1. Miami - In case you hadn't noticed, by the way, the RedHawks got six votes in the USCHO.com/CSTV Division I Rankings this week, so I'm not the only one who thinks they're the best team in the country despite that loss on Friday at Bowling Green. If you've read these rankings enough, you know that I'm a major critic of the "drop when you lose" theory of polls, and until there's more significant evidence that the RedHawks aren't the best team in the country, they stay at No. 1. Oh, and Bowling Green fans: don't chant "overrated" at the end of a win like that. By suggesting that the No. 1 team in the country isn't really the best, you cheapen the fact that your team just beat them.

Teams lose games. It happens. The RedHawks got a bad night from a goalie who has been one of the most consistent in the country, and their "ruthless aggression" in pursuit of the puck came back to bite them in a couple of situations. And let's be honest: would you really have believed me if I'd told you the RedHawks would be in this position with Nathan Davis only playing eight games so far? Go ask Rico Blasi if he'd have believed that: he chats on "Tuesday @ the Rink" tomorrow at 2 p.m. ET.

2. Denver - Wow, what can I write about a team that hasn't played in a week? I suppose I could do what I did with Cornell a while ago and note how Keith Seabrook is doing in major junior, but I don't want any more angry e-mails. Besides, Seabrook plays for the Calgary Hitmen, who get a free pass from me for the most part because of time I spent cheering on namesake and original part owner Bret 'Hitman' Hart when I was a kid. Oh hell, if you really want to know interesting stuff about Denver, go read Let's Go DU. Besides, I'm pretty sure I owe DG Goddard a plug somewhere.

3. Michigan - Oh geez, another team that didn't play last week. Now, this one is actually kind of interesting, because Michigan is No. 1 in both polls this week, which means I should probably explain why the Wolverines aren't No. 2 or higher. I still have my doubts about such a young team, and I want to see what the Wolverines do in their games against Michigan State, Notre Dame and Miami before I concede that they're the best in the country. Remember, folks, freshmen do hit the wall, especially since Red Berenson doesn't really bring in overage freshmen (I'm not criticizing; my own alma mater's done a bit of that), and the back end of Michigan's schedule is loaded when it comes to conference games. Michigan may well be the best, but they have a bit more to do to prove it to me.

4. Colorado College - If you want to know interesting things about the Tigers, don't go read Let's Go DU. Seriously, though, Scott Owens' team got a sweep on the road in Madison, and that's an intense building to play in. Now, in fairness, Wisconsin was missing a bit more to the World Juniors than were the Tigers, but sweeping on the road in the WCHA is tough even if you're playing the worst team in the league. Chad Rau, to quote Scott Owens, "shoots the puck like a man," and continues to kill the Badgers with shorthanded goals. Anyone think that Wisconsin AD Barry Alvarez is talking to Mike Eaves about declining the penalty if Wisconsin sees CC again?

5. Notre Dame - Look, if you woke up in Tampa on Wednesday and in Marquette on Friday, you'd probably be a bit disoriented, too. Seriously, though, Notre Dame will be very happy to have left the roller coasters in Tampa (I understand that they visited Busch Gardens before coming back north). Of course, this weekend's series against Michigan State (with Sunday's game on CSTV) will likely have its ups and downs. The Irish have great depth, but I'm just not convinced that Jordan Pearce can take them as far as they want to go. Meanwhile, Brad Phillips had another nice start, and got the win for the Irish on Saturday against Northern Michigan.

6. North Dakota - Anyone else think the Fighting Sioux are trying to make up for the face that their skating cheerleaders can't very well do splits on the ice? Look, I know the WCHA is a tough conference, but if this team were as good as it's supposed to be, you'd think they'd have swept someone by now, or at least taken three points. Jean-Philippe Lamoureux has been maddeningly inconsistent for the Sioux, and Ryan Duncan and T.J. Oshie haven't exactly been reliable night in and night out, either. However, Duncan is currently riding his longest point streak of the season at three games, and it'll be interesting to see what comes of that.

7. Boston College - The Eagles have 36 goals in their last seven games, so scoring clearly isn't the problem. John Muse has been playing well for BC, especially given the tough spot he's been thrust into. The question for BC now is whether the Clarkson game was just a blip on the radar, or whether there's something that still needs to be done to put all the pieces together. Of course, there's still one piece on his way back, and that's Brock Bradford...as if opposing defenses needed another weapon to worry about at the offensive end. This week's games at Vermont will be very telling.

8. UMass - Last week, during my regular appearance on "Hockey on Campus," I expressed my distaste with UMass' new pants, commenting that they reminded me of Ohio State's third jerseys with the scarlet and gray stripes. I got to see those unis again on Saturday at Value City Arena, and I'm going back there weekend after next, so I think I'll keep my mouth shut about the uniforms for now. I'm looking forward to seeing the Minutemen on Friday at the Mullins Center, where they're 4-0-3 this season after going 14-3-3 there last year. This would also be a good time to point out that Minutemen forward P.J. Fenton will be a guest on "Tuesday @ the Rink" tomorrow at 1 p.m. ET. Go submit a question!

9. Northeastern - The Huskies are the hottest team in the country, and even if Maine isn't having a typical year, to say the least, going up to Alfond Arena and decimating the Black Bears the way Greg Cronin's team did is an impressive accomplishment. Joe Vitale had a huge game for the Huskies up in Orono, and may be establishing himself as a go-to guy for the Huntington Hounds.

10. St. Cloud - Quick, who's the No. 1 scorer in the country? If you said Kevin Porter, you're wrong...although that's probably just because Michigan didn't play this weekend. The Wolverines' break following the GLI allowed Ryan Lasch to pass Porter and UNO's Bryan Marshall. Of course, BC's Nate Gerbe leads the nation in scoring average, but still. Anyone doubting Lasch as legit had ought to sit up and take notice. And there's still Garrett Roe, Andreas Nodl, Nate Dey, John Swanson, and a goaltender in Jase Weslosky who's holding his own, even if he's not quite Bobby Goepfert.

11. Clarkson - If I had to guess, I'd say Jerry York isn't missing the North Country too much, despite seeing his current school being beaten by the first school he coached. Still, that was a great win the Golden Knights got against the Eagles. Wins over St. Cloud are nice - the Huskies are a very good team, and come from the conference that's ruled the roost for much of this decade - but there's a certain cachè that come's from beating a big name opponent like Boston College. Nick Dodge continues to have a fine senior season in Potsdam.

12. Minnesota - Kudos to third goaltender Brent Solei for a nice game on Friday to beat Wayne State. Maybe he's the answer to the Gophers' goaltending struggles? OK, I kid, I kid. Seriously, Alex Kangas is putting up some very respectable numbers as a freshman, but as we know, this team is not built for games to be won on goaltending. On that note, all eyes will be on Mike Carman this weekend in his season debut. Carman had two goals and an assist in six games for the U.S., and won't be a replacement for Kyle Okposo by any means, but he's one of those guys who does the little things well in addition to the big things, and should help Minnesota all over the ice. Will it be enough?

13. UMass Lowell - The River Hawks get back into Hockey East play this week against a Providence team that has won four of its last five, including a win over the defending national champions last time out, and outshot Michigan by a wide margin in the lone loss. Of course, the River Hawks are on a roll of their own. They have the fourth longest unbeaten streak in the country, and seven wins in their last eight games. I love the combination of balanced scoring and strong goaltending that Blaise MacDonald has on his roster, and this young team has shown maturity beyond its years.

14. Bowling Green - When the Falcons get good goaltending, they're capable of great things, and they showed it on Friday against Miami. When they don't, it's tough to win. They're giving up nearly three goals per game in CCHA competition, with just one less goal against than goals scored. There's some nice offensive talent on this team, but other teams in the CCHA have more, so Jimmy Spratt will need more nights like he had Friday if the Falcons are going to keep the momentum from a surprising start.

15. Rensselaer - The Engineers have gone 0-fer in the big games on the non-conference schedule, but Seth Appert said himself that the schedule was designed for the Engineers to make progress in their mindset rather than in the rankings. He also said that the RPI coaching staff expects to see dividends in the second half. Will we see any against Cornell and Colgate this weekend? Wouldn't surprise me.

And the rest...

16. Harvard - Clearly, the Crimson didn't come back from the break they wanted, but fortunately, they'll get another break to try to work things out after St. Lawrence and Clarkson come to town. Oh, that crazy Harvard schedule.

17. Alaska-Anchorage - The week off gave the Seawolves plenty of time to look at that Governor's Cup

18. Cornell - It's about time the Big Red got a non-conference win, let alone two, and Niagara is certainly no slouch. Let's see what happens this weekend in the Capital District, which has been a tough trip for Cornell lately.

19. Quinnipiac - The Bobcats' come-from behind win against Dartmouth is an encouraging sign for the preseason darlings.

20. Maine - That was a good win the Black Bears had against RPI yesterday. Too bad it came after being pasted by Northeastern.

21. RIT - Don't look now, but the reigning regular-season Atlantic Hockey champs are on a roll here, having won four of their last five games including the upset of Minnesota.

22. Boston University - A tie against Vermont is acceptable - especially a low-scoring game - but the Terriers really need better to get going in the second half.

23. Yale - OK, so neither of the Bulldogs' wins this week was against top-flight competition, but Keith Allain's team is certainly winning, and may just be making a run in ECAC Hockey.

24. Princeton - The Tigers have shown a knack for hot starts this season...let's see if they finish better this time around.

25. Dartmouth - After coming into the New Year at .500, the Big Green laid an egg in their first series of 2008. Appropriate, since that's how many points they added at Princeton and Quinnipiac.

26. Alaska - Dion Knelsen has found a really nice groove for the Nanooks.

27. Ohio State - Inconsistency in both effort and goaltending appear to be the Buckeyes' biggest problems.

28. St. Lawrence - Nice win at New Hampshire, but you can't expect to score six goals every night.

29. Nebraska-Omaha - The Mavericks have one of the CCHA's best offensive weapons in Bryan Marshall.

30. Colgate - The Raiders look to start a second half run in the Capital District.

31. Union - Nice road win over a pretty solid Army team, but the Dutchmen need to get it done in conference play.

32. Brown - The Bears finally come home, but unfortunately, they seem to have brought their losing with them.

33. American International - The Yellow Jackets are improving, but Robert Morris is out of their league, literally (at least, for now).

34. Alabama-Huntsville - The Chargers have their first action of 2008 this weekend.

That's it for this week. The Rankings grow to include 37 teams next week, as I'll be getting my first look at New Hampshire, Army and Canisius.