With only a couple of more weeks left in the women’s DI club season, it’s about time for a ranking. One of the most difficult tasks was sorting out the top team in each region, and here’s why each deserves to be ranked first:

- Glendale has shown the most explosive offensive power. Their already solid roster has been bolstered by the influx of several national-level players, including Kitt Wagner, Jill Potter, Tyra McGrady and Hannah Stolba.

- Atlanta was a semifinalist two years ago and finalist last year; they have that postseason experience, and they’re due. They aren’t taking any chances, however, and introduced a more serious 7s program to prepare for this fall.

- After competing against the best players in the country for the last two years, ORSU dropped down to DI from the Women’s Premier League. They’ve been putting up solid scores against opponents on the west coast.

But ultimately, we picked Glendale as number one. The Raptors have a young, excitable spirit similar to reigning, two-time DI champ San Diego Surfers. They’re also the underdogs experience wise, but Glendale’s been getting better every week, and have the depth to support themselves in a two-day tournament.

Atlanta has been as dominant this year as they were last year when they lost 16-12 to the Surfers in the DI final. There’s no foreseeable reason why they shouldn’t advance to the final again this year. The only thing that may handicap ORSU is its depth. They’re traveling with only 16 this weekend, and when Austin calls for back-to-back knockout games, the Oregon team might run into trouble.

Teams ranked 3-5 are listed in terms of how they fared against their regional leaders: Seattle played ORSU to a respectable 24-10 loss earlier in the season; NOVA didn’t put its best side against Atlanta in their 23-5 loss; and Austin opened up its season with a 37-12 loss to Glendale.

In some cases, positive records have teams listed higher than they might actually end up. Belmont Shore, for instance, is 3-0, but they’re finishing up league season against CR1’s toughest teams: ORSU, Seattle and Mudhens, all of whom are expected to win. Albany as well. The Knicks have done incredibly well in their first DI season after winning last year’s DII championship, but they’ll finish their season against Atlanta and NOVA.

Chicago North Shore showed some life when they outlasted Detroit 10-5 on the road, and although the squad hopes its in the midst of a comeback, they’ll have to not only beat Austin this weekend, but also get a bonus point to stay in contention.

Rounding out the lot are San Francisco, Black Ice and St. Louis, who have all given up scores near the century mark.

Women DI Club Top 21 – October 5, 2011

Glendale (5-0). Defeated  Black Ice 99-0.

Atlanta (4-0). Defeated Providence 52-7.

ORSU (5-0). Defeated Mudhens 36-0.

NOVA (3-1). Defeated Village Lion 48-5.

Seattle (3-1). Defeated Tempe 44-0.

Austin (3-1). Defeated St. Louis 109-5.

Providence (4-1). Defeated Philadelphia 27-14.

Mudhens  (2-2). Lost to ORSU 36-0.

Chicago (2-2). Defeated St. Louis 29-0.

Belmont Shore (3-0). Defeated San Francisco 72-0.

Albany (3-1). Defeated Boston 29-7.

Chicago North Shore (2-2). Defeated Detroit 10-5.

Detroit (2-2). Lost to Chicago North Shore 10-5.

Nor Cal (1-2). Lost to ORSU 22-0.

Philadelphia (1-4). Lost to Providence 27-14.

Boston (0-4). Lost to Albany 29-7.

Village Lions (0-4). Lost to NOVA 48-5.

Tempe (0-4). Lost to Seattle 44-0.

St. Louis (1-3). Lost to Austin 109-5.

Black Ice (0-5). Lost to Glendale 99-0.

San Francisco (0-5). Lost to Belmont Shore 72-0.