Yea, this was kind of hard. Soooo much talent in this league, really one or two things could swap a team as low as 15 with a team as high as 5. Take it for what it's worth - one man's opinion. If you don't like it, prove me wrong. It's really as simple as that.
16. Kalamazoo - the glory days of these two time USAPL champions is long behind them. A depleted roster means the end the road for this once great team.
15. Columbus - Columbus just missed out on making the playoffs last year. This year I don't think they'll have to worry about tie breakers.
14. Carolina - after starting out 8-4, this team fell apart at the end of the season. I expect more of that downward spiral to continue this season.
13. Richey - having backed into USAPL, Richey will wish they had spent one more season at AAA.
12. Indianapolis - the Gurupies have always done well wherever they have been, but they are probably looking at not making the playoffs for the first time ever.
11. Chocolate City - things looked so promising for CCCC when they were rolling at 7-2. Four straight losses though put them in the position of having to face Cincy in the 1st round and that's never a good thing. This team is on the cusp - they'll either be one of the bottom seeds making the playoffs or just out.
10. Pittsburgh - they have great scouting bars and while the Wolfpack have proven that means something, it doesn't guarantee success. The fact they haven't been able to win a big playoff game since Season 4 doesn't bode well for them. Like CCCC, a team that could make the playoffs or just be out.
9. Texas - this is how tough USAPL and this conference is. Normally, you would expect a conference winner to be a lock to make the playoffs. While I think Texas can make the playoffs, this is going to be a much tougher season then they've ever faced. Of course I think I can say that for all 16 teams in this conference as it's as loaded as it's ever been.
8. Washington - they just missed the playoffs last year but I have a feeling this season's sim is going to be more pass oriented which favors them big time. If that does happen, I wouldn't be surprised at all to see this as a top 3 team in the East because they have as loaded a starting roster as anyone and Cote is an absolute man among boys.
7. Detroit - the loss of Jackson will hurt this team more than they want to believe. Like Washington though, a pass oriented sim will help them.
6. Alpine - the best AAA team arriving in the Eastern Conference imo, they'll make the playoffs, but it won't be easy.
5. Over The Rhine - OTR more than proved they belonged last season. They definitely proved me wrong. I think they'll be somewhere in the 3-5 range this season and as is the case with most of the teams, it'll really depend on how well they adjust to the season 9 sim. Tooley and gang are pretty good at doing so.
4. Las Vegas - yea, I know we won the title, but I think that was more a reflection of our ability to adjust defensively to the Strong I Slam than anything. We'll still be good, but I think there are better teams than us in the East.
3. OFG's - the OFG's rode the Strong I Slam's coat tails last season. They won't be able to rely on that this year, but the good news is they actually have the talent and ability to do other things.
2. Cincinnati - speaking of Strong I Slam - the Shockers won't have to worry about it this year and that's nothing but good news for them. Easily one of the best teams in GLB and they'll prove that this season.
1. Green Bay - if the Gamblers hadn't beaten GB in the 2nd round, we might be sitting here talking about them as champions. I have a feeling that they'll get their chance to prove themselves this season.
16. Kalamazoo - the glory days of these two time USAPL champions is long behind them. A depleted roster means the end the road for this once great team.
15. Columbus - Columbus just missed out on making the playoffs last year. This year I don't think they'll have to worry about tie breakers.
14. Carolina - after starting out 8-4, this team fell apart at the end of the season. I expect more of that downward spiral to continue this season.
13. Richey - having backed into USAPL, Richey will wish they had spent one more season at AAA.
12. Indianapolis - the Gurupies have always done well wherever they have been, but they are probably looking at not making the playoffs for the first time ever.
11. Chocolate City - things looked so promising for CCCC when they were rolling at 7-2. Four straight losses though put them in the position of having to face Cincy in the 1st round and that's never a good thing. This team is on the cusp - they'll either be one of the bottom seeds making the playoffs or just out.
10. Pittsburgh - they have great scouting bars and while the Wolfpack have proven that means something, it doesn't guarantee success. The fact they haven't been able to win a big playoff game since Season 4 doesn't bode well for them. Like CCCC, a team that could make the playoffs or just be out.
9. Texas - this is how tough USAPL and this conference is. Normally, you would expect a conference winner to be a lock to make the playoffs. While I think Texas can make the playoffs, this is going to be a much tougher season then they've ever faced. Of course I think I can say that for all 16 teams in this conference as it's as loaded as it's ever been.
8. Washington - they just missed the playoffs last year but I have a feeling this season's sim is going to be more pass oriented which favors them big time. If that does happen, I wouldn't be surprised at all to see this as a top 3 team in the East because they have as loaded a starting roster as anyone and Cote is an absolute man among boys.
7. Detroit - the loss of Jackson will hurt this team more than they want to believe. Like Washington though, a pass oriented sim will help them.
6. Alpine - the best AAA team arriving in the Eastern Conference imo, they'll make the playoffs, but it won't be easy.
5. Over The Rhine - OTR more than proved they belonged last season. They definitely proved me wrong. I think they'll be somewhere in the 3-5 range this season and as is the case with most of the teams, it'll really depend on how well they adjust to the season 9 sim. Tooley and gang are pretty good at doing so.
4. Las Vegas - yea, I know we won the title, but I think that was more a reflection of our ability to adjust defensively to the Strong I Slam than anything. We'll still be good, but I think there are better teams than us in the East.
3. OFG's - the OFG's rode the Strong I Slam's coat tails last season. They won't be able to rely on that this year, but the good news is they actually have the talent and ability to do other things.
2. Cincinnati - speaking of Strong I Slam - the Shockers won't have to worry about it this year and that's nothing but good news for them. Easily one of the best teams in GLB and they'll prove that this season.
1. Green Bay - if the Gamblers hadn't beaten GB in the 2nd round, we might be sitting here talking about them as champions. I have a feeling that they'll get their chance to prove themselves this season.
