QuickStick MCLA Top 20

Through a couple of weeks, the 2018 MCLA season has been anything but as expected. The pre-season polls have been folded, shredded, burnt, (insert another form of getting rid of nonsense).

For years the MCLA has experienced what some may refer to as “West Coast Bias.” With the many of the league’s historic powers being out on the “best coast,” those on the “beast coast” and in between have often felt disrespect in recognition when it comes to the national “Coaches” poll.

South Carolina’s Head Coach JD Harkey wrote a great contribution piece on Virtually Varsity, subtly outlining the flaws in the current system. Providing facts and in lieu of March Madness, “blind resumes” that showcase how our current voters often have skewed picks, favoring the west coast.

Nonetheless, it is our honor to share the inaugural QuickStick MCLA Top 20 Rankings.

1. Utah – There are no questions here. The Utes may not ever lose again in the MCLA and if they do, it would take a monumental effort. They are a Varsity Program in a league filled with many Virtual Varsity teams.
2. Grand Canyon – The 2017 Champs have been tested early and might be the team with the best chance to take down the Utes if given the chance.
3. Michigan State – Sparty is on absolute fire.
4. Chapman – A successful road trip to Atlanta where they notched two one-goal wins over BC and GaTech sit nicely for Chapman. Not to mention a very strong performance against Colorado and pure domination of Cal Poly. Big game against VaTech this week.
5. Colorado – The Buffs bounced back nicely after their loss to Chapman with a thrilling one-goal win against VaTech in Cali. The boys from Boulder head east to take on SELC powers Liberty and GaTech this weekend.
6. South Carolina – Should they be higher, idk? But boy does that absolute beatdown against Florida State look nice after the ‘Noles beat GaTech and Minnesota this weekend. The ‘Cocks are off for a bit but shouldn’t be tested again until early April when they go up to the Hokies. USC is a historically first-half team, springtime in Columbia can get distracting…
7. Virginia Tech – A one-goal loss to #5 Colorado doesn’t influence their standing. The result of their game against Chapman however might. The Hokies also host Arizona State later in the week.
8. Davenport – Maybe the most intriguing team in the MCLA. A two-goal win against a mediocre Indiana team, but then goes on the road to BYU and wins by four. With a roster full of kids who thought they’d be playing NCAA DII Lacrosse, the Panthers have something to prove.
9. BYU – Despite the loss to Davenport, our friends in Provo (QuickStick Snapchat Studs) still deserve to be a Top 10 team. The Cougs travel to Texas this week with a big matchup against Florida State in the Lone Star State. Can’t sleep on A&M or Texas along the way through.
10. Concordia Irvine – The first year MCLA DI program that heavily recruits is cruising through their competition in the early going. A big game against Chapman this weekend and a welcoming to UNH follow suit.
11. Florida State – Big wins this past weekend against GaTech and Minnesota have the ‘Noles back in the mix. As earlier stated, a matchup with BYU awaits in Texas later this week.
12. Boston College – The Eagles are 4-3 with those three losses coming to #2, #3 and #4 teams. A big win at Arizona State sits well but for now, the Eagles will look to run the table and win the PCLL.
13. Georgia Tech – The Yellow Jackets bounced back from their loss against FSU with a nice win against Minnesota. They sit at 4-3 and with both Colorado and Colorado State coming to town this weekend, the Jackets could be in a much different spot next week depending on how things go.
14. Arizona State – Sun Devils are 3-3 coming off a tough loss to Georgia. They travel to Virginia this week to take on Virginia Tech and Liberty. Judgment week for ASU as they still look to find their identity.
15. Oregon – Quack Quack, the Ducks shellacked Colorado State but lost to Boise State badly. So what’s going on in Eugene? Oregon is off this week so we’ll really know more about this team in the weeks to come, but right now that 9-goal win over CSU stands tall.
16. Colorado State – What’s going on with the Rams? They sit at 3-1 but squeaked by an average Oregon State squad. Big trip to Atlanta this week to play GT and UGA followed by home games against Grand Canyon, ASU and Cal Poly. Similarly to ASU, the Rams are looking for an identity.
17. Cal Poly – Despite only losing to Utah by 6, the Mustangs have dropped 3 in a row and are hoping to keep this ship afloat. They host Cal this weekend in a must-win for both squads.
18. Northeastern – Haven’t played a game yet but you’ve gotta respect the Huskies for their 2017 PCLL Championship.
19. UCSB – An early season win against ASU looks strong but that could change after this weekend. The Gauchos had a tough loss to a decent Southern Cal team but really a game they should have had. Matchups with UCLA and Cal this week are must wins if UCSB wants to stay in the hunt for an at-large bid.
20. Simon Fraser – Eh? Tyler Kirkby can score goals. The question is will it be enough to carry the “Clan.”

Others considered (no particular order): UCONN, Clemson, Liberty, California, Oregon State.

Throughout the remainder of the season, a new QuickStick MCLA Top 20 Poll will be published each Monday night.