* in brackets is their movement from the last edition of Power Rankings.
1. (+2) Toronto Eh's 7-1
Despite their head to head loss to the Titans, the Eh's cannot be denied the top spot in this weeks rankings. They crushed the Valiant, formerly the number two ranked team, in convincing fashion and the previously unbeaten Titans fell in a stunning upset to formerly ranked eighth team, the Thunder Bay Strikers. After their early loss to the Titans, the Eh have been impressive and will need to continue their high level of play down the stretch. They still have games against the pesky Strikers, Hurricanes and Seminoles to stay sharp for.
2. (+2) Tallahassee Seminoles 7-1
The Seminoles get the nod as the number two team not so much because of their expected easy dispatch of the Queen City Bandits but the poor play of the teams in front of them. The Seminoles will continue to be a force to be reckoned with in this conference but the easy part of their schedule is out of the way. Starting with this weeks game against the Hurricanes, things are going to get significantly harder for the highest rated team in the Eastern Conference. Games against the Titans, Eh's, Turtles, Hurricanes and even Current are far from guaranteed W's.
3. (-2) USAORG Titans 7-1
I knew staying undefeated would be a tall order in this conference but I did not expect their first loss to come so early after my first edition of power rankings. The Thunder Bay Strikers shocked the Titans who must have been looking past this game. They still hold the top playoff seed but don't be surprised if they pick up a second or third loss with their games against the Seminoles and Hurricanes down the stretch. The rest of their schedule suggests that another shocker like this would be unlikely.
4. (+1) North Vancouver Hurricanes 7-1
In their only game against a top six opponent this season, the Hurricane saw a lead disappear as the Valiant scored twice in the final 9:40 of the game to escape the Hurricanes Den with a 7 point win. The Canes will need to play all four quarters if they don't want a repeat of that loss against their second top six opponent, the Seminoles. This week will either prove to be a statement game or a reality check for North Vancouver but it is far from their last test of the season with the Eh's, Titans and Turtles still left on the schedule.
5. (+1) Oshawa Turtles 6-2
The Turtles jump a spot as they make up some ground on the elite in the conference with a win against the Washemplae. Oshawa flexed their muscles a bit in that 25 point win and now is their chance to show it is more than just beach muscle as they head to Vancouver to take on the Valiant. If they want some respect as an elite team in this conference, now is the time to earn it. The Valiant are reeling from their last loss and the Turtles will either get them back on track or strike another blow. Pivotal game for both teams.
6. (-4) Vancouver Valiant 6-2
Someone has to lose when two very good, highly ranked teams meet but you don't expect someone to lose by 7 touchdowns. After handing both the Hurricanes and the Seminoles 7 point losses, the Valiant couldn't come with in 18 of the Titans or over double that against the Eh's. They suffer the farthest free fall of any team in the Power Rankings but are provided with an opportunity to show their performance was just a fluke by bouncing back in convincing fashion against the Turtles in week 9. A loss would put their home playoff hopes in jeopardy and also mark the first 2 game losing streak of any top 6 team.
7. (+1) Thunder Bay Strikers 5-3
I originally was tempted to rocket them up the rankings like a win against the formerly number one team would merit but I can't get past their week 7 loss to the Bad Harbour Hackers. If they were sitting at 6-2 right now, they could be sniffing the top three but with a tough loss against a opponent they should have beaten, I just can't justify them jumping other teams. They have a chance to legitimize their contender status with back to back games against the Eh's and Turtles in week 10 and 11, but until then I am more likely to label their big upset a fluke more than anything else. Regardless of what happens from here on out, everyone should sit up and take notice, no one wants this sort of upset to happen to them come playoff time.
8. (-1) Niagara Current 4-4
They completed the sweep of teams from Bosphorus, but beating the Oftas is not going to make any noise. They showed they will continue to handle business against lesser teams with their second shut-out of the season. Unfortunately they lost ground in the rankings as it was impossible to keep them above the Strikers after their magnificent upset, no matter how many points they beat Bosphorus by. They will still have their chance though. Wins in their games against Valiant, Seminoles and Strikers would be heard throughout the conference. Don't forget to strike fear into the Washemplae and the Gigantes though as those games will be crucial to their playoff hopes.
9. (0) Saskatchewan Gigantes 4-4
The Esquimaux were one of three remaining gimmes on the Gigantes' schedule, so it is good to see they made it count. They have a tough stretch of five games coming up beginning with the new number one coming to town. They still have games against the three other teams in the 7-10 range and they will need to make those games count. Losses to the Turtles and Eh's wouldn't be a surprise but if this team goes down to the Current in week 11, that could spell the end of their playoff hopes.
10. (0) Winnipeg Washemplae 3-5
Winnipeg kept their game against the Turtles reasonable unlike their previous four losses, but now their backs are against the wall. Losing to Niagara in their upcoming game could be the killing blow to their already shrinking playoff aspirations. They only have three guaranteed wins left on their roster and 6-10 will not be good enough for them to sniff the postseason. It is now or never for the Washemplae.
11. (+2) Bad Harbour Hackers 2-6
Bad Harbour has started a little win streak and should be able to extend it to three in week 9. Beyond that it is doubtful but their win against the Strikers in week 7 looks a whole lot more impressive with the developments of week 8. It is tough to imagine this team making much noise against the good teams of the conference but at least they should make good against the bottom tier teams.
12. (-1) Queen City Bandits 2-6
Queen City rolled over for the Seminoles as expected but things are looking up with the Oftas rolling into town. They should circle games against the Hackers and Current on their calender and put all their resources to taking one of those two games. They should try to play spoiler any way they can for another team because that is the only way they will make an impact in the postseason this year.
13. (-1) Grise Forde Icicles 2-6
Things were ugly early and often this week against the Hurricanes. They have a better chance against the Hackers as they come to town this week but it is still a tall order for this young team. Like the Bandits, they should look to play spoiler in any way they possibly can.
14. (0) Bosphorus Oftas 2-6
They didn't put up much of a fight against the current but they should be looking for a better game with Queen City due up. After this week, it is tough to envision another game that will be competitive.
15. + 16. (0) Arctic Blubberin' Esquimaux and Toronto Permanent Waves 0-8
These teams won't be separated until week 10 and then we will have a clear cut idea who is the worst and second worst in the conference. I can hardly wait.
1. (+2) Toronto Eh's 7-1
Despite their head to head loss to the Titans, the Eh's cannot be denied the top spot in this weeks rankings. They crushed the Valiant, formerly the number two ranked team, in convincing fashion and the previously unbeaten Titans fell in a stunning upset to formerly ranked eighth team, the Thunder Bay Strikers. After their early loss to the Titans, the Eh have been impressive and will need to continue their high level of play down the stretch. They still have games against the pesky Strikers, Hurricanes and Seminoles to stay sharp for.
2. (+2) Tallahassee Seminoles 7-1
The Seminoles get the nod as the number two team not so much because of their expected easy dispatch of the Queen City Bandits but the poor play of the teams in front of them. The Seminoles will continue to be a force to be reckoned with in this conference but the easy part of their schedule is out of the way. Starting with this weeks game against the Hurricanes, things are going to get significantly harder for the highest rated team in the Eastern Conference. Games against the Titans, Eh's, Turtles, Hurricanes and even Current are far from guaranteed W's.
3. (-2) USAORG Titans 7-1
I knew staying undefeated would be a tall order in this conference but I did not expect their first loss to come so early after my first edition of power rankings. The Thunder Bay Strikers shocked the Titans who must have been looking past this game. They still hold the top playoff seed but don't be surprised if they pick up a second or third loss with their games against the Seminoles and Hurricanes down the stretch. The rest of their schedule suggests that another shocker like this would be unlikely.
4. (+1) North Vancouver Hurricanes 7-1
In their only game against a top six opponent this season, the Hurricane saw a lead disappear as the Valiant scored twice in the final 9:40 of the game to escape the Hurricanes Den with a 7 point win. The Canes will need to play all four quarters if they don't want a repeat of that loss against their second top six opponent, the Seminoles. This week will either prove to be a statement game or a reality check for North Vancouver but it is far from their last test of the season with the Eh's, Titans and Turtles still left on the schedule.
5. (+1) Oshawa Turtles 6-2
The Turtles jump a spot as they make up some ground on the elite in the conference with a win against the Washemplae. Oshawa flexed their muscles a bit in that 25 point win and now is their chance to show it is more than just beach muscle as they head to Vancouver to take on the Valiant. If they want some respect as an elite team in this conference, now is the time to earn it. The Valiant are reeling from their last loss and the Turtles will either get them back on track or strike another blow. Pivotal game for both teams.
6. (-4) Vancouver Valiant 6-2
Someone has to lose when two very good, highly ranked teams meet but you don't expect someone to lose by 7 touchdowns. After handing both the Hurricanes and the Seminoles 7 point losses, the Valiant couldn't come with in 18 of the Titans or over double that against the Eh's. They suffer the farthest free fall of any team in the Power Rankings but are provided with an opportunity to show their performance was just a fluke by bouncing back in convincing fashion against the Turtles in week 9. A loss would put their home playoff hopes in jeopardy and also mark the first 2 game losing streak of any top 6 team.
7. (+1) Thunder Bay Strikers 5-3
I originally was tempted to rocket them up the rankings like a win against the formerly number one team would merit but I can't get past their week 7 loss to the Bad Harbour Hackers. If they were sitting at 6-2 right now, they could be sniffing the top three but with a tough loss against a opponent they should have beaten, I just can't justify them jumping other teams. They have a chance to legitimize their contender status with back to back games against the Eh's and Turtles in week 10 and 11, but until then I am more likely to label their big upset a fluke more than anything else. Regardless of what happens from here on out, everyone should sit up and take notice, no one wants this sort of upset to happen to them come playoff time.
8. (-1) Niagara Current 4-4
They completed the sweep of teams from Bosphorus, but beating the Oftas is not going to make any noise. They showed they will continue to handle business against lesser teams with their second shut-out of the season. Unfortunately they lost ground in the rankings as it was impossible to keep them above the Strikers after their magnificent upset, no matter how many points they beat Bosphorus by. They will still have their chance though. Wins in their games against Valiant, Seminoles and Strikers would be heard throughout the conference. Don't forget to strike fear into the Washemplae and the Gigantes though as those games will be crucial to their playoff hopes.
9. (0) Saskatchewan Gigantes 4-4
The Esquimaux were one of three remaining gimmes on the Gigantes' schedule, so it is good to see they made it count. They have a tough stretch of five games coming up beginning with the new number one coming to town. They still have games against the three other teams in the 7-10 range and they will need to make those games count. Losses to the Turtles and Eh's wouldn't be a surprise but if this team goes down to the Current in week 11, that could spell the end of their playoff hopes.
10. (0) Winnipeg Washemplae 3-5
Winnipeg kept their game against the Turtles reasonable unlike their previous four losses, but now their backs are against the wall. Losing to Niagara in their upcoming game could be the killing blow to their already shrinking playoff aspirations. They only have three guaranteed wins left on their roster and 6-10 will not be good enough for them to sniff the postseason. It is now or never for the Washemplae.
11. (+2) Bad Harbour Hackers 2-6
Bad Harbour has started a little win streak and should be able to extend it to three in week 9. Beyond that it is doubtful but their win against the Strikers in week 7 looks a whole lot more impressive with the developments of week 8. It is tough to imagine this team making much noise against the good teams of the conference but at least they should make good against the bottom tier teams.
12. (-1) Queen City Bandits 2-6
Queen City rolled over for the Seminoles as expected but things are looking up with the Oftas rolling into town. They should circle games against the Hackers and Current on their calender and put all their resources to taking one of those two games. They should try to play spoiler any way they can for another team because that is the only way they will make an impact in the postseason this year.
13. (-1) Grise Forde Icicles 2-6
Things were ugly early and often this week against the Hurricanes. They have a better chance against the Hackers as they come to town this week but it is still a tall order for this young team. Like the Bandits, they should look to play spoiler in any way they possibly can.
14. (0) Bosphorus Oftas 2-6
They didn't put up much of a fight against the current but they should be looking for a better game with Queen City due up. After this week, it is tough to envision another game that will be competitive.
15. + 16. (0) Arctic Blubberin' Esquimaux and Toronto Permanent Waves 0-8
These teams won't be separated until week 10 and then we will have a clear cut idea who is the worst and second worst in the conference. I can hardly wait.
Last edited Nov 26, 2008 22:52:44
