Pacific Pro Week 10 Preview
With the Playoffs not far away it is starting to become much clearer as to who is going to make the playoffs and who will not. This week I’m going to spend some extra time in matchups and in between matchups talking about the playoff Picture as it is currently unfolding.
First and foremost I’d like to remind you of the Preseason Rankings I delivered to you:
SEA Conference
1. PRDM
2. Dead Presidents
3. Carthage Clash
4. Mount Krakatoa Eruption
5. Addicts Relapse
6. Outlaw 1%ers
7. Alabama Tidesports Crimson Tide
8.Yo Mama
9. Microbeer Brew Crew
10. Nigeria Night Terror
11. Colonial Marines
12. Muncie Flyers
13. The Culture of the Gridiron
14. OFOTD
15. Lake Orion Leprechauns
16. The Good Guys
Oceania Conference
1. Sumatra Seahawks
2. DIG
3. Razorback Nation
4. Asmara Freedom Fighters
5. L.A. Resistencia
6. Dallas Paladins
7. Newfoundland Roughnecks
8. $in City $yndicate
9. Whatever
10. Bow Chicka Brown Cow
11. KC’s Metro Choppers
12. OffTopica Miracle
13. Legacy’s Huntington Beach Surf
14. Amsterdam Crusaders
15. Cryptic Legends
16. Williamsport Soul Reavers
Now, when you look back at those rankings, you’ve gotta be shaking your head right now thinking “what the heck was he thinking?” because I know that I am. In reverse order, the Top 2 in SEA are correct and really there shouldn’t be a surprise about that. I also nailed Carthage as the 3rd best team in that conference. However, what I did not predict was OFOTD being far better than I gave them credit for. In fact, after the Top 3 in that conference…. My preseason list was complete fail.
In the Oceania Conference, both the #1 & #2 team I predicted could not have been more disappointing and DIG is very likely but not for certain, eliminated from playoff contention, If they’re not careful, Sumatra could join them. Razorback Nation is much further back than I suspected and to no surprise that Paladins are indeed in the Top 6 but are in fact currently at #4. L.A. who I had tabbed as the 5th best team, is actually currently the 2nd best team, and my biggest ‘blunder’, not that I didn’t expect it to be, was predicting WSR as the 16th ranked team in the conference when in fact, coming into the toughest part of their schedule, they are ranked #5.
Bottom line, it really goes to show you that Preseason and Previous Season results mean squat and each season is its own.
Southeast Asia Conference
In many of the matchups this week, teams are being featured that are not going to be playoff teams but are likely going to be. Some teams not featured are PRDM & OFOTD (Locks for the playoffs), also Yo Mama (in contention for a seed).
Alabama Tidesports Crimson Tide @ The Dead Presidents
Unfortunately Bama has their backs against the wall, that isn’t to say an upset isn’t possible but they may very well need this win to make the playoffs, then again, maybe they don’t, it’s very possible for a 9-7 team to make the playoffs in this conference. ATCT is coming off of a bad loss against YM and frankly, they’re about to receive another one here. This is a team that can remain at this level next season and really come out swinging imo but I just can’t sit here and say I think they have a real chance in this game. We all have seen what DP is, they run the ball, all the time. They’ve been taken down once, to my surprise frankly. But in this game, all they’ll be doing is strengthening their position for one of the Top 2 seeds in the playoffs; not that a Top seed helped them last season.
Prediction: DP – In a blowout.
Colonial Marines @ Carthage Clash
Right now the Marines are on the inside looking out, what I mean by that is, a playoff spot is theirs to lose. They have not faced a true challenge in 4 weeks, so this is going to be their first in a while. I do think that Colonial will make the playoffs, to me they’re good enough, they’ll be back here next year fighting with the big boys, however, I don’t think this game is going to help their case. Carthage has been on a rampage and not too many teams have been able to take them down. When they get into the playoffs they could be very dangerous.
Prediction: Carthage Clash 35-10
Komodo Game of the Week
Addicts Relapse @ Outlaw 1%ers
This is one of the few games where it is truly about who gets in and who might not. Both of these teams have an equal shot at winning, both of them need this win to keep their playoff hopes thriving. A loss won’t eliminate them but it might hurt their chances.
Prediction: Outlaw 1%ers 21-19
Oceania Conference
The playoff picture in this conference, frankly, is not what I expected it to be, at all.. I mean yes, I predicted some of the ‘good teams’ but I was so wrong about some of the others…disappointedly so.
Sumatra Seahawks @ Amsterdam Crusaders
The fact of the matter is, Sumatra is going to win this game, the reality however is, it is time for them to man up and get their stuff together. They are sitting at 6-4, with a virtually guaranteed win over Amsterdam this week, they will likely finish the season 8-8, yes, I’m saying I don’t think they’ll beat RN or Whatever head to head, and frankly, DIG is a tossup at this point. Sumatra is a team that could simply be riding the ‘low radar’ horse into the playoffs to catch people by surprise, if they are not doing that however, I don’t foresee them getting very far when they get there.
Prediction: Sumatra 188-3
L.A. Resistencia @ Dirty Island Gurupies
As much as I hate to say this, I think this game is over before it even begins. DIG has left me with 0 confidence that they can win a game of this magnitude, there is clearly some issues over there right now. A loss in this game could be the one that eliminates them from the playoffs, especially with only one more ‘sure win’ left on their schedule. LA has really impressed the heck out of me. They’ll likely enter the playoffs with a Top 3 seed (depends on what happens vs. Whatever & vs. Dallas), they’ve looked strong all season, the best thing they have going is they’ve also been very efficient, they aren’t out there beating themselves.
Prediction: LA 205-10
OffTopica Miracle @ Whatever
In this one, I’m simply going to focus on Whatever, they could (but they won’t) lose the rest of their games and they’d still make the playoffs and OTM is already guaranteed not to. I don’t know what to say about Whatever, I had them ranked 9th, largely because I just wasn’t real familiar with them, I’m not real shocked by their success, but I don’t know what I can say that they haven’t already made clear themselves, if there’s a favorite to win the Championship, it’s them.
Prediction: Whatever 250-0
Legacy’s Huntington Beach Surf @ $in City $yndicate
If you asked me last week, I would’ve told you that this one was another game that could likely be predetermined, however this week, I cannot with a clear conscience tell you that. I’m just going to come out and say it, $C$ got STOMPED in week 10. Legacy has not been particular great but they’ve pulled off some upsets, including their latest against WSR, so they could do it again here. $C$ has been solid this season in the majority of their games but there have been some where they’ve simply looked foolish, last week against that very same WSR was one of those times. When I look at this game it becomes less about the playoffs and more about what a team is truly made of that is going to get there.
$C$ is, imo, a playoff team, there isn’t a question about that, the question is more about what kind of playoff team they will be and last week didn’t leave me thinking they’ll be a very good one. Being on the road isn’t an excuse either, you stood toe to toe with Dallas and you actually gave LA their only loss….how do you get shut out by a team that prior to the beginning of the season, their own owner ranked #16? This needs to be $C$’s rebound game, I really don’t think they can afford to enter the playoffs in a downward spiral, especially with Asmara and RN being their final two regular season games.
Prediction: As much as I want to pick Legacy here, I won’t. $C$ 13-10
KC Metro Choppers @ Dallas Paladins
Reality is, at this point Dallas is simply playing for seed position, KC is completely out of the playoff mix and are among the teams that will most likely not be in National Pro next season. Dallas was tripped up against Whatever, $C$, & DIG (surprisingly enough); with LA, Newfoundland, & WSR on their schedule it’ll be interesting to see how they finish out. They look to be one of the strongest teams however heading into the playoffs.
Prediction: Dallas Paladins 255-0
Williamsport Soul Reavers @ Asmara Freedom Fighters
This game should be real interesting, WSR is fighting for playoff seeding and more so, the assurance they actually get in. Asmara has a very outside chance of making it into the playoffs, the thing is, with a win over WSR, they very possibly could, as they still have Legacy, Sumatra, Amsterdam, $C$, and KC on their schedule, I think they could find 3-4 wins there. WSR however has a much tougher road ahead, after Asmara, they face Razorback Nation, followed by DIG, then Whatever, then BCBC, and ending the season at home against the Dallas Paladins, with a win in this game, they might get 1-2 more and that would have to be enough to make it in if they’re actually going to. WSR, imo, is an interesting case, they started the season with serious chemistry damage and it’s hard not to wonder what their season could have been with a better chemistry situation. Now it is what it is, a couple of surprising losses have placed them in a ‘do or die’ scenario. Asmara has proven to be give teams fits this season and has shown they are capable of coming through on big stages; I see no reason that this would be different.
Prediction: Asmara 24-21
Outback Game of the Week
Newfoundland Roughnecks @ Razorback Nation
Newfoundland is another team that has struggled with chemistry this season, they are finally getting to that point in the season where they are at full competitive strength. Unfortunately for them, they have to play Razorback Nation this week and like WSR, they still have DIG, BCBC, Whatever, & Dallas are their schedule, though they can rely on a very likely win over the Cryptic Legends. Razorback Nation on the other hand is more than likely a playoff team unless some act of God says otherwise. I’m not real sure that anyone on their remaining schedule poses a true challenge, I could see them finishing 13-3.
Prediction: Razorback Nation – 45-31
With the Playoffs not far away it is starting to become much clearer as to who is going to make the playoffs and who will not. This week I’m going to spend some extra time in matchups and in between matchups talking about the playoff Picture as it is currently unfolding.
First and foremost I’d like to remind you of the Preseason Rankings I delivered to you:
SEA Conference
1. PRDM
2. Dead Presidents
3. Carthage Clash
4. Mount Krakatoa Eruption
5. Addicts Relapse
6. Outlaw 1%ers
7. Alabama Tidesports Crimson Tide
8.Yo Mama
9. Microbeer Brew Crew
10. Nigeria Night Terror
11. Colonial Marines
12. Muncie Flyers
13. The Culture of the Gridiron
14. OFOTD
15. Lake Orion Leprechauns
16. The Good Guys
Oceania Conference
1. Sumatra Seahawks
2. DIG
3. Razorback Nation
4. Asmara Freedom Fighters
5. L.A. Resistencia
6. Dallas Paladins
7. Newfoundland Roughnecks
8. $in City $yndicate
9. Whatever
10. Bow Chicka Brown Cow
11. KC’s Metro Choppers
12. OffTopica Miracle
13. Legacy’s Huntington Beach Surf
14. Amsterdam Crusaders
15. Cryptic Legends
16. Williamsport Soul Reavers
Now, when you look back at those rankings, you’ve gotta be shaking your head right now thinking “what the heck was he thinking?” because I know that I am. In reverse order, the Top 2 in SEA are correct and really there shouldn’t be a surprise about that. I also nailed Carthage as the 3rd best team in that conference. However, what I did not predict was OFOTD being far better than I gave them credit for. In fact, after the Top 3 in that conference…. My preseason list was complete fail.
In the Oceania Conference, both the #1 & #2 team I predicted could not have been more disappointing and DIG is very likely but not for certain, eliminated from playoff contention, If they’re not careful, Sumatra could join them. Razorback Nation is much further back than I suspected and to no surprise that Paladins are indeed in the Top 6 but are in fact currently at #4. L.A. who I had tabbed as the 5th best team, is actually currently the 2nd best team, and my biggest ‘blunder’, not that I didn’t expect it to be, was predicting WSR as the 16th ranked team in the conference when in fact, coming into the toughest part of their schedule, they are ranked #5.
Bottom line, it really goes to show you that Preseason and Previous Season results mean squat and each season is its own.
Southeast Asia Conference
In many of the matchups this week, teams are being featured that are not going to be playoff teams but are likely going to be. Some teams not featured are PRDM & OFOTD (Locks for the playoffs), also Yo Mama (in contention for a seed).
Alabama Tidesports Crimson Tide @ The Dead Presidents
Unfortunately Bama has their backs against the wall, that isn’t to say an upset isn’t possible but they may very well need this win to make the playoffs, then again, maybe they don’t, it’s very possible for a 9-7 team to make the playoffs in this conference. ATCT is coming off of a bad loss against YM and frankly, they’re about to receive another one here. This is a team that can remain at this level next season and really come out swinging imo but I just can’t sit here and say I think they have a real chance in this game. We all have seen what DP is, they run the ball, all the time. They’ve been taken down once, to my surprise frankly. But in this game, all they’ll be doing is strengthening their position for one of the Top 2 seeds in the playoffs; not that a Top seed helped them last season.
Prediction: DP – In a blowout.
Colonial Marines @ Carthage Clash
Right now the Marines are on the inside looking out, what I mean by that is, a playoff spot is theirs to lose. They have not faced a true challenge in 4 weeks, so this is going to be their first in a while. I do think that Colonial will make the playoffs, to me they’re good enough, they’ll be back here next year fighting with the big boys, however, I don’t think this game is going to help their case. Carthage has been on a rampage and not too many teams have been able to take them down. When they get into the playoffs they could be very dangerous.
Prediction: Carthage Clash 35-10
Komodo Game of the Week
Addicts Relapse @ Outlaw 1%ers
This is one of the few games where it is truly about who gets in and who might not. Both of these teams have an equal shot at winning, both of them need this win to keep their playoff hopes thriving. A loss won’t eliminate them but it might hurt their chances.
Prediction: Outlaw 1%ers 21-19
Oceania Conference
The playoff picture in this conference, frankly, is not what I expected it to be, at all.. I mean yes, I predicted some of the ‘good teams’ but I was so wrong about some of the others…disappointedly so.
Sumatra Seahawks @ Amsterdam Crusaders
The fact of the matter is, Sumatra is going to win this game, the reality however is, it is time for them to man up and get their stuff together. They are sitting at 6-4, with a virtually guaranteed win over Amsterdam this week, they will likely finish the season 8-8, yes, I’m saying I don’t think they’ll beat RN or Whatever head to head, and frankly, DIG is a tossup at this point. Sumatra is a team that could simply be riding the ‘low radar’ horse into the playoffs to catch people by surprise, if they are not doing that however, I don’t foresee them getting very far when they get there.
Prediction: Sumatra 188-3
L.A. Resistencia @ Dirty Island Gurupies
As much as I hate to say this, I think this game is over before it even begins. DIG has left me with 0 confidence that they can win a game of this magnitude, there is clearly some issues over there right now. A loss in this game could be the one that eliminates them from the playoffs, especially with only one more ‘sure win’ left on their schedule. LA has really impressed the heck out of me. They’ll likely enter the playoffs with a Top 3 seed (depends on what happens vs. Whatever & vs. Dallas), they’ve looked strong all season, the best thing they have going is they’ve also been very efficient, they aren’t out there beating themselves.
Prediction: LA 205-10
OffTopica Miracle @ Whatever
In this one, I’m simply going to focus on Whatever, they could (but they won’t) lose the rest of their games and they’d still make the playoffs and OTM is already guaranteed not to. I don’t know what to say about Whatever, I had them ranked 9th, largely because I just wasn’t real familiar with them, I’m not real shocked by their success, but I don’t know what I can say that they haven’t already made clear themselves, if there’s a favorite to win the Championship, it’s them.
Prediction: Whatever 250-0
Legacy’s Huntington Beach Surf @ $in City $yndicate
If you asked me last week, I would’ve told you that this one was another game that could likely be predetermined, however this week, I cannot with a clear conscience tell you that. I’m just going to come out and say it, $C$ got STOMPED in week 10. Legacy has not been particular great but they’ve pulled off some upsets, including their latest against WSR, so they could do it again here. $C$ has been solid this season in the majority of their games but there have been some where they’ve simply looked foolish, last week against that very same WSR was one of those times. When I look at this game it becomes less about the playoffs and more about what a team is truly made of that is going to get there.
$C$ is, imo, a playoff team, there isn’t a question about that, the question is more about what kind of playoff team they will be and last week didn’t leave me thinking they’ll be a very good one. Being on the road isn’t an excuse either, you stood toe to toe with Dallas and you actually gave LA their only loss….how do you get shut out by a team that prior to the beginning of the season, their own owner ranked #16? This needs to be $C$’s rebound game, I really don’t think they can afford to enter the playoffs in a downward spiral, especially with Asmara and RN being their final two regular season games.
Prediction: As much as I want to pick Legacy here, I won’t. $C$ 13-10
KC Metro Choppers @ Dallas Paladins
Reality is, at this point Dallas is simply playing for seed position, KC is completely out of the playoff mix and are among the teams that will most likely not be in National Pro next season. Dallas was tripped up against Whatever, $C$, & DIG (surprisingly enough); with LA, Newfoundland, & WSR on their schedule it’ll be interesting to see how they finish out. They look to be one of the strongest teams however heading into the playoffs.
Prediction: Dallas Paladins 255-0
Williamsport Soul Reavers @ Asmara Freedom Fighters
This game should be real interesting, WSR is fighting for playoff seeding and more so, the assurance they actually get in. Asmara has a very outside chance of making it into the playoffs, the thing is, with a win over WSR, they very possibly could, as they still have Legacy, Sumatra, Amsterdam, $C$, and KC on their schedule, I think they could find 3-4 wins there. WSR however has a much tougher road ahead, after Asmara, they face Razorback Nation, followed by DIG, then Whatever, then BCBC, and ending the season at home against the Dallas Paladins, with a win in this game, they might get 1-2 more and that would have to be enough to make it in if they’re actually going to. WSR, imo, is an interesting case, they started the season with serious chemistry damage and it’s hard not to wonder what their season could have been with a better chemistry situation. Now it is what it is, a couple of surprising losses have placed them in a ‘do or die’ scenario. Asmara has proven to be give teams fits this season and has shown they are capable of coming through on big stages; I see no reason that this would be different.
Prediction: Asmara 24-21
Outback Game of the Week
Newfoundland Roughnecks @ Razorback Nation
Newfoundland is another team that has struggled with chemistry this season, they are finally getting to that point in the season where they are at full competitive strength. Unfortunately for them, they have to play Razorback Nation this week and like WSR, they still have DIG, BCBC, Whatever, & Dallas are their schedule, though they can rely on a very likely win over the Cryptic Legends. Razorback Nation on the other hand is more than likely a playoff team unless some act of God says otherwise. I’m not real sure that anyone on their remaining schedule poses a true challenge, I could see them finishing 13-3.
Prediction: Razorback Nation – 45-31
amazing write up.
