Final 2008-09 Men DI Top 25

Tuesday May 5, 2009 in Rankings DI Men's College

May 5, 2009 – BYU moves back to the #1 spot they occupied from March 11 to April 20 thanks to their thrilling 25-22 defeat of Cal in the national final.

BYU made it to the championship with a 31-13 win over San Diego State that was closer than the score indicates. San Diego State, in their effort v. BYU, justified their #3 ranking, and also justified in their rankings were Arkansas State and Dartmouth, who pushed BYU so close in the national playoffs. Army finished in the top four in the national playoffs, but their off-kilter display against Cal puts them at #6 in the ERugbyNews rankings.

The only change in this final ranking is BYU moves back to #1. Overall this year it was one of great interest, with teams moving up and down more than ever. The competitiveness among the top eight to ten teams is getting better. Will we see a time when Cal does not dominate? Sure. Cal and BYU? Here’s hoping. We’re seeing real programs developing in San Diego, Arkansas and New Hampshire.

Questions for next year: can Navy rebound from a rough spring? Can LSU keep the momentum going? Will the Midwest get back to playing at a better level, so their champions don’t get undercut come playoff time?

And some predictions: St. Mary’s and Utah will be back and better, wiser and more mature next year. Kutztown will suffer without Marco Barnard. Central Washington will improve. And … if Life University fields an undergrad team as they hope to do, watch out. They will be very tough, and could suddenly make the South one of the most competitive leagues in the nation.

And we will start to see more programs study and emulate the Cal way. That is, after all, just what BYU did. They mixed in good rugby players with superior athletes. They created a plan that involved not playing in the fall, and putting their players in a weight and fitness regimen. It paid off, just like Jack Clark said it would. Other programs will begin to follow this model – if BYU can do it in snowbound Utah, anyone can. It will revolve around being specific about your season, and direct about what games you play to build up to it. Cal and BYU have some advantages that help them along the way, but other programs can get there.

On a personal editorial note, thank you to all the coaches and players who helped us with information and supported us even when they didn’t agree with the rankings. Thanks to the programs such as Rutgers and Utah and St. Mary’s who always called us promptly, no matter what the outcome.

Good season everyone. See you in September.

- Alex Goff © www.erugbynews.com