SB Nation’s NCAA Poll: Lit Kindling

This week will finally bring some intriguing intra-conference matchups. With the season finally getting into full swing we are starting to see the true identities of some of our teams.

1. Ohio State (6-0-0), 93 (6) — Last poll: 1

• Last week: W 4-0 @ Bemidji State (10/15), W 5-2 @ Bemidji State (10/16)
• Coming Week: v Minnesota-Duluth (10/21, 10/22)/

The Buckeyes won their games, while the second game got a little closer then they would have liked they are ready to take on a Duluth team that will be a very good early season test.

2. Minnesota (4-0-0), 91 (4) — Last poll: 2

• Last week: W 11-0 @ Minnesota State (10/14), W 9-4 Minnesota State (10/15)
• Coming Week: @ St. Cloud State (10/21), v St. Cloud State (10/22)/

The offense clearly was flowing but the second game of the weekend will make Coach Frost want to make sure his defense stays focused. This weekend brings a very rare WCHA home-and-home series with St. Cloud.

3. Northeastern (6-0-0), 76 — Last poll: 3

• Last week: W 5-0 @ Merrimack (10/14), W 4-1 v Merrimack (10/15)
• Coming Week: @ Maine (10/21, 10/22)/

Northeastern dominated their first game start to finish and while their second outing was closer it was never quite in doubt. This weekend sends them to Orono for a pair which is always a difficult proposition.

4. Colgate (7-0-0), 59 — Last poll: 6

• Last week: W 9-0 v RIT (10/14), W 5-0 v RIT (10/15)
• Coming Week: v Vermont (10/21, 10/22)/

The Raiders blew out an overmatched Tigers team and now play host to a Vermont team that has garnered interest amongst our voters.

5. Quinnipiac (7-0-0), 57 — Last poll: 5

• Last week: W 5-2 @ Harvard (10/15)
• Coming Week: No Games /

In the first ECAC game of the year, the Bobcats were able to dispatch Harvard on the road and now they will take a weekend off. The victory earns them this week’s ‘Belles of the Ball’ honors.

7. Wisconsin (7-1-0), 48 — Last poll: 4

• Last week: W 5-0 @ St. Cloud State (10/14), W 3-2 OT @ St. Cloud State (10/15)
• Coming Week: v Bemidji State (10/20, 10/21)/

The Badgers were a controversial team among our voters this weekend. Their second game saw them need a literal last-minute goal just to force OT after being down to a St. Cloud team that they need to take care of if they want to compete for the top spot in the WCHA. They will now host a Bemidji team that always seems to take a point off them.

6. Minnesota-Duluth (6-0-0), 47 — Last poll: 7

• Last week: No Games
• Coming Week: @ Ohio State (10/21, 10/22)/

A week offsets the Bulldogs up for a road trip to Columbus in what should be a pivotal WCHA matchup that will likely play a major role in the NCAA seeding later.

8. Princeton (0-0-0), 23 — Last poll: 8

• Last week: No Games
• Coming Week: No Games/

The Tigers are not starting their season yet but are still receiving a lot of interest.

9. Yale (0-0-0), 22 — Last poll: 9

• Last week: No Games
• Coming Week: No Games/

Yale is also still idle but will begin play soon enough.

10. Penn State (3-4-1), 14 — Last poll: 10

• Last week: W 3-2 @ Boston College (10/14), T 2-2 OT @ Boston College (10/15)
• Coming Week:v Franklin Pierce (10/23, 10/24)/

This weekend was not a great look for Penn State. After nearly blowing a three goal lead in the first matchup they blew a lead that ended up in a tie against a Boston College team that has not been firing on all cylinders this season.

Also Receiving Votes: Clarkson 11, Cornell 5, Vermont 3, Mercyhurst 1