SB Nation’s NCAA Poll: Slippery slopes

The top teams all stumbled a bit one more so than the rest. This week will bring the ECAC into full swing with huge matchups and a possible WCHA title preview.

1. Ohio State (8-0-0), 103 (7) — Last poll: 1

• Last week: W 3-2 OT v Minnesota-Duluth (10/21), W 3-2 v Minnesota-Duluth (10/22)
• Coming Week: v Minnesota (10/28, 10/29)/

It took OT and a comeback to get the sweep, but it was a sweep. There will be less room for error as the Gophers come to town in what should determine the top member of this poll for the rest of the semester.

2. Minnesota (6-0-0), 100 (4) — Last poll: 2

• Last week: W 4-2 @ St. Cloud State (10/21), W 2-1 v St. Cloud State (10/22)
• Coming Week: @ Ohio State (10/28, 10/29)/

Two games that were probably closer than they should have been but two wins. They travel to Columbus for a pair that would put the winner in the WCHA driver's seat.

T-3. Colgate (9-0-0), 71 — Last poll: 4

• Last week: W 4-1 v Vermont (10/21), W 3-2 v Vermont (10/22)
• Coming Week:@ Princeton (10/28), @ Quinnipiac (10/29)/

Another tighter sweep against a team that had been receiving votes. Up next is a pair of road games in conference play that will be huge.

T-3. Quinnipiac (7-0-0), 71 — Last poll: 5

• Last week: No Games
• Coming Week: v Cornell (10/28), v Colgate (10/29)/

The Bobcats took a week off before welcoming a pair of top-ten opponents to Hamden.

5. Wisconsin (9-1-0), 63 — Last poll: 6

• Last week: W 8-0 v Bemidji State (10/20), W 7-1 v Bemidji State (10/21)
• Coming Week: @ Minnesota-Duluth (10/28, 10/29)/

The Badgers took care of business and fans of Bucky are hoping they finally have it together. This week brings their first real test as they head up north to Duluth for a pair that will be very important in the WCHA table come the end of the season.

6. Northeastern (7-1-0), 58 — Last poll: 3

• Last week: W 6-1 @ Maine (10/21), L 0-1 @ Maine (10/22)
• Coming Week: @ Providence (10/28), v Providence (10/29)/

Every time the Huskies head to Orono for a pair weird things happen. They won the weekend 6-2 — the problem is the second game was a 1-0 loss, which if you are gonna lose is the best way to do it? This weekend will be a home-and-home against =one of their primary competitors for HEA supremacy.

7. Minnesota-Duluth (6-2-0), 47 — Last poll: 7

• Last week: L 2-3 OT @ Ohio State (10/21), L 2-3 @ Ohio State (10/22)
• Coming Week:v Wisconsin (10/28, 10/29)/

The Bulldogs week off wasn’t enough as they fell just short both games to the top member of our poll. This weekend will be no rest as they host a Badger team that has yet to be tested and is eager to prove themselves.

8. Princeton (0-0-0), 26 — Last poll: 8

• Last week: No Games
• Coming Week: v Colgate (10/28), v Cornell (10/29)/

The Tigers will start the season with a pair of tough tests. Hopefully, they have no rust as two teams from this poll head to their rink.

9. Cornell (2-0-0), 23 — Last poll: ARV

• Last week:W 3-0 v Mercyhurst (10/21), W 7-1 v Mercyhurst (10/22)
• Coming Week:@ Quinnipiac (10/28), @ Princeton (10/29)/

The Big Red rode a solid sweep to get out of the almost ranked territory and firmly earn a place here making them this week’s ‘Belles of the Ball.’ This weekend will be a chance to prove it or a chance to fall back out of the land of the ranked.

10. Yale (0-0-0), 22 — Last poll: 9

• Last week: No Games
• Coming Week: @ Harvard (10/28), @ Dartmouth (10/29)/

Yale will have the easiest of the ECAC slates even if it is on the road. Both games are games they should be favored in and will be crucial in terms of the ECAC and Ivy League titles.

Also Receiving Votes: Clarkson 12, Penn State 5, Harvard 2, Providence 1, Vermont 1