Badger's infamous conference predictions:
Originally posted by BADGERBACKER
WESTERN CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME:
It didn't take a super swami to predict this one from happening. Good v. Evil was going to determine the Western Champ, or should I say, Cincy v. MEM was going to happen in the Western side of things and it was almost a waste to play the season out. Everyone knew it...just saying.
These two top GLB teams have battled before but this one will be a flat our WAR. Each team wants to get back to the World League after having spent three seasons there before being demoted back to USPL. It's a shame that one game will decide the fate of each team but that's what dotball is all about. This one should be one of the more exiting USPL games to take place...EVER! With each team having their roots in the US region its strange they have met up only four times in regular season and playoff games. The teams have split the four games by my count:
S9 Cincy 75 MEM 41 (Regualar Season - week 1)
S10 Cincy 20 MEM 17 (USPL Championship)
S12 MEM 44 Cincy 14 (Regular Season - week 6)
S13 MEM 29 Cincy 26 (Regular Season - week 10)
The game is not only a Western conference Final/who will get to the WL but is a rubber match between these two storied GLB franchises. Here's a brief capsule of each teams formative seasons in GLB:
MEM HISTORY:
MEM's first game was played on April 1, 2008. They won and went onto a season one record of 9-2, losing the title game in South America A. After wising up they moved into the US region and haven't looked back. MEM has racked up 213 regular season and playoff wins in their history and won 83.2% of their ball games played (excluding scrimmages). While MEM has been a power in GLB since season one there is something missing - that's a little gold .gif trophy winning any Pro or WL championship. Sure, they've racked up a few along their way (AA and AAA) but that's not pro ball.
MEM spent the first three seasons of the WL existence showing they belonged with the games top teams sporting a record 36-12 in the regular season and a 2-2 playoff mark.
One striking thing about MEM is that they've played in seven conference finals and have won each game. They are only 2-6 in League Championship games, however. Time will tell if this impressive conference final streak continues.
MEM W-L RECORD:
Games played (Reg/Playoffs): 256
Playoff Record: 32-10
Regular Season Record: 181-33
Total Records: 213-43 (83%)
TROPHIES: 12 total
Season 1, South America A Alpha Conference Champ
Season 2, USA A #4 Western Conference Champ
Season 3, USA AA #2 Western Conference Champ
Season 3, USA AA #2 League Champion
Season 5, USA AAA #1 Western Conference Champ
Season 5, USA AAA #1 League Champion
Season 6, USA Pro League Western Conference Champ
Season 8, USA Pro League Western Conference Champ
Season 8, Pro World Tournament Champion
Season 9, USA Pro League Western Conference Champ
Season 10, USA Pro League Western Conference Champ
Season 12, Addicts Tournament 3rd Place
CINCY HISTORY:
The Shockers first laid ground in GLB on March 29, 2008 but opened with a two game slide before finishing with a 7-3 record and bowing out in the second round of the playoffs. It took the Shockers a few seasons but in S3 they ran the table and sported their first of two 20-0 seasons. While the Shocker name is associated with "greatness" of the GLB dotworld Cincy really needs to start improving their playoff record. Overall, the Shockers have won 81% of their regular season and playoff games (199-47). However, they have been bounced in the second round three times and the first round twice. Cincy is 2-1 in League Championship games and 3-1 in Conference Title games.
Cincy's three season stint in the WL wasn't as impressive as MEM's as they had a regular season record of 31-20 but ran into a rough patch in S12 with the dreaded "3-13 season" or us associated with the Shockers "the season to forget." Cincy has not done one thing - won a WL playoff game as they went 0-2 losing in the first round in both S11 and S12.
CINCY W-L RECORD:
Games played (Reg/Playoffs): 246
Playoff Record: 22-10
Regular Season Record: 199-47
Total Records: 199-47 (81%)
TROPHIES: 7 total
Season 3, USA AA #4 Eastern Conference Champ
Season 5, USA AAA #2 Eastern Conference Champ
Season 10, USA Pro League Eastern Conference Champ
Season 3, USA AA #4 League Champion
Season 10, USA Pro League League Champion
Season 10, Hazy/Addicts Tournament Champion
Season 10, Pro World Tournament Champion
Cincy comes into the ball game riding a nice playoff wave. In their previous two games the Shockers have allowed only six total points. MEM comes in breathing a sigh of relief as they narrowly escaped another loss to Bortsville. A strong second half of play allowed them to break away from the 13 all tie at half. In their first meeting of the regular season Cincy won in a low scoring ball game 24-20. Personally, I think both teams have changed along the lines as week nine was a loooong time ago. MEM has strung together a nine game win streak while the Shockers have not lost since week three (for you math nerds reading that would be a current win streak of 15 games). The first meeting seemed to follow a similar patter with these teams close ball games - low scoring and coming down to the final gun. When you have a meeting of well built dots and game planning the little things come into play - the first game was truly decided by turnovers. MEM lost three fumbles and had a pick for their four turnover performance. Cincy, in a giving mood themselves, lost two fumbles. While the TO's were hot and heavy Cincy only got seven points off them while MEM took advantage and scored 14 off the two Shocker miscues. This one will be another one of those types of game - which ever team can minimize their mistakes will take home the silver trophy.
Since one agent has a RB on each team (the starter on both) let's take a sneak peak at them:
............Ace Flame..vs...Jamaal Lewis
Att...............447....................383
Yrds..........3,523.................2,416
Rush TD........81.....................56
Rec................9........................0
Rec Yrds......93.......................0
Rec TD...........0.......................0
Who's better? MVP, MVP, MVP, MVP, MVP!!!!!!!!!
BADGER PREDICTIOn: Going to be a tough ball game and someone is going to be left saying "damn, just a few more seconds." This will be like the first game - low scoring and defensive. I think the Shocker D will meet Mr. Brady a little more often then the MEM O would like and that will have some consequences. Going to be a tight one but sometimes teams just seemed destined and the Shockers are that team this year.
Cincy 27
MEM 24
I'll add my two cents since I know your day will not be complete until hearing from me...USPL has the correct offensive MVP. If your good enough player you should at a minimum "carry" (get it) your team to a conference title game.
BB out.
P.S.
THE OTHER SIDE:
Alpine v. Minneapolis (the metrodome sucks): It was ugly the first go around between these two (65-14 in favor of the Masterminds) and I don't think much will change except not as many points for either side. MM 52 Alpine 10
