Wow a lot can change from preseason to 3 weeks in. Needless to say DN has dropped from the ranks after a 1-2 start, although I expect them to be back soon. However, you canNOT be in the top 10 with a losing record. Thus, we eliminate RDW as well. Given this information, avoiding bad losses will now get you a spot in the top 10, so here we go. (Previous ranking in brackets).
1. MN (1): 3 time defending champ, 3-0 record, 4th most points scored, and least points allowed. Yeah, I think that deserves #1 even if the schedule has been a little fluff. Big game against MCC Sunday.
2. ECT (2): The beast from the east. Where do I begin? Dezerious Bryant picked up right where he left off. Dominant defense and ST. Exactly what you would've expected after last season. They also put on a show week 1 against RD in a 32-9 win.
3. MCC (7): Quality win against MMW. 2 easy Ws other than that, so its still hard to tell exactly how improved this team is, but they do hold the number 1 spot according to the scripts. Sunday against MN will gives us a better idea. Keep it within 10 and this ranking will look legit.
4. NHG (4): They got a quality non-conference win against RDW in week 1, so I'm sure they are not happy about being jumped by MCC. However, they have not performed as well as they could against their two easier opponents. They have only given up 6 points though, so the defense has looked legit. They get DN on Tuesday, but I'm more excited to watch them play Philly on Monday in the GLB Tournament. Those 2 games should provide us with more information about how good the NHG really are.
5. RD (5): Man, apparently I am just like the IRL polls. With 4 of the top 5 in the same spot, I can't change based on performance. The rankings are all about the preseason expectations. Damn, that's sad. Anyway, not much to see here in terms of quality wins, but they played ECT fairly close and avoided losing games they should win. Big game next week against MN, although if they lose, I'm not sure they will fall in the rankings.
6. RR (9): After getting what I believed to be a GREAT win on the road over DN, DN had to go lose to Philly, which diminishes the quality of Rome's win. Still at 3-0 they are ahead of expectations. They don't face another quality opponent until week 8, in which they will more than likely be 7-0 going into ECT. Did anyone else notice that they play @DN, @ECT, @Philly, and @NHG. Brutal. 2-2 would be a success, so the 1-0 start was huge.
7. MMW (NR): They have had a tough schedule to start and it doesn't get any easier as they play RD before traveling to RMO. Split those games and you deserve this ranking, lose both and you probably drop out, win both and your going to prove yourself as a legit contender for the title. Assuming MCC can play MN close, that loss won't look bad and avoiding bad losses gets you ranked this week.
8. UD (NR): With a win over previously #10 HK and a 3-0 record, how can I not rank this LU team? HK are secretly blaming the sim, but I think a great gameplan from Arayl won that game. We will see if they can keep up this momentum, but two shutouts and only 12 points to HK is a great start defensively. They also beat Philly in the preseason. Yes, I know it's preseason, but still.
9. Philly (NR): The win over DN might have gotten you a home playoff game against them them again. I'm sure DavyJonesLocker and Terry will be ready for that rematch if it happens. For now, the loss to MMW doesn't look bad and the 58-0 win over Zambia is their worst of the season.
10. DSS (NR): With 4 new teams in the rankings, there is a lot more parity in Elite #1 this season. Last season, there was only really 12 teams: the 8 playoff teams from the West, ECT, AO, MCC, and LA (yes, I didn't include Philly, because they didn't beat anyone last season). Dallas gets the nod here, because well, no one else deserves it. They have no bad losses and beat the teams they are suppose to. If they beat HK on Sunday, they prove themselves. If not, their going to drop out of the rankings as the resume isn't strong.
1. MN (1): 3 time defending champ, 3-0 record, 4th most points scored, and least points allowed. Yeah, I think that deserves #1 even if the schedule has been a little fluff. Big game against MCC Sunday.
2. ECT (2): The beast from the east. Where do I begin? Dezerious Bryant picked up right where he left off. Dominant defense and ST. Exactly what you would've expected after last season. They also put on a show week 1 against RD in a 32-9 win.
3. MCC (7): Quality win against MMW. 2 easy Ws other than that, so its still hard to tell exactly how improved this team is, but they do hold the number 1 spot according to the scripts. Sunday against MN will gives us a better idea. Keep it within 10 and this ranking will look legit.
4. NHG (4): They got a quality non-conference win against RDW in week 1, so I'm sure they are not happy about being jumped by MCC. However, they have not performed as well as they could against their two easier opponents. They have only given up 6 points though, so the defense has looked legit. They get DN on Tuesday, but I'm more excited to watch them play Philly on Monday in the GLB Tournament. Those 2 games should provide us with more information about how good the NHG really are.
5. RD (5): Man, apparently I am just like the IRL polls. With 4 of the top 5 in the same spot, I can't change based on performance. The rankings are all about the preseason expectations. Damn, that's sad. Anyway, not much to see here in terms of quality wins, but they played ECT fairly close and avoided losing games they should win. Big game next week against MN, although if they lose, I'm not sure they will fall in the rankings.
6. RR (9): After getting what I believed to be a GREAT win on the road over DN, DN had to go lose to Philly, which diminishes the quality of Rome's win. Still at 3-0 they are ahead of expectations. They don't face another quality opponent until week 8, in which they will more than likely be 7-0 going into ECT. Did anyone else notice that they play @DN, @ECT, @Philly, and @NHG. Brutal. 2-2 would be a success, so the 1-0 start was huge.
7. MMW (NR): They have had a tough schedule to start and it doesn't get any easier as they play RD before traveling to RMO. Split those games and you deserve this ranking, lose both and you probably drop out, win both and your going to prove yourself as a legit contender for the title. Assuming MCC can play MN close, that loss won't look bad and avoiding bad losses gets you ranked this week.
8. UD (NR): With a win over previously #10 HK and a 3-0 record, how can I not rank this LU team? HK are secretly blaming the sim, but I think a great gameplan from Arayl won that game. We will see if they can keep up this momentum, but two shutouts and only 12 points to HK is a great start defensively. They also beat Philly in the preseason. Yes, I know it's preseason, but still.
9. Philly (NR): The win over DN might have gotten you a home playoff game against them them again. I'm sure DavyJonesLocker and Terry will be ready for that rematch if it happens. For now, the loss to MMW doesn't look bad and the 58-0 win over Zambia is their worst of the season.
10. DSS (NR): With 4 new teams in the rankings, there is a lot more parity in Elite #1 this season. Last season, there was only really 12 teams: the 8 playoff teams from the West, ECT, AO, MCC, and LA (yes, I didn't include Philly, because they didn't beat anyone last season). Dallas gets the nod here, because well, no one else deserves it. They have no bad losses and beat the teams they are suppose to. If they beat HK on Sunday, they prove themselves. If not, their going to drop out of the rankings as the resume isn't strong.
