Just a few previews that I think will impact the season in a meaningful fashion. We'll see how many I'm right on.
1. NBSK vs. the Table:
NBSK continues to be the dominant presence in the league, and tend to win games by multiple scores. Even one stumble can give people hope and set people scrambling to try and figure out what went wrong though. Going 16-0 would crush a lot of faint hopes and establish just who is still top dog around here.
2. Miami vs. Miami:
This game is always competitive and always close. It managed to not doom the Hammerheads this past season, nor launch the Makos to a top 4 finish, but it should still be a good indicator of where both teams are at when it comes up.
3. Detroit vs. Salem vs. Gulf State:
three very different offenses and three teams that can challenge anyone on any given week. If anyone comes out of this trio 2-0 I expect they'll finish with a home playoff game, either outright or on head to head tiebreakers.
4. Akron vs. Vice City:
Vice City is always dangerous, and better at exploiting any weakness in a defense, anywhere on the field, than anyone but NBSK. These two teams have clashed a few times, and seeing how they stack up again as Akron surges back into the playoff mix ought to speak volumes about where both are at. Regardless, expect a lot of passing yards.
5. DVDTalk vs. Anchorage vs. Caprica:
I think Rapid City is still my call for top of the West, but this trio all make a convincing argument for #2. I think if anyone comes out of this mix 2-0 they'll own the #2 spot.
6. USMC vs. Sioux Falls:
This ought to be a fun one to watch. Both teams should make the playoffs, but this one will probably decide positioning when they get there. With an upset somewhere it could also squeak someone into a home playoff game.
7. Scranton vs. the first 6 games:
Scranton's curse has been inconsistency. Long win streaks, long losing streaks. Big, big wins followed by narrow defeats or near things vs. teams they likely should have beat more easily. Establishing any kind of consistent presence should say a lot about whether they can book tickets for another playoff game or if they're going to just miss the target.
1. NBSK vs. the Table:
NBSK continues to be the dominant presence in the league, and tend to win games by multiple scores. Even one stumble can give people hope and set people scrambling to try and figure out what went wrong though. Going 16-0 would crush a lot of faint hopes and establish just who is still top dog around here.
2. Miami vs. Miami:
This game is always competitive and always close. It managed to not doom the Hammerheads this past season, nor launch the Makos to a top 4 finish, but it should still be a good indicator of where both teams are at when it comes up.
3. Detroit vs. Salem vs. Gulf State:
three very different offenses and three teams that can challenge anyone on any given week. If anyone comes out of this trio 2-0 I expect they'll finish with a home playoff game, either outright or on head to head tiebreakers.
4. Akron vs. Vice City:
Vice City is always dangerous, and better at exploiting any weakness in a defense, anywhere on the field, than anyone but NBSK. These two teams have clashed a few times, and seeing how they stack up again as Akron surges back into the playoff mix ought to speak volumes about where both are at. Regardless, expect a lot of passing yards.
5. DVDTalk vs. Anchorage vs. Caprica:
I think Rapid City is still my call for top of the West, but this trio all make a convincing argument for #2. I think if anyone comes out of this mix 2-0 they'll own the #2 spot.
6. USMC vs. Sioux Falls:
This ought to be a fun one to watch. Both teams should make the playoffs, but this one will probably decide positioning when they get there. With an upset somewhere it could also squeak someone into a home playoff game.
7. Scranton vs. the first 6 games:
Scranton's curse has been inconsistency. Long win streaks, long losing streaks. Big, big wins followed by narrow defeats or near things vs. teams they likely should have beat more easily. Establishing any kind of consistent presence should say a lot about whether they can book tickets for another playoff game or if they're going to just miss the target.
