Ok, I will stick my neck out their and give the fellow Alpha owners some bulletin material.
Does anyone doubt?
Algeria Addiction is the hands down favorite going into the season. On paper, they are obviously the class of the conference, but are they good enough for the big boys of Zeta? An offense that put up just 7 points in their preseason opener vs. Bangkok Blue Demons, while not at panic stage, did raise some eyebrows. Their rushing attack will give most teams fits though, leading to some ugly scores against the bottom half of the division.
Prediction: 15-1, including a late season loss that might once again foreshadow a playoff disappointment.
See ya later alligators
Now let’s look at the other end of the spectrum. The Hiroshima Radiation and the Mount Figi Dogs are in trouble. Ownership changes here will produce to new A teams next season. The Dogs had a l head start in the rebuilding process so:
Prediction: Circle your calendars: 10/13/2008. Mount Figi wins the “toilet bowl” to go 1-15 on the season. Hiroshima, this is the only game they are within 3 touchdowns.
Not quite ready for prime time players
The new guys in AFEF, Tibet, and Pingree. The gut jobs above will give these guys a sporting chance to stay in AA#1. In fact, more than a sporting chance. One of them, by bet is AFEF, even jumps up and knocks off one of established teams. I give them all another year but we will see if they will have enough left to lick their wounds and return for season 6.
Prediction: AFEF (5-11), Tibet (3-13), Pingree (2-14)
The muddled middle
That leaves 10 teams to battle for the other 7 playoffs spots. Each of these have a realistic chance of doing that, but they all come with their warts. The real question is if any of them will pull it together and give the Addiction a run for their money.
Manila Cyberballers – Defensive issues will keep this team from jumping into the playoff picture. Great chemistry going, just not enough talent just yet.
Prediction: 6-10
Columbus Black Knights – The Knights will also need to keep their defense off the field in order to have any chance at the playoffs. Sorry, but I don’t see it happening.
Prediction: 8-8
Phuket Water Dragons – Could be the surprise team of the season. If their RB-by-committee thing works out, they will be in the playoff picture midseason. The 2nd half schedule though will be their undoing.
Prediction: 9-7
Pontianak Firebirds – Nothing special in any individual categories but this team “will kick, bite, scratch, and claw” in the words of the owner. This will work until they hit a tough stretch of games just after the midway point. An upset or two in that part of the schedule and they will be sitting good for the playoffs. Hold their own at least and they sneak in.
Prediction: 9-7
Ho Chi Minh Hookers – Could be the #2 seed or could be the #8 seed in the playoffs. Look for them to try and dominate with a strong running game. Hard to say how effective it will be against the top half teams in the league.
Prediction: 11-5
Salford Storm – Lost #1 HB and usually gets off to a slow start. I anoint them the surprise team of the year. They make a run for a top 4 playoff seed, but a couple early losses cost them homefield once again.
Prediction: 11-5
Cambodia Mountain Men – Chemistry issues may keep them from getting a home playoff game and perhaps it’s too much to ask for a 4-12 team to take this kind of leap. But confidence is spawning in the foot hills of Cambodia.
Prediction: 11-5
Pandang Lightning –Big passing game + bad passing defense = exciting team to watch. Expect some 45-42 ballgames when the Lightning take the field and think it will be enough for them to get a top 4 seed.
Prediction: 12-4
Krungthep Garudas – Great defense, great chemistry. This is a team to look out for. If Mongolia struggles early, this will be Algeria’s top threat. Keep an eye on that Algeria/Krungthep game to end the regular season. A chance mind you, that it could decide the conference winner. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves…..
Prediction: 12-4
Mongolian Horde – Chemistry issues also but by playoff time will be a legit threat to Algeria. Problem is they face Algeria in week four. I doubt this team will be ready for that challenge by then so they will be playing catch up all season long.
Prediction: 13-3
Does anyone doubt?
Algeria Addiction is the hands down favorite going into the season. On paper, they are obviously the class of the conference, but are they good enough for the big boys of Zeta? An offense that put up just 7 points in their preseason opener vs. Bangkok Blue Demons, while not at panic stage, did raise some eyebrows. Their rushing attack will give most teams fits though, leading to some ugly scores against the bottom half of the division.
Prediction: 15-1, including a late season loss that might once again foreshadow a playoff disappointment.
See ya later alligators
Now let’s look at the other end of the spectrum. The Hiroshima Radiation and the Mount Figi Dogs are in trouble. Ownership changes here will produce to new A teams next season. The Dogs had a l head start in the rebuilding process so:
Prediction: Circle your calendars: 10/13/2008. Mount Figi wins the “toilet bowl” to go 1-15 on the season. Hiroshima, this is the only game they are within 3 touchdowns.
Not quite ready for prime time players
The new guys in AFEF, Tibet, and Pingree. The gut jobs above will give these guys a sporting chance to stay in AA#1. In fact, more than a sporting chance. One of them, by bet is AFEF, even jumps up and knocks off one of established teams. I give them all another year but we will see if they will have enough left to lick their wounds and return for season 6.
Prediction: AFEF (5-11), Tibet (3-13), Pingree (2-14)
The muddled middle
That leaves 10 teams to battle for the other 7 playoffs spots. Each of these have a realistic chance of doing that, but they all come with their warts. The real question is if any of them will pull it together and give the Addiction a run for their money.
Manila Cyberballers – Defensive issues will keep this team from jumping into the playoff picture. Great chemistry going, just not enough talent just yet.
Prediction: 6-10
Columbus Black Knights – The Knights will also need to keep their defense off the field in order to have any chance at the playoffs. Sorry, but I don’t see it happening.
Prediction: 8-8
Phuket Water Dragons – Could be the surprise team of the season. If their RB-by-committee thing works out, they will be in the playoff picture midseason. The 2nd half schedule though will be their undoing.
Prediction: 9-7
Pontianak Firebirds – Nothing special in any individual categories but this team “will kick, bite, scratch, and claw” in the words of the owner. This will work until they hit a tough stretch of games just after the midway point. An upset or two in that part of the schedule and they will be sitting good for the playoffs. Hold their own at least and they sneak in.
Prediction: 9-7
Ho Chi Minh Hookers – Could be the #2 seed or could be the #8 seed in the playoffs. Look for them to try and dominate with a strong running game. Hard to say how effective it will be against the top half teams in the league.
Prediction: 11-5
Salford Storm – Lost #1 HB and usually gets off to a slow start. I anoint them the surprise team of the year. They make a run for a top 4 playoff seed, but a couple early losses cost them homefield once again.
Prediction: 11-5
Cambodia Mountain Men – Chemistry issues may keep them from getting a home playoff game and perhaps it’s too much to ask for a 4-12 team to take this kind of leap. But confidence is spawning in the foot hills of Cambodia.
Prediction: 11-5
Pandang Lightning –Big passing game + bad passing defense = exciting team to watch. Expect some 45-42 ballgames when the Lightning take the field and think it will be enough for them to get a top 4 seed.
Prediction: 12-4
Krungthep Garudas – Great defense, great chemistry. This is a team to look out for. If Mongolia struggles early, this will be Algeria’s top threat. Keep an eye on that Algeria/Krungthep game to end the regular season. A chance mind you, that it could decide the conference winner. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves…..
Prediction: 12-4
Mongolian Horde – Chemistry issues also but by playoff time will be a legit threat to Algeria. Problem is they face Algeria in week four. I doubt this team will be ready for that challenge by then so they will be playing catch up all season long.
Prediction: 13-3
