How about some mid-season power rankings? Honestly, super tough to objectively rank teams 2 through 10 but I gave it an honest subjective shake.
Top Tier:1.
Sonoma County Crushers - Record: 8-0 -
Sonoma is the reigning Dasher League Champion and has shown zero sign of letting up. A couple close games against other formidable Dasher teams, but while there may be some bend, there’s been no break. They’ve earned this spot until dethroned. It’ll be interesting to see how they fare the rest of the Tournament bracket, but they have the best odds for sure. 2.
Hulk Smash - Record: 7-1 -
Spots 2-4 were tricky to rank, but I think Hulk Smash belongs here. Interesting loss to Nashville Red Hots, but I honestly think one can chalk that up to lack of familiarity with them? (Considering they were in different Leagues in Rookie). Hulk is a strong team with a legitimate shot at the Comet League Title. They edged out Charming on a late game TD and will be a really tough matchup for anyone in the Tournament or Playoffs. 3.
Charming SOA - Record 7-1 -
Charming had a difficult time with Top level teams in Rookie, but made things interesting in the League Championship against the then named Surfing Squirrels (currently the Red Hots) losing a close game there. This season Charming has hit a bit of a stride, narrowly losing to Hulk, but avenging their Rookie Championship loss by beating the Red Hots somewhat decisively. 4.
Nashville Red Hots - Record 7-1 -
The Red Hots, formerly the Surfing Squirrels, are the reigning Comet League Champions and have been mostly dominant up to this point, suffering their first non-scrimmage loss just a couple days ago to Charming. I wrestled with placing them here in 4th, especially considering they beat Hulk Smash, but there seems to be some chinks in the armor and exposure as a team that at least appears to be built for short term success, not long term sustainability. Still, they’re formidable and deserve top tier status for now. They don’t enter the Tournament so it’s difficult to assess how they stack up against Dasher competitors. I think their 2nd games against Hulk and Crystal Lake will be very telling. Solid Tier:5. Key Largo Eskimos - Record 6-2 -
The Eskimos were a bit up and down in Rookie, and got blown out in the 1st Round of the Playoffs, but they appear to have improved in Prep and are finding their way. Holding them back, however, is their struggle to find a way to beat Sonoma and Louisa. Beating Crystal Lake in this seasons’ Tourney was a quality, and telling, win. Their builds will inevitably catch up, but they don’t seem to be *there* just yet. I wouldn’t want to face them in this years Playoffs though, that’s for sure. 6. Louisa Bears - Record 7-1 -
Louisa is another team that’s on the cusp of being Top Tier…they’re right there and I think they’re certainly capable of beating any team on any given day depending on sim, and their close win over Key Largo this season shows their formidability. Rookie showed they struggle a bit against Top Tiers Sonoma and Hulk. Would have loved to see them enter the Tourney to get a better read on their inter-league competitiveness…we’ve never seen how they stack up against Charming, Crystal Lake, or the Red Hots. Until we see that, it’s difficult to put them in the Top. 7. Huntsville Soulstealers - Record 6-2 -
Huntsville is a solid team that will be a pest in Thea playoffs for sure, and also seems to be improving. But Sonoma and Key Largo seem to really have their number and until Huntsville rises above this and beats one of the Top Tier teams, I struggle to place them higher. I think they’re getting closer though. 8. Crystal Lake Snakes - Record 6-2 -
Crystal Lake is an interesting case. Solid for sure, but haven’t figured out a way past the Red Hots and now with Hulk Smash in their Conference this year’s playoff hope look uncertain. Another team where the “any given sim” rule can definitely apply; but until they get a win against the top 2 teams in their Conf it’s tough to rank them higher. Loss to Key Largo in the Tourney didn’t help, either. But again, solid team that I don’t look forward to playing!Average Tier:9. Yellowstone Ranchers - Record 7-1 -
Yellowstone is on their way. After some tumult last season, they seem to have done well recruiting and building, and they have had an impressive season so far to show for it. They are *RIGHT* there on the cusp of “solid”…so what’s holding me back from putting them there? Strength of schedule, and that’s about it. They are entering the meat of their schedule, with a daunting run against several Top Tier and Solid teams. A win or two in that stretch could easily move them up to solid, but we need to see it first. Considerable improvement in this team though, and I was very close to adding them to the Solid Tier. I wanted to, I really did. They have many chances to prove me wrong coming up!10. Wu Dang Kung Fu Academy - Record 5-3 -
Wu Dang I believe is a farm team for bigger dogs, and they’re not an “easy out”, but they aren’t Top or Solid material right now. They win the games they’re supposed to, but struggle to beat the teams above them. I’m not convinced they’re necessarily trying at this level though, and if they did I’m sure we’d be seeing different results; but it is what it is. Also clearly playing the long game for their dots, with their boosting schedule…so again, they’re not concerned about success at the Prep level. 11. Las Spezia Wolverines - Record 4-4 -
Las Spezia is pretty similar to Wu Dang in that they’re clearly a farm team that has no real interest in competing at these levels and are undeterred by the results at this level. Obviously SHIN knows what he’s doing and he won’t even read these probably. 
12. Humboldt County Growth - Record 4-4 -
Not operating with a full roster, this half CPU team seems to be just KAP0W having some fun with his dots, and not too much more than that. Which I can appreciate. But, of course, can’t place them any higher than this given the lack of competitiveness. 13. Virginia Flames - Record 4-4 -
So, I’m not completely sure what bbplayer is doing with this team but honestly it seems he’s working on something and building something…or at the very least he’s having some fun learning the ropes of ownership and coordinating. Can’t expect too much from them right now but it *appears* as though he might build this team into something for next season. 14. Jajce Bosna Kingdome - Record 3-5 -
Jajce is an odd one for me. Indeed, their roster is a few players short and they’re under leveled…but with what they DO have it feels like they should be at least a little more competitive. But no team above them in these rankings will fear them. They’d have to add quite a few pieces and get some better schemes in place to move up. Bottom Tier (CPU’S and non-competitives)15. New Hampshire Assassins - Record: 3-5
16. San Jose Blue Jays - Record: 4-4
17. Captain Insanos Madhouse - Record 2-6
18. Portland Rattlers - Record 2-6
19. Nashville Power - Record: 1-6-1
20. Utah Zephyrs - Record: 2-6
21. Cool Cannabis - Record 0-7-1
22. Milwaukee Marlins - Record 0-8
23. Pittsburgh Annihilators - Record 0-8
24. Seattle Towers - Record 0-8
