Every week we’ll release a “Power Rankings,” aiming to provide a fluid picture of how each team across the NCAA is doing at the moment. The idea is to try not to focus too much on scores and look more at the current state of the team. The (+) or (-) next to each team’s name relates to how far they rose or fell from last week’s rankings.
This year’s power rankings are an average based off of the individual rankings of five individuals:
- Logan Bradley (former Illinois gymnast)
- Ben Cooperman (former Penn State gymnast)
- Alex Wittenberg (former Minnesota gymnast)
- Andrew Misiolek (former Stanford gymnast)
- Jessica Frankl (CGA gymnastics expert/photographer)
To see a list of each individual’s rankings, scroll all the way to the bottom of this page.
1. Oklahoma Sooners (-)
Sans Genki Suzuki, the Sooners went into Annapolis and got the job done. This team has left no doubt about their talent-level, but if there’s one kink, it’s pommel horse. Then again, when you’re going 72.7 on vault, does a fall on PH really matter? — Logan Bradley
2. Stanford Cardinal (+1)
Stanford did not compete this past weekend but find themselves back in the No. 2 spot after a shaky performance from Illinois. — Ben Cooperman
3. Michigan Wolverines (+1)
Michigan eked out a win over rivals Penn State and Illinois last Saturday to situate themselves atop the Big Ten rankings. Now, they’re the favorites for both the regular season title and the big one in April. Michigan’s resurgence this season has been something to marvel at, and they can punctuate it this weekend with a win over Nebraska in Lincoln. — Alex Wittenberg
4. Illinois Fighting Illini (-2)
Things couldn’t have gone much worse for Illinois against Penn State. Just as this team had momentum going in their favor, they lose to a pair of B1G opponents (Michigan and Penn State) and potentially lose one of their top competitors in Clay Stephens. Nobody will count them out for B1G Championships in two weeks, but you have to wonder if losing Stephens takes away some hope of defeating Oklahoma at NCAA’s. — Logan Bradley
5. Penn State Nittany Lions (+1)
The Nittany Lions head into their final regular season competition with hope still alive that they can win a share of the Big Ten regular season title. For this to happen; Nebraska will have to beat Michigan and Penn State has to beat both Iowa and Minnesota. This is a tall order, especially considering Stephen Nedoroscik will still be across the world competing for team USA in Doha. It is not easy to replace a seemingly automatic 14.8+ on Pommel Horse. — Ben Cooperman
6. Minnesota Golden Gophers (-1)
Minnesota had an up-and-down day last Sunday with a few of their top guys resting. But the Gophers are still high off a win over Ohio State a couple weeks ago, and they’ll need to tap into that energy this weekend when they go against Penn State and Iowa. It will be the Gopher seniors’ last time competing at home, and each of the three teams will be battling for a regular season title — although the likelihood that any one of them wins is slim. — Alex Wittenberg
7. Iowa Hawkeyes (-)
Continue to doubt the Hawkeyes and they’ll just continue to win. What’s the ceiling for this team in 2019? Who knows; but what we do know is that Iowa has a chance at clinching a B1G regular season title this weekend — something that nobody would have expected at the start of the season. — Logan Bradley
8. Nebraska Cornhuskers (-)
Nebraska did not compete last weekend and has been eliminated from regular season title contention. That being said, a win against a conference-leading Michigan team will go a long way in terms of this team’s confidence heading into postseason. — Ben Cooperman
9. Ohio State Buckeyes (-)
Ohio State suffered another Big Ten loss last weekend, falling to Iowa in Iowa City, 400.65-396.4. To the Buckeyes’ credit, they were quite good through their first four events and looked to be on their way to a win. But they put up season-lows on p-bars and high bar, which took them out of contention. OSU is at home against Illinois this Sunday. If they can pull off a win, they’ll have some serious momentum going into Big Tens. — Alex Wittenberg
10. Navy Midshipmen (+1)
The Midshipmen welcomed powerhouse Oklahoma into their own home and put up a heck of a fight. You can’t afford major mistakes against the Sooners, let alone anyone, and Navy kept those to a minimum; they didn’t field a single score below a 12.25. You have to think that they’re starting to eye another ECAC team title. — Logan Bradley
11. California Golden Bears (-1)
Cal did not compete this past weekend and will host Oklahoma and UIC Saturday in their final home meet of the year. — Ben Cooperman
12. Army Black Knights (-)
Army prevailed over William & Mary, Springfield and Temple in Williamsburg last weekend, scoring a 394.0 to keep consistent with what they’ve been putting up in the second half of the season. The Black Knights are off until USAG Nationals on March 29. — Alex Wittenberg
13. Air Force Falcons (-)
The Falcons found themselves just about right in between their two performances from the week prior with their 387 at Minnesota. Sitting right on the NCAA bubble, Air Force cannot afford performances on PH and PB like they had in Minneapolis. — Logan Bradley
14. William & Mary Tribe (+1)
William & Mary jumped back into the 390s in their final home meet of the year this past weekend and were just over two points shy of taking down an impressive Army team. Nate Winneg posted his highest all-around score of the year and garnered ECAC Gymnast of the Week honors to lead the Tribe. — Ben Cooperman
15. Arizona State Sun Devils (-1)
Arizona State did not compete last weekend. The Sun Devils’ next meet is USAG Nationals on March 29. — Alex Wittenberg
16. Washington Huskies (-)
Washington didn’t compete in week eleven and will travel out to Colorado this weekend to take on Air Force. — Logan Bradley
17. Springfield Pride (-)
Springfield has sputtered in the 370;s the past couple of weeks. They have two more big competitions on the season, including ECAC Championships where they will look to break back into the 380’s. — Ben Cooperman
18. UIC Flames (-)
UIC did not compete last weekend. They’re up against Cal and OU in Berkeley this weekend. — Alex Wittenberg
