So since again we had a fairly large turnover from the recently promoted and the recently departed, I’m going to go out on a limb once again and do the preseason power rankings. I took a total quick stab at it last year, and actually ended up getting the top 4 dead on and 6 of the 8. So If I can produce similar results, I am available for hire as a scouting consultant.
So here we go, the rankings. Its hard to judge the newcomers because for instance the Drillers or any of the teams from the rag tag place you call A2, I’ve never studied, never looked, nor do I honestly care to much.
The first 4 will be your home playoff teams. As the season progresses I will modify the rankings where I think people end up falling in line. The 5-8 are playoff teams, and 9-12 will most likely be the bubble teams. I’m not going to write about slow build, CPU, or people’s multi’s that own teams just to XP their shitty built players.
So without further ado,
1) Hawaii Phoenixes – Yeap you heard in here. I think Hawaii is going to be top in the conference this season. They finished 6th last season, behind Hamilton who has some potential and last year really dominated the recently promoted because of their level range. I like Hawaii as a bare min to secure a home playoff game, but let’s go ahead and put them at #1 today.
2) Auckland Titans – My squad and just about 80% of the roster has been with me since day 1 when the team formed back in Canada BBB in season 5. We played Hawaii close last season with a 1 point 13-14 loss and I think we could give Hawaii a good game, but I still give them the edge. But for all I know these up coming teams from A could put the hurt on us, not to mention some solid teams from last season like Hamilton and Sack Sabbath.
3) Hamilton Hellcats – The last team from the playoffs in AA1 from last season besides Auckland and Hawaii and Melbourne. I think Hamilton was the higher seeded team out of the 3 strictly because they were sporting a roster with level 40+ and a sick ass pass rush last season, and the young Titans and Phoenixes are catching up in levels. Although don’t think any game against this team will be easy, they can pour it on and have some very talented players.
4) Texas Drillers – The only team in Zeta that had a stuck caps lock key when they created their team, either that or the owner is like 40 and spent a couple mins hunting and pecking the keys, all while using caps lock to better see what letters he managed to find in his a safari with the qwerty board. But anyway, yeah they are the top team to be promoted and I expect them to be dominate, just as the previous champs from Zeta where.
5) Sack Sabbath- I think this year Sack gets back on the right track this season and puts together some tough games. This team is my preseason sleeper pick with the potential to beat anyone on the board, and in the same breath they could finish 8-8. I will say, just watch out for Sack, don’t take the week off or you may cost yourself the coveted playoff spot you seek.
6) Geelong – Zeta’s A1 2nd place team from last season, it appears the Drillers really have their number but Geelong is always close behind. I like Geelong to be one of the classier teams in the running for the playoffs this year. I remember a potent passing offense and some good play calling from our previous match-ups.
7) Orlando Lightning Bolts – Nothing spells success in AA like a level 50, yes that’s FIFTY quarterback. All penalties aside I’m sure it will help Orlando air it out on some teams in Zeta this season. I think they will make the playoffs this season and while they won’t make a home game, they should be a tough match up for just about anyone who they might face.
8) Death Riders – I think this team has potential to get into the playoffs as well, nothing jumps off the page at me, but they seem decently put together. I guess time will tell where they end up shaking up in the rankings.
9) Melbourne Pred’s – The last playoff team from AA1. It’s not easy winning on this level, its not a week to week basis of 255-0 CPU romps, and Melbourne beat some good teams to make the playoffs last season. I think they could be the team this season, just as easy as they could slip right down the rankings. I have my eye on them.
10) Gold Coast Vipers – hmmm last season I really thought they would be contenders, but for whatever the reason they just never lived up to their potential, I noticed several moves this off season so look for them to do some damage, especially the recently promoted.
11) Guam Circus – Another A1 Zeta alum should stay in contention for a low seed, but after a couple close but no cigar seasons in A1 I don’t see them doing enough damage this season, but will definitely keep them on the radar late in the season and next.
12) Sydney Sharks – Basically they were jailhouse raped last season after earning a promotion that Geelong should have received. I think they get back into the winning spirit this season as they have had some time to let the levels catch up and fill some holes in their offense.
So here we go, the rankings. Its hard to judge the newcomers because for instance the Drillers or any of the teams from the rag tag place you call A2, I’ve never studied, never looked, nor do I honestly care to much.
The first 4 will be your home playoff teams. As the season progresses I will modify the rankings where I think people end up falling in line. The 5-8 are playoff teams, and 9-12 will most likely be the bubble teams. I’m not going to write about slow build, CPU, or people’s multi’s that own teams just to XP their shitty built players.
So without further ado,
1) Hawaii Phoenixes – Yeap you heard in here. I think Hawaii is going to be top in the conference this season. They finished 6th last season, behind Hamilton who has some potential and last year really dominated the recently promoted because of their level range. I like Hawaii as a bare min to secure a home playoff game, but let’s go ahead and put them at #1 today.
2) Auckland Titans – My squad and just about 80% of the roster has been with me since day 1 when the team formed back in Canada BBB in season 5. We played Hawaii close last season with a 1 point 13-14 loss and I think we could give Hawaii a good game, but I still give them the edge. But for all I know these up coming teams from A could put the hurt on us, not to mention some solid teams from last season like Hamilton and Sack Sabbath.
3) Hamilton Hellcats – The last team from the playoffs in AA1 from last season besides Auckland and Hawaii and Melbourne. I think Hamilton was the higher seeded team out of the 3 strictly because they were sporting a roster with level 40+ and a sick ass pass rush last season, and the young Titans and Phoenixes are catching up in levels. Although don’t think any game against this team will be easy, they can pour it on and have some very talented players.
4) Texas Drillers – The only team in Zeta that had a stuck caps lock key when they created their team, either that or the owner is like 40 and spent a couple mins hunting and pecking the keys, all while using caps lock to better see what letters he managed to find in his a safari with the qwerty board. But anyway, yeah they are the top team to be promoted and I expect them to be dominate, just as the previous champs from Zeta where.
5) Sack Sabbath- I think this year Sack gets back on the right track this season and puts together some tough games. This team is my preseason sleeper pick with the potential to beat anyone on the board, and in the same breath they could finish 8-8. I will say, just watch out for Sack, don’t take the week off or you may cost yourself the coveted playoff spot you seek.
6) Geelong – Zeta’s A1 2nd place team from last season, it appears the Drillers really have their number but Geelong is always close behind. I like Geelong to be one of the classier teams in the running for the playoffs this year. I remember a potent passing offense and some good play calling from our previous match-ups.
7) Orlando Lightning Bolts – Nothing spells success in AA like a level 50, yes that’s FIFTY quarterback. All penalties aside I’m sure it will help Orlando air it out on some teams in Zeta this season. I think they will make the playoffs this season and while they won’t make a home game, they should be a tough match up for just about anyone who they might face.
8) Death Riders – I think this team has potential to get into the playoffs as well, nothing jumps off the page at me, but they seem decently put together. I guess time will tell where they end up shaking up in the rankings.
9) Melbourne Pred’s – The last playoff team from AA1. It’s not easy winning on this level, its not a week to week basis of 255-0 CPU romps, and Melbourne beat some good teams to make the playoffs last season. I think they could be the team this season, just as easy as they could slip right down the rankings. I have my eye on them.
10) Gold Coast Vipers – hmmm last season I really thought they would be contenders, but for whatever the reason they just never lived up to their potential, I noticed several moves this off season so look for them to do some damage, especially the recently promoted.
11) Guam Circus – Another A1 Zeta alum should stay in contention for a low seed, but after a couple close but no cigar seasons in A1 I don’t see them doing enough damage this season, but will definitely keep them on the radar late in the season and next.
12) Sydney Sharks – Basically they were jailhouse raped last season after earning a promotion that Geelong should have received. I think they get back into the winning spirit this season as they have had some time to let the levels catch up and fill some holes in their offense.