Week 5 Power Rankings
Every week we’ll be releasing a “Power Rankings” that aims to provide a fluid picture of how each team across the NCAA is doing at the moment and where we see them heading. The (+) or (-) next to each team relates to how far they rose or fell from the week before.
This year’s Power Rankings are the top 18 teams in the country based on the average individual rankings of four individuals:
Bailey Perez (former Stanford gymnast)
Ben Cooperman (former Penn State gymnast)
Jess Frankl (photographer/CGA Social Media Director)
Max Soifer (former Washington gymnast)
1. OU (-)
Oklahoma keeps their #1 ranking after a week off. The Sooners only real threat might be Stanford. The Cardinal’s lack of depth at this point in the season makes it easy for Oklahoma to retain their dominance over NCAA MGym. Oklahoma’s next outing is scheduled for Saturday, February 20th against Ohio State in a virtual matchup.
2. Michigan (+1)
The Wolverines jump to the number two spot while we wait to see what Stanford looks like in their true form. After a few weeks off due to COVID protocols, Michigan will take on Nebraska and Illinois in a weekend tri-meet where they have the chance to prove their dominance in the B1G.
This weekend: Michigan, Nebraska @ Illinois Sunday, Feb 21 at 5:00PMEST
How to watch: BTN+
3. Stanford (-1)
This weekend: Stanford @ Navy (Virtual) Wednesday, Feb 17 at 5:00PMEST
How to watch: Video (Free Video/Stats)
After a mixed bag in their debut competitions, Stanford drops one spot in the rankings. This team remains the most talented in the country on paper, but they are now in a position where they will have to prove themselves after a tumultuous offseason. Riley Loos’ return made a huge impact, and the hope is that the return of their other stars after Winter Cup will bode just as well.
4. Nebraska (+1)
A big performance out of Chuck Chmelka’s Cornhuskers helped the team jump another spot in the rankings to 4th. Freshman, Taylor Christopulos, helped propel Nebraska this past weekend. Cristopulos had help from veteran teammates Jake Bonnay, Evan Hymanson, Cooper Giles, and fellow underclassman Sam Philips in their rout of Minnesota. The coveted Big Ten team title could end up in the hands of Nebraska this year if Michigan isn’t on top of their game come postseason. We’ll have a chance to see how those two teams fare head-to-head this weekend when both Nebraksa and Michigan travel to Champaign to take on Illinois in a highly anticipated Big Ten tri-meet.
This weekend: Michigan, Nebraska @ Illinois Sunday, Feb 21 at 5:00PMEST
How to watch: BTN+
5. Penn State (-1)
This weekend: Penn State @ Iowa Saturday, Feb 20 at 7:00PMEST
How to watch: BTN+
After taking a loss to Ohio State, and a great performance by Nebraksa this past weekend, Penn State drops one spot in the rankings. The Nittany Lions didn’t have their strong freshman, Michael Jaroh, in the lineup this past weekend, and it ultimately impacted their team score on several events. Hopefully, Jaroh will be back in the mix this weekend to help Penn State as they battle Iowa.
6. Ohio State (+1)
The Buckeyes came into the 2021 season with expectations that they may be one of the weaker teams in the Big Ten. This past weekend’s win over Penn State proves that they have the capability to beat just about anyone if they can execute. Jesse Tyndall and Justin Ah Chow have been great so far this year and give Ohio State the talent they need to compete with some of the top Big Ten teams.
7. Illinois (-1)
This weekend: Michigan, Nebraska @ Illinois Sunday, Feb 21 at 5:00PMEST
How to watch: BTN+
A less than stellar showing against Iowa this past weekend results in another drop in the rankings for Justin Spring’s Illini to 7th. Injuries to key players may have something to do with Illinois’ struggles. Freshman Leo Valentin (ankle) is out for the season and Freshman Will Hauke (hand) could be out for the remainder as well. The Illini look forward to the return of Josh Cook to their lineups to give them some firepower as they look to improve upon their weak performances thus far. Illinois will be in action against two top teams on Sunday, Feb. 21st when they take on Michigan and Nebraska at home in Champaign.
8. Iowa (-)
Iowa retains their ranking in the number eight spot after a successful performance against Illinois. The Hawkeyes have a critical matchup this weekend against Penn State, one of the top teams in the B1G. It will be exciting to see if Iowa can show improvement upon their previous competition to give the Nittany Lions a run for their money.
This weekend: Penn State @ Iowa Saturday, Feb 20 at 7:00PMEST
How to watch: BTN+
9. Navy (+1)
This weekend: Stanford @ Navy (Virtual) Wednesday, Feb 17 at 5:00PMEST
How to watch: Video (Free Video/Stats)
This weekend: Navy @ William & Mary Sunday, Feb 21 at 2:00PMEST
How to watch: Video (FREE Facebook)
After a dominant win over Air Force and Army, Navy is now being discussed amongst the Big Ten teams for the second year in a row. With Stanford featuring a diminished lineup, the Midshipmen could have a chance at a marquee win this Wednesday.
10. Minnesota (-1)
Minnesota came back from early season struggles with a solid 397.80, but it wasn’t enough to stop them from dropping a spot in the rankings to 10th. Mike Moran had a great all-around showing to score an 80.55 and was assisted by Donte McKinney (PB, HB - 13.45) and David Pochinka (PH - 13.5, SR - 13.0, PB - 13.4) to bring the Gophers close to the 400 mark. Minnesota patiently awaits the return of their star senior captain, Shane Wiskus, who has the ability to bring the Gophers into the fray with the top teams in the NCAA. Minnesota will be in action next on March 6th at home against Penn State.
11. Cal (-)
This weekend: California, Springfield College (Virtual) Wednesday, Feb 17 at 1:00PMEST
How to watch: Video (Free Video/Stats)
Cal retains their number eleven spot after their 380.20 performance. The Golden bears have shown potential on multiple occasions but costly slip ups end up hurting them in their final team score. They face off against Springfield in a virtual competition this Wednesday where they will have the chance to fix some of their inconsistency and improve their team score.
12. Arizona State (+1)
Arizona State pocketed another win this past weekend over Temple, scoring just shy of their season high. While their February 27th meet against Washington has been cancelled, we hope to see ASU at least once more if they can add another meet to their schedule.
13. W&M (+3)
In a meet that presented many firsts in the sport of men’s gymnastics including their season debut, William & Mary surprised us all when they upset reigning national champions Stanford 379.95 to 306.65. This big performance out of Mike Powell’s Tribe boosted William & Mary three spots to 13th in the power rankings. Sophomore Aiden Cuy did a great job, scoring a 74.25 and placing 2nd in the all-around competition. Cristian Mash came away with two event titles on pommel horse (13.35) and rings (12.90) and Andrew Lyubovsky took the high bar title (13.20). Navy is next on the docket for W&M on Sunday, Feb 21st at home.
This weekend: Navy @ William & Mary Sunday, Feb 21 at 2:00PMEST
How to watch: Video (FREE Facebook)
14. Air Force (-2)
Air Force drops two spots after W&M and Arizona State both put up team scores higher than the Falcons’ 379.10. The Falcons haven’t been able to consistently improve their team score, and it is hurting them in the rankings as other teams start to show improvement. This week is a bye for the Falcons and hopefully they use it to fuel up for a strong last half of the season.
15. Army (-1)
This weekend: Army, Springfield College (Virtual) Saturday, Feb 20 at 1:00PMEST
How to watch: Video (Free Video/Stats)
Army drops one spot in the rankings this week after a third place finish at the All-Academy Championships. Fortunately, Army has been one of the more active teams in this pandemic affected season. They will compete against Springfield this week in the hope that the continuity can help them find their stride.
16. Springfield (-1)
This weekend: California, Springfield College (Virtual) Wednesday, Feb 17 at 1:00PMEST
How to watch: Video (Free Video/Stats)
This weekend: Army, Springfield College (Virtual) Saturday, Feb 20 at 1:00PMEST
How to watch: Video (Free Video/Stats)
Yet to perform this season, Springfield College drops one spot to 16th in the power rankings this week. The Pride will have their first opportunity to compete this Wednesday, Feb. 17th against Cal in a virtual matchup.
17. Washington (-)
Washington did not compete this past weekend and remains in the number 17 spot. They are patiently waiting for their first competition of the season on March 15th where they will finally be able to display where they lie within the NCAA.
18. UIC (-)
UIC did not compete this past weekend and did not move in this week’s rankings.