Gophers' lofty ranking might be a bit deceptive

The Minnesota Gophers have put together a solid season to this point on the ice,as Don Lucia's team is 18-9-1 so far with a roster that includes 17 underclassmen.The Gopherssettled into the No.3 spot in both national polls this week,behind Minnesota-Duluth and Boston University.However, the only poll that really matters is the PairWise rankings.Those area comparison of the nation's top teams on four criteria, one of them head-to-head competition.The PairWise ratings mimic quite accurately how the NCAA picks its 11 at-large teams for its 16-team postseason tournament. Five champions of conference tournaments get automatic spots in the NCAA Tournament.There, the WCHA is in trouble. Only three of its 12 teams would be locks to receive at-large spots: UMD, which is No. 2 in the PairWise according to USCHO.com, No.12. Denver and No.13 Minnesota. But, if the Gophers fall another spot or two, they would be a bubble team.Just missing the NCAA tournament, if at-large bids were being extended today, would be No. 16 Colorado College.The Gophers, despite being in first place in the WCHA, are hurt by their mediocre non-conference record of 4-4-1.Lucia understands the situation well, and noted:"We are well aware of where we stand in the PairWise rankings and I think the guys are motivated to win here late in the season to stay off the bubble for the NCAA Tourney."Most years, the top 14--or, if there are no upsets in the postseason tournaments, the top 15 teams in the PairWise -- make the NCAA field.The CCHA is the conference which is looking the best in the PairWise rankings. It would have six, maybe seven, teams in the field if the tournament was starting this weekend. Ohio State, Notre Dame, Michigan, Ferris State, Northern Michigan, and perhaps Miami and Michigan State, would all have spots in the big dance.The Gophers have not had great success against the CCHA this season. Back in November they lost a 4-3 game and then tied, 4-4, at East Lansing against Michigan State. And,in early January, they lost a 4-3 game at home against Notre Dame. That 0-2-1 record against the CCHA will not help the Gophers, and if it was reversed Minnesota might already have enough equity in the bank to be in the NCAA tourney.Gopher forward Nick Bjugstad spoke to the opportunity that lies ahead for his team. "It was a great win for us(Friday against St. Cloud State),but this victory really doesn't mean much if we don't follow it up with another win on Saturday in St.Cloud."Bjugstad continued with: "The Huskies are a well-coached team and they always play with extra energy in front of their home crowd, so getting the sweep will be a big challenge for our team, for sure."The remaining schedule is far from easy for Minnesota, as it has two tough road series at Denver University and Nebraska-Omaha, along with two home series against Bemidji State and Wisconsin.Gophers Live will get you ready for all the action tonight in St. Cloud, starting at 6:30 p.m. on Fox Sports North.