't much of a competition to speak of. Western Oregon went 1-2 in a league that contested three out of 12 games – the rest were forfeits. Western Washington was the only other team that could field an eligible side, and the two split their games: The Flames won 25-22 on Nov. 1; WOU won 23-19 on Feb. 28. Western Oregon advanced on a one-point lead in point differential.

SOUTH INDEPENDENT

The South division knows its playoff reps: 4-0 Alabama and 3-1 Emory. For the North, it all comes down to Lee University vs. Georgia this weekend. Whoever wins will head to the conference semifinals on March 28 at Emory University (see standings below).

The North's University of Tennessee-Chattanooga has secured its spot to the final four and its one blemish came against Lee in a 10-10 tie. Lee coach Dr. Michael Freake remembered the game:

Conditions were pretty horrible because the snow had just melted so it was very wet and cold. Not a good day for handling. UTC were better than us in the collision and in their body angles at rucks, and they had more speed in their outside backs. I think we probably had more possession and dominated in the scrum.

When UTC and Georgia played early in the matrix season, the former won 22-17. So we’re expecting a good game between Lee and Georgia on Saturday. Keep an eye on Lee flanker Breanne Hudson, who has been leading the way in tackles and poaches. Prop Abby Hogan has been a strong ballcarrier for the Tennessee side, while the high work rate of flanker Rachel Murray has aided her team-leading try count.

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

Right now, UC Riverside leads the standings at 5-1 and 25 points – but CSU Northridge still has two more games to play. If Northridge beats the winless Occidental by more than 30 points on Saturday, then it will take over the top spot and get the automatic bid to nationals. UCR, however, will be a very good candidate for an at-large bid, having defeated Long Beach State, the reigning conference champ, 59-17 last weekend.

“It was the first time we ever beat them,” Riverside coach Roger Light said. “We’re so excited about playoffs! The ladies are playing their best rugby of the year. They peaked right at the perfect moment.”

FLORIDA

This conference has been a mess. The season started on Jan. 31 and only three results have been logged into the books since. From those bare results, it appears that South Florida is the strongest team, but that’s about all that can be gleaned. The teams are packing the next three weekends with games, so we’ll check in then.