I thought it would be fun for people to put their predictions, and discuss them.
I don't know a lot about Zeta, so I'm only going to post my predictions on Alpha's first round games:
1 vs 8: Dublin beats Western Europe, 61-13. Actual score 54-0. Unfortunately for WE, Dublin completely outlevels their team. Even with excellent defense and strong gameplanning, they really need a miracle to win. Western Europe's defense did a pretty solid job against the Dublin offense in the regular season matchup, and I don't see that changing. I think Dublin will get a few scores, but will be hard put to dominate the WE defense. Western Europe's offense really depends on its running game to be successful, and Dublin prides itself on its defense in general and run defense in particular. I expect Dublin's defense to outscore WE's offense, and this matchup is where the game will actually be won or lost. If WE can keep from turning the ball over, and put some long drives together, it will be a very close game. If Dublin's defense is as dominant as it was in the first matchup, Dublin will be cruising to victory.
2 vs 7: London wins 33-9. Actual score 23-19. Before the Dresden game, I thought London would have an easy time this game. However, Dresden showed some weaknesses in London's game, and if Birmingham can take advantage, they can win the game. I think Birmingham has been improving as the season has come to an end, and they can make a game of it. Unfortunately, London's defense is too good for Birmingham to overcome. London's running game should be able to dominate the game and Birmingham's underleveled run defense.
3 vs 6: Malta 38-27 over Mandi's. Actual score 34-28. They played to a 26-22 win by Malta in their first meeting after a Malta loss to non playoff Belgian team. I think they feel they have something to prove, and they are a little better than Mandi's personnel wise. Both team's depend on the run and are very good run defense teams. I believe the difference will be Malta's need to prove themselves, and their gameplanning, plus slight personnel advantage, will take them into the 2nd round.
4 vs 5: Dresden wins 34-20, Actual score 44-27, revenging their 51-23 loss to Hollywood in the regular season. This is a very even matchup. The key to this game will be Dresden's WRs vs. Hollywood's DBs. In the first meeting, Hollywood's DBs won the battle, keeping Dresden's completion % under 50%, as well as showing big play capability with their offense. At the time, Dresden had lost two straight and Hollywood caught them by surprise, in gameplanning and in morale as they'd just lost two in a row. This time, Buer and Dresden will be ready, and are coming in on a good winning streak. Besides, they also want revenge against Dublin and need the win to get there.
Personally, I'm rooting for Hollywood, because we just match up against them better.
So, there are my predictions. Discuss. Also, I'd love to see someone from Zeta take some time to break down the Zeta matchups.
I don't know a lot about Zeta, so I'm only going to post my predictions on Alpha's first round games:
1 vs 8: Dublin beats Western Europe, 61-13. Actual score 54-0. Unfortunately for WE, Dublin completely outlevels their team. Even with excellent defense and strong gameplanning, they really need a miracle to win. Western Europe's defense did a pretty solid job against the Dublin offense in the regular season matchup, and I don't see that changing. I think Dublin will get a few scores, but will be hard put to dominate the WE defense. Western Europe's offense really depends on its running game to be successful, and Dublin prides itself on its defense in general and run defense in particular. I expect Dublin's defense to outscore WE's offense, and this matchup is where the game will actually be won or lost. If WE can keep from turning the ball over, and put some long drives together, it will be a very close game. If Dublin's defense is as dominant as it was in the first matchup, Dublin will be cruising to victory.
2 vs 7: London wins 33-9. Actual score 23-19. Before the Dresden game, I thought London would have an easy time this game. However, Dresden showed some weaknesses in London's game, and if Birmingham can take advantage, they can win the game. I think Birmingham has been improving as the season has come to an end, and they can make a game of it. Unfortunately, London's defense is too good for Birmingham to overcome. London's running game should be able to dominate the game and Birmingham's underleveled run defense.
3 vs 6: Malta 38-27 over Mandi's. Actual score 34-28. They played to a 26-22 win by Malta in their first meeting after a Malta loss to non playoff Belgian team. I think they feel they have something to prove, and they are a little better than Mandi's personnel wise. Both team's depend on the run and are very good run defense teams. I believe the difference will be Malta's need to prove themselves, and their gameplanning, plus slight personnel advantage, will take them into the 2nd round.
4 vs 5: Dresden wins 34-20, Actual score 44-27, revenging their 51-23 loss to Hollywood in the regular season. This is a very even matchup. The key to this game will be Dresden's WRs vs. Hollywood's DBs. In the first meeting, Hollywood's DBs won the battle, keeping Dresden's completion % under 50%, as well as showing big play capability with their offense. At the time, Dresden had lost two straight and Hollywood caught them by surprise, in gameplanning and in morale as they'd just lost two in a row. This time, Buer and Dresden will be ready, and are coming in on a good winning streak. Besides, they also want revenge against Dublin and need the win to get there.
Personally, I'm rooting for Hollywood, because we just match up against them better.
So, there are my predictions. Discuss. Also, I'd love to see someone from Zeta take some time to break down the Zeta matchups.
Edited by cherrie on May 27, 2009 08:06:06
Edited by cherrie on May 25, 2009 22:26:21
Of course, our toughest games this season were against London (16 point win), and Dresden (28 point win)... and it looks like, after Western Europe, we will have to play against both of them to win the Conference. Worse, we have two playoff wins against Dresden, and BOTH could have gone either way... I prefer blowouts (where we are the ones blowing out the other team) 
