Top-5 stays the same in Dirty 30 race

With bowl games and playoff races remaining, the NJCAA ranks were off last week which limited the changes in the Dirty 30 Rankings. The top-5 remained tight, but plenty of action continued with the programs that follow.

The NJCAA ranks will announce its bowl pairings this week, which will most certainly have a lot to do with the race for the JCGridiron.com Dirty 30 national title. The California ranks had a chance to make up some ground this past week and has a playoff structure could even further their cause.

City College of San Francisco maintained its lead at #1 with a 42-24 win over College of San Mateo. The Rams earned the top seed in the Northern California playoffs and will host #35 Butte, who went through the back door with a loss this past weekend to make the playoffs. San Mateo dropped to #15 in the rankings and will host #21 Chabot, who captured the Valley Conference title.

The race is Southern California is brutally close, as Saddleback earned the top seed with a win over #25 Golden West to capture the Southern League championship. The Gauchos rose all the way to #10 in this week's rankings and will host #6 Riverside in the SoCal semifinals. Saddleback lost to RCC in week two but has since ripped off eight straight wins, including four wins against programs still in the rankings. The Gauchos also lost to #24 Cerritos, who will host #8 Long Beach City in the other semifinal. With a playoff structure that has the potential for three more wins against quality opponents, any one of these programs has an opportunity to make a strong case down the stretch. For those interested, the Saddleback/Riverside game will be streamed on the Gaucho Sports Network, with yours truly on the call.

With the NJCAA bowl games being announced this week, all eyes will be on Northwest Mississippi, Rochester and Snow to see who ends up in the NJCAA national title game. Northwest has the edge in terms of NJCAA rankings, but may not end up playing the program they need in order to win a Dirty 30 title. The Rangers are currently at #4 in the Dirty 30 and a game against Rochester would not do them any favors. The Dirty 30 has the Yellowjackets ranked #19 this week but with the NJCAA having them ranked #2 they will likely have an opportunity to play in the Mississippi Bowl against Northwest should they choose. Snow is ranked #5 in the Dirty 30 while Iowa Western is #2. It should be interesting!

To view the entire JCGridiron.com Dirty 30 Rankings, click on the link in the above grey box.

BIG GAMES THIS WEEK

#35 Butte at #1 San Francisco

#6 Riverside at #10 Saddleback

#8 Long Beach City at #24 Cerritos

#21 Chabot at #15 San Mateo

#18 Mt. San Antonio at #25 Golden West

#46 San Joaquin Delta at #22 American River

#34 Orange Coast at #27 Ventura

#49 Chaffey at #32 Fullerton

#45 Victor Valley at #38 Santa Monica