Didnt think Plankton would do this with Devonport in the WL so I thought I would keep it going...
Top 10
1 - Asau Pirates (0-0) - Arguably Asau is the preseason favorite to win OPL. The are coming off a disappointing early exit in the second round of the playoffs last season but appear to have made some upgrades while keep most of their roster intact. They should be safe here until their week 3 matchup up against Syracuse. Next Opponent: da bears (prediction: Asau by a landslide)
2 - Indianapolis Gurupies - The Gurupies have returned home to OPL after a great run in the WL and narrowly missing the playoffs. On paper they might appear to be handicapped this season with a younger squad and some might question such a high early ranking. Well, they already have one of the best effective levels in OPL and they will only get better as the season progresses. They have the easiest first half schedule (wont be challenged until week 9) so their young dots will close the gap and their chemistry will restore... and did I mention they are not happy to be here. Next Opponent: Indianola Longhorn Legends (prediction: Indy by a lot)
3 - Kingston Uprising - Kingston also returns home from SAPL after allowing the Savage Swarm to swap and take the Easy St. Though their effective level is a little misleading, having 7 STOP centers, they still sport the highest one. They have been a strong contender in SAPL and were once a strong contender in OPL. Next Opponent: Budapest Devils (prediction: Kingston by a lot)
4 - Oregon Ducks - The Ducks will be reaching plateau at the start of the season. They already have the second highest effective level and that will only improve with their final boosts. They were young last season, however, I expected a better showing in the second round against EEA. I do not see them dropping any lower than this. Zeta is a race between Oregon and Asau. Next Opponent: All Good Things (prediction: Oregon gets a bye)
5 - Banzai Pipeline 'Nites - Having played third wheel to the Cypriot/Devonport duel last season, Banzai looks to rebound and be a legit contender. Its hard to put them any higher until they can start winning those big games against the elite in the conference. They currently have the 3rd highest EL, but will be passed by Indy. Next Opponent: IC Incinerators (prediction: Banzai beats up on a good friend)
6 - Gold Coast Michelin Men - Having won the MTD award for team flying under the radar in season 20, GCMM will not be overlooked this season. They fought hard in the playoffs and almost knocked off Cypriot in the second round. I expect them to improve on last season and be a strong contender for the top spot. Next Opponent: D-Town Colts (prediction: GCMM bye week)
7 - Syracuse Synergy - I wasnt sure where to put Syracuse. Going with an older roster, they would like everyone to think they are taking the season off, especially after downgrading at the QB position, but a former WL team is not to be overlooked. Expect a good battle between them, GCV and Sumatra for third place in Zeta. Next Opponent: Florida BeachDogZ (prediction: Syracuse by a lot)
8 - Stockholm Black Death - I am hesitant to put Stockholm here after Stockholm faded down the stretch last season, however they are a strong team and have proved they know how to hang with anyone. I expect a chip on their shoulder and much improvement this season. Next Opponent: Sumatra Seahawks (prediction: SBD by 17.. holy shit a non-blowout!!)
9 - Hong Kong Voodoo - The Voodoo are the front-runners for the MTD award this season... only I am not going to allow it to happen. This was a young team last season and are looking to make some noise with a mature roster. Next Opponent: Guam Chamoros Rising Sun Devils (prediction: HK by a lot)
10 - Sumatra Seahawks - Going to round out the top 10 with Sumatra after they took down Asau in the second round last season. I hate having to leave GCV out of the top 10.. probably should have done a top 11 since there is a noticeable dropoff after the autopilot Death Dealers (hard to consider DD a contender when there is no one manning the ship). They better cover the spread this week or the Vipers will be moving up. Next Opponent: Stockholm Black Death (prediction: SBD by 17)
The Rest...
11 - Gold Coast Vipers
12 - Death Dealers
13 - Budapest Devils
14 - San Diego Supa Chargers
15 - Indianola Longhorn Legends
16 - Bora Bora Bangaroos
17 - Lynchburg Party Crashers
18 - OffTopica Miracle
19 - IC Incinerators
20 - Kona Gold
21 - Oberon Bulls
22 - Tampa Bay Puganeers
23 - Amsterdam Bulls
24 - Guam Chamoros Rising Sun Devils
25 - Florida BeachDogZ
26 - San Diego Scorpions
27 - Warriors of Oceania
28 - da bears
29 - D-Town Colts
30 - Sin City Silent Assassins
31 - Black Sea Storage
32 - All Good Things
Top 10
1 - Asau Pirates (0-0) - Arguably Asau is the preseason favorite to win OPL. The are coming off a disappointing early exit in the second round of the playoffs last season but appear to have made some upgrades while keep most of their roster intact. They should be safe here until their week 3 matchup up against Syracuse. Next Opponent: da bears (prediction: Asau by a landslide)
2 - Indianapolis Gurupies - The Gurupies have returned home to OPL after a great run in the WL and narrowly missing the playoffs. On paper they might appear to be handicapped this season with a younger squad and some might question such a high early ranking. Well, they already have one of the best effective levels in OPL and they will only get better as the season progresses. They have the easiest first half schedule (wont be challenged until week 9) so their young dots will close the gap and their chemistry will restore... and did I mention they are not happy to be here. Next Opponent: Indianola Longhorn Legends (prediction: Indy by a lot)
3 - Kingston Uprising - Kingston also returns home from SAPL after allowing the Savage Swarm to swap and take the Easy St. Though their effective level is a little misleading, having 7 STOP centers, they still sport the highest one. They have been a strong contender in SAPL and were once a strong contender in OPL. Next Opponent: Budapest Devils (prediction: Kingston by a lot)
4 - Oregon Ducks - The Ducks will be reaching plateau at the start of the season. They already have the second highest effective level and that will only improve with their final boosts. They were young last season, however, I expected a better showing in the second round against EEA. I do not see them dropping any lower than this. Zeta is a race between Oregon and Asau. Next Opponent: All Good Things (prediction: Oregon gets a bye)
5 - Banzai Pipeline 'Nites - Having played third wheel to the Cypriot/Devonport duel last season, Banzai looks to rebound and be a legit contender. Its hard to put them any higher until they can start winning those big games against the elite in the conference. They currently have the 3rd highest EL, but will be passed by Indy. Next Opponent: IC Incinerators (prediction: Banzai beats up on a good friend)
6 - Gold Coast Michelin Men - Having won the MTD award for team flying under the radar in season 20, GCMM will not be overlooked this season. They fought hard in the playoffs and almost knocked off Cypriot in the second round. I expect them to improve on last season and be a strong contender for the top spot. Next Opponent: D-Town Colts (prediction: GCMM bye week)
7 - Syracuse Synergy - I wasnt sure where to put Syracuse. Going with an older roster, they would like everyone to think they are taking the season off, especially after downgrading at the QB position, but a former WL team is not to be overlooked. Expect a good battle between them, GCV and Sumatra for third place in Zeta. Next Opponent: Florida BeachDogZ (prediction: Syracuse by a lot)
8 - Stockholm Black Death - I am hesitant to put Stockholm here after Stockholm faded down the stretch last season, however they are a strong team and have proved they know how to hang with anyone. I expect a chip on their shoulder and much improvement this season. Next Opponent: Sumatra Seahawks (prediction: SBD by 17.. holy shit a non-blowout!!)
9 - Hong Kong Voodoo - The Voodoo are the front-runners for the MTD award this season... only I am not going to allow it to happen. This was a young team last season and are looking to make some noise with a mature roster. Next Opponent: Guam Chamoros Rising Sun Devils (prediction: HK by a lot)
10 - Sumatra Seahawks - Going to round out the top 10 with Sumatra after they took down Asau in the second round last season. I hate having to leave GCV out of the top 10.. probably should have done a top 11 since there is a noticeable dropoff after the autopilot Death Dealers (hard to consider DD a contender when there is no one manning the ship). They better cover the spread this week or the Vipers will be moving up. Next Opponent: Stockholm Black Death (prediction: SBD by 17)
The Rest...
11 - Gold Coast Vipers
12 - Death Dealers
13 - Budapest Devils
14 - San Diego Supa Chargers
15 - Indianola Longhorn Legends
16 - Bora Bora Bangaroos
17 - Lynchburg Party Crashers
18 - OffTopica Miracle
19 - IC Incinerators
20 - Kona Gold
21 - Oberon Bulls
22 - Tampa Bay Puganeers
23 - Amsterdam Bulls
24 - Guam Chamoros Rising Sun Devils
25 - Florida BeachDogZ
26 - San Diego Scorpions
27 - Warriors of Oceania
28 - da bears
29 - D-Town Colts
30 - Sin City Silent Assassins
31 - Black Sea Storage
32 - All Good Things
