At what’s very close to the midway point of the 2021 season, we’re starting to have enough of a resume to more accurately compare teams vying for the same spot.

This week provided one such example. Maryland’s resume suddenly looks a bit better than before after Michigan’s performance against Penn State. The Wolverines topped the Nittany Lions in Happy Valley on Friday before falling to them in overtime Sunday, but Maryland’s sweep of Michigan in late February now holds more weight.

That explains new order of those three teams in the Nike/US Lacrosse Division I Women’s Top 20 (welcome back to the Top 20, by the way, Michigan).

The bottom half of the rankings continues to be where we’re seeing the most variance on a week-to-week basis, and with two new teams entering the fold this week, that trend likely won’t be stopping any time soon.

Nike / US Lacrosse
Division I Women’s Top 20

Also considered (alphabetical order): Colorado (2-3), Denver (4-1), Elon (5-0), James Madison (4-2)

HOT

Duke (+3)

The Blue Devils thumped Virginia Friday before losing to the Cavaliers on Sunday, but Friday’s win proved more than Sunday’s loss. In the 17-8 win, Maddie Jenner scored three goals and secured 15 draws as Duke dominated in all facets. Virginia recovered quite impressively Sunday to win 14-11, but Duke goalies made just one save in an uncharacteristically poor performance.

Maryland (+1)

Maryland climbs a spot this week and jumps over Penn State, which had the upper hand over the Terps until Michigan rolled into Happy Valley this weekend. Penn State and Michigan split the weekend series, but because Maryland swept two games against Michigan — albeit close contests — the Terps’ resume suddenly looks a little bit better.

NOT

Navy (-3)

The Mids take a slight tumble as Louisville, Drexel and Stanford make a case to be included higher in the Top 20. Navy hasn’t played since Feb. 27, and it’s scheduled to pick things back up this upcoming Saturday against rival Army. Then, two key matchups that will tell us a lot more about this team — March 31 against Loyola and April 7 against Drexel.

IN

Michigan (No. 11)

Michigan has returned to the Top 20, and while it might seem extreme to thrust the Wolverines from unranked to No. 11, consider that they were ranked No. 9 in the preseason before starting 0-3.

You can write off the two games against Maryland as simply hard-fought losses, but perhaps there was a bit of an overreaction to a season-opening loss to Ohio State.  After all, it was Michigan’s first game in roughly 11 months, and some teams needed more time than others to get back on track.

Now after beating Penn State on Friday and then losing to Penn State Sunday, Michigan has done enough to earn No. 11, even at 3-4.

Stanford (No. 18)

After several weeks in the “also considered” category, the Cardinal crack the Top 20. Mikaela Watson’s OT winner against Colorado sealed the deal, though Arizona State’s blowout 20-9 beatdown of USC was really what opened the door.

OUT

USC (was No. 15)

The aforementioned 20-9 loss to Arizona State dropped USC to 3-3, and the Women of Troy recovered to beat Fresno State Sunday. USC has been tough to get a beat on this spring, though Friday’s game against Colorado offers a chance for the program to bounce back with a quality win.

Virginia Tech (was No. 18)

It’s tough to justify keeping a 2-5 team in the Top 20, even if three of those losses are against ACC teams ranked higher in the Top 20. Losing to Jacksonville in overtime Saturday sealed the Hokies’ fate (and subsequently reinforced Jacksonville’s standing). Given the gauntlet that is the ACC’s scheduling structure this spring, the Hokies have an incredibly difficult road ahead.