PEERLESS PURPLE PENGUIN PROGNOSTICATIONS (PPPP): WEEK FOURTEEN!!!
The top two games this week sure didn’t disappoint, with Texas squeaking by Lincoln to claim Domination of middle America and Niagara and Louisville turning out to be the titanic tussle touted from two top tier teams! (I think I have alliteratitis)
The Peerless Purple Prognosticator didn’t do so badly either, going 7-1. Not as good as last week’s perfect score, but we only missed 8-0 by 2 points, so it’s not too shabby a performance.
Season Results: 46-9-1
Week Thirteen Results: 7-1
Richmond at Appalachian Prediction: APP 79-0 Actual: APP 107-0
Las Vegas at Cleveland Prediction: LV 24-6 Actual: LV 30-13
River City at Roswell Prediction: ROS 24-16 Actual: ROS 38-6
Saginaw at Houston Prediction: HOU 30-6 Actual: HOU 31-20
South Bend at Red Bank Prediction: RBK 28-20 Actual: RBK 61-7
Atlanta at Jax Beach Prediction: ATL 38-24 Actual: ATL 34-6
Lincoln at Texas Prediction: LIN 18-16 Actual: TEX 31-30
Niagara at Louisville Prediction: NIA 30-27 Actual: NIA 17-13
This week features another terrific struggle for playoff seedings as Houston and Red Bank, both 8-5, face off in a contest sure to have significant impact on the playoff seedings. The second 4 teams currently qualifying for the playoffs are all within half a game of each other (Texas 8-4-1 and Appalachian, Houston and Red Bank all at 8-5). Here’s a quick recap of the Playoff Picture:
Atlanta looks to have all but locked up the #1 seed since they would have to lose to Louisville AND another team. It’s unlikely they would lose in their last game to the Western Division’s basement dweller (Big Whiskey 0-13), so if they win against Roswell this week, the #1 seed is pretty much set.
Niagara, Louisville and Lincoln look to have locked up home games in the playoffs. Only Texas is within shouting distance, but it would require a dramatic turn of events. Texas cannot overtake Niagara or Louisville unless those teams lose all of their remaining games—an unlikely scenario since Louisville plays River City (1-12) and Niagara hosts Cleveland (2-11). With Niagara having beaten Louisville head-to-head, it’s likely that the #2 & #3 seeds are going to be Niagara and Louisville respectively. That leaves only Lincoln in jeopardy of losing a home playoff slot, and considering their schedule includes a tough Appalachian team, the talented Saginaw Spirit and the 10-3 Austin Breakers from the other conference, it’s not mathematically impossible for Texas to overcome that 1 ½ game lead. However, up in two weeks for the Domination is Niagara, no easy task to say the least, and if Texas finishes out the season 2-1, they would need Lincoln to lose ALL 3 remaining games to pilfer the last playoff home game. That’s a lot of “if’s.”
As mentioned, the next 4 are tightly bunched, and it comes down to schedule. Whoever wins the Red Bank/Houston game puts itself in PRIME position for a better playoff seed. Red Bank’s remaining schedule is 5-7-1 Jax Beach and the 4-9 Visalia Paraplegics, so if the Thundercats beat Houston, they could conceivably end up 11-5. Houston, OTOH, has a 1-1 record over the last two weeks virtually guaranteed as they play Richmond and then the undefeated Oakland Nation who have only hada total of 16 points scored against them ALL SEASON(!). Appalachian finishes with 5-8 Las Vegas and 2-11 Fresno after facing Lincoln this week while Texas also plays the Outlaws and fills out its dance card with Niagara and 6-7 Chicago.
All in all, a very confusing mess that will get greatly clarified after this week’s mega-showdown between Houston and Red Bank. I don’t even want to think about the tiebreakers yet, except to say that, after head-to-head records, points scored is the next tiebreaker. The tally so far:
Appalachian-368 Houston-266 (but Richmond still on the schedule) Red Bank-333
Is that clear? No? Well, all I can say is, let’s just move on to THIS week’s games:
(8) Saginaw Spirit (4-9) at Richmond Empire (0-13)-----Saginaw gets to take out some of its frustration by conquering an Empire. Not a bad way to salve you ego if it’s an option.……..SAGINAW- 77 RICHMOND-0
(7) Cleveland Buckeyes (2-11) at Niagara Rapids (11-2)-----This may look like a misamatch on paper but, uh, well, okay, it’s a mismatch in reality too Cleveland’s only consolation is that they’re losing to a team that could probably compete at the AA level without any problems. OTOH, Niagara must feel exhilarated after their hard fought victory over the Baby Kittens, and is probably exuding confidence from every pore (Eeeewwwwww!!! Second week in a row with a not so pleasant visual image!)….…..NIAGARA-44 CLEVELAND-3
(6) Louisville Baby Kittens (11-2) at The River City Ransom (1-12)-----The Baby Kittens are suffering the effects of having their schedule loaded with top teams at the end of the season. First the Freedom Warriors, then the Rapids, and next week they have to face Atlanta. Through no fault of their own, they have had to face the top 3 teams in the Conference (other than themselves) in a period of 5 weeks—and then two weeks later the playoffs start! The coaching lights will be burning late…but not this week. Take your last bite of cupcake now, Kittens. From here on out, it's Atlanta, LA (9-4) and then the playoffs!.……..LOUISVILLE-40 RIVER CITY-6
(5) Jax Beach Juggernauts (5-7-1) at South Bend ShamRockers (3-10)-----Both these teams have shown flashes of brilliance, but haven’t had the depth or the consistency to string together a winning streak. They will be dangerous if they can keep their core rosters intact and add a few key pieces for next year, but this week is for pride. I have to go with the Juggernauts in this one---they’ve played too many good teams too close for me not to think they are, at least at present, the superior team.……..JAX BEACH-24 SOUTH BEND-10
(4) Roswell Invaders (6-7) at Atlanta Purple Penguins (13-0)-----Roswell also is a team in a rebuilding mode but this week, facing off against Atlanta, it’s unlikely they’ll be able to pull off the upset. I just don’t see their Level 16 QB, A J Ely, putting together a dominant performance against the Purple People Eaters. Roswell gives it a good effort, but falls.…..ATLANTA-27 ROSWELL-10
(3) The State of Texas Domination (8-4-1) at Las Vegas Outlaws (5-8)-----A HUGE win for Texas last week, scraping by the Freedom Warriors, has put them in the hunt for a middle seeding for the playoffs. Las Vegas reclaimed a bit of dignity by trouncing Cleveland, but the Domination are an entirely different kind of challenge. Vegas has demonstrated the propensity to fold when the going gets tough, and this week, it’s gonna be TOUGH!.……..TEXAS-24 LAS VEGAS-9
(2) Appalachian Lycans (8-5) at Lincoln Freedom Warriors (10-3) -----This is a statement game for both teams. Lincoln wants to reassert its position as a dominant team while Appalachian sees the Freedom Warriors as their most challenging obstacle to finishing 3-0. It’s one helluva matchup as Level 23 QB Dodd Kinder and his Level 21 WR Devil Hester and 2 Level 20 WRs take on the best CB duo in the league, Head Shot and Frank Fantastic. (Sorry if you were trying to hide this, Link, but believe me, Husker Nation is too smart to have been fooled by the old “hide the top WR on the depth chart” maneuver) This should be an OUTSTANDING game to watch, unless you’re a fan of one of these teams and have a heart condition, in which case, “Game? What game???”.……..LINCOLN-24 APPALACHIAN-23
(1) GAME OF THE WEEK: Houston Armageddon (8-5) at Red Bank Thundercats (8-5)-----This game will have a dominant impact on playoff seeding and I’m sure both teams know it. Houston really needs this game if they want to have a realistic shot at 2-1 since Oakland Nation is going to be a very hard team to beat—Heck, they’re going to be a very hard team to SCORE on!!! OTOH, Red Bank sees Houston as the major roadblock to a 3-0 run. Both teams have great players and coaching, but in this matchup I think it comes down to the QB position despite Red Bank’s league leading rusher, Druce “Thor” McMannus. Houston has a clear edge at the field general position with Level 24 Richard Lobb over Level 18 Ryan DeAngelis and I expect that to be the difference in the game. I’ve got to go with the Armageddon in this game where both teams will be pulling out all the stops!!!.……..HOUSTON-20 RED BANK-16
These games are getting tougher to pick as the stakes get higher. Good luck to everyone this week (well, everyone except Roswell, that is….sorry Invaders!) and let’s play some FOOTBALL!!!!!
The top two games this week sure didn’t disappoint, with Texas squeaking by Lincoln to claim Domination of middle America and Niagara and Louisville turning out to be the titanic tussle touted from two top tier teams! (I think I have alliteratitis)
The Peerless Purple Prognosticator didn’t do so badly either, going 7-1. Not as good as last week’s perfect score, but we only missed 8-0 by 2 points, so it’s not too shabby a performance.
Season Results: 46-9-1
Week Thirteen Results: 7-1
Richmond at Appalachian Prediction: APP 79-0 Actual: APP 107-0
Las Vegas at Cleveland Prediction: LV 24-6 Actual: LV 30-13
River City at Roswell Prediction: ROS 24-16 Actual: ROS 38-6
Saginaw at Houston Prediction: HOU 30-6 Actual: HOU 31-20
South Bend at Red Bank Prediction: RBK 28-20 Actual: RBK 61-7
Atlanta at Jax Beach Prediction: ATL 38-24 Actual: ATL 34-6
Lincoln at Texas Prediction: LIN 18-16 Actual: TEX 31-30
Niagara at Louisville Prediction: NIA 30-27 Actual: NIA 17-13
This week features another terrific struggle for playoff seedings as Houston and Red Bank, both 8-5, face off in a contest sure to have significant impact on the playoff seedings. The second 4 teams currently qualifying for the playoffs are all within half a game of each other (Texas 8-4-1 and Appalachian, Houston and Red Bank all at 8-5). Here’s a quick recap of the Playoff Picture:
Atlanta looks to have all but locked up the #1 seed since they would have to lose to Louisville AND another team. It’s unlikely they would lose in their last game to the Western Division’s basement dweller (Big Whiskey 0-13), so if they win against Roswell this week, the #1 seed is pretty much set.
Niagara, Louisville and Lincoln look to have locked up home games in the playoffs. Only Texas is within shouting distance, but it would require a dramatic turn of events. Texas cannot overtake Niagara or Louisville unless those teams lose all of their remaining games—an unlikely scenario since Louisville plays River City (1-12) and Niagara hosts Cleveland (2-11). With Niagara having beaten Louisville head-to-head, it’s likely that the #2 & #3 seeds are going to be Niagara and Louisville respectively. That leaves only Lincoln in jeopardy of losing a home playoff slot, and considering their schedule includes a tough Appalachian team, the talented Saginaw Spirit and the 10-3 Austin Breakers from the other conference, it’s not mathematically impossible for Texas to overcome that 1 ½ game lead. However, up in two weeks for the Domination is Niagara, no easy task to say the least, and if Texas finishes out the season 2-1, they would need Lincoln to lose ALL 3 remaining games to pilfer the last playoff home game. That’s a lot of “if’s.”
As mentioned, the next 4 are tightly bunched, and it comes down to schedule. Whoever wins the Red Bank/Houston game puts itself in PRIME position for a better playoff seed. Red Bank’s remaining schedule is 5-7-1 Jax Beach and the 4-9 Visalia Paraplegics, so if the Thundercats beat Houston, they could conceivably end up 11-5. Houston, OTOH, has a 1-1 record over the last two weeks virtually guaranteed as they play Richmond and then the undefeated Oakland Nation who have only hada total of 16 points scored against them ALL SEASON(!). Appalachian finishes with 5-8 Las Vegas and 2-11 Fresno after facing Lincoln this week while Texas also plays the Outlaws and fills out its dance card with Niagara and 6-7 Chicago.
All in all, a very confusing mess that will get greatly clarified after this week’s mega-showdown between Houston and Red Bank. I don’t even want to think about the tiebreakers yet, except to say that, after head-to-head records, points scored is the next tiebreaker. The tally so far:
Appalachian-368 Houston-266 (but Richmond still on the schedule) Red Bank-333
Is that clear? No? Well, all I can say is, let’s just move on to THIS week’s games:
(8) Saginaw Spirit (4-9) at Richmond Empire (0-13)-----Saginaw gets to take out some of its frustration by conquering an Empire. Not a bad way to salve you ego if it’s an option.……..SAGINAW- 77 RICHMOND-0
(7) Cleveland Buckeyes (2-11) at Niagara Rapids (11-2)-----This may look like a misamatch on paper but, uh, well, okay, it’s a mismatch in reality too Cleveland’s only consolation is that they’re losing to a team that could probably compete at the AA level without any problems. OTOH, Niagara must feel exhilarated after their hard fought victory over the Baby Kittens, and is probably exuding confidence from every pore (Eeeewwwwww!!! Second week in a row with a not so pleasant visual image!)….…..NIAGARA-44 CLEVELAND-3
(6) Louisville Baby Kittens (11-2) at The River City Ransom (1-12)-----The Baby Kittens are suffering the effects of having their schedule loaded with top teams at the end of the season. First the Freedom Warriors, then the Rapids, and next week they have to face Atlanta. Through no fault of their own, they have had to face the top 3 teams in the Conference (other than themselves) in a period of 5 weeks—and then two weeks later the playoffs start! The coaching lights will be burning late…but not this week. Take your last bite of cupcake now, Kittens. From here on out, it's Atlanta, LA (9-4) and then the playoffs!.……..LOUISVILLE-40 RIVER CITY-6
(5) Jax Beach Juggernauts (5-7-1) at South Bend ShamRockers (3-10)-----Both these teams have shown flashes of brilliance, but haven’t had the depth or the consistency to string together a winning streak. They will be dangerous if they can keep their core rosters intact and add a few key pieces for next year, but this week is for pride. I have to go with the Juggernauts in this one---they’ve played too many good teams too close for me not to think they are, at least at present, the superior team.……..JAX BEACH-24 SOUTH BEND-10
(4) Roswell Invaders (6-7) at Atlanta Purple Penguins (13-0)-----Roswell also is a team in a rebuilding mode but this week, facing off against Atlanta, it’s unlikely they’ll be able to pull off the upset. I just don’t see their Level 16 QB, A J Ely, putting together a dominant performance against the Purple People Eaters. Roswell gives it a good effort, but falls.…..ATLANTA-27 ROSWELL-10
(3) The State of Texas Domination (8-4-1) at Las Vegas Outlaws (5-8)-----A HUGE win for Texas last week, scraping by the Freedom Warriors, has put them in the hunt for a middle seeding for the playoffs. Las Vegas reclaimed a bit of dignity by trouncing Cleveland, but the Domination are an entirely different kind of challenge. Vegas has demonstrated the propensity to fold when the going gets tough, and this week, it’s gonna be TOUGH!.……..TEXAS-24 LAS VEGAS-9
(2) Appalachian Lycans (8-5) at Lincoln Freedom Warriors (10-3) -----This is a statement game for both teams. Lincoln wants to reassert its position as a dominant team while Appalachian sees the Freedom Warriors as their most challenging obstacle to finishing 3-0. It’s one helluva matchup as Level 23 QB Dodd Kinder and his Level 21 WR Devil Hester and 2 Level 20 WRs take on the best CB duo in the league, Head Shot and Frank Fantastic. (Sorry if you were trying to hide this, Link, but believe me, Husker Nation is too smart to have been fooled by the old “hide the top WR on the depth chart” maneuver) This should be an OUTSTANDING game to watch, unless you’re a fan of one of these teams and have a heart condition, in which case, “Game? What game???”.……..LINCOLN-24 APPALACHIAN-23
(1) GAME OF THE WEEK: Houston Armageddon (8-5) at Red Bank Thundercats (8-5)-----This game will have a dominant impact on playoff seeding and I’m sure both teams know it. Houston really needs this game if they want to have a realistic shot at 2-1 since Oakland Nation is going to be a very hard team to beat—Heck, they’re going to be a very hard team to SCORE on!!! OTOH, Red Bank sees Houston as the major roadblock to a 3-0 run. Both teams have great players and coaching, but in this matchup I think it comes down to the QB position despite Red Bank’s league leading rusher, Druce “Thor” McMannus. Houston has a clear edge at the field general position with Level 24 Richard Lobb over Level 18 Ryan DeAngelis and I expect that to be the difference in the game. I’ve got to go with the Armageddon in this game where both teams will be pulling out all the stops!!!.……..HOUSTON-20 RED BANK-16
These games are getting tougher to pick as the stakes get higher. Good luck to everyone this week (well, everyone except Roswell, that is….sorry Invaders!) and let’s play some FOOTBALL!!!!!
