Alright guys, now that 4 weeks are done teams are starting to show their true identities, so lets recap what happened this week.
PTP vs. Mighty Chihuahuas 42-27
HBB vs. Virginia GW's 38-7
Thunder vs. Minnesota 98-7
Long Beach vs. Slugs 42-24
Aurora vs. Montana 26-24
Chicago vs. Birmingham 27-24
Houston vs. Dallas 31-30
Palmetto Bugs vs. Lakewood 62-7
The Elite 4:
Possum Trot Plague: With a big win over a strong opponent in the Chihuahuas, the Plague have proven that they can hang with the best of them. Up until this week they had an easy schedule but had done all they could do...win. At 4-0 the Plague are in the Elite 4 and look to keep it that way this week against their toughest opponent so far, HBB.
Honolulu Beach Boys: The Beach Boys once again are proving they match up well with anyone. Through the first quarter of the season they have defeated 4 playoff contending squads; Chicago, Eugene, Dallas, Virginia. Some of those teams are not performing up to expectations but I feel much of that is due to having rough early schedules. HBB is set to make the playoffs for the 3rd straight season and is one of the Elite in the Western Conference.
Timpanagos Thunder: Another of the Elite teams heading into season 4, the Thunder have proven themselves to be ready again to challenge for the Western crown. At 4-0 they have beaten the Bears and handled Long Beach showing that they are indeed an elite team. It looks like we may be in for another late season matchup with huge implications on the playoff seeding between the Thunder and HBB but we are a long way away from week 15 and it will be hard for either team to make it there undefeated in the stronger of the two conferences.
Long Beach Dub-Allstars: A perennially strong team on paper, could this be the year the Allstars finally live up to their talent on the field? With a surprisingly dominant performance against the Slugs, Long beach has proven it belongs at the top, but can they stay there is the question. I think they can but the road ahead is not an easy one.
Contenders:
Mighty Chihuahuas: At 2-2 the Chihuas sit on the outside of the elite teams looking in, but those two losses came against a good yet struggling Slugs team and loss to the Plague. A loss is a loss but at least they have lost to quality opponents, unfortunately the schedule does not get much easier as it goes on with teams such as the Thunder, HBB, Allstars, and the recently charging Inferno coming up. The Chihuahuas are a legitimate team but they need to have a big run to prove they can be elite.
The Muddle Middle:
Aurora Seminoles: At 3-1 and with the best record of anyone outside of the Elite 4 you may ask why the Seminoles are ranked so low. They have beaten the likes of Minnesota and Lakewood, Lost to the Plague, and pulled out a squeeker against the Crow kicking a last second FG to win by 2. I am not sold on this team yet, and with no historical background on them I have to take them at face value. Are they 3-1 due to an easy schedule? Are they 3-1 because the Plague are just that good and they will defeat the other teams in the middle? The scare from the Crow casts doubt on my opinion of them but time will tell.
Eugene Slugs: The surprise of the season to this point, in my opinion. The Slugs are off to a rough start. I can assure you, despite what you hear on the forums, the Slugs did not anticipate a 2-2 start. This is not the end of the world as they have lost to two teams in the Elite 4, but where does it stop? Can the Slugs outplay the remaining two teams at the top to ensure they can climb the ranks? Or have they fallen behind? I think the Slugs will pull it all together and rise to the top of the Conference but until then, they stay in the muddled middle.
Chicago Inferno: Chicago put themselves back on track with a win in a desperation game against the Bears. Falling to 1-3 would have been devastating but at 2-2 they are right back in the thick of things. I think Chicago is one of those teams that is better than their record, and will need to rely on Tuffy Beastwhich to keep them moving throughout the season. But last weeks win has given them breathing room and now they can focus without that sense of desperation....for a while.
Virginia George Washingtons: Another loss, but they are an improving team. They may have the talent to push for a playoff spot, but have only beaten the two worst teams in the league. I need to see a win against a similar matched opponent before I break out the anointing oils on our new team from Virginia.
Birmingham Bears: New name, new town, same old Express. Just when you think they have it figured out and are ready to take that next step, they stumble. A loss to Chicago dropped them into the muddled middle and likely will keep them there until I see some consistency. Hopefully they right the ship or it may be a repeat of last years playoff experience...watching them from home.
Houston Toxins: Houston has lost 3 games against the Thunder, Slugs, and Inferno by a combined 11 points. They finally got a break in a desperation game for the State of Texas, pulling themselves even with the struggling Hitmen at 1-3. Houston can go in either direction quite easily, a few more points a game and they climb the charts and make the playoffs. A few more 2 point losses and they fall and still miss the playoffs. There are no points for close games. At the end of the week, a close loss is still a loss.
Dallas Hitmen: This is another team I am surprised to see in this position. Luckily it is still early and there is time to turn it around, but at 1-3 time may be starting to run out. The Hitmen made plenty of moves in the offseason and looked to be in a position to compete . So far it has been a struggle and a 1pt loss to their cross state rivals has them reeling. 1-3 is not a pleasant record, and Im sure commissioner Salizy is not pleased to say the least.
Montana Crow: The Crow have finally shown signs of life. At 1-3 they have only beaten Minnesota but even that is cause for celebration by their past history. They had the 3-1 Seminoles on the ropes last week, falling behind by 2 points after a last second FG to seal their fate. They have the talent to compete, but still lack the depth to get through the entire game. With a little more recruiting they may surprise some people but at least they are finally headed in the right direction.
The Bottom Feeders:
Palmetto Bugs: They are rebuilding under new management. The cupboard wasnt bear, but Ramen Noodles is a far cry from a steak dinner.
Minnesota Mountain Lions: This team is a bottom feeder. Seldom heard from on the forums, even more rare in the win column. Their one and only gimme win, the Crow, just took care of them and jumped out of the bottom feeder class. If it wasnt for the Lancers, they would go 0-20 including scrimmages, luckily 1-19 is an attainable goal.
Lakewood Lancers: Slow Building a team, which is nice for 3 years down the road, maybe, but does nothing to contribute to this league currently.
Matchup of the Week:
HBB-PTP
The battle of the initials, both teams have annoyingly long names to type and both have flawless 4-0 records. This game will have an early impact on the shape of the top of the playoff bracket. The Plague had struggled in their first game against Houston, but so has everyone else that Houston has played. They handled a good team in the Chihuahuas last week and look to take out the Beach Boys next. The Beach Boys have rolled through 4 playoff caliber teams. Some of those teams have struggled early on but are quality teams none the less. This should be a good game, and a close one at that. Which team remains undefeated? Can the Beach Boys continue their unbeaten streak against the Plague? We shall see.
Make your predictions and place your bets here people!
PTP vs. Mighty Chihuahuas 42-27
HBB vs. Virginia GW's 38-7
Thunder vs. Minnesota 98-7
Long Beach vs. Slugs 42-24
Aurora vs. Montana 26-24
Chicago vs. Birmingham 27-24
Houston vs. Dallas 31-30
Palmetto Bugs vs. Lakewood 62-7
The Elite 4:
Possum Trot Plague: With a big win over a strong opponent in the Chihuahuas, the Plague have proven that they can hang with the best of them. Up until this week they had an easy schedule but had done all they could do...win. At 4-0 the Plague are in the Elite 4 and look to keep it that way this week against their toughest opponent so far, HBB.
Honolulu Beach Boys: The Beach Boys once again are proving they match up well with anyone. Through the first quarter of the season they have defeated 4 playoff contending squads; Chicago, Eugene, Dallas, Virginia. Some of those teams are not performing up to expectations but I feel much of that is due to having rough early schedules. HBB is set to make the playoffs for the 3rd straight season and is one of the Elite in the Western Conference.
Timpanagos Thunder: Another of the Elite teams heading into season 4, the Thunder have proven themselves to be ready again to challenge for the Western crown. At 4-0 they have beaten the Bears and handled Long Beach showing that they are indeed an elite team. It looks like we may be in for another late season matchup with huge implications on the playoff seeding between the Thunder and HBB but we are a long way away from week 15 and it will be hard for either team to make it there undefeated in the stronger of the two conferences.
Long Beach Dub-Allstars: A perennially strong team on paper, could this be the year the Allstars finally live up to their talent on the field? With a surprisingly dominant performance against the Slugs, Long beach has proven it belongs at the top, but can they stay there is the question. I think they can but the road ahead is not an easy one.
Contenders:
Mighty Chihuahuas: At 2-2 the Chihuas sit on the outside of the elite teams looking in, but those two losses came against a good yet struggling Slugs team and loss to the Plague. A loss is a loss but at least they have lost to quality opponents, unfortunately the schedule does not get much easier as it goes on with teams such as the Thunder, HBB, Allstars, and the recently charging Inferno coming up. The Chihuahuas are a legitimate team but they need to have a big run to prove they can be elite.
The Muddle Middle:
Aurora Seminoles: At 3-1 and with the best record of anyone outside of the Elite 4 you may ask why the Seminoles are ranked so low. They have beaten the likes of Minnesota and Lakewood, Lost to the Plague, and pulled out a squeeker against the Crow kicking a last second FG to win by 2. I am not sold on this team yet, and with no historical background on them I have to take them at face value. Are they 3-1 due to an easy schedule? Are they 3-1 because the Plague are just that good and they will defeat the other teams in the middle? The scare from the Crow casts doubt on my opinion of them but time will tell.
Eugene Slugs: The surprise of the season to this point, in my opinion. The Slugs are off to a rough start. I can assure you, despite what you hear on the forums, the Slugs did not anticipate a 2-2 start. This is not the end of the world as they have lost to two teams in the Elite 4, but where does it stop? Can the Slugs outplay the remaining two teams at the top to ensure they can climb the ranks? Or have they fallen behind? I think the Slugs will pull it all together and rise to the top of the Conference but until then, they stay in the muddled middle.
Chicago Inferno: Chicago put themselves back on track with a win in a desperation game against the Bears. Falling to 1-3 would have been devastating but at 2-2 they are right back in the thick of things. I think Chicago is one of those teams that is better than their record, and will need to rely on Tuffy Beastwhich to keep them moving throughout the season. But last weeks win has given them breathing room and now they can focus without that sense of desperation....for a while.
Virginia George Washingtons: Another loss, but they are an improving team. They may have the talent to push for a playoff spot, but have only beaten the two worst teams in the league. I need to see a win against a similar matched opponent before I break out the anointing oils on our new team from Virginia.
Birmingham Bears: New name, new town, same old Express. Just when you think they have it figured out and are ready to take that next step, they stumble. A loss to Chicago dropped them into the muddled middle and likely will keep them there until I see some consistency. Hopefully they right the ship or it may be a repeat of last years playoff experience...watching them from home.
Houston Toxins: Houston has lost 3 games against the Thunder, Slugs, and Inferno by a combined 11 points. They finally got a break in a desperation game for the State of Texas, pulling themselves even with the struggling Hitmen at 1-3. Houston can go in either direction quite easily, a few more points a game and they climb the charts and make the playoffs. A few more 2 point losses and they fall and still miss the playoffs. There are no points for close games. At the end of the week, a close loss is still a loss.
Dallas Hitmen: This is another team I am surprised to see in this position. Luckily it is still early and there is time to turn it around, but at 1-3 time may be starting to run out. The Hitmen made plenty of moves in the offseason and looked to be in a position to compete . So far it has been a struggle and a 1pt loss to their cross state rivals has them reeling. 1-3 is not a pleasant record, and Im sure commissioner Salizy is not pleased to say the least.
Montana Crow: The Crow have finally shown signs of life. At 1-3 they have only beaten Minnesota but even that is cause for celebration by their past history. They had the 3-1 Seminoles on the ropes last week, falling behind by 2 points after a last second FG to seal their fate. They have the talent to compete, but still lack the depth to get through the entire game. With a little more recruiting they may surprise some people but at least they are finally headed in the right direction.
The Bottom Feeders:
Palmetto Bugs: They are rebuilding under new management. The cupboard wasnt bear, but Ramen Noodles is a far cry from a steak dinner.
Minnesota Mountain Lions: This team is a bottom feeder. Seldom heard from on the forums, even more rare in the win column. Their one and only gimme win, the Crow, just took care of them and jumped out of the bottom feeder class. If it wasnt for the Lancers, they would go 0-20 including scrimmages, luckily 1-19 is an attainable goal.
Lakewood Lancers: Slow Building a team, which is nice for 3 years down the road, maybe, but does nothing to contribute to this league currently.
Matchup of the Week:
HBB-PTP
The battle of the initials, both teams have annoyingly long names to type and both have flawless 4-0 records. This game will have an early impact on the shape of the top of the playoff bracket. The Plague had struggled in their first game against Houston, but so has everyone else that Houston has played. They handled a good team in the Chihuahuas last week and look to take out the Beach Boys next. The Beach Boys have rolled through 4 playoff caliber teams. Some of those teams have struggled early on but are quality teams none the less. This should be a good game, and a close one at that. Which team remains undefeated? Can the Beach Boys continue their unbeaten streak against the Plague? We shall see.
Make your predictions and place your bets here people!
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