Lardaddy has zeta under control preview-wise, but I won't make him strain his brain trying to find a game worth previewing in Alpha. I might even do these for more than one week this season, since I'm starting ahead of the playoffs...
Naples Purple Nurples (5-0) @ E-City Mercenaries (3-2): this is the second real league test for a Naples team that's proven they can hang with anyone outside the league as well. E-City is having a bit of a down year for them--which still means a likely playoff spot, but home field may be a reach. Naples by 30.
Alpha GOTW LUX Borg (5-0) vs. Speyside Whiskies (3-2): the Borg, like Naples, are facing their second real test in the league, after a nailbiter against my Panthers. Speyside is a bit of an enigma--are they the team that played Naples close and blew out E-City, or the team that dropped a game to Baden inexplicably in week 1? I think they give the Borg all they can handle here. Speyside by 3 in the upset special of the week.
Italian Stallions (2-3) at Tulsa Doom (4-1): Tulsa's had a soft schedule so far but I know what they're capable of, and the Stallions just won't be able to contain Tulsa's offense. Tulsa by 30+ in a walk.
Parma Panthers (4-1) at Seville Golden Eagles (2-3): Seville looks better than they did last season but sadly there's a huge talent gap here. Parma by 30+.
Munchen Zeebachs (3-2) vs. Fareham Demons (2-3): I keep waiting for Fareham to put things together--every time I look at them they have a decent roster and decent playcalling, and their record doesn't match up with that. Munchen hasn't really given me much to go on--two CPU blowouts, two close losses to top teams, and a not terribly impressive win over Seville. I like Fareham by 3 in this, and it should be one of the more entertaining games in Alpha this week.
Black Hand (3-2) vs. Belfast Brawlers (2-3): Holy strength of schedule, Batman. The only "bad" loss on either team's resume is Belfast vs. E-City, and that's presuming that E-City is legitimately having a down year. The Black Hand has shown more on defense, and when I'm making a close pick that's how I'll go: Black Hand by 7
Toro Toreros (0-5) vs. Boston Punks (0-5): Somebody has to win this one. Can Boston's special teams exploit the Toreros' choice to play a punter at K? Will the Toreros' 15-20 level advantage at most positions be too much for the Punks? Will the coordinators empty their bags of tricks? For a matchup of winless teams, this could be really fun to watch. In the end, I think the Punks don't have the horses to steal this one...Toreros by 17.
MVB (0-5) vs. Burned Out Falling (0-5): Battle of the CPUs. Someone has to win this one, too, but it's entirely irrelevant.
Naples Purple Nurples (5-0) @ E-City Mercenaries (3-2): this is the second real league test for a Naples team that's proven they can hang with anyone outside the league as well. E-City is having a bit of a down year for them--which still means a likely playoff spot, but home field may be a reach. Naples by 30.
Alpha GOTW LUX Borg (5-0) vs. Speyside Whiskies (3-2): the Borg, like Naples, are facing their second real test in the league, after a nailbiter against my Panthers. Speyside is a bit of an enigma--are they the team that played Naples close and blew out E-City, or the team that dropped a game to Baden inexplicably in week 1? I think they give the Borg all they can handle here. Speyside by 3 in the upset special of the week.
Italian Stallions (2-3) at Tulsa Doom (4-1): Tulsa's had a soft schedule so far but I know what they're capable of, and the Stallions just won't be able to contain Tulsa's offense. Tulsa by 30+ in a walk.
Parma Panthers (4-1) at Seville Golden Eagles (2-3): Seville looks better than they did last season but sadly there's a huge talent gap here. Parma by 30+.
Munchen Zeebachs (3-2) vs. Fareham Demons (2-3): I keep waiting for Fareham to put things together--every time I look at them they have a decent roster and decent playcalling, and their record doesn't match up with that. Munchen hasn't really given me much to go on--two CPU blowouts, two close losses to top teams, and a not terribly impressive win over Seville. I like Fareham by 3 in this, and it should be one of the more entertaining games in Alpha this week.
Black Hand (3-2) vs. Belfast Brawlers (2-3): Holy strength of schedule, Batman. The only "bad" loss on either team's resume is Belfast vs. E-City, and that's presuming that E-City is legitimately having a down year. The Black Hand has shown more on defense, and when I'm making a close pick that's how I'll go: Black Hand by 7
Toro Toreros (0-5) vs. Boston Punks (0-5): Somebody has to win this one. Can Boston's special teams exploit the Toreros' choice to play a punter at K? Will the Toreros' 15-20 level advantage at most positions be too much for the Punks? Will the coordinators empty their bags of tricks? For a matchup of winless teams, this could be really fun to watch. In the end, I think the Punks don't have the horses to steal this one...Toreros by 17.
MVB (0-5) vs. Burned Out Falling (0-5): Battle of the CPUs. Someone has to win this one, too, but it's entirely irrelevant.
