This week's Local Power Rankings: 1. Gophers hockey. They have been far from flawless, but they're talented and entertaining and ranked up where they belong, near the top of the national rankings. 2. The Wild. Still undefeated. 3. Gopher basketball. There is no shame in losing to Duke this time of the year. Duke dominates early-season tournaments. Andre Hollins and Trevor Mbakwe both turned in big games last week, two excellent signs for a talented team. 4. The Vikings. I know, I know, they are sliding down a slippery slope, but pause for a moment and recognize this fact: They are 6-5 and a victory on Sunday at Green Bay would keep them in playoff contention. I know, I know, but let's not pretend this is a predicable league. 5. The Timberwolves. Kevin Love's return, and his inability to shoot to his standards while recovering from his hand injury, have jammed the previously flowing offense. The Wolves will figure it out, but it's been a rough week. 6. The Twins. They haven't done anything to fix their pitching yet. But it's early. We probably can't begin to judge their winter until they trade Denard Span and sign at least one veteran starter. 7. Gopher football. Despite all of the negative things that have happened this season, it's too early to call for Jerry Kill's head. It's not too early to suggest that his continued seizures, and the fact that they seem triggered by stress, are a bigger problem than Woody Teague wants to publicly admit. Yes, the seizures will hurt recruiting. Yes, the seizures are a threat to ticket sales (I wouldn't want to risk seeing anyone suffering in that way on the sideline.) Yes, the seizures are a threat to Kill's career. It's sad. It's also true.