We are wrapping up our D1AA rankings today.
It is always really difficult to make direct comparisons between teams that play primarily in the fall and teams that play primarily in the spring. Sam Houston State provides a nice connection between the two, playing as they did bowl games for both NCR and CRAA. Maybe we can have a peace summit at their field some day.
But overall we just look closely at the very top teams and see if that has a reflection on the teams they play and the teams in their conference.
We also had a chat with heads of both Kentucky and San Diego and they both had to (grudgingly) acknowledge that having those two teams tied at the top is the most acceptable (or, more accurately, the least unacceptable) option. Both DORs said they'd love to play the other, implying strongly that they think they'd win. Well, we'd like that too, but it's not happening at the moment.
USD's final against Iowa State also moved ISU down and the main reason for that is Western Washington came within the width of a goalpost of beating USD. We figure they are a worthy #3. Tough on Louisville? Yes, tough on Louisville. Could the Cardinals be thought of, at least, tied with WWU? Quite possibly. But we're going to have WWU along at #3 because of how close they came to bearing San Diego.
We have USD in a photo above so it seems only fair to also have a photo of Kentucky. (Photo Alex Goff.)
