1) Pretoria (5-0) - survived a scare from the Hunters to cling to the top spot. Epic matchup this week against Ironton for likely supremacy in Lion
2) Kiev (5-0) - These guys kick ass. They aren't stacked top to bottom with the highest level guys but some combination of excellent gameplanning, quality coaching and something to do with human growth hormones make them the team to beat in Elephant.
3) Ironton (5-0) - Clash of the Titans upcoming this week when the Tanks try to extend their 25 game winning streak against the Crusaders.
4) Zimbabwe (5-0) - Until someone knocks them off, they stay right here with the other big dawgs. Scary to think how good they'll be when they actually have players at level 60
5) Thompson (3-2) - Their effort vs Pretoria pretty much solidified them as one of the elite in Lion. They could possibly run the table the rest of the way.
6) Bamako (4-1) - Looking more impressive each week. May also be a testament to how good Kiev really is as these guys are very solid.
7) Sahara (4-1) - Impressive rebound win over a solid Appalachicola team last week. May be the 2nd best team in Elephant. Big matchup with Stu could shape the Elephant pecking order early in the season.
8) Wallachia (4-1) - Semi-cruise control right now. They haven't been tested since their opening loss to Sahara and likely won't be until the run into the Pretoria buzzsaw in a few games.
9) Taipei (4-1) - They've been impressive despite like 90% of the team being inactive. Whatever they've got going on, it's working.
10) Fat Jaws (4-1) - Slight hiccup against Lake Opeta in week 2 but otherwise, they've looked good and a beatdown of previously unbeaten Wrightstown puts them in the final spot in the rankings.
On the Bubble:
Lake Opeta, Wrightstown, Appalachicola
Dark Horse of the Week:
Port Saint John's - strong roster and close loss to strong Sahara team indicate that we could be hearing a lot from them before the season is done.
GOTW Lion
Pretoria vs Ironton - Was there any doubt about this one? The two remaining unbeatens will square off to stake claim to the Lion throne early in the season. I know from first hand experience how tough the Tanks can be and they're riding a 25 game winning streak. But I also get nightmares watching the Crusaders play thinking about having to meet them in a few games. As much as I respect my brethren from AA1 last season, I think Pretoria has just a little too much. Pretoria 27 Ironton 21
GOTW Elephant
Zimbabwe vs Sahara - The Stus have been the most impressive team purely based on level of players on their roster. They have routed some strong teams in Taipei and Sharapova (you knew I'd get a plug in for you guys at some point). Sahara meanwhile has only been bested by the Kiev juggernaut and have whipped very good Wallachia, Port St. Johns and Appalachicola teams. Really at a loss here.....I'm a big fan of Stu and how good they've looked early on. I've also been impressed with how Sahara manages to win close games and I think this one will be close. However, since I picked Sahara last time and I have a rule that I can't pick the same team twice in a row, I'll go with Zimbabwe 31 Sahara 28.
2) Kiev (5-0) - These guys kick ass. They aren't stacked top to bottom with the highest level guys but some combination of excellent gameplanning, quality coaching and something to do with human growth hormones make them the team to beat in Elephant.
3) Ironton (5-0) - Clash of the Titans upcoming this week when the Tanks try to extend their 25 game winning streak against the Crusaders.
4) Zimbabwe (5-0) - Until someone knocks them off, they stay right here with the other big dawgs. Scary to think how good they'll be when they actually have players at level 60
5) Thompson (3-2) - Their effort vs Pretoria pretty much solidified them as one of the elite in Lion. They could possibly run the table the rest of the way.
6) Bamako (4-1) - Looking more impressive each week. May also be a testament to how good Kiev really is as these guys are very solid.
7) Sahara (4-1) - Impressive rebound win over a solid Appalachicola team last week. May be the 2nd best team in Elephant. Big matchup with Stu could shape the Elephant pecking order early in the season.
8) Wallachia (4-1) - Semi-cruise control right now. They haven't been tested since their opening loss to Sahara and likely won't be until the run into the Pretoria buzzsaw in a few games.
9) Taipei (4-1) - They've been impressive despite like 90% of the team being inactive. Whatever they've got going on, it's working.
10) Fat Jaws (4-1) - Slight hiccup against Lake Opeta in week 2 but otherwise, they've looked good and a beatdown of previously unbeaten Wrightstown puts them in the final spot in the rankings.
On the Bubble:
Lake Opeta, Wrightstown, Appalachicola
Dark Horse of the Week:
Port Saint John's - strong roster and close loss to strong Sahara team indicate that we could be hearing a lot from them before the season is done.
GOTW Lion
Pretoria vs Ironton - Was there any doubt about this one? The two remaining unbeatens will square off to stake claim to the Lion throne early in the season. I know from first hand experience how tough the Tanks can be and they're riding a 25 game winning streak. But I also get nightmares watching the Crusaders play thinking about having to meet them in a few games. As much as I respect my brethren from AA1 last season, I think Pretoria has just a little too much. Pretoria 27 Ironton 21
GOTW Elephant
Zimbabwe vs Sahara - The Stus have been the most impressive team purely based on level of players on their roster. They have routed some strong teams in Taipei and Sharapova (you knew I'd get a plug in for you guys at some point). Sahara meanwhile has only been bested by the Kiev juggernaut and have whipped very good Wallachia, Port St. Johns and Appalachicola teams. Really at a loss here.....I'm a big fan of Stu and how good they've looked early on. I've also been impressed with how Sahara manages to win close games and I think this one will be close. However, since I picked Sahara last time and I have a rule that I can't pick the same team twice in a row, I'll go with Zimbabwe 31 Sahara 28.
