D1A Rugby Playoffs: Can Saint Mary's, Life Make It 5 In A Row?
D1A Rugby Playoffs: Can Saint Mary's, Life Make It 5 In A Row?
The men's D1A rugby playoff picture is starting to show itself and it's what you would expect. Will Life University see Saint Mary's College in the finals for the fifth straight year?
It's that time of year again: Flowers are blooming; animals are coming out of hibernation; and of course... the D1A Rugby Playoffs are returning.
The four-week postseason competition finishes its opening round on Saturday, April 15, followed by quarterfinals on April 22 and semifinals on April 29. The D1A National Championship will kick off at 4 PM PT on May 6 at Saint Mary's College in Moraga, CA.
As the four highest-ranked teams to accept bids to the D1A Rugby Playoffs, No. 1 Saint Mary's (California), No. 2 Life (Mid-South), No. 7 Indiana (Big Ten Universities), and No. 16 Baylor (Red River) have been given first-round byes and will host quarterfinal matches next week.
The playoffs have been dominated by Saint Mary's and Life since 2013, with both teams meeting in the finals in each of the past four years. Both have won two titles apiece in that span.
In 2013, Life bested Saint Mary's with a 16-14 title victory. Over the next two years, Saint Mary's notched back-to-back championship wins over Life, with a 21-6 triumph in 2014 and a 30-24 victory 2015. A year ago, Life came away with a 24-20 win over Saint Mary's.
Will we see a finals repeat for the fifth year in a row? It's looking good so far.
Here's the playoff picture heading into this weekend's games:
BYU 93, Colorado State 3
Lindenwood 36, Davenport 14
APRIL 15
Utah at San Diego State
Arizona at Air Force
Game 5 -- SDSU/Utah winner at St. Mary's
Game 6 -- Air Force/Arizona winner at Baylor
Game 7 -- BYU at Indiana
Game 8 -- Lindenwood at Life
Winner Game 5 vs. Winner Game 6
Winner Game 7 vs Winner Game 8
Finals at Saint Mary's College
The four-week postseason competition finishes its opening round on Saturday, April 15, followed by quarterfinals on April 22 and semifinals on April 29. The D1A National Championship will kick off at 4 PM PT on May 6 at Saint Mary's College in Moraga, CA.
As the four highest-ranked teams to accept bids to the D1A Rugby Playoffs, No. 1 Saint Mary's (California), No. 2 Life (Mid-South), No. 7 Indiana (Big Ten Universities), and No. 16 Baylor (Red River) have been given first-round byes and will host quarterfinal matches next week.
The playoffs have been dominated by Saint Mary's and Life since 2013, with both teams meeting in the finals in each of the past four years. Both have won two titles apiece in that span.
In 2013, Life bested Saint Mary's with a 16-14 title victory. Over the next two years, Saint Mary's notched back-to-back championship wins over Life, with a 21-6 triumph in 2014 and a 30-24 victory 2015. A year ago, Life came away with a 24-20 win over Saint Mary's.
Will we see a finals repeat for the fifth year in a row? It's looking good so far.
Here's the playoff picture heading into this weekend's games:
OPENING ROUND
APRIL 8BYU 93, Colorado State 3
Lindenwood 36, Davenport 14
APRIL 15
Utah at San Diego State
Arizona at Air Force
QUARTERFINALS
APRIL 22Game 5 -- SDSU/Utah winner at St. Mary's
Game 6 -- Air Force/Arizona winner at Baylor
Game 7 -- BYU at Indiana
Game 8 -- Lindenwood at Life
SEMIFINALS
APRIL 29Winner Game 5 vs. Winner Game 6
Winner Game 7 vs Winner Game 8
CHAMPIONSHIP
MAY 6Finals at Saint Mary's College
D1A Rankings:
| 1 | Saint Mary's |
|---|---|
| 2 | Life |
| 3 | BYU |
| 4 | Cal |
| 5 | Lindenwood |
| 6 | Arkansas State |
| 7 | Indiana |
| 8 | Penn State |
| 9 | San Diego State |
| 10 | Army |
| 11 | Utah |
| 12 | Davenport |
| 13 | Kutztown |
| 14 | Arizona |
| 15 | Colorado State |
| 16 | Baylor |
| 17 | Wisconsin |
| 18 | Air Force |
| 19 | LSU |
| 20 | Clemson |