The Northwest Collegiate Rugby Conference 7s season continues this weekend with tournaments at Oregon State and Boise State. Like last weekend's Viking 7s this weekend's tournaments are part of an informal series that sees several teams from outside the conference take part.
Oregon State University 7s
The OSU 7s will be split into two pools of four teams made up of teams from the west side of the Cascades. Pool A has Washington, Oregon, Oregon State II, and Willamette. No team from this pool is the clear cup number one. Washington underperformed in the Viking 7s by finishing in 8th place but have plenty of talent. It could be the case of them needing a wake-up call to get going.
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Oregon were one of the better 7s teams last year and are likely a little upset that their rivals Washington are getting the attention. However, like Washington they have plenty of talent to get excited about with some of the best individual players in the NCRC. Oregon State II can be a dangerous team, especially playing at home but it depends on what type of team they use. If it's an experienced team they could crack the top two but if it's a freshman team they will likely finish a little further behind. For Willamette this tournament is all about gaining experience for the program.
In Pool B will be hosts Oregon State, Western Washington, Oregon II, and Pacific. The Beavers are a team that flies under the radar but has the players to go far. That said, they also underperformed at the Viking 7s. Western Washington won the Plate at the Viking 7s are are favorites in the pool. Oregon II and Pacific will likely be the bottom two teams.
As for the tournament overall it should come down to Washington, Western Washington, Oregon, and Oregon State. Washington are the likely favorites of that group but it's not a runaway favorite and any team can make their mark on the season with a win.
Boise State 7s
The Boise State 7s will also have two pools but each pool will have five teams. In addition to NCRC team Boise State teams from Utah, Idaho, and Nevada have been added. Utah headlines Pool A along with Idaho State, Nevada, Utah III, and Boise State II. The Utes are a very strong team that are getting even stronger after a couple of years of turmoil. They have the potential to make it far in any national 7s competition this year and a win in Boise would be the first step.
The Utes will have to watch out for the Bengals of Idaho State. They may not be able to take down Utah but they are a very solid team that will surprise a few of the other teams. Nevada should finish third followed by Utah III and Boise State II.
Pool B has hosts Boise State along with Utah II, Nevada II, BYU-Idaho, and the College of Idaho. Boise State will have to like their chances but Utah II could be very good and challenge them for the top spot in the pool. BYU-Idaho is a relatively new program but if they can draw upon a similar playing pool as their Provo counterparts they could be very good.
The top four at the end of the day should be both Utah and Utah II as well as Boise State and Idaho State.