Originally posted by larkis
Well I am helping FDC out throughout the next season with this to give him a little more time for tactics (and hopefully extra encouragement to continue this throughout the whole season). Also I am hopeless at doing anything team related, my ideal offense to run would probably be a goal line formation HB Smash or something. My main role is to mainly focus on Alpha as well, so at least the Alpha people will get a neutral perspective on their conference.
So, I may as well release what I wrote during the preseason (today).
Alpha Power Rankings by Larkis
(Please note, this is just a different perspective from FDC’s views. This is just introducing another outsiders views on Alpha. May be confronting, may be rubbish, may be reinforcing your opinion, but there will be surprises by the end of the season. I mean, who predicted Tennessee Titans to be undefeated at the moment?)
1. London Monarchs
Last season was probably their best season, until this season. They are making all the right moves and have a successful team of GMs, including Mike Rogers. The Alpha championship is not named after him for nothing and this season will be the season they claim it for themselves.
My Prediction: Losing in the WEPL Championship
2. Woodridge Lumberjacks
The Lumberjacks seem to be getting lazy with their builds, looking less invincible as the seasons go by. They should take a look at what they should improve on if they intend on getting their championship back. Would also suggest they recruit some people to improve their depth, however Woodridge is just a group of friends playing a game.
My Prediction: 3rd round of the playoffs
3. Paris Philharmonic
Can we or lose any game, an elite team that can miss the playoffs or win the championships. Had an advantage last season being the new kids, so the other teams knew less about the team. However, they should still do well this season. They may be current WEPL champions, but I doubt they will be repeating.
My Predicition: 2nd round of the playoffs
4. Black Watch
This team seems to be the new team to watch. They are keeping up with argueably the two toughest new teams in Zeta and should be able to convincingly win against most teams in Alpha. They can be the Paris of this season, or they can just flop. It will take me a few weeks to think they are a serious threat to the WEPL championship.
My Prediction: 2nd round of the playoffs
5. Fightin’ Texas Aggies
This team always seems to pull something out of no where. Just as teams start thinking they are just in Alpha to make up the numbers, they pull another win. However, their success will be measured based on how they use all the new options available.
My Prediction: 1st round of the playoffs
6. Chicago Rocks
Came into the WEPL with high hopes, however I am certain that they will recover from missing the playoffs last year to be a boarderline team. They have experience now, and if they can fix their defence, they should be a threat. This is my dark horse, but they won’t win the WEPL.
My Prediction: 1st round of the playoffs.
7. Dinas Mawddwy Red Bandits
Bandits had a tough preseason and came in with a roar. I am sure they will recover as they have had a history of making the playoffs. They can make the playoffs once again with the right recipe, however that’s all they will do.
My Prediction: 1st round of the Playoffs.
8. E-City Mercenaries
This team made a few top ups and are just discovering what to do with them. However I think they’ll recover and win a few close games to sneak into the playoffs. Never count this team out and for this reason, I am predicting them high.
My Prediction: 1st round of the Playoffs.
9. Berlin Blitzkrieg
Berlin has always been right up there, as a championship contender. Last season showed that they had quite a few flaws in their team. Personally I would not rank them as high as third, probably a little lower. However, if they can get back to season three or season four form, there is no limit to high high they can go.
Interesting Fact: Every season, they play one less playoff game then the season before. This season, can they be playing 0?
Mr Prediction: Miss the playoffs – 9th
10. Toledo Swords
Toledo is a great team, consider them out and they’ll destroy you the next week. By far the most unpredictable team in the league, however with some recruiting, they can string a few games together and make the playoffs. However due to their lack of depth, I have to predict them low.
My Prediction: Miss the Playoffs – 10th
11. London Minotaurs
They have the levels, they have the competitiveness, they have the GMs but that’s all they have. They lost to quite a few teams that got promoted this season. Sure, they will be a threat and scouting will be required. If they can put everything together, they can win a few games.
My Prediction: Miss the Playoffs – 11th
12. Wembley Warriors
Don’t know what to think about this team. Use to be one of the most prominent team in the WEPL. However this season, they may win a few, but ultimately, they won’t be a threat. This team could make the playoffs or be relegated. I suspect that this could be the second team to go CPU through a lack of motivation of the game. I also hope they can prove me wrong.
My Prediction: Miss the Playoffs – 12th
13. Aberdeen Wrecking Crew
I have told a few people this, and now I may as well tell the world. I believe that this team at the moment has no chance at making the playoffs. Their recruiting frenzy has caused them to have chess pieces playing checkers, checkers pieces playing monopoly and monopoly pieces playing chess. Just hope that the thumble doesn’t beat you down deep for a touchdown. They just have too many players to know what to do with them.
My Prediction: Miss the Playoffs – 13th
14. Stuttgart Nighthawks
Stuttgart have always been WEPL team capable of winning. However with exploitable weaknesses and a few strengths, they can be relegated. I don’t think they will as they always find a way to win a game or two as they go under the radar.
My Prediction: Miss the Playoffs – 14th
15. Lake Charles Who’s Dats
This team could be relegated. Every season they win a few games and look like playoff contenders. However this season, I think the WEPL will be too hard for them and they will bite the dust.
My Prediction: Demoted -15th
16. Carthage Army of Darkness
Probably the worst team in Alpha. They were competitive a few seasons ago, but unless a dramatic change occurs, they can be kissing the league good-bye. Tough seeing such a good team relegated, but someone has to.
My Prediction: Demoted: 16th
Time for hindsight
1. London Monarchs
My Prediction: Losing in the WEPL Championship
(Correct)
2. Woodridge Lumberjacks
My Prediction: 3rd round of the playoffs
(Correct)
3. Paris Philharmonic
My Predicition: 2nd round of the playoffs
Correct
4. Black Watch
My Prediction: 2nd round of the playoffs
Correct
5. Fightin’ Texas Aggies
My Prediction: 1st round of the playoffs
Correct
6. Chicago Rocks
My Prediction: 1st round of the playoffs.
Way incorrect, hard to predict new teams
7. Dinas Mawddwy Red Bandits
My Prediction: 1st round of the Playoffs.
11th is still alright, yet again hard to predict new teams
8. E-City Mercenaries
My Prediction: 1st round of the Playoffs.
What went wrong here?
9. Berlin Blitzkrieg
Mr Prediction: Miss the playoffs – 9th
They made them, but still bombed out first round
10. Toledo Swords
My Prediction: Miss the Playoffs – 10th
Predicted them to be relegated earlier, then I convince myself they would do alright if the owner was right (from an old thread), however the owner gave up
11. London Minotaurs
My Prediction: Miss the Playoffs – 11th
I was really wrong
12. Wembley Warriors
Don’t know what to think about this team. Use to be one of the most prominent team in the WEPL. However this season, they may win a few, but ultimately, they won’t be a threat. This team could make the playoffs or be relegated. I suspect that this could be the second team to go CPU through a lack of motivation of the game. I also hope they can prove me wrong.
My Prediction: Miss the Playoffs – 12th
I was close
13. Aberdeen Wrecking Crew
I have told a few people this, and now I may as well tell the world. I believe that this team at the moment has no chance at making the playoffs. Their recruiting frenzy has caused them to have chess pieces playing checkers, checkers pieces playing monopoly and monopoly pieces playing chess. Just hope that the thumble doesn’t beat you down deep for a touchdown. They just have too many players to know what to do with them.
My Prediction: Miss the Playoffs – 13th
I am half right again
, they can be much better with their defensive stars
14. Stuttgart Nighthawks
My Prediction: Miss the Playoffs – 14th
Ouch, wrong again
15. Lake Charles Who’s Dats
My Prediction: Demoted -15th
This team just keeps on finding ways to survive
16. Carthage Army of Darkness
My Prediction: Demoted: 16th
If it wasn't for Toledo, I would be right
