There's just two weeks left in the regular season, and things close out with a bang as two undefeateds square off for the No. 1 seed in Garuda.
And, amazingly, nobody from either team had anything to say to the Experts' Panel. Are they just playing it coy? Or are their testicles safely secured in their mama's purse?
This week's Experts' Panel is slim pickings, with just driftinggrifter and kcfdx opting to grace us with their opinions, but at least the lack of quantity is compensated for by the quality of our panel. Or some shit like that.
But since we've only got two Experts, I'll inject myself into the mix with my own Expert picks.
=============GOTW =============
Tet Offensive (14-0) at Buffalo Rampage (14-0)
Entering the season, Buffalo was a big question mark – late roster spot fills had dropped the team chemistry below 50 and most of the roster had moved upward into the World League. Tet, on the other hand, came into the season as the hands-down favorite to win the non-Naga trophy.
Fourteen weeks later, the teams are both sitting undefeated and both with signature wins over 12-2 Lucid. It can be argued that Tet has looked more dominating in wins against common opponents, but it can also be argued that Buffalo has been underestimated for much of the season.
Are these Rampage dots really good enough to pull off what would appear to be an upset win?
THE EXPERTS: Tet 3, Bufalo 0
<0> kcfdx <0>
This is the game everyone in Garuda has been waiting for. There is no love lost between these two teams. Buffalo would love to spoil the Offensive's holiday. However, even VJ knows they won't pull a Tet until the playoffs. Tet
<0> driftinggrifter <0>
Tet strikes first and never lets up. Meanwhile, Buffalo's Rampage disappears like the ol Nintendo game with the same name. Tet, 40-27
<0> haole <0>
I hesitate to pick against Buffalo when I didn't even consider them to be a Top 4 team in my too-early preseason rankings, but it's hard to see Tet losing this game. I expect it to be close for the first three quarters, but the Offensive locks it down midway through the third and coasts to the win. Tet 45-30
=============BEST OF THE REST =============
Blue Renegade Wino Smurfs of Funkalicious Labatt (13-1) at Palembang Drunken Monks (11-3)
The Smurfs have dominated the running game in every matchup that didn't include Saigon, and one would expect that to continue here. The Monks entered the season with high hopes, but a loss here would leave a home playoff game in doubt.
THE EXPERTS: Smurfs 3, Monks 0
<0> kcfdx <0>
The Monks are always a playoff contender. That doesn't look to change this season either. However, the Smurfs are playing much larger than their diminutive stature. They won't be feeling blue at the end of this one. Smurfs
<0> driftinggrifter <0>
Spirtual drunken Monks are no match for Funky drunken Smurfs. Smurfs, 37-10
<0> haole <0>
I really expected the Monks to be on an even par with the Smurfs heading into this game, but PDM's losses to Tibet and Semarang really seem to separate the two teams. I fully expect to see the Smurfs grind another opponent into the blue dust that Vanity obviously snorted. Smurfs, 55-31
Tibet Psychonauts (12-2) at Portland Dirty Penguins (10-4)
THE EXPERTS: Tibet 2, PDP 1
<0> kcfdx <0>
PDP is just about back to form, and is looking to avenge last season's loss to Tibet. Tibet, on the other hand, has an aging roster that is just trying to hold on to a few scraps of glory. I may be biased, but I think there are a couple good fights left in them. Tibet
<0> driftinggrifter <0>
The Penquins think they are chinese and storm Tibet for a close one. PDP, 23-20
<0> haole <0>
It's taken a while for PDP to get things on track, but to me they are looking like a legit Top 4 right now. But I'm not sure that's enough for them to pull off the win over Tibet, which has looked pretty strong in all facets of the game. I think the Psychonauts steal it at the end. Tibet, 28-27
Munich Mayhem (9-5) at Lucid D.R.E.A.M. (12-2)
<0> driftinggrifter <0>
Not much to say besides a lopsided match. Lucid, 70-17
<0> haole <0>
Munich won't be wreaking much Mayhem in this game. This should be all Lucid, all day long. Lucid 66-13
Singapore Canes (8-6) at Bangalore Monsoon (11-3)
<0> driftinggrifter <0>
Too bad these aren't the Miami Canes of the '80s. Then this might've been a match. Bangalore 110-10
<0> haole <0>
The Canes have been a pleasant surprise this season, but they won't surprise the Monsoon, who I think has actually underperformed and might be poised for a playoff run. Bangalore 81-14
And, amazingly, nobody from either team had anything to say to the Experts' Panel. Are they just playing it coy? Or are their testicles safely secured in their mama's purse?
This week's Experts' Panel is slim pickings, with just driftinggrifter and kcfdx opting to grace us with their opinions, but at least the lack of quantity is compensated for by the quality of our panel. Or some shit like that.
But since we've only got two Experts, I'll inject myself into the mix with my own Expert picks.
=============GOTW =============
Tet Offensive (14-0) at Buffalo Rampage (14-0)
Entering the season, Buffalo was a big question mark – late roster spot fills had dropped the team chemistry below 50 and most of the roster had moved upward into the World League. Tet, on the other hand, came into the season as the hands-down favorite to win the non-Naga trophy.
Fourteen weeks later, the teams are both sitting undefeated and both with signature wins over 12-2 Lucid. It can be argued that Tet has looked more dominating in wins against common opponents, but it can also be argued that Buffalo has been underestimated for much of the season.
Are these Rampage dots really good enough to pull off what would appear to be an upset win?
THE EXPERTS: Tet 3, Bufalo 0
<0> kcfdx <0>
This is the game everyone in Garuda has been waiting for. There is no love lost between these two teams. Buffalo would love to spoil the Offensive's holiday. However, even VJ knows they won't pull a Tet until the playoffs. Tet
<0> driftinggrifter <0>
Tet strikes first and never lets up. Meanwhile, Buffalo's Rampage disappears like the ol Nintendo game with the same name. Tet, 40-27
<0> haole <0>
I hesitate to pick against Buffalo when I didn't even consider them to be a Top 4 team in my too-early preseason rankings, but it's hard to see Tet losing this game. I expect it to be close for the first three quarters, but the Offensive locks it down midway through the third and coasts to the win. Tet 45-30
=============BEST OF THE REST =============
Blue Renegade Wino Smurfs of Funkalicious Labatt (13-1) at Palembang Drunken Monks (11-3)
The Smurfs have dominated the running game in every matchup that didn't include Saigon, and one would expect that to continue here. The Monks entered the season with high hopes, but a loss here would leave a home playoff game in doubt.
THE EXPERTS: Smurfs 3, Monks 0
<0> kcfdx <0>
The Monks are always a playoff contender. That doesn't look to change this season either. However, the Smurfs are playing much larger than their diminutive stature. They won't be feeling blue at the end of this one. Smurfs
<0> driftinggrifter <0>
Spirtual drunken Monks are no match for Funky drunken Smurfs. Smurfs, 37-10
<0> haole <0>
I really expected the Monks to be on an even par with the Smurfs heading into this game, but PDM's losses to Tibet and Semarang really seem to separate the two teams. I fully expect to see the Smurfs grind another opponent into the blue dust that Vanity obviously snorted. Smurfs, 55-31
Tibet Psychonauts (12-2) at Portland Dirty Penguins (10-4)
THE EXPERTS: Tibet 2, PDP 1
<0> kcfdx <0>
PDP is just about back to form, and is looking to avenge last season's loss to Tibet. Tibet, on the other hand, has an aging roster that is just trying to hold on to a few scraps of glory. I may be biased, but I think there are a couple good fights left in them. Tibet
<0> driftinggrifter <0>
The Penquins think they are chinese and storm Tibet for a close one. PDP, 23-20
<0> haole <0>
It's taken a while for PDP to get things on track, but to me they are looking like a legit Top 4 right now. But I'm not sure that's enough for them to pull off the win over Tibet, which has looked pretty strong in all facets of the game. I think the Psychonauts steal it at the end. Tibet, 28-27
Munich Mayhem (9-5) at Lucid D.R.E.A.M. (12-2)
<0> driftinggrifter <0>
Not much to say besides a lopsided match. Lucid, 70-17
<0> haole <0>
Munich won't be wreaking much Mayhem in this game. This should be all Lucid, all day long. Lucid 66-13
Singapore Canes (8-6) at Bangalore Monsoon (11-3)
<0> driftinggrifter <0>
Too bad these aren't the Miami Canes of the '80s. Then this might've been a match. Bangalore 110-10
<0> haole <0>
The Canes have been a pleasant surprise this season, but they won't surprise the Monsoon, who I think has actually underperformed and might be poised for a playoff run. Bangalore 81-14
