Week 6 Power Rankings & Schedule
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. Michigan (+1)
If there is one thing we take away from week six, it’s that Michigan are legitimate NCAA title contenders. After a two week pause from competition and practice, Paul Juda and Cameron Bock put their team back on the map in a 413.30 rout over Illinois and Nebraska. The Wolverines now sit comfortably atop the power rankings with only Oklahoma and Stanford within legitimate reach.
2. OU (-1)
After an impressive 413.30 performance by Michigan, Oklahoma drops one spot in the rankings. The Sooners have a few weeks off, but you can guarantee that when they return to the competition floor on March 6th, they will be ready to fight for the number one spot.
3. Stanford (-)
Stanford keeps their number three spot in the power rankings this week after showing yet another improved performance against Navy. Riley Loos showed out for the Cardinal in a performance that cemented him as a contender for the NCAA all-around crown. Stanford continues to compete their nine-man squad which makes it difficult to assess their true potential. Once Stanford is able to compete with their full team, we will have a full understanding of how they truly match up to the best in the NCAA. For now, educated speculation will have to do. The next time we see Stanford on the mat will be Friday, March 5th in a virtual dual with Springfield. This next competition is likely to be the season debut of many of Stanford’s superstars including Brody Malone, Brandon Briones, and the freshman Colt Walker. Winter Cup is this week, which means a week off for Stanford while Riley Loos heads to Indianapolis. The other members of Stanford’s contingent to Winter Cup have pulled out due to unsafe training conditions over the past week leading up to the competition.
4. Ohio State (+2)
After a week off of competition, Ohio State finds themselves jumping two spots in the rankings. The Big Ten parity that week six revealed added some context and clout to the Buckeyes early season wins.
5. Illinois (+2)
Illinois’ 405.55 was enough to move them up two spots in the rankings. The Illini took down Nebraska by nearly four points and have proved that they want to be seen as one of the top teams in the B1G.
6. Nebraska (-2)
Nebraska had some trouble this weekend against Illinois and Michigan resulting in a two-spot drop in the rankings to 6th. A rough rings rotation was the culprit of the troubles for Head Coach Chuck Chmelka’s team this weekend. The Big Ten is very difficult to rank at this point in the season because there have been so many upsets. We’ve seen massive swings in the rankings throughout the conference and this means that Nebraska still has time to prove what they are capable of before the dust settles on the regular season. The Huskers next opportunity to plead their case will come on March 6th against Ohio State at home.
7. Penn State (-2)
A brutal finish on parallel bars out in Iowa pushes the Nittany Lions down two spots in the rankings. The talent is there, but counting multiple falls on a single event in six up five count format is a serious red flag. The 393.55 they scored this past weekend is likely this team’s floor, but they are going to have to prove they can execute and hit sets if they want to regain status as a top team in the Big Ten.
This weekend: Navy, Penn State (Virtual) Saturday, Feb 27 at 1:00PMEST
How to watch: Virtius
8. Iowa (-)
Another consistent performance by Iowa keeps them at the number eight ranking. The Hawkeyes were able to beat Penn State’s 393.55, but it will be hard to see them climb in the rankings until they start consistently scoring above a 400.
9. Minnesota (+1)
A week off proved helpful to Minnesota’s efforts to rise in the rankings. Minnesota moves up one spot to 9th place in the rankings this week. Navy is putting up performances that make them a serious contender against the Gophers and if Minnesota doesn’t start putting up bigger numbers it will be hard for them to keep their place in the top echelon of the rankings. Their next contest will be at home on March 6th against Penn State.
10. Navy (-1)
The Midshipmen competed twice over the past week and posted a season high 395.60 at William & Mary. Many newcomers joined the lineups and this team is shaping up to show their typical promise we have become accustomed to. Navy faces a tough challenge against Penn State this week but an upset is not out of the question.
This weekend: Navy, Penn State (Virtual) Saturday, Feb 27 at 1:00PMEST
How to watch: Virtius
11. Cal (-)
Cal showed significant improvement this week, but their 387.30 wasn’t enough for them to see a positive change in the rankings. If the Golden Bears start pushing into the mid to high 390s, we might see them start swapping ranks with some of the B1G teams.
This weekend: California, William & Mary (Virtual) Wednesday, Feb 23 at 2:00PMEST
How to watch: Virtius
12. W&M (+1)
Mike Powell’s Tribe moves up one spot in the rankings this week to 12th. A hugely impressive day at home against Navy put some wind in the sails of this William & Mary team. Big performances out of Andrew Lyubovsky (AA - 78.8), Aiden Cuy (AA - 75.3), and Ahmir Postell (12.95 - 3 event average) led William & Mary to a score that could move them up even higher in the rankings as the second part of the season gets underway. The Tribe will get the chance to take on Cal in a highly anticipated matchup on Wednesday, February 24th on Virtius. The winner of this dual will likely claim the 11th spot in the rankings.
This weekend: California, William & Mary (Virtual) Wednesday, Feb 23 at 2:00PMEST
How to watch: Virtius
This weekend: Springfield College, William & Mary (Virtual) Sunday, Feb 28 at 3:00PMEST
How to watch: Virtius
13. Air Force (+1)
Air Force did not compete this weekend but jumps one spot in the rankings as we gain a fuller picture of the NCAA. They will remain off until March 13th when they take on Cal and Stanford.
14. Arizona State (-2)
Arizona State did not compete this weekend, but dropped two spots after W&M showed their strength for another week in a row. The Sun Devils will be looking to post a big score this weekend and give themselves the opportunity to climb back up the rankings.
This weekend: Rocky Mountain, Washington @ Arizona State Saturday, Feb 27 at TBD
How to watch:
15. Army (-)
Army retains their 15th place ranking this week after a win over Springfield. The Black Knights put up a 377.00 as a team to keep them in a rather comfortable position. As usual, Mathew Davis led the charge for Army with his 74.75 all-around performance. If Army wishes to move up in the rankings, they will have to buckle down and break the 380 barrier to move ahead of Arizona State. Head Coach Doug Van Everen’s team has the week off before hosting Navy on March 6th in another battle of the branches.
16. Springfield (-)
We finally got to see Springfield in action this season as they set a solid tone for themselves, cashing in two scores around the 370 mark. They are definitely missing Stephen Lewis, who graduated this past year, but have plenty of young talent that will continue to develop as the season goes on.
This weekend: Springfield College, William & Mary (Virtual) Sunday, Feb 28 at 3:00PMEST
How to watch: Virtius
17. Washington (-)
Washington remains in the number 17 spot after another week without competing. The Huskies will make their season debut this weekend and we will be able to see where they stand in the NCAA.
This weekend: Rocky Mountain, Washington @ Arizona State Saturday, Feb 27 at TBD
How to watch:
18. UIC (-)
UIC remains in the 18th slot this week. UIC has not been in action since January 17th and will next take to the gym on Saturday, April 24th against Temple.
Information regarding this weekend’s Winter Cup can be found here.
Friday, February 26th at 7:30PM EST
Winter Cup: Senior Men’s Competition Day 1 (NBCSN) – All-around final and event qualifications
Sunday, February 28th at 5:30PM EST
Winter Cup: Senior and Junior Men’s Competition Day 2 – Event Finals
*Live streams for sessions on NBC and NBCSN are TBA within the U.S. Outside the U.S., these sessions will stream live on FloGymnastics.com. All routines from the NBC and NBCSN sessions will be available following the event on the USA Gymnastics YouTube channel.