#NCAAMGym Week 9 Power Rankings presened by SPIETH America
Every week we’ll be releasing a “Power Rankings” (presented by SPIETH America) that aims 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 relates to how far they rose or fell from last week’s Power Rankings.
This year’s Power Rankings are an average based on the individual rankings of five individuals:
Yordan Aleksandrov (former Cal gymnast)
Logan Bradley (former Illinois gymnast)
Ben Cooperman (former Penn State gymnast)
Jess Frankl (photographer/CGA expert)
Alex Wittenberg (former Minnesota gymnast)
1. Stanford Cardinal (-)
The Cardinal posted their third score of the season above the 410-mark this past Saturday. Michigan and Oklahoma have done this twice and no other team outside of these three have hit that mark even once. No matter how you slice it, Stanford has been dominant this season. They head out to Colorado this weekend to take on Air Force, looking to add to their 2020 resume.
2. Michigan Wolverines (-)
Michigan easily defeated Minnesota last Saturday to reaffirm their standing as the B1G’s best team. The pressure of five-up, five-count didn’t seem to faze the Wolverines; they looked as calm and consistent as they had before Winter Cup. Michigan takes on Penn State and Illinois in Champaign on Saturday. The meet should be one of the weekend’s most intense.
3. Oklahoma Sooners (-)
We saw some Sooners in action at Winter Cup, highlighted by an especially strong performance from Gage Dyer. They did not compete this past weekend and will not be back in action until March 13. That is quite a long break and the rust versus rest debate will sure to be on the table.
4. Nebraska Cornhuskers (+1)
Nebraska was able to hold off the Nittany Lions after a close competition in Lincoln to keep themselves in the B1G regular season race. The Huskers were buoyed by strong performances on parallel bars and high bar that stood out from Penn State’s meager finish to the meet. Nebraska is off this weekend.
5. Illinois Fighting Illini (-1)
The Fighting Illini were able to register a tie against a consistent Iowa team this past weekend. That accomplishment will be overshadowed by the injury Hamish Carter suffered on floor. If he is unable to come back, that does not bode will for this team that came into the season already with a slew of injuries.
6. Ohio State Buckeyes (-)
Ohio State tied with Michigan for the top team score in the B1G last weekend. They put up a 408.9, a season-high, for a more than 10-point win over Navy at home. The Buckeyes’ prospects have been on the rise for most of the season — their No. 6 ranking as of this week is a big improvement from their No. 9 preseason ranking. They host Iowa and Northern Illinois this weekend.
7. Penn State (-)
The Nittany Lions were on track to take down one of the top teams in the B1G, but were out-dueled by Nebraska handily in the final two rotations. Penn State is talented, but their lack of depth and consistency has shown throughout the season. They face off against Illinois and Michigan this coming weekend in what could be the competition of the year.
8. Iowa Hawkeyes (+1)
Like Ohio State, Iowa’s star has risen throughout the season — and their tying with Illinois last weekend is a huge testament to the potential of the team, and to the parity in the B1G as of now. The Hawkeyes put up a 403.05 for a near season-high. Iowa takes on the Buckeyes and Northern Illinois in Columbus on Saturday. The Hawkeyes should be able to challenge.
9. Minnesota Golden Gophers (-1)
The Gophers seemed to have solidified themselves as the straggling B1G team after a significant loss in Ann Arbor. They have struggled mightily on floor, an event that is one of the easiest of the six to post a big number. They are now ranked No. 13 on FX after putting up a 64.55 this past weekend. The talent is there, the execution needs to come with it if they want to dig themselves out of this hole.
10. Navy Midshipmen (-)
Navy came back down to earth last weekend after a four-week streak of big team scores. The Midshipmen fell to Ohio State after putting up a score of 397.2, a roughly 10-point decline from the previous meet. Navy gets a shot at redemption on Saturday when they’re set to face Cal on the road.
11. California Golden Bears (-)
After three-straight scores over 395, Cal took a step backwards at Stanford. Their 389.45 is well off what they are capable of at their best. They will be put to their biggest realistic test this year when Navy comes to Berkeley this weekend. Both of those teams have out-performed this year and this one could come down to the wire.
12. Army Black Knights (+1)
Army secured the bag and posted a season-high team score in their win over Air Force last Saturday. The Black Knights had a performance that didn’t rely on a couple of strong outlier events — it was instead a show of consistency that bodes well for the team’s chances the rest of this season. Army hosts William & Mary this Saturday.
13. Arizona State Sun Devils (-1)
With Kiwan Watts resting on two events, Arizona State still handily beat the competition and put up a respectable 384.15. A few bad routines hurt them mightily and kept them from being in the 390 territory. They will be off this week.
14. William & Mary Tribe (-)
William & Mary did not compete last weekend but is still riding high from a huge season-high at home at the end of February. They posted a 397.55 at that meet, which means their dual against Army this Saturday should be a close one.
15. Air Force Falcons (+1)
Overall, it has been a disappointing season for Air Force but they look to be trending in the right direction. They have now posted back to back scores of 385+. Their best event has easily been pommel horse where they are now ranked 11th in the country.
16. Springfield Pride (-1)
Springfield did not compete last weekend. They take on William & Mary at home this Sunday.
17. Washington Huskies (-)
Washington did not have their best week as a team, but Ben Bloom appears to be shaping into their MVP. They will get a week off before closing out the regular season at home on March 14th.
