Gophers should either stay at No. 1 or drop no lower than one spot

The Gophers, probably depending on what Boston College does Sunday, should either stay at No. 1 for a second week or drop no longer than No. 2.

The Gophers split with Wisconsin, losing 3-1 to Wisconsin, winning 4-1. But the teams rated No. 3-5 lost either once, lost and tied, and lost twice.

Only Boston College seems like a threat to the top spot, depending what the Eagles do on Sunday against Boston University. They have already one once since the last national poll.

Here's the top 10 last week and how they fared this past weekend:

1. Minnesota 10-2-0 ... split with Wisconsin, lost 3-1, won 4-1 ... got 32 of 50 first-place votes, 956 pts.

Comments: Won't drop any lower than No. 2

2. Boston College 9-2-0 ... beat Northeastern 2-1 ... 15 first-place votes ... 940 pts. ... No. 1 two weeks ago

3. Colorado College 5-2-0 ... lost at Denver 5-4 ... 845 points ... No. 2 two weeks ago

Comments: Should fall spot or two

4. Michigan 7-3-2 ... lost to Miami 2-1, then tied with them 3-3

Comments: Should fall a few spots

5. Western Michigan 6-3-3 ... lost to Michigan State twice 3-2, 4-2

6. Merrimack 8-0-1 ... beat No. 16 Boston U. 3-2, ot ... got two first-place votes

Comments: Last unbeaten ... could rise as high as No. 3 ... U coach Don Lucia's No. 1 teams if he had a vote

7. Notre Dame 7-2-2 ... beat Alaska twice, 5-4, 3-2 ot

Comments: Should move up couple spots

8. Ferris St. 9-2-1 ... beat Lake Superior State 5-1 and tied with them 1-1 ot

9. Union 5-3-3 ... lost to Brown 2-1 and Yale 4-0

Comments: Should drop out of top 10

10. Minnesota Duluth 7-3-2 ... beat Alaska Anchorage twice, 5-0, 3-1

Comments: Should move up couple spots, 6-0-2 since being swept by Gophers

Two teams most likely to break into top 10:

13. Yale 4-1-1 ... beat RPI 2-0, Union 4-0

My top 10 (I don't get a vote, this is just for amusement):

1. Gophers 10-2-0 ... most wins of any team, 5-1 in WCHA on road

2. Boston College 9-2-0 ... with win over BU on Sun., could threaten U's grip on top spot

3. Merrimack 8-0-1 ... hard to ignore record

5. Colorado College 5-2-0 ... Schwartz brothers a handful and then some

6. Notre Dame 7-2-2 ... Irish will play Gophers in early Jan., Anders Lee big scorer

7. Ferris St. 9-2-1 ... up one spot

8. Michigan 7-3-2 ... down four

9. Western Michigan 6-3-3 ... down four