to a 20-13 win. Quarterback Mitch Trubisky executed UNCs short-passing plan well (299 yards on 33

CHICAGO -- In 2014 Soldier Field hosted the U.S. Eagles match against the All Blacks. It was billed as the moment that signalled the arrival of rugby stateside. The giant was said to have been awoken.Yet two years on, looking back at 2014, the Eagles playing at the home of the Bears seemed to stir the sport rather than spring it into life. On Saturday, 62,300 folk packed into Chicagos fantastic stadium to witness one of the finest rugby matches this decade; the sport seemed to take another step forward in this part of the world as Ireland ended their 111-year drought to beat New Zealand.On Wednesday night, Chicago was rocking to the hundreds of thousands of car horns exploding with joy at the Cubs World Series win. Suddenly 108 years of waiting had been worth it. By Saturday evening, the sound of Irish ballads floated on the calm Chicago air.Irish pubs on North Wells St. were eight-deep at the entrance, the well-known brand of stout was flowing as freely as the river which had been dyed blue on Friday for the Cubs victory parade. Those in green sang, hugged; those wearing the silver fern of New Zealand joined in, congratulating, enjoying, forging friendships and creating memories.The Rock Bottom Brewery on West Grand Avenue was rammed. Some bars on Michigan Avenue had run out of beer so rugby folk moved north of the river searching for more liquid refreshment.A man standing at the bar, wearing a Bulls jersey, was asking celebrating Ireland fans if they were something to do with the All Blacks who were in town. Curiosity had got the better of him so he looked into just who these black-shirt adorned people were and found something had happened with Ireland ending a 111-year wait.In a place where sporting droughts had been put to bed, interest was peaking. As those wearing green crossed the road, waving flags at the waiting cars the carnival atmosphere of Wednesday night had returned, albeit on a considerably smaller scale.But there was intrigue among the locals. People started talking about rugby, imparting their own experiences, encouraging others to look into it. This word-of-mouth spreading of the rugby gospel is one of the most powerful tools to develop the sport stateside.A Chicago local from Irish ancestry called John was standing in the Brewery, talking about how much he had enjoyed the match. He tells his three-year old that rugby, in his view, gives you a better long-term outlook both in health and enjoyment than American football.He was joined by Rick, a flanker of 23-years from St. Louis. Both spoke of how much they had enjoyed the match, fielded questions from curious locals. But they arent new rugby converts; theyre already dyed-in-the-wool fans of the sport.Their view was that to really grow the game here, considerable investment has to be made in youth rugby -- a view shared by USA Rugbys impressive new CEO Dan Payne. Their views on rugbys review process were also worth noting.They felt the primary way rugby can grow in this part of the world is to offer a point of difference to NFL. Ditch the review system was their recommendation -- if people want a stop-and-start game then theyll stick to NFL.They feel rugby needs to have relentless, free-flowing, eye-catching action without the pauses for the Television Match Official. Its an intriguing proposition and one World Rugby should note. Its something Sevens usually offers, yet in a place which finds the attritional nature of NFL so appealing, rugbys welcoming arm for shapes of all sizes slots in as the nice alternative.It is something which Rugby Illinois are advocating -- they encourage their youths to play for enjoyment, rather than winning. Everyone gets a game with an approach countering the competitive nature of prospective, young American football players.Having sevens in the Olympics will continue to have a positive knock-on effect for the sport here but the Eagles need to develop into a side capable of knocking over tier one sides on an annual basis to really explode into the public consciousness.And then theres the stardust of having the All Blacks and Ireland on your home patch. The U.S. Eagles match with the Maori All Blacks was a good occasion on Friday night but you doubt therell be any long-lasting impact from that game other than essential experience for the U.S. side who are going through a cultural sea change under John Mitchell.The 18,000 fans wouldve enjoyed it but seeing your Eagles team getting hammered does little to grow their fan base. It is rugbys superstars that carry the biggest weight here. The players from the All Blacks and Ireland bought into the whole Chicago experience.Its hard not to when you have five million Cubs fans flocking to the streets for Fridays victory parade.Both times Ive come here its been a great occasion, All Blacks captain Kieran Read said. The stadium is world-class. We love to come here and hearing the crowd and how passionate they are about rugby is great. We dont want to lose, obviously, but you have to give credit to the Irish. Chicagos been great, weve really enjoyed it.Five All Blacks were on Adidas duty before the parade; they signed balls, posed for photos and took in an impromptu game of baseball on the closed off streets. A chap called Trey was there to see his heroes whom he learned about juts two years previous.Man, that haka, the All Blacks - I cried like a baby the first time I saw the haka on Soldier Field in 2014.He looked on in awe as Julian Savea and Aaron Smith stood within touching distance. The growth of rugby in the U.S. will be a gradual process. It needs a culmination of eureka moments with the continued growth of the grassroots game. Irelands historic win in Chicago offers the game a chance to take another step forward. Cheap Fake Jerseys .C. -- Kemba Walker and the Charlotte Bobcats got off to a fast start, and the Sacramento Kings were never quite able to catch up. Wholesale Fake Jerseys . The Canadian squad, skipped by Jennifer Jones of Winnipeg, got on the board first with two in the second end, and followed that with two more apiece in the fourth and sixth ends. https://www.fakejersey.com/ . If ever they start actually putting pictures beside words in the dictionary, the Blue Jays left-handers mug will appear beside “Consistency. Fake Jerseys For Sale . -- Timbers coach Caleb Porter didnt stray from his business-like approach to the season even after Portland downed the two-time defending league champion Los Angeles Galaxy to gain crucial playoff position. Fake Jerseys From China . -- Golden State Warriors coach Mark Jackson asked his players a simple question during Fridays morning shootaround: How many of them had ever been on a team 14 games over . Things have started to even out halfway through the regular season, with the top seven or so teams holding true for a few weeks now. After that, opinions vary a bit. But one thing is certain: We are ready to believe that West Virginia is for real. Check out where the Mountaineers land and how the rest of the top 25 looks at the midpoint.?Power Rankings voters: Edward Aschoff, Butch Davis, Heather Dinich, Brad Edwards, Chris Fallica, Rod Gilmore, Danny Kanell, Chris Low, Ivan Maisel, Ryan McGee, Adam Rittenberg, Mark Schlabach | How they votedPrevious rankings: Week 1?|?Week 2 |?Week 3 | Week 4 | Week 5 | Week 61. Alabama Crimson Tide (7-0)Trending:Week 6 ranking: 1 Week 7 result: defeated Tennessee 49-10Debate the rest of the rankings if youd like, but theres no doubt about No. 1. Alabama recorded its most dominant performance of the season against Tennessee, recording two more nonoffensive touchdowns and three rushing scores from Jalen Hurts. The freshman quarterback is unstoppable running the zone read in the red zone. Alabama enters its showdown against Texas A&M oozing with confidence.2. Ohio State Buckeyes?(6-0)Trending:?Week 6 ranking: 2 Week 7 result: defeated Wisconsin 30-23There would be no double-digit win this time. The Buckeyes worked for every point at Camp Randall Stadium, and post-halftime heroics from J.T. Barrett propelled them to an overtime win. Barrett accounted for three touchdowns (two rushing, one passing) and showed incredible poise. Ohio States defense struggled for stretches but made key plays late. The Buckeyes face another prime-time road test this week at Penn State.3. Clemson Tigers?(7-0)Trending:?Week 6 ranking:?3 Week 7 result: defeated NC State 24-17 (OT)It takes luck to have a special season, and Clemson might have used up all its good fortune Saturday against NC State. The Tigers were very sloppy on offense, committing four turnovers. If not for NC States kicking game, Clemson would have suffered its first regular-season loss since 2014. The defense continues to excel, but Clemson has a lot to correct in its open week before visiting Florida State.4.?Michigan Wolverines?(6-0)Trending:?Week 6 ranking: 5 Week 7 result: byeJim Harbaugh hit the scheduling jackpot: eight home games and an open week right at the midpoint of the slate. The Wolverines are rested for a second half featuring more challenges, perhaps not this week against Illinois but the following week at Spartan Stadium, where they havent won since 2007. Jabrill Peppers remains very much in the thick of the Heisman race.5.?Washington Huskies?(6-0)Trending:?Week 6 ranking:?4 Week 7 result: byeThe Huskies are nationally relevant again. How will they handle that success? Coach Chris Petersen continues to shield his team from the national spotlight as much as possible, but quarterback Jake Browning is an emerging Heisman Trophy candidate, and others are generating attention. Washington gets back to action this week against Oregon State before a potentially tricky stretch (at Utah, at Cal, USC).6.?Texas A&M Aggies?(6-0)Trending:?Week 6 ranking: 7 Week 7 result: byeKevin Sumlin and his players got a chance to catch their breath after last weeks wild and exhausting win over Tennessee. The Aggies now get a chance to validate themselves as national title contenders as they visit Alabama. Trevor Knight might be the anti-Johnny Football off the field, but Texas A&M wouldnt mind if he replicated Manziels heroics against an opportunistic Tide defense.7.?Louisville Cardinals?(5-1)Trending:?Week 6 ranking:?6 Week 7 result: defeated Duke 24-14Whether Louisville fell victim to an open-week hangover or Dukes pressuring defense, it didnt show its typical dominance Friday. If not for a roughing-the-kicker penalty, the Cardinals would have been sweating it out in the closing minutes with a 3-point lead. Lamar Jackson showed hes human (13-of-26 passing) but still posted his fifth 100-yard rushing-performance in six games.8.?Nebraska Cornhuskers?(6-0)Trending:?Week 6 ranking:?10 Week 7 result: defeated Indiana 27-22Anyone who has watched Indiana knew Saturdays trip wouldnt be easy. The Huskers saw a 17-0 lead dwindle, and quarterback Tommy Armstrong (10-of-26 passing) made some of those uh-oh throws that have plagued him in the past. But Nebraska made enough plays to prevail in an evenly played game. After finding every way to lose last fall, the Huskers are 6-0 for the first time since 2001.9.?Wisconsin Badgers?(4-2)Trending:?Week 6 ranking:?8 Week 7 result: lost to Ohio State 30-23Few teams have looked better in defeat than the Badgers, who pushed a more talented team to the brink for the second consecutive game. Wisconsins offense showed great balance (236 rush yards, 214 pass yards) as running back?Corey Clement sizzled and quarterback Alex Hornibrook continued to show moxie. A second-half lull ultimately doomed Wisconsin, which might need to win out to claim the Big Ten West Division crown.10.?Baylor Bears?(6-0)Trending:?Week 6 ranking:?12 Week 7 result: defeated Kansas 49-7The preseason is over for Baylor. To the Bears credit, they have continued their success on the field despite all the offseason turmoil. After an easy win over Kansas, Baylor enters an open week before visiting Texas, which, despite being down, has beaten the Bears twice in the past four seasons. Baylor then hosts TCU and visits Oklahoma, so itll get real.11.?Florida State Seminoles?(5-2)Trending:?Week 6 ranking:?13 Week 7 result: defeated Wake Forest 17-6The Seminoles are starting to win with ... defense? Coordinator Charles Kellys much-maligned unit sparked for the second straight week as Florida State kept Wake Forest out of the end zone Saturday. Florida State committed three turnovers but got a huge performance from wideout Travis Rudolph (13 receptions, 238 yards). The Noles get a week off before Clemson visits Tallahassee.12.?Houston Cougars?(6-1)Trending:?Week 6 ranking:?14 Week 7 result: defeated Tulsa 38-31A second loss likely would have eliminated Houston from New Years Six contention and perhaps the American Athletic Conference race. Instead, Tulsas clock mismanagement and an incredible goal-line stop by safeties Austin Robinson and Khalil Williams preserved a 38-31 win. Houston is banged up and reeling a bit but still alive for big things. The Cougars visit SMU this week.13.?West Virginia Mountaineers?(5-0)Trending:?Week 6 ranking: 21 Week 7 result: defeated Texas Tech 48-17Impressed yet? At some point, its OK to admit that West Virginia might be good. The Mountaineers certainly looked the part in a domiinant performance at Texas Tech, holding Pat Mahomes and the Red Raiders 38 points and 279 yards below their season averages.ddddddddddddWest Virginia still has trips to Oklahoma State and Texas but plays arguably its toughest games at home, beginning this week with TCU.14.?Oklahoma Sooners?(4-2)Trending:?Week 6 ranking: 18 Week 7 result: defeated Kansas State 38-17There would be no Kansas State stunner in Norman this season, as Oklahoma took control early and led by double digits for the final 40:39. The Baker Mayfield-Dede Westbrook connection (184 yards, three touchdowns) continues to shatter records as the Sooners are clearly comfortable in Big 12 play. Mayfield will be spotlighted this week as he returns to Texas Tech, where he started his college career.15. Boise State Broncos?(6-0)Trending:?Week 6 ranking:?15? Week 7 result: defeated Colorado State 28-23After taking nearly a half to score, the Broncos pulled away from Colorado State before having to hold on late. Jeremy McNichols (217 rush yards, 40 carries, two touchdowns) sparkled on a rainy night as the Broncos moved closer to overtaking Houston in the race for the Group of 5s New Years Six spot. Boise State puts its perfect mark on the line Thursday against a surging BYU on the blue turf.16.?Utah Utes?(6-1)Trending:?Week 6 ranking:?20 Week 7 result: defeated Oregon State 19-14Injuries have depleted Utahs offensive line and running back positions, so not surprisingly, the Utes slogged through a 19-14 win at Oregon State. Joe Williams came out of retirement to rush for 179 yards and a touchdown. The Utes will continue to ride arguably the Pac-12s best defensive line and their special teams, but they need to get healthier soon, as Washington looms in two weeks.17.?Florida Gators?(5-1)Trending:?Week 6 ranking:?19 Week 7 result: defeated Missouri 40-14Tennessees second league loss puts Florida in control of its own fate in the SEC East. The Gators have a much tougher schedule ahead, but they took a nice step with an easy win over Missouri. Pick-sixes by cornerbacks Jalen Tabor and Quincy Wilson propelled Florida, which found its offensive flow in the second half. Florida gets a week off before facing Georgia in Jacksonville.18.?Tennessee Volunteers?(5-2)Trending:?Week 6 ranking:?9 Week 7 result: lost to Alabama 49-10A grueling stretch and an unstoppable opponent wore down Tennessee on Saturday. The Vols couldnt generate anything offensively, producing only 32 rush yards and 11 first downs against the Tide. Derek Barnett is a force at defensive end, but Tennessees depth just isnt there. The Vols get a much-needed open week before a soft second-half schedule. They now need Florida to stumble once in league play.19.?Arkansas Razorbacks?(5-1)Trending:?Week 6 ranking:?23 Week 7 result: defeated Ole Miss 34-30Facing an 0-3 start in SEC play, Arkansas needed no fourth-and-25 miracle to outlast Ole Miss on Saturday night. Coach Bret Bielema continued his mastery against Hugh Freezes best teams, as Arkansas won its third straight in the series. The Hogs were extremely balanced offensively (229 pass yards, 200 rush yards) and received a huge lift from Rawleigh Williams III (180 rush yards). They next visit Auburn.20.?Auburn Tigers?(4-2)Trending:?Week 6 ranking: ?24 Week 7 result: byeThe Tigers took momentum into their open week, as an emerging run game is complementing a significantly improved defense. The defense will be tested the next two weeks against Arkansas (home) and Ole Miss (road), two games that could help secure coach Gus Malzahns job or put it back in doubt. QB?Sean White and the Auburn offense get another chance to build against Arkansas struggling D.21.?Western Michigan Broncos?(7-0)Trending:?Week 6 ranking: 22 Week 7 result: defeated Akron 41-0Row The Boat to the New Years Six? Its not out of the question with Houston struggling lately. Western Michigan, with two Big Ten road wins, is dominating its MAC opponents, blanking Akron 41-0 on the road Saturday. The Broncos finally committed a turnover, but Jarvion Franklin set the single-game team rushing record with 281 yards.22.?Ole Miss Rebels?(3-3)Trending:?Week 6 ranking:?11 Week 7 result: lost to Arkansas 34-30The Rebels are still among the nations most exciting offenses, but theyre not among the nations best teams. They continue to struggle against Arkansas, which delivered a balanced offensive performance and held the ball for more than 40 minutes Saturday. QB?Chad Kelly did damage with his legs (89 rush yards, two touchdowns) but couldnt stretch the field in the passing game (6.5 yards per completion). The schedule gets no easier as Ole Miss visits LSU, which is finally scoring points.23.?Washington State Cougars?(4-2)Trending:?Week 6 ranking:?NR Week 7 result: defeated UCLA 27-21After an 0-2 start, Washington State coach Mike Leach said of his team, We just arent tough enough. Message delivered, message received. The Cougars since have won four straight, including three in Pac-12 play, and suddenly look like the primary challenger to Washington in the Pac-12 North. Washington State didnt record a passing touchdown against UCLA, ending its FBS-leading streak of 41 games, but still won behind its defense and its rushing attack.24.?North Carolina Tar Heels?(5-2)Trending:?Week 6 ranking: NR Week 7 result: defeated Miami 20-13The Tar Heels are, if nothing else, unpredictable. After being washed out in a 34-3 home loss to Virginia Tech, North Carolina responded at Miami and rode its defense to a 20-13 win. Quarterback Mitch Trubisky executed UNCs short-passing plan well (299 yards on 33 completions with two touchdowns), and the Tar Heels got a lot of players involved. UNC still needs Virginia Tech to lose again, but FPI gives the Heels a 65 percent chance to win the ACC Coastal division.25.?Colorado Buffaloes?(5-2)Trending:?Week 6 ranking: NR Week 7 result: defeated Arizona State 40-16One of the best stories of the season keeps getting better. Coach Mike MacIntyre entered the fall on the hot seat. He now has Colorado one win from bowl eligibility. Whether its Sefo Liufau or Steven Montez at quarterback, Colorado is racking up points and big plays on offense. Phillip Lindsay (219 rush yards, three touchdowns) sparked the run game in Colorados easy win over Arizona State.Fell out of the rankings:?Miami, Virginia Tech, Arizona StateOthers receiving votes: LSU, NC State, Navy, Miami, USC, Virginia Tech, South Florida, Stanford? ' ' '