After a week hiatus the Rankings return,
1. (0) Amsterdam Smugglers 6-0
It is safe to classify the Smugglers as a juggernaut at this point. They haven't played a game closer than 24 points and have rolled through the league so far. Their power running attack has proved to be unstoppable so far but having the number one defense in the league is their biggest accomplishment in my opinion. These guys are stingy. In they past two weeks they dispatched the Empire and the Stampede with ease and move on to the Mammoths in their upcoming game. After week 7, they will have pretty clear sailing with the 6 worst teams in the conference still left. They will probably keep things on cruise control for the rest of the way until they match up against the Blaze in week 15.
2. (0) Barcelona Blaze 5-1
The Blaze are for real. If it wasn't for a tough out of conference draw in week 1, they would easily be undefeated. In their only two tests besides that, they have crushed their competition. The latest victim was the Metalheads. Originally it looked like this match-up could have big implications on the Zeta playoff picture, but with the Metalheads looking shaky in the early going it only solidified the Blaze as a contender. They have a strong running attack but it is balanced by a very good passing game giving them the number one offense in the league. The Elves won't be able to slow these guys down in week 7 but watch out for a big game in week 8 against the Matadors.
3. (0) Madrid Matadors 5-1
The Matadors opened up what should be the toughest stretch of their schedule in impressive fashion. They trounced the Pride 73-0. Six out of their final ten games will be anything but a cake walk, so opening that first game strong was a great way to get some momentum going. The Matadors are the one playoff team from a season ago that has been able to maintain its good form. We will find out if there are any chinks in their armor though as they navigate through the teams that have made strong improvements from a season ago in the final 10 weeks. It all starts with Barcelona in week 8 but at least they have the comfort of knowing their game against the Smugglers is firmly behind them.
4. (0) Mannheim Sharks 5-1
In my earlier columns, I said that the picture wasn't completely clear in Zeta and a few teams could plug some holes and really become contenders. I wasn't exactly referring to the Sharks but they have definitely emerged as a team who has made the necessary improvements to be considered in the class of the league. They failed to keep it close against the Smugglers, a task that no one else has accomplished either and they could still make a few upgrades to their roster, but overall they are in the mix. They are close enough to anyone else in the league that they could make up any gaps with game planning and have shown the desire to continue to improve. They are fresh off everyone's favorite two game line up of Porto and Lazer and are ready for the Pride. It will be their first game against another potential playoff team besides the Smugglers, so it will be a good measuring stick game for them.
5. (+1) Jersey Mammoths 5-1
Here is another team that has really plugged some holes and shown a desire to improve and it is showing dividends. They haven't really played anyone but as they head into a tougher final 7 games they should be holding a strong 7-2 record and will be in a great position to make the playoffs with a good finish. I have said it before but I am sure they wish they could have the Stampede game back, although WRE could probably say the same thing about their match-up in the following week. Regardless of things in the past that did or didn't go their way, their eyes need to be firmly fixed on what lies ahead of them. The Smugglers are their next opponent and they have to treat this game as a potential win. I, and probably the rest of the conference is too, am ready chalk this game up as a win for Amsterdam before kickoff but Jersey should be using that as locker room material. Even if they don't pull it out, keeping it close will give them major confidence moving forward and give them a great idea of how much improvement they have already made as well as how much further they need to go.
6. (-1) Indianapolis Stampede 4-2
Talk about games that you would want to have back, how bout the Stampede's week 1 loss to the Subotica Mighty Dukes who are currently 2-4 in Alpha? So their loss makes up half of Subotica's win total. The Stampede are looking ahead though and are currently enjoying the interesting scheduling quirk that set up the two worst teams in Zeta right after you play the best team. They will cruise past the Ligers much like they did against Porto a week ago, but they didn't show much fight in the week prior against Amsterdam. They are going to need to locate that fight and some fire for their week 8 match--up with Nashua because it will have pretty large implications on eventual playoff seeding. The Stampede will land anywhere from 5 to 9 at the end of the season and this is one of the games that will help determine that. Their close win against the Mammoths in week 2 was another one of those games, so picking up another win would be huge for them moving forward.
7. (+1) Western Roman Empire 4-2
Well the level gap proved too much in their game against Amsterdam but I am sure these guys still have their heads held high over in Western Rome. I am sorry to report that I had my week 5 Power Rankings all typed up and the Empire as high as number 4 before I accidentally closed the link and lost all of it. I felt at the time that it was the best time for WRE to be recognized for what they are doing. They are clearly building their players right and doing some game planning over there because they are in a position to compete for the rest of the way. They will be sitting at 6-2 at the half way mark in a position to say "why not us?" My prediction is that this team will be playoff bound and it will be one of the other borderline teams that is left on the outside looking in. Keep an eye out for their week 9 match-up with Nashua because that will be their chance to prove me right about this team's character. On a side note, is their QB, Matt Hasselbeck #8, making a strong case for the pro bowl or what?
8. (-1) Nashua Pride 3-3
The Pride can be puzzling at times. They played a great game against the Metalheads which earned them the nod at the 8th spot but didn't show up in either of their games against the Matadors and the Blaze. They just were shut out and let the Matadors hang 73 points on them. That is a pretty embarrassing loss for a team that had high preseason hopes. Hopefully they recapture whatever it was they had against Lexington in their week 7 game against the Sharks or it will be another lopsided affair and those preseason expectations will start to look a little ridiculous. They still have potential and have some really good things going for them over there but they need to put it all together on a consistent basis. I really expected them to give Madrid a game but they never delivered. The jury is still out on the Pride.
9. (0) Lexington Metalheads 3-3
The heads are having a tough time staying consistent and their three wins are really against bottom of the barrel opponents. Their three losses on the other hand are all pretty one-sided and against potential playoff teams. If they don't figure things out and get some more consistency they are going to hit a stretch starting week 9 that could eventually leave them on the outside looking in come playoff time. I know they had higher hopes than the 9 seed preseason but they aren't really acting like it. 6 of their final 10 games are losable and that would leave them under .500. We'll see what these guys do because this isn't exactly what I expected.
10. (0) Paris Elves 4-2
A few weeks ago I said keep an eye on the Paris/Zagreb game because it will be a chance for Paris to steal another win. Well they did it, they have now matched their season 6 win total with 2 more winnable games left on the schedule. Despite their 4-2 record though, they are not in contention for the playoffs because they are just too far behind the rest of the league and have shown no indications of trying to catch-up. Still I am happy for them that they at least made improvements in the win column and hopefully they'll start making personnel upgrades to put themselves in a position to compete with the rest of the league. I guess we'll have to wait and see what the master plan is.
11. (0) Zagreb Scorpions 2-4
Well the Scorpions fall from grace is complete. They still have games against Budapest, Porto, Lazer and Liverpool left but they might actually struggle in those games. It is sad to see a franchise that was one of Zeta's best hit the bottom like this but that is the business side of GLB and not everyone keeps up.
12. (+1) Liverpool Warriors 1-5
The Warriors were the first team out of the defeateds to notch a win and look like they are the most competitive out of the bunch. They still wont affect the playoff race but at least they'll provide reasonable blow-out instead of surrendering astronomical numbers.
The Defeateds
Budapest
LAZER LIGERS
Porto Thunder
Natal HellBoys
1. (0) Amsterdam Smugglers 6-0
It is safe to classify the Smugglers as a juggernaut at this point. They haven't played a game closer than 24 points and have rolled through the league so far. Their power running attack has proved to be unstoppable so far but having the number one defense in the league is their biggest accomplishment in my opinion. These guys are stingy. In they past two weeks they dispatched the Empire and the Stampede with ease and move on to the Mammoths in their upcoming game. After week 7, they will have pretty clear sailing with the 6 worst teams in the conference still left. They will probably keep things on cruise control for the rest of the way until they match up against the Blaze in week 15.
2. (0) Barcelona Blaze 5-1
The Blaze are for real. If it wasn't for a tough out of conference draw in week 1, they would easily be undefeated. In their only two tests besides that, they have crushed their competition. The latest victim was the Metalheads. Originally it looked like this match-up could have big implications on the Zeta playoff picture, but with the Metalheads looking shaky in the early going it only solidified the Blaze as a contender. They have a strong running attack but it is balanced by a very good passing game giving them the number one offense in the league. The Elves won't be able to slow these guys down in week 7 but watch out for a big game in week 8 against the Matadors.
3. (0) Madrid Matadors 5-1
The Matadors opened up what should be the toughest stretch of their schedule in impressive fashion. They trounced the Pride 73-0. Six out of their final ten games will be anything but a cake walk, so opening that first game strong was a great way to get some momentum going. The Matadors are the one playoff team from a season ago that has been able to maintain its good form. We will find out if there are any chinks in their armor though as they navigate through the teams that have made strong improvements from a season ago in the final 10 weeks. It all starts with Barcelona in week 8 but at least they have the comfort of knowing their game against the Smugglers is firmly behind them.
4. (0) Mannheim Sharks 5-1
In my earlier columns, I said that the picture wasn't completely clear in Zeta and a few teams could plug some holes and really become contenders. I wasn't exactly referring to the Sharks but they have definitely emerged as a team who has made the necessary improvements to be considered in the class of the league. They failed to keep it close against the Smugglers, a task that no one else has accomplished either and they could still make a few upgrades to their roster, but overall they are in the mix. They are close enough to anyone else in the league that they could make up any gaps with game planning and have shown the desire to continue to improve. They are fresh off everyone's favorite two game line up of Porto and Lazer and are ready for the Pride. It will be their first game against another potential playoff team besides the Smugglers, so it will be a good measuring stick game for them.
5. (+1) Jersey Mammoths 5-1
Here is another team that has really plugged some holes and shown a desire to improve and it is showing dividends. They haven't really played anyone but as they head into a tougher final 7 games they should be holding a strong 7-2 record and will be in a great position to make the playoffs with a good finish. I have said it before but I am sure they wish they could have the Stampede game back, although WRE could probably say the same thing about their match-up in the following week. Regardless of things in the past that did or didn't go their way, their eyes need to be firmly fixed on what lies ahead of them. The Smugglers are their next opponent and they have to treat this game as a potential win. I, and probably the rest of the conference is too, am ready chalk this game up as a win for Amsterdam before kickoff but Jersey should be using that as locker room material. Even if they don't pull it out, keeping it close will give them major confidence moving forward and give them a great idea of how much improvement they have already made as well as how much further they need to go.
6. (-1) Indianapolis Stampede 4-2
Talk about games that you would want to have back, how bout the Stampede's week 1 loss to the Subotica Mighty Dukes who are currently 2-4 in Alpha? So their loss makes up half of Subotica's win total. The Stampede are looking ahead though and are currently enjoying the interesting scheduling quirk that set up the two worst teams in Zeta right after you play the best team. They will cruise past the Ligers much like they did against Porto a week ago, but they didn't show much fight in the week prior against Amsterdam. They are going to need to locate that fight and some fire for their week 8 match--up with Nashua because it will have pretty large implications on eventual playoff seeding. The Stampede will land anywhere from 5 to 9 at the end of the season and this is one of the games that will help determine that. Their close win against the Mammoths in week 2 was another one of those games, so picking up another win would be huge for them moving forward.
7. (+1) Western Roman Empire 4-2
Well the level gap proved too much in their game against Amsterdam but I am sure these guys still have their heads held high over in Western Rome. I am sorry to report that I had my week 5 Power Rankings all typed up and the Empire as high as number 4 before I accidentally closed the link and lost all of it. I felt at the time that it was the best time for WRE to be recognized for what they are doing. They are clearly building their players right and doing some game planning over there because they are in a position to compete for the rest of the way. They will be sitting at 6-2 at the half way mark in a position to say "why not us?" My prediction is that this team will be playoff bound and it will be one of the other borderline teams that is left on the outside looking in. Keep an eye out for their week 9 match-up with Nashua because that will be their chance to prove me right about this team's character. On a side note, is their QB, Matt Hasselbeck #8, making a strong case for the pro bowl or what?
8. (-1) Nashua Pride 3-3
The Pride can be puzzling at times. They played a great game against the Metalheads which earned them the nod at the 8th spot but didn't show up in either of their games against the Matadors and the Blaze. They just were shut out and let the Matadors hang 73 points on them. That is a pretty embarrassing loss for a team that had high preseason hopes. Hopefully they recapture whatever it was they had against Lexington in their week 7 game against the Sharks or it will be another lopsided affair and those preseason expectations will start to look a little ridiculous. They still have potential and have some really good things going for them over there but they need to put it all together on a consistent basis. I really expected them to give Madrid a game but they never delivered. The jury is still out on the Pride.
9. (0) Lexington Metalheads 3-3
The heads are having a tough time staying consistent and their three wins are really against bottom of the barrel opponents. Their three losses on the other hand are all pretty one-sided and against potential playoff teams. If they don't figure things out and get some more consistency they are going to hit a stretch starting week 9 that could eventually leave them on the outside looking in come playoff time. I know they had higher hopes than the 9 seed preseason but they aren't really acting like it. 6 of their final 10 games are losable and that would leave them under .500. We'll see what these guys do because this isn't exactly what I expected.
10. (0) Paris Elves 4-2
A few weeks ago I said keep an eye on the Paris/Zagreb game because it will be a chance for Paris to steal another win. Well they did it, they have now matched their season 6 win total with 2 more winnable games left on the schedule. Despite their 4-2 record though, they are not in contention for the playoffs because they are just too far behind the rest of the league and have shown no indications of trying to catch-up. Still I am happy for them that they at least made improvements in the win column and hopefully they'll start making personnel upgrades to put themselves in a position to compete with the rest of the league. I guess we'll have to wait and see what the master plan is.
11. (0) Zagreb Scorpions 2-4
Well the Scorpions fall from grace is complete. They still have games against Budapest, Porto, Lazer and Liverpool left but they might actually struggle in those games. It is sad to see a franchise that was one of Zeta's best hit the bottom like this but that is the business side of GLB and not everyone keeps up.
12. (+1) Liverpool Warriors 1-5
The Warriors were the first team out of the defeateds to notch a win and look like they are the most competitive out of the bunch. They still wont affect the playoff race but at least they'll provide reasonable blow-out instead of surrendering astronomical numbers.
The Defeateds
Budapest
LAZER LIGERS
Porto Thunder
Natal HellBoys
