Let the rankings decide.

The D1AA fall playoffs kick off this coming weekend with quarterfinals and semifinals, and maybe the fairest way to handicap the tournament is to use the FloRugby D1AA rankings.

Watch The D1AA Final LIVE on FloRugby Dec 2

West Chester (#17) vs Mary Washington (#1)

Yeah, well, Mary Washington is going to win this game. The Mothers have a ton of weapons in the backline. The only way to beat them is to put a stranglehold on possession, but UMW's forward pack is pretty good, too. 

Player to Watch: Tamilore Awonusi (pictured). Well over six feet fall, fast, and elusive, he is a unique talent on the wing in D1AA rugby.

Kentucky (#5) vs Bowling Green (#12)

Kentucky's defense has been excellent throughout the season, and the Wildcats play a really balanced game. BGSU is vulnerable, as Western Michigan showed. Kentucky is on an upward climb and could conceivably win it all.

Player to Watch: Logan Butler is Kentucky's openside flanker and the leader of their defense.

St. Joseph's (#4) vs Salisbury (#16)

This has been an amazing fall for Salisbury, a fall that shows that you don't need to be varsity or quasi-varsity to work hard and play smart, hard-nosed rugby. That said, St. Joe's is really strong, especially in the open field, and usually gets full value for pressure with a history of good goalkicking. St. Joe's has been there before - that is, last year, so we're going with the Hawks.

Player to Watch: Aram Keshgegian is a superb attacking player, but without the vision of Noah Niumataiwalu, he wouldn't get as many chances.

Lindenwood-Belleville (#3) vs Western Michigan (#11)

While Western Michigan has brought a tough, physical kind of game to the Mid-American Conference, and in doing so beat out Bowling Green for tops in the conference, Lindenwood-Belleville has had, overall, a tougher schedule. Even when the Lynx plays D2 teams, they are the top of the line. The Lynx really is the team under pressure here because, as a varsity program, they should win.

Player to Watch: Coleson Warner. Whether at flyhalf or center, the Lindenwood-Belleville talent has already got some pro coaches watching. He's got the good.