SB Nation’s NCAA Poll: Quarter Quell

We have started to get into the groove of the season. The voters are pretty aligned with our top nine though that last spot is a complete guessing game for most. The west is taking a break before some big showcases over the holiday but the eastern teams will still be in full swing.

1. Minnesota (9-0-1), 88 (7) — Last poll: 1

• Last week: W 3-2 OT v Minnesota-Duluth (11/4), W 5-3 v Minnesota-Duluth (11/5)
• Coming Week: v St. Cloud State (11/7)/

This past weekend was a big test for the Gophers, after their big weekend against Ohio State to avoid a let down. While they blew a lead in game one they recovered in OT and then were able to have a solid win the next day. The coming week will be a much easier game with the northern Huskies coming to Minneapolis.

2. Ohio State (10-1-1), 78 (2) — Last poll: 2

• Last week: W 4-0 @ St. Thomas (11/5), W 6-0 @ St. Thomas (11/6)
• Coming Week: No Games/

This was essentially a bye weekend for the Buckeyes taking on the last place Tommies. This week is an actual week off though.

3. Quinnipiac (10-1-0), 58 — Last poll: 3

• Last week: L 2-4 @ Yale (11/4), W 4-1 @ Brown (11/5)
• Coming Week: No Games/

The trip down Whitney Avenue was not kind to the Bobcats. The next day they were able to recover against Brown though it was not as dominant as fans would have liked. They will be off this weekend and looking to get back to their winning ways.

T-4. Northeastern (10-1-1), 55 — Last poll: 6

• Last week: W 5-0 @ New Hampshire (11/4), W 8-2 v New Hampshire (11/5)
• Coming Week: v Boston College (11/11), @ Boston College (11/12)/

Advanced metrics were not enough for UNH to stop a pissed-off Huskies team as NU was dominant for the weekend. Saturday saw former all-time leading scorer for Northeastern Hilary Witt passed on that list for a second time with her on the other bench when Alina Mueller notched two points to move past her. This weekend will need to be equally dominant as their rivals from Chestnut Hill will be playing a pair.

T-4. Yale (4-0-0), 55 — Last poll: 8

• Last week: W 4-2 v Quinnipiac (11/4), W 2-0 v Princeton (11/5)
• Coming Week: No Games/

This was a great weekend for the Bulldogs. Beating their neighbors gave them control of their ECAC destiny and jumped up the poll. Then they were able to knock off Princeton making the Ivy a two team race and making the Bulldogs this week’s ‘Belles of the Ball.’ They will have a weekend off to bask in their accomplishments.

6. Colgate (11-1-0), 46 — Last poll: 4

• Last week: W 2-1 v Clarkson (11/4)
• Coming Week: @ Harvard (11/11), @ Dartmouth (11/12)/

The Raiders won their lone game and now get a New England road trip that they should be able to take the full points.

7. Wisconsin (10-2-0), 44 — Last poll: 5

• Last week: No Games
• Coming Week: No Games/

The idle Badgers slipped in our voters' minds and will remain idle for another week.

8. Minnesota-Duluth (7-5-0), 29 — Last poll: 7

• Last week: L 2-3 OT @ Minnesota (11/4), L 3-5 @ Minnesota (11/5)
• Coming Week: @ St. Cloud State (11/11, 11/12)/

The Bulldogs have had a very tough schedule and have been unable to get their marque regulation win in conference play. They have a series against each of their three home ice competitors and have taken four of 18 possible points. They will get a pair against the northern Huskies that they need to sweep.

9. Cornell (5-1-0), 22 — Last poll: 9

• Last week: W 7-6 v St. Lawrence (11/4), W 8-1 v Clarkson (11/5)
• Coming Week: @ Dartmouth (11/11), @ Harvard (11/12)/

The Big Red had an offensive outburst to sweep their weekend. This weekend will be crucial if they want to compete for an Ivy crown as they head to New England for a pair.

T-10. Princeton (1-3-0), 7 — Last poll: T-10

• Last week: W 3-2 @ Brown (11/4), L 0-2 @ Yale (11/5)
• Coming Week: v Syracuse (11/11, 11/12)/

The Tigers are hanging on by a thread here. This weekend will have to be a dominant sweep if they want to be considered here going forward as they host the Orange.

T-10. Vermont (7-4-1), 7 — Last poll: NR

• Last week: W 6-1 @ Maine (11/4), W 7-2 @ Maine (11/5)
• Coming Week: v Boston University (11/11, 11/12)/

Vermont seems to have recovered after an up-and-down start. This weekend was a good showing and beating up on a BU team that has historically beaten them regularly will be a good omen for them.

Also Receiving Votes: Providence 3, Clarkson 2 Penn State 1