It’s that time of the year again: Fall sports are ending their regular seasons and the quest for national titles is beginning. The excitement and quality of NCAA Tournament play is unrivaled in the sports world, and this year should be no different.

The Cardinal has five fall sports teams in the hunt for NCAA titles and some begin their journeys this weekend. The stakes are as high as they’ve ever been. It’s one-and-done now, and you can sure bet no team wants to go home empty-handed.

Now on to the winners and losers for the upcoming weekend of college sports.

Winner: Stanford Women’s Soccer

After grabbing a top-four regional seed in the NCAA tournament, the Stanford women’s soccer team hosts the first and second rounds today and Sunday, respectively. The Cardinal women finished with an outstanding record of 14-2-4 overall and 5-1-3 in Pac-10 play. They will face Sacramento State today and a win will advance them to play the winner of the Cal-Santa Clara game.

Stanford is looking to avenge last year’s dramatic loss to Clemson in the round of 16, where the Cardinal played well but could not put any shots in the net and lost on penalty kicks. The ladies have something to prove this year, and they should be able to go through the weekend undefeated.

Seniors Shari Summers and Rachel Buehler are in the home stretch of their Stanford careers and will do their best to make sure it doesn’t end until they are the last team standing.

Loser: Ohio State

Just a week ago, this game looked like it would be one of the biggest contests of the season. But with both Michigan and Ohio State losing last Saturday, this game suddenly has far fewer BCS implications than once thought. The Big Ten title, however, remains still up for grabs.

Michigan has lost two in a row in this epic rivalry game, including two years ago when Ohio State came back late to win in the final two minutes. Even though Michigan has struggled in a few games this year, Lloyd Carr’s squad is still capable of beating the Buckeyes. If running back Mike Hart is healthy for the Wolverines and they are pumped up enough for the game, then the edge goes to Michigan, who is trying to salvage their season after their stunning loss to Appalachian State in season’s opening weekend.

The only question is this: Will a win on Saturday save Lloyd Carr’s job?

Winner: Stanford Cross Country

Stanford Women’s Cross Country has been on top of the NCAA ranks throughout the entire season. The Cardinal earned a Pac-10 championship, and last weekend they won the NCAA Western Regionals in dominating fashion. But it all comes down to Monday in Terre Haute, Indiana as the Stanford women seek their third consecutive NCAA Championship.

There should be no stopping these ladies, as seniors Teresa McWalters and Arianna Lambie are among the top runners in the country and should record top-10 finishes. Look for the women’s cross country team to capture the first NCAA championship of the year for Stanford and its third straight title.

Loser: California

Stanford men’s soccer plays host to rival Cal in the regular season finale for both teams on Saturday night. The Bears have already wrapped up the Pac-10 title and a spot in the NCAA Championships, but the Cardinal is still clinging to hopes of a berth in the tournament as well.

Last time, Stanford lost 1-0 in Berkeley, but this time should be different. Cal has little to play for — Stanford, on the other hand, faces a must-win game. In addition, it will be senior night for the Card and the seniors will not want to end their careers with a loss to their bitter rivals. Stanford is a close one.

Think you can out-duel Danny Belch in his weekend warrior picks? Email him at dbelch11@stanford.edu.