Texan's Week 1 Picks
I have done this kind of thing a lot in USA forums, but I'll give it a shot here since we don't get much of this. Since this isn't the BCS, it doesn't matter much what I say, so deal.
In honor of jmarter, I'll try to throw in a theme each week.
Inter-Conference Week (Tally: Naga 8, Garuda 8)
Bacolod Skullcrushers (925.82) v MMJ (919.1)
Both teams struggled in the preseason somewhat, but much more so MMJ. Historically MMJ has been a top notch program and always a playoff team, but this season is clearly for rebuilding as they will struggle not to get sent back to Tom Landry Middle School. Bacolod will compete in most games this season and should win this one. Skullcrushers 42, MMJ 14.
Thai Fighters (935.35) v Krungthep Garudas(972.52)
Last season Thai started out slowly while adjusting to Pro play but came on very strong at the end of the season, losing a tough first round playoff game to ESL. Krungthep is back from a tough go in the World League but they want to get right back if they can. This should be one hell of a game imo between two home playoff game contenders for Naga and Garuda. This game will likely come down to turnovers and possibly special teams, as well as the normal battle in the trenches. I think the rebuild Garudas o-line might be able to control the game enough to win. It's bound to be close enough that the loser will have to chant "serenity now" for the rest of the day. Garudas 28, Thai 20.
CMM (945.53) v Lampang (915.3)
Except for last season, CMM has made the pro playoffs every time out. Lampang has looked like they are struggling with adjusting to the pro level, but it is lolpreseason after all. CMM is certainly down this year compared to their norm, but they have the experience and toughness to stay competitive. The good news is that if haole gets tired of keeping the shit afloat, I hear Strickland Propane is hiring. CMM 31, Lampang 21.
Tibet Psychonaughts (1,012.41) v Tet Offensive (981.14)
Holy shit batman, that is one hell of a combined APV (for what it's worth). Tibet finally made the jump to pro after several promising seasons in AAA and they look like they're serious about competing. Tet is taking another step forward after a #1 seed and early playoff exit in Pro last season. Both teams are loaded and on a collision course not seen since KITT and KARR went at it. The Tibet defense looks off the hook imo but both Tet lines are just ferocious. GoTW material. Tet 17, Tibet 13.
Hong Kong Hustlers (922.96) v Ottawa Beavers (889.8)
Another matchup of teams that didn't really produce in the lolpreseason, but honestly I don't think Ottawa looked too bad in all of those losses. The HKH brand is back in Pro but is it one of those temporary things like the McRib? Ottawa is going to need all of the cowbell they can get to break in Pro with a win, but one of these teams has to start out that way. Based on the sniff test, I am going with: Ottawa 35, Hong Kong 24.
NBA Jam (978.71) v BKK (906.53)
The Jam normally unpacks their suitcase about as much as David Banner, but they are back in the same league this season. BKK meanwhile is an SEAPL stalwart and on a mission to show they've still got it. BKK sure looked good in the preseason, but so did the Jam. On paper it's all Jam or jelly or whatever. I do think this will be close than the experts think: Jam 31, BKK 20.
Mekong Delta Force (953.97) v Singapore Canes (938.83)
Mekong plays Conrad Bain to the Canes' Gary Coleman in a battle of old versus young. Neither team has looked very good thus far, but ofc neither team has probably done any planning as of yet. The Canes did put up a very good fight against PDM, which leads me to believe they are headed in the right direction, but I think the old dog might have one or two tricks left. Mekong 20, Singapore 17.
BRWSFLxyz (920.11) v Bangalore Monsoon (928.56)
Mad CowDTDxyz went all Murphy Brown with the headline grabbing news that Winona had merged with Labatt, PFunk lite and a small farm animal. Bangalore is just Bangalore, but they looked damn good in the preseason. These two teams actually played each other, but that means almost nothing as ofc neither team wants to reveal their diabolical plans. Looking at a small portion of that replay, I think this will be a good game, but I think Bangalore is more ready for prime time. Bangalore 30, Smurfs 17.
PPW (808.66)v Sweatshop (934.67)
While both of these franchises at one time have captured and interrogated crack commando units, it seems only the Sweatshop will still be in business this season. PPW looks like a promising reload project, but they will likely be competing in AAA next season. I love it when a plan comes together. Sweatshop 156, PPW 9.
Bali Insurrection (939.11) v Lucid D.R.E.A.M.(919.02)
Bali has been hanging around waiting for their players to mature into a competitive pro team. Lucid has done some housecleaning and wants to continue as Tet's personal nemesis, re-branded. I honestly can't get that much of a read on either team based on preseason as they've both kept things pretty much under cover. I do know that if I needed a hero and I had to pick between one of these guys, I'd go with: Lucid 16, Bali 13.
PDP (956.29) v LSP (903.96)
Let the battle of acronyms commence. LSP is a fabled SEAPL franchise and PDP, while not as fabled, is long standing and successful. I personally was hoping to play Dharma, but oh well. LSP has looked truly fierce in the preseason and their young talent is for real. PDP is in a bit of a rebuilding year, but hoping for a quick gel of talent. LSP certainly reigned in the lolpreseason matchup. PDP might need to borrow the General Lee to jump this ravine, despite the fairly good sized difference in APV, which apparently doesn't mean much. LSP 27, PDP 20.
Saigon Whores (948.82) v Buffalo Rampage (967.41)
Whoa Nelly, let me tell ya 'bout Alabama, err Saigon. Saigon is this year's Jam in the forums, but will they do as well (or better) on the field? Buffalo is our other team back from the WL and they didn't do too bad either. What really fascinates me in this one is the battle of the big uglies, as Keith Jackson would say. Who uglies are bigger and badder? Barring a turnover fest or some sim weirdness, that is likely what is comes down to...and it's damn close. Saigon 24, Buffalo 23.
SCSK (912.43) v Dharma (CPU)
SCSK has wandered all the way from South America...for this? Not even Kwai Chang Caine could wander far enough to help those poor bastards. SCSK 255, Dharma 0.
Snakeheads (978) v Regensburg (935.74)
Neither team really played anyone that lets me get a read on them and I'm sure the Snakeheads have changed a lot since we played them in AAA those seasons ago. One of these guys gets to start their Pro career with a win and I'll go with the better o-line imo. Then again, I swear I thought Turkeys could fly. (Ya, only you older guys will get that one...) Snakeheads 27, Regensburg 17.
PDM (944.06) v Danang (925.8)
Break out the booze, PDM's in action against the new guys from Danang. Much like Remington Steele, Boomy starts to think everyone looks like Laura one he gets started on the spirits. As for Danang, they can scream "mine!" all they want, but I like: Monks 35, Danang 14.
St. John (818.96) v Sydney (928.19)
Both teams have had a bit of a tough time in the preseason. As Norm would say, "it's a dog eat dog world and I'm wearing milk bone underwear". Unfortunately for St. John, Sydney has even bigger shark teeth. Sydney 55, St. John 3.
I have done this kind of thing a lot in USA forums, but I'll give it a shot here since we don't get much of this. Since this isn't the BCS, it doesn't matter much what I say, so deal.
In honor of jmarter, I'll try to throw in a theme each week.
Inter-Conference Week (Tally: Naga 8, Garuda 8)
Bacolod Skullcrushers (925.82) v MMJ (919.1)
Both teams struggled in the preseason somewhat, but much more so MMJ. Historically MMJ has been a top notch program and always a playoff team, but this season is clearly for rebuilding as they will struggle not to get sent back to Tom Landry Middle School. Bacolod will compete in most games this season and should win this one. Skullcrushers 42, MMJ 14.
Thai Fighters (935.35) v Krungthep Garudas(972.52)
Last season Thai started out slowly while adjusting to Pro play but came on very strong at the end of the season, losing a tough first round playoff game to ESL. Krungthep is back from a tough go in the World League but they want to get right back if they can. This should be one hell of a game imo between two home playoff game contenders for Naga and Garuda. This game will likely come down to turnovers and possibly special teams, as well as the normal battle in the trenches. I think the rebuild Garudas o-line might be able to control the game enough to win. It's bound to be close enough that the loser will have to chant "serenity now" for the rest of the day. Garudas 28, Thai 20.
CMM (945.53) v Lampang (915.3)
Except for last season, CMM has made the pro playoffs every time out. Lampang has looked like they are struggling with adjusting to the pro level, but it is lolpreseason after all. CMM is certainly down this year compared to their norm, but they have the experience and toughness to stay competitive. The good news is that if haole gets tired of keeping the shit afloat, I hear Strickland Propane is hiring. CMM 31, Lampang 21.
Tibet Psychonaughts (1,012.41) v Tet Offensive (981.14)
Holy shit batman, that is one hell of a combined APV (for what it's worth). Tibet finally made the jump to pro after several promising seasons in AAA and they look like they're serious about competing. Tet is taking another step forward after a #1 seed and early playoff exit in Pro last season. Both teams are loaded and on a collision course not seen since KITT and KARR went at it. The Tibet defense looks off the hook imo but both Tet lines are just ferocious. GoTW material. Tet 17, Tibet 13.
Hong Kong Hustlers (922.96) v Ottawa Beavers (889.8)
Another matchup of teams that didn't really produce in the lolpreseason, but honestly I don't think Ottawa looked too bad in all of those losses. The HKH brand is back in Pro but is it one of those temporary things like the McRib? Ottawa is going to need all of the cowbell they can get to break in Pro with a win, but one of these teams has to start out that way. Based on the sniff test, I am going with: Ottawa 35, Hong Kong 24.
NBA Jam (978.71) v BKK (906.53)
The Jam normally unpacks their suitcase about as much as David Banner, but they are back in the same league this season. BKK meanwhile is an SEAPL stalwart and on a mission to show they've still got it. BKK sure looked good in the preseason, but so did the Jam. On paper it's all Jam or jelly or whatever. I do think this will be close than the experts think: Jam 31, BKK 20.
Mekong Delta Force (953.97) v Singapore Canes (938.83)
Mekong plays Conrad Bain to the Canes' Gary Coleman in a battle of old versus young. Neither team has looked very good thus far, but ofc neither team has probably done any planning as of yet. The Canes did put up a very good fight against PDM, which leads me to believe they are headed in the right direction, but I think the old dog might have one or two tricks left. Mekong 20, Singapore 17.
BRWSFLxyz (920.11) v Bangalore Monsoon (928.56)
Mad CowDTDxyz went all Murphy Brown with the headline grabbing news that Winona had merged with Labatt, PFunk lite and a small farm animal. Bangalore is just Bangalore, but they looked damn good in the preseason. These two teams actually played each other, but that means almost nothing as ofc neither team wants to reveal their diabolical plans. Looking at a small portion of that replay, I think this will be a good game, but I think Bangalore is more ready for prime time. Bangalore 30, Smurfs 17.
PPW (808.66)v Sweatshop (934.67)
While both of these franchises at one time have captured and interrogated crack commando units, it seems only the Sweatshop will still be in business this season. PPW looks like a promising reload project, but they will likely be competing in AAA next season. I love it when a plan comes together. Sweatshop 156, PPW 9.
Bali Insurrection (939.11) v Lucid D.R.E.A.M.(919.02)
Bali has been hanging around waiting for their players to mature into a competitive pro team. Lucid has done some housecleaning and wants to continue as Tet's personal nemesis, re-branded. I honestly can't get that much of a read on either team based on preseason as they've both kept things pretty much under cover. I do know that if I needed a hero and I had to pick between one of these guys, I'd go with: Lucid 16, Bali 13.
PDP (956.29) v LSP (903.96)
Let the battle of acronyms commence. LSP is a fabled SEAPL franchise and PDP, while not as fabled, is long standing and successful. I personally was hoping to play Dharma, but oh well. LSP has looked truly fierce in the preseason and their young talent is for real. PDP is in a bit of a rebuilding year, but hoping for a quick gel of talent. LSP certainly reigned in the lolpreseason matchup. PDP might need to borrow the General Lee to jump this ravine, despite the fairly good sized difference in APV, which apparently doesn't mean much. LSP 27, PDP 20.
Saigon Whores (948.82) v Buffalo Rampage (967.41)
Whoa Nelly, let me tell ya 'bout Alabama, err Saigon. Saigon is this year's Jam in the forums, but will they do as well (or better) on the field? Buffalo is our other team back from the WL and they didn't do too bad either. What really fascinates me in this one is the battle of the big uglies, as Keith Jackson would say. Who uglies are bigger and badder? Barring a turnover fest or some sim weirdness, that is likely what is comes down to...and it's damn close. Saigon 24, Buffalo 23.
SCSK (912.43) v Dharma (CPU)
SCSK has wandered all the way from South America...for this? Not even Kwai Chang Caine could wander far enough to help those poor bastards. SCSK 255, Dharma 0.
Snakeheads (978) v Regensburg (935.74)
Neither team really played anyone that lets me get a read on them and I'm sure the Snakeheads have changed a lot since we played them in AAA those seasons ago. One of these guys gets to start their Pro career with a win and I'll go with the better o-line imo. Then again, I swear I thought Turkeys could fly. (Ya, only you older guys will get that one...) Snakeheads 27, Regensburg 17.
PDM (944.06) v Danang (925.8)
Break out the booze, PDM's in action against the new guys from Danang. Much like Remington Steele, Boomy starts to think everyone looks like Laura one he gets started on the spirits. As for Danang, they can scream "mine!" all they want, but I like: Monks 35, Danang 14.
St. John (818.96) v Sydney (928.19)
Both teams have had a bit of a tough time in the preseason. As Norm would say, "it's a dog eat dog world and I'm wearing milk bone underwear". Unfortunately for St. John, Sydney has even bigger shark teeth. Sydney 55, St. John 3.
Edited by Texan on Feb 8, 2010 15:18:20
