LAFAYETTE, Colo. - An all new season has arrived as the 2017-18 D1A College Rugby year begins with four teams set to square off this weekend. Liberty Conference contenders Stony Brook, will head to Albany in the early showdown at 1pm ET, while Utah State will travel to Colorado Springs for a clash with #17 Air Force Academy at 5:15pm MT.
As the Liberty Conference makes its debut at the D1A level, lots of excited attention is veered their way as the competitive year begins.
Late Saturday afternoon will see a Rocky Mountain stand-off when perennial contender Air Force Academy hosts Utah State Big Blue. Air Force begins the season with a #17 ranking and should offer a well-conditioned introduction to the new season for Utah State.
With the 2017-18 D1A season officially underway, the Top 20 rankings have taken shape for week one with 2016-17 National Champion, Saint Mary's College, assuming the #1 spot. After defeating Life University by a 6-point margin during the May finals, the top college team is ready to begin its title defense come spring 2018.
2017-18 D1A Top 20 (Week 1)
1. St Mary's
2. Life
3. BYU
4. Cal
5. Lindenwood
6. Arkansas State (tie)
6. Indiana (tie)
8.Penn State
9. Army (tie)
9. San Diego State (tie)
11. Utah
12. Kutztown
13. Arizona
14. Davenport
15. Air Force
16. Colorado State
17. Baylor
18. LSU
19. Navy
20. Cal Poly
Peeking into the top 20 sits a collection of talented squads including #21 Wisconsin, #22 Clemson, #23 Wheeling Jesuit and #24 UCLA. All looking for an early season surge for a top team shake up.
