We have 10 teams not in these rankings.

Overall D1A kicked off the fall with 37 teams, however, UTEP has decided they fit better in D1AA (which is true), and Utah Valley is basically playing a development schedule as Head Coach Paul Lasike revamps things. So the division is at 35. Our Top 25, then, might better be a Top 20, but we've got it at 25 so we'll stay with 25.

There are teams in that group of 10 not in the rankings who could jump into the rankings quite quickly. One of them is McKendree, which faces Michigan State this coming weekend. Wyoming started off nicely with a win over Colorado, but we'll wait on them. Eventually they will play Colorado State and that might be the game.

In these early weeks, if you play, you're in a better position to move up than if you're not. We move Life back up to #2 not only because they played and Navy didn't (which would be unfair because Navy has been playing games), but because Life beat #6-ranked Army.

Now, remember, these results are all self-correcting. If we've got the relative strength of opponents wrong, then we adjust the meaning of the results involving those teams. If Mary Washington and Queens turn out to be stronger later on, then that matters for Navy. Going forward, however, there are some big games coming up. Life takes on an improving Penn State, and Navy plays Mount St. Mary's, which should be a fun one. And a week later Life and Navy play each other. We love this Rugby East!

Michigan State comes back to the Top 25 after they tie Illinois. There is a lot of rugby to be played within the Big 10. Air Force drops down and Colorado State moves up after a very impressive showing from CSU. Air Force has some work to do and there's a good chance that they might drop out after McKendree plays Michigan State and if AFA loses to Colorado next week. Utah plays Utah State, which is another one to watch.