Pulling Rank

If you think college football rankings are debatable, what about a sport that doesn't have the exposure of regular network TV coverage?

The USC women's soccer team is having a pretty good year so far. At 6-1-1, they've had a start that many people think is worthy of a top 25 ranking. Where in the top 25 is another story. From today's USC Sports Information Department press release:

The Trojans jumped four slots to rank highest at No. 14 according to SoccerBuzz. Meanwhile, USC rose to No. 18 in the NSCAA/Adidas poll, No. 19 in SoccerTimes and to No. 22 according to TopDrawer.

But that leaves out one well known publication -- Soccer America. They don't have the Women of Troy listed in the top 25, which is compiled by their editorial staff. To find out why, check out the explanation I got from Managing Editor Paul Kennedy (after the jump).

Early in the season, before teams move into conference play, there are lots of teams with strong cases for inclusion in the Top 25. (There are five unbeaten teams not ranked in the Top 25.)

In the case of USC, it began the season in the Top 25 at No. 21 and then dropped out after losing to Indiana. What separates the Women of Troy at this point from the other teams near or at the bottom of the Top 25 is that all of them have at least one win over a Top 25 team to their credit except t25. Marquette which is 8-0-1:

t25. West Virginia (b. Penn State)
24. Notre Dame (b. Florida)
23. Wake Forest (b. LBSU, West Virginia)
22. San Diego (b. Wake Forest, t. UCLA)
21. Illinois (b. Florida)

Regarding, USC's 0-0 with Tennessee, it was at home, so that was hardly a convincing result.  (UT has since moved up, though as much on the basis of the teams above it faltering as its own successes.) Last week's USC wins were against two teams with sub-.500 records.

USC will certainly make its case for inclusion in the Top 25 this weekend if it beats No. 2 Portland.