Gwen’s Slightly Early Season Games to Watch for guide in the East:
I’m probably 100% off-base here, and these won’t turn out meaningful at all for anyone. But, as usual, I wanted to give people something to discuss/argue/comment about to keep interest up and keep people going til things get rolling.
Obviously some of these won’t have a lot of playoff implications, but in the spirit of inclusiveness and doing this like a proper guide, everyone has a game in here somewhere that I think should be meaningful to them, at least.
Home/Away is not being used here – the first team mentioned will be the team I was focusing on at the time.
Anyone want to do this for the West?
08/08: South Texas Skullcrushers vs. Michigan Rage :
Can the new owner of the Rage, or whatever they’ll be by then put enough of a team together this season to defeat the East’s relegated team? Or will the Skullcrushers snap their losing streak and pick up at least 1 win in their first season in the BBB 15?
08/30: Detroit Outlaws vs. Gulf State Demons :
This is a matchup that could, and should, have playoff implications written all over it. Going purely by the rankings so far, in fact, this could well be an elimination, or near-elimination game for one of these tough, deserving teams. One of the best matchups of the late season.
08/18: Miami Makos vs. Miami Hammerheads :
Does anyone remember season 2 (our first) where these two cross-town rivals played right near the end of the season in a winner-is-in, loser-is-out pre-playoff elimination match? I do. It comes mid-season this time, but whoever comes out ruling the shark tank should have a big leg up going into the season’s second half – especially since both have a tough second half schedule.
08/24: Vice City Mambas vs. Atlanta Wolves :
Nearing the end of the season here, and by this point, both teams should be right in the thick of things. With the Eastern parity, this could be anything from battling for a home playoff spot to battling to stay in the playoff picture. Two great teams with widely varying team philosophies and approaches – both pretty tried and true. I expect a great battle here.
08/12: Atlanta Wolves vs. Akron Browns :
Can the Wolves find a way to shut down Akron’s high powered offense? Can their offensive consistency compete while Akron is trying to speed the game up on them? Likewise, can an inconsistent Browns’ defense hold up against Atlanta’s line enough times to let their offense do the heavy lifting?
08/14: Akron Browns vs. New Hampshire Hustlers :
The Browns have had the hustlers’ number at the start of the season the past two seasons. Will meeting mid-season produce any different results? The scores have never been far apart, but can the Browns make it three-in-a-row? This one promises to be a good test for both teams just before mid-season.
08/12: Scranton Wilkes-Barre Menzingers vs. Detroit Outlaws :
If Scranton is going to claw its way into the muddled middle of the division after two inconsistent seasons (one started with a long losing streak, and finished with a good run that showed promise for the new season, which started with a bang, and fizzled a bit at the end), then the team they finished just behind in the final standings is one of the teams they’re definitely going to need to go through on the way. Scranton has a tough early schedule with the Hammerheads, Cyberhawks, Mambas and Makos all appearing on their dance cards before this one. The second half has a lot less teeth – but we should know after this one whether Scranton will be in the picture by the time they get there.
08/10: Gulf State Demons vs. Miami Hammerheads :
This will be a big test for the Demons as their early schedule is somewhat mixed. The re-tooled Miami offense should be a great measuring stick for the Demon defense, and both teams are looking to take a big step – the Demons as the team who managed to bite, scratch and kick their way into the playoffs by the narrowest of margins, and the Hammerheads who looked like they had the talent to get there, and just never got out of the deep water. While maybe not a must-win, Gulf State would help their chances tremendously with a win here, and send a statement.
08/30: Michigan Rage vs. Houghton Gremlins :
By this stage, the new owner of the Rage will have had the whole season to try and recruit and turn his team into at least the beginnings of what its going to be. Whatever that looks like should get a good test against the Gremlins, who will have had almost a full season of building up to catch up with everyone else, and will be looking to wrap up on a high note.
08/06: Salem Cyberhawks vs. Akron Browns :
With a decidedly uneven opening schedule – going from the Gremlins to the Scarlet Knights, Akron is Salem’s most likely first chance to really make a statement, and give people an idea of whether they’ll be making another run at taking a home playoff spot – such as the one Akron earned last season, or if they’ll continue to struggle like they did at the end of last season. Barring any major upsets, whether the Hawks open 1-2 or 2-1 will speak volumes early on.
08/02: Miami Makos vs. Scranton Wilkes-Barre Menzingers :
After a disappointing season last time around, the Hammerheads really need to open with a W right away to get off to the kind of start, and kind of season, they really want. Miami looks like the stronger team on paper, but Scranton is resourceful, and runs a different offense than almost anyone else in the division. Opening with some momentum would be big for either team.
08/04: Las Vegas High Rollers vs. Memphis Showboats :
Both teams have been quietly making moves and improving, as well as building real team identities this off-season. This will be a big early test for both teams to see who has taken the biggest strides early on, and give the winner a momentum boost going into the teeth of the season.
08/30: Memphis Showboats vs. Scranton Wilkes-Barre Menzingers :
This will be Memphis’ last chance to surprise anyone in the East, pick up some huge momentum going into the off-season, and possibly play spoiler - or to show everyone just how much they’ve improved and sneak into a playoff spot if someone slips. Scranton game-plans well, but their defense is also looking unusually vulnerable vs. the run still. I’d still call this an upset right now… but this is a month away yet, and a lot can happen.
08/22: Houghton Gremlins vs. Las Vegas High Rollers :
A real chance for the Gremlins to show they’re improving, and fast. The high Rollers won’t be pushovers, and I’m sure they’d just as soon keep Houghton a tier below them for at least one more season. A definite look at things to come.
09/01: New Brunswick Scarlet Knights vs. Bye Week Vikings :
Trying to repeat as undefeated Eastern Conference regular season champs, New Brunswick gets the league’s toughest bye week. After two of the West’s biggest guns failed last season to continue into the playoffs following the bye, can New Brunswick finish 16-0 again? Barring a conference upset, this game will tell.
I’m probably 100% off-base here, and these won’t turn out meaningful at all for anyone. But, as usual, I wanted to give people something to discuss/argue/comment about to keep interest up and keep people going til things get rolling.
Obviously some of these won’t have a lot of playoff implications, but in the spirit of inclusiveness and doing this like a proper guide, everyone has a game in here somewhere that I think should be meaningful to them, at least.
Home/Away is not being used here – the first team mentioned will be the team I was focusing on at the time.
Anyone want to do this for the West?
08/08: South Texas Skullcrushers vs. Michigan Rage :
Can the new owner of the Rage, or whatever they’ll be by then put enough of a team together this season to defeat the East’s relegated team? Or will the Skullcrushers snap their losing streak and pick up at least 1 win in their first season in the BBB 15?
08/30: Detroit Outlaws vs. Gulf State Demons :
This is a matchup that could, and should, have playoff implications written all over it. Going purely by the rankings so far, in fact, this could well be an elimination, or near-elimination game for one of these tough, deserving teams. One of the best matchups of the late season.
08/18: Miami Makos vs. Miami Hammerheads :
Does anyone remember season 2 (our first) where these two cross-town rivals played right near the end of the season in a winner-is-in, loser-is-out pre-playoff elimination match? I do. It comes mid-season this time, but whoever comes out ruling the shark tank should have a big leg up going into the season’s second half – especially since both have a tough second half schedule.
08/24: Vice City Mambas vs. Atlanta Wolves :
Nearing the end of the season here, and by this point, both teams should be right in the thick of things. With the Eastern parity, this could be anything from battling for a home playoff spot to battling to stay in the playoff picture. Two great teams with widely varying team philosophies and approaches – both pretty tried and true. I expect a great battle here.
08/12: Atlanta Wolves vs. Akron Browns :
Can the Wolves find a way to shut down Akron’s high powered offense? Can their offensive consistency compete while Akron is trying to speed the game up on them? Likewise, can an inconsistent Browns’ defense hold up against Atlanta’s line enough times to let their offense do the heavy lifting?
08/14: Akron Browns vs. New Hampshire Hustlers :
The Browns have had the hustlers’ number at the start of the season the past two seasons. Will meeting mid-season produce any different results? The scores have never been far apart, but can the Browns make it three-in-a-row? This one promises to be a good test for both teams just before mid-season.
08/12: Scranton Wilkes-Barre Menzingers vs. Detroit Outlaws :
If Scranton is going to claw its way into the muddled middle of the division after two inconsistent seasons (one started with a long losing streak, and finished with a good run that showed promise for the new season, which started with a bang, and fizzled a bit at the end), then the team they finished just behind in the final standings is one of the teams they’re definitely going to need to go through on the way. Scranton has a tough early schedule with the Hammerheads, Cyberhawks, Mambas and Makos all appearing on their dance cards before this one. The second half has a lot less teeth – but we should know after this one whether Scranton will be in the picture by the time they get there.
08/10: Gulf State Demons vs. Miami Hammerheads :
This will be a big test for the Demons as their early schedule is somewhat mixed. The re-tooled Miami offense should be a great measuring stick for the Demon defense, and both teams are looking to take a big step – the Demons as the team who managed to bite, scratch and kick their way into the playoffs by the narrowest of margins, and the Hammerheads who looked like they had the talent to get there, and just never got out of the deep water. While maybe not a must-win, Gulf State would help their chances tremendously with a win here, and send a statement.
08/30: Michigan Rage vs. Houghton Gremlins :
By this stage, the new owner of the Rage will have had the whole season to try and recruit and turn his team into at least the beginnings of what its going to be. Whatever that looks like should get a good test against the Gremlins, who will have had almost a full season of building up to catch up with everyone else, and will be looking to wrap up on a high note.
08/06: Salem Cyberhawks vs. Akron Browns :
With a decidedly uneven opening schedule – going from the Gremlins to the Scarlet Knights, Akron is Salem’s most likely first chance to really make a statement, and give people an idea of whether they’ll be making another run at taking a home playoff spot – such as the one Akron earned last season, or if they’ll continue to struggle like they did at the end of last season. Barring any major upsets, whether the Hawks open 1-2 or 2-1 will speak volumes early on.
08/02: Miami Makos vs. Scranton Wilkes-Barre Menzingers :
After a disappointing season last time around, the Hammerheads really need to open with a W right away to get off to the kind of start, and kind of season, they really want. Miami looks like the stronger team on paper, but Scranton is resourceful, and runs a different offense than almost anyone else in the division. Opening with some momentum would be big for either team.
08/04: Las Vegas High Rollers vs. Memphis Showboats :
Both teams have been quietly making moves and improving, as well as building real team identities this off-season. This will be a big early test for both teams to see who has taken the biggest strides early on, and give the winner a momentum boost going into the teeth of the season.
08/30: Memphis Showboats vs. Scranton Wilkes-Barre Menzingers :
This will be Memphis’ last chance to surprise anyone in the East, pick up some huge momentum going into the off-season, and possibly play spoiler - or to show everyone just how much they’ve improved and sneak into a playoff spot if someone slips. Scranton game-plans well, but their defense is also looking unusually vulnerable vs. the run still. I’d still call this an upset right now… but this is a month away yet, and a lot can happen.
08/22: Houghton Gremlins vs. Las Vegas High Rollers :
A real chance for the Gremlins to show they’re improving, and fast. The high Rollers won’t be pushovers, and I’m sure they’d just as soon keep Houghton a tier below them for at least one more season. A definite look at things to come.
09/01: New Brunswick Scarlet Knights vs. Bye Week Vikings :
Trying to repeat as undefeated Eastern Conference regular season champs, New Brunswick gets the league’s toughest bye week. After two of the West’s biggest guns failed last season to continue into the playoffs following the bye, can New Brunswick finish 16-0 again? Barring a conference upset, this game will tell.
