There is a new No. 1 in this week's ESPN Stats and Information softball conference power rankings. Although last week's top conference, the Big 12, saw its ranking drop just half a point, that was enough for the Pac-10 to claim the No. 1 spot. Every Pac-10 team but Oregon either moved up or stayed the same in this week's RPI, with No. 78 Oregon State making the biggest jump, from No. 99 to No. 78. All of the other Pac-10 teams were ranked in the top 23.
For the second week in a row, Conference USA was the best non-BCS conference. Led by No. 25 Tulsa and No. 26 Houston, it experienced the biggest improvement of all the conferences, moving up 6.5556 points.
The WAC saw its ranking fall 7.5 spots from last week, second only to the Pacific Coast's fall of 8.5. At No. 58 in the RPI, and trailing New Mexico State, Boise State and Fresno State in the WAC standings, 2010 Women's College World Series participant Hawaii could be left out of the NCAA tournament if it doesn't turn things around during the final month of the season.
Conference (RPI Average)
1. Pac-10 (21.75)
2. Big 12 (24.7)
3. SEC (49.7273)
4. Big Ten (59.1818)
5. ACC (72.125)
6. C-USA (76)
7. Sun Belt (86.3333)
8. MWC (93.5)
9. Big East (106)
10. Big West (106.25)
11. A-Sun (124.6364)
12. WAC (125.6250)
13. MVC (135.4)
14. Southland (143.8182)
15. MAC (146.9167)
16. Horizon (147.4444)
17. Southern (154.7778)
18. Big South (162.7143)
19. Ohio Valley (168.7273)
20. A-10 (171.8182)
21. Colonial (177.3750)
22. A-East (182.8571)
23. Summit (187.1111)
24. Northeast (197.9091)
25. Ivy (198.8750)
26. Pacific Coast (211)
27. Patriot (227.3333)
27. MEAC (249.3636)
29. SWAC (265.8000)
Erin Quinn is a member of ESPN's Stats & Information group.