20-1 so far in predictions for the season. Either I know this league way too well, or I'm influencing the sims through psychic abilities.
GOTW 1*High Plains Drifters 4-0 @ Kinhasa Rumblers 3-1
Did you know that including end of the season scrimmages and pre-season games, the Drifters have won 12 games in a row? Pretty impressive for a team who was 8-22 in the regular season before that. After victories over the Beavers and the Bees in back to back weeks, there is no more questions about how real this team is. Facing off in this match up are the two most efficient passing games in the conference to this point, and also the two best passing defenses. The Rumblers have given up more QB pressures (15-4) while the Drifters have thrown more INTs (4-1). Both teams also rank high in rushing yards, but that is more likely a factor of each facing 2 of the 4 gutted teams so far, than being great rushing teams. Neither was able to run at all on the Beavers who they both faced. These teams also have impressive defensive statistics, but the Drifters seem better able to apply pressure against tough competition. Last week, the Rumblers owner spoke for, I believe, the first time in the forums to make an excuse for getting destroyed by the Beavers, a Beavers team that the Drifters were able to beat only 1 week earlier. I wouldn't count the Rumblers out of this game, but High Plains is just better.
Drifters 31 Rumblers 17
GOTW 2*Eaton Beavers 3-1 @ Morocco Camels 4-0
The 5th meeting in just over 2 seasons for these two teams and the Camels are 3-1 so far, but the recent games have been great ones. Expect a bruising game as arguably the Conference's top two defenses clash with very strong offenses. Number 1 and 2 in Rushing yards, both averaging over 325 yards/game and number 1 and 2 in Rushing Defense, allowing less than 30 yards/game. Something has to give. Much love and respect to the Camels. Can't wait for this to sim!
Los Angeles eXtreme 3-1 @ African Killer Bees 2-2
The eXtreme recently made the jump into Overall 48 territory and got back on track with a win over Sahara last week. That Malice loss still has to sting and the Bees have historically been able to pound it down LAX's throat. Last season they controlled the clock and won 26-13. This season, though, the Bees are ailing. They can't deny their disappointment in their defenses ability to stop teams. Through 4 games they are dead last out of the 12 non-gutted teams in points allowed. In the past, they've relied on their defense to win games. Though they match up well here, I just think LAX will be able to put up points. Bees hope for some big turnovers from their defense and a ball controlling offense. They have a solid chance, but their secondary just makes them too vulnerable.
eXtreme 27 Bees 13
The ALL 0-4 @ San Dimas Saints 3-1
The Saints may be one of the most impressive teams so far with wins over the Sno Caps, Jinx, and Corsairs. They've established themselves as a favorite for a home playoff game again this season and get a breather against possibly the least impressive team in the Elephant Conference.
Saints 110 ALL 0
Kilimanjaro Sno Caps 2-2 @ Sahara Sandstorm 0-4
The Sno Caps did exactly what I expected them to do last week against the Malice. Run the ball. They will go nowhere against the top teams in this league with that game plan though and hopefully choose to open up the offense a little in these off games. That said, the Sandstorm have proven themselves to probably be the most dangerous of the gutted teams, especially offensively, but defensively, they cannot stop the run. That doesn't bode well for them here. With weak DEs, they have to start an LB at DE and they lack the depth on defense against any sort of long drive. Sandstorm walked into a brutal schedule to start the season, but should get some wins and stick around in AAA for next season. This won't be one of them.
Sno Caps 76 Sandstorm 17
River Styx Jinx 2-2 @ Mogadishu Malice 2-2
A critically important game for both of these teams. I also believe that it's a very interesting match up. My reading is that the Malice are vulnerable against the run and though the Jinx have flashed the ability to run the ball in the past, they've definitely become more pass focused of late. This balance on offense could make the Jinx somewhat difficult to game plan against. On the flipside, the Malice have demonstrated the ability to win with the pass (against the Bees) or the run (against the eXtreme), but after an offensive let down against the Sno Caps, will they rebound? The Malice and the Jinx are two teams that have made great strides since their first season in the league where the Malice just avoided relegation and the Jinx lost to the New Jersey Blazes. I'm not sure there are many teams in AAA still that met that fate.
This is a match up that I find very difficult to predict because I'm not completely certain what the teams will do. Last season when these two faced off, the offenses blew up for over 70 points and the Jinx's passing game average over 10 yards/attempt. If they can repeat that success, they'll win again, but I have a feeling that the Malice will use a similar game plan to the one that worked on LAX and pull this one out.
Malice 24 Jinx 19
Gold Coast Corsairs 1-3 @ Mozambique Thundercats 2-2
Two teams that seem to disagree with my predictions more than anyone else. Despite that, I've called each of their games correctly every time so far this season. For this one, I'm not delving into it very far but GC doesn't want to go to 1-4 and they really are the better team. Last time they faced off, Mozambique couldn't stop the Corsairs offense. I actually hope I'm wrong, but I think GC gets this one.
Corsairs 35 Thundercats 20
Kampala Kerels 0-4 @ Serengeti Wildebeest 1-3
Hope the Wildebeest enjoyed their win last week as it may be their only one. If they're going to get another and avoid relegation, it has to come here. Quite the contrast of gutted teams. The Kerels have aimed high and added some solid players, but they have no depth to the point where I don't know how their guys don't just die by the end of the game. The Wildebeest have filled their ranks with lower players, hopefully committed to building and growing with the team. The Kerels should jump out early, but if the Wildebeest can get some special teams TDs, they could make this close.
Kerels 51 Wildebeest 35
GOTW 1*High Plains Drifters 4-0 @ Kinhasa Rumblers 3-1
Did you know that including end of the season scrimmages and pre-season games, the Drifters have won 12 games in a row? Pretty impressive for a team who was 8-22 in the regular season before that. After victories over the Beavers and the Bees in back to back weeks, there is no more questions about how real this team is. Facing off in this match up are the two most efficient passing games in the conference to this point, and also the two best passing defenses. The Rumblers have given up more QB pressures (15-4) while the Drifters have thrown more INTs (4-1). Both teams also rank high in rushing yards, but that is more likely a factor of each facing 2 of the 4 gutted teams so far, than being great rushing teams. Neither was able to run at all on the Beavers who they both faced. These teams also have impressive defensive statistics, but the Drifters seem better able to apply pressure against tough competition. Last week, the Rumblers owner spoke for, I believe, the first time in the forums to make an excuse for getting destroyed by the Beavers, a Beavers team that the Drifters were able to beat only 1 week earlier. I wouldn't count the Rumblers out of this game, but High Plains is just better.
Drifters 31 Rumblers 17
GOTW 2*Eaton Beavers 3-1 @ Morocco Camels 4-0
The 5th meeting in just over 2 seasons for these two teams and the Camels are 3-1 so far, but the recent games have been great ones. Expect a bruising game as arguably the Conference's top two defenses clash with very strong offenses. Number 1 and 2 in Rushing yards, both averaging over 325 yards/game and number 1 and 2 in Rushing Defense, allowing less than 30 yards/game. Something has to give. Much love and respect to the Camels. Can't wait for this to sim!
Los Angeles eXtreme 3-1 @ African Killer Bees 2-2
The eXtreme recently made the jump into Overall 48 territory and got back on track with a win over Sahara last week. That Malice loss still has to sting and the Bees have historically been able to pound it down LAX's throat. Last season they controlled the clock and won 26-13. This season, though, the Bees are ailing. They can't deny their disappointment in their defenses ability to stop teams. Through 4 games they are dead last out of the 12 non-gutted teams in points allowed. In the past, they've relied on their defense to win games. Though they match up well here, I just think LAX will be able to put up points. Bees hope for some big turnovers from their defense and a ball controlling offense. They have a solid chance, but their secondary just makes them too vulnerable.
eXtreme 27 Bees 13
The ALL 0-4 @ San Dimas Saints 3-1
The Saints may be one of the most impressive teams so far with wins over the Sno Caps, Jinx, and Corsairs. They've established themselves as a favorite for a home playoff game again this season and get a breather against possibly the least impressive team in the Elephant Conference.
Saints 110 ALL 0
Kilimanjaro Sno Caps 2-2 @ Sahara Sandstorm 0-4
The Sno Caps did exactly what I expected them to do last week against the Malice. Run the ball. They will go nowhere against the top teams in this league with that game plan though and hopefully choose to open up the offense a little in these off games. That said, the Sandstorm have proven themselves to probably be the most dangerous of the gutted teams, especially offensively, but defensively, they cannot stop the run. That doesn't bode well for them here. With weak DEs, they have to start an LB at DE and they lack the depth on defense against any sort of long drive. Sandstorm walked into a brutal schedule to start the season, but should get some wins and stick around in AAA for next season. This won't be one of them.
Sno Caps 76 Sandstorm 17
River Styx Jinx 2-2 @ Mogadishu Malice 2-2
A critically important game for both of these teams. I also believe that it's a very interesting match up. My reading is that the Malice are vulnerable against the run and though the Jinx have flashed the ability to run the ball in the past, they've definitely become more pass focused of late. This balance on offense could make the Jinx somewhat difficult to game plan against. On the flipside, the Malice have demonstrated the ability to win with the pass (against the Bees) or the run (against the eXtreme), but after an offensive let down against the Sno Caps, will they rebound? The Malice and the Jinx are two teams that have made great strides since their first season in the league where the Malice just avoided relegation and the Jinx lost to the New Jersey Blazes. I'm not sure there are many teams in AAA still that met that fate.
This is a match up that I find very difficult to predict because I'm not completely certain what the teams will do. Last season when these two faced off, the offenses blew up for over 70 points and the Jinx's passing game average over 10 yards/attempt. If they can repeat that success, they'll win again, but I have a feeling that the Malice will use a similar game plan to the one that worked on LAX and pull this one out.Malice 24 Jinx 19
Gold Coast Corsairs 1-3 @ Mozambique Thundercats 2-2
Two teams that seem to disagree with my predictions more than anyone else. Despite that, I've called each of their games correctly every time so far this season. For this one, I'm not delving into it very far but GC doesn't want to go to 1-4 and they really are the better team. Last time they faced off, Mozambique couldn't stop the Corsairs offense. I actually hope I'm wrong, but I think GC gets this one.
Corsairs 35 Thundercats 20
Kampala Kerels 0-4 @ Serengeti Wildebeest 1-3
Hope the Wildebeest enjoyed their win last week as it may be their only one. If they're going to get another and avoid relegation, it has to come here. Quite the contrast of gutted teams. The Kerels have aimed high and added some solid players, but they have no depth to the point where I don't know how their guys don't just die by the end of the game. The Wildebeest have filled their ranks with lower players, hopefully committed to building and growing with the team. The Kerels should jump out early, but if the Wildebeest can get some special teams TDs, they could make this close.
Kerels 51 Wildebeest 35
Last edited Sep 28, 2008 22:37:41
