#1 Nairobi Death Squad - After a strong season the Death Squad suffered a first round defeat against the Aces. It's hard to imagine them getting better but a few key upgrades look to have improved their team and make them another strong case to have a huge season.
#2 West Yorkshire Bandits - After making it to the second round of the playoffs last season the Bandits are poised to make a run at the Championship this season. With a strong roster and some great coordinators they are definitely one of the teams to beat.
#3 Sterling Bulldawgs - The Bulldawgs had an early exit in the playoffs thanks to the Bandits and with some retirements and remaining holes to fill on their team it's hard to imagine them finishing in the top 4 easily this season. But as last season's #2 seed they've got enough talent to stay up here for now.
#4 Kenya Diggits - Kenya may very well be one of the few teams to move up this season that has a chance to make some serious noise. With a solid roster and plenty of depth they could be this seasons CWM.
#5 Fulham Flying Hellfish - The Hellfish had some solid games last season and are looking to take the next step this season. With so many CPU teams they should make the playoffs easily.
#6 Nile Crocodiles - Nile just missed out on the playoffs last season and are looking to get over the hump. In order to do so they'll have to find ways to beat playoff quality teams. That was an area they did not do well in last season with 7 of 8 losses coming against playoff teams.
#7 Colonial Zoners - The Zoners had a solid season in AA but can that translate to success in AAA. With a few areas lacking in depth they may find themselves falling behind early in games and having a tough time catching up.
#8 Burundi Bucsh Warriors - The Warriors had some impressive close games last season and just made the playoffs before losing to Somali in the first round. With a younger roster it's hard to put them any higher than middle of the pack right now.
#9 Zimbabwe Bulls - They had a strong season 14 but it's hard to see them repeating their success with their roster in the shape that it's in right now.
#10 West Nile Mosquitoes - West Nile is under new management but can they get things turned around in one offseason. I think they're heading in the right direction with an owner who appears to be busting his hump to try and right the ship but there is still a lot of work to be done.
#11 Lyon Flames - Gone CPU after a strong season 14.
#12 Alexandria Crimson Evil Aces - Last season saw LHC fold up shop in preparations to be demoted at the end of the season. This season sees another consistent playoff caliber team closing its doors. The Aces competition will be sorely missed but it opens up room for one of the latest additions to the conference to step up and claim their spot.
#13 Hungry Hungry Hippos - Another team with an entire CPU roster is making it look like there won't be much competition in Lion this season.
#14 Longreach Wildcats - New team. CPU of course.
#15 Patagonia Punishers - The Punishers are new to the division but with a roster full of only CPU players I don't expect much noise out of them this season.
#16 Algeria Dune Hoppers - Yet another CPU team.
One thing is clear from checking out the Lion conference. Every team currently ranked in the 10 will basically start with 6 wins since the bottom 6 teams are all CPU rosters as of now. That will make every real game that much more meaningful in the standings and a slip up by any team could cost them a playoff spot. I expect to see a messy playoff race especially for the 5-8 seeds.
#2 West Yorkshire Bandits - After making it to the second round of the playoffs last season the Bandits are poised to make a run at the Championship this season. With a strong roster and some great coordinators they are definitely one of the teams to beat.
#3 Sterling Bulldawgs - The Bulldawgs had an early exit in the playoffs thanks to the Bandits and with some retirements and remaining holes to fill on their team it's hard to imagine them finishing in the top 4 easily this season. But as last season's #2 seed they've got enough talent to stay up here for now.
#4 Kenya Diggits - Kenya may very well be one of the few teams to move up this season that has a chance to make some serious noise. With a solid roster and plenty of depth they could be this seasons CWM.
#5 Fulham Flying Hellfish - The Hellfish had some solid games last season and are looking to take the next step this season. With so many CPU teams they should make the playoffs easily.
#6 Nile Crocodiles - Nile just missed out on the playoffs last season and are looking to get over the hump. In order to do so they'll have to find ways to beat playoff quality teams. That was an area they did not do well in last season with 7 of 8 losses coming against playoff teams.
#7 Colonial Zoners - The Zoners had a solid season in AA but can that translate to success in AAA. With a few areas lacking in depth they may find themselves falling behind early in games and having a tough time catching up.
#8 Burundi Bucsh Warriors - The Warriors had some impressive close games last season and just made the playoffs before losing to Somali in the first round. With a younger roster it's hard to put them any higher than middle of the pack right now.
#9 Zimbabwe Bulls - They had a strong season 14 but it's hard to see them repeating their success with their roster in the shape that it's in right now.
#10 West Nile Mosquitoes - West Nile is under new management but can they get things turned around in one offseason. I think they're heading in the right direction with an owner who appears to be busting his hump to try and right the ship but there is still a lot of work to be done.
#11 Lyon Flames - Gone CPU after a strong season 14.
#12 Alexandria Crimson Evil Aces - Last season saw LHC fold up shop in preparations to be demoted at the end of the season. This season sees another consistent playoff caliber team closing its doors. The Aces competition will be sorely missed but it opens up room for one of the latest additions to the conference to step up and claim their spot.
#13 Hungry Hungry Hippos - Another team with an entire CPU roster is making it look like there won't be much competition in Lion this season.
#14 Longreach Wildcats - New team. CPU of course.
#15 Patagonia Punishers - The Punishers are new to the division but with a roster full of only CPU players I don't expect much noise out of them this season.
#16 Algeria Dune Hoppers - Yet another CPU team.
One thing is clear from checking out the Lion conference. Every team currently ranked in the 10 will basically start with 6 wins since the bottom 6 teams are all CPU rosters as of now. That will make every real game that much more meaningful in the standings and a slip up by any team could cost them a playoff spot. I expect to see a messy playoff race especially for the 5-8 seeds.
Edited by ecrana on Apr 7, 2010 08:26:10
