Now that we are midseason, a clearer picture of the conference is shaking out. There have been a few surprises and a few teams that will probably have a very different second half from their first, but the picture is starting to get clearer.
1. London CLFers (7-1)
A win against the Dutchmen secured this spot for them as they continue to run roughshod over the conference. Their only loss comes to an out of conference opponent and they have already faced the toughest Zeta has to offer. Down the stretch their only real test should come from the Matadors, so it looks like they might have already sewn up the top seed for the playoffs.
2. Florence Flying Dutchmen (6-2)
The Dutchmen are the highest rated team in the conference and have the talent to dominate the competition. Unfortunately for them, Mannheim stunned them with a 3rd quarter rally in week 2 and just when they looked like they were hitting their stride again, the CFLers handled them this week. Things are looking up from here though as it is unlikely that they will be tested again over the final 8 weeks of the season.
3. Porto Thunder (7-1)
A team full of CPUs which has benefited from an easy first half. Their field goal with 19 seconds to sink Lexington this week was big for their home playoff hopes as it is conceivable that they will post a sub .500 record in their final 8 games. Games against the Dutchmen, CFLers, Sharks and Scorpions will be tough for them and it is a toss up against the Warriors in week 12. They'll make the playoffs but a first round exit is probably their fate.
4. Zagreb Scorpions (5-3)
The Scorpions are a talented team hampered by low chemistry. What I can only assume was late recruiting cost them a cheap win against a weak out of conference opponent in week 1. Their low chemistry also kept them from being competitive in their two losses against the top teams in the conference. As their chemistry improves, so will they and they'll have a chance to prove it in week 13 and 14 against the Matadors and Metalheads. Watch out for their game in week 10 against the Stampede though, it could be a trap game for them.
5. Madrid Matadors (5-3)
After a slow start, the Matadors have come on strong of late. Their upset loss at the hands of the Stampede in week 2 will probably come back to bite them come playoff time because they still have to face 2 of the top four teams in the conference, so going undefeated in the second half would be quite an achievement. Games against the Sharks, Scorpions and CFLers will be their benchmark games, picking up 2 out of three should be enough to get them a home playoff game.
6. Lexington MetalHeads (5-3)
They have talent but their chemistry hurts them, probably not as bad as their close loss to the Thunder did. Despite Porto's record, the MetalHeads were heavy favorites. This ranking is more based on that talent than acheivement since they haven't been competitive against the other two teams in the top 5 that they've faced. They did have an impressive week one win against the Naples Knights, currently 4th in Alpha, and winnable games coming up against the Warriors and Hellboys are important for them to maintain this position. Their real measuring stick games come against the CLFers, Scorpions and Sharks.
7. Liverpool Warriors (6-2)
Another entirely CPU team that has had success. They played good games against the Scorpions and CFLers and put a 18 point beat down on the Stampede. They are a team that should not be taken lightly, but are beatable for nearly every other team in the conference. I can't see them beating the Matadors, Sharks, MetalHeads or Dutchmen but games against the Hellboys and Thunder are both toss-ups. Despite their 6-2 record, missing the playoffs is a real possibility for this team.
8. Natal Hellboys (5-3)
Apparently overachieving CPU teams are the trend in Zeta as the Hellboys is the third one with a winning record in the conference. 4 of their 5 wins have come at an average of just under 5 points, so they've had a little luck thus far. Their luck seems to have run out some as the Matadors beat them convincingly in week 8 making their close loss the the CFLers in week 2 feel like a long time ago. They have yet to play 6 out of the top 7 teams and their chances of winning any of those besides against the Thunder or Warriors are slim.
9. Indianapolis Stampede (4-4)
The Stampede are a perplexing team. They beat the Matadors early to start out 2-0 and then dropped 4 out of their next 5, 3 of those losses to CPU teams. 3 of their losses were by an average of 4 points and having one of those games go their way would have helped their playoff hopes immensely, but an 18 point loss to the Warriors is baffling. They come back the week after that to kill the Sharks who were better rated than they were. That win kept their playoff hopes alive as 5 of their next 8 games are very winnable but who knows with this team.
10. Mannheim Sharks (4-4)
Here is another confusing team that can't seem to decide if they are good or not. They beat the Dutchmen in week 2 and lose to the Scorpions by 1 in week 4. After that the wheels fall off, the CFLers crush them in week 5 and they lose back to back games by 25+ in weeks 7 and 8 against weaker opponents. They have talent, but if they don't regain their early season form, the playoffs are going to be a far reach. A couple of upsets down the road are not inconceivable though and this team should not be taken lightly.
11. Jersey Mammoths (3-5)
The Mammoths are weaker than most teams in the conference but the playoffs could have been a possibility if it wasn't for a bad draw. Reading Football Club is about as bad as it gets for out of conference opponent and having the 3 good CPU teams early hurt. If they would have had a chance to gain a few levels, the outcome of those games could have been different. Their next to games against the Scorpions and the CFLers will probably put them in a hole that they won't be able to climb out of, but maybe they'll work some of that magic from the Shark game and come out on top.
12. Western Roman Empire (2-6)
They can probably lay claim to the title of "best of the worst," as they have yet to be competitive against any conference opponent that is ranked higher than them. Playoffs were never part of the picture and 5 wins is probably the ceiling for this team. They will still have to take care of business against Pride, Elves and Assassins if they want that dubious honor.
13. Nashua Pride (2-6)
Unless they pull of an upset (I'm looking at you Sharks), 4 wins are as high as the Pride are going to end up with. They have done their best to keep things competitive and have not lost by more than 28 this season. That will probably change with games left against the top two teams in the conference. If they can keep this core team together, I think the future is bright for the Pride as they will probably be playoff bound next season.
14. Budapest Tizenhetedikkerület (2-6)
This team is not untalented but they have horrible chemistry. They could finish with as few as 3 wins on the season. Winning games against the Stampede and Pride should be their goals for the season besides the gimme against the Elves. I just don't see it in the cards though. There's always next season.
15. Paris Elves (1-7)
It is probably only downhill from here. The Elves kept themselves off the bottom of the pile with a win over Munich but another win is not likely. Their best chances are against the Warriors, Budapest and the Western Roman Empire, but a more likely achievement will be to keep those games close.
16. Munich Assassins (0-8)
Their loss to the Elves this week cemented their place as the Western Europe BBB #14 cellar dweller. It is only going to get worse as they have 6 of the top 8 teams left to play. I assume that they are slow building, so maybe the future will be brighter.
1. London CLFers (7-1)
A win against the Dutchmen secured this spot for them as they continue to run roughshod over the conference. Their only loss comes to an out of conference opponent and they have already faced the toughest Zeta has to offer. Down the stretch their only real test should come from the Matadors, so it looks like they might have already sewn up the top seed for the playoffs.
2. Florence Flying Dutchmen (6-2)
The Dutchmen are the highest rated team in the conference and have the talent to dominate the competition. Unfortunately for them, Mannheim stunned them with a 3rd quarter rally in week 2 and just when they looked like they were hitting their stride again, the CFLers handled them this week. Things are looking up from here though as it is unlikely that they will be tested again over the final 8 weeks of the season.
3. Porto Thunder (7-1)
A team full of CPUs which has benefited from an easy first half. Their field goal with 19 seconds to sink Lexington this week was big for their home playoff hopes as it is conceivable that they will post a sub .500 record in their final 8 games. Games against the Dutchmen, CFLers, Sharks and Scorpions will be tough for them and it is a toss up against the Warriors in week 12. They'll make the playoffs but a first round exit is probably their fate.
4. Zagreb Scorpions (5-3)
The Scorpions are a talented team hampered by low chemistry. What I can only assume was late recruiting cost them a cheap win against a weak out of conference opponent in week 1. Their low chemistry also kept them from being competitive in their two losses against the top teams in the conference. As their chemistry improves, so will they and they'll have a chance to prove it in week 13 and 14 against the Matadors and Metalheads. Watch out for their game in week 10 against the Stampede though, it could be a trap game for them.
5. Madrid Matadors (5-3)
After a slow start, the Matadors have come on strong of late. Their upset loss at the hands of the Stampede in week 2 will probably come back to bite them come playoff time because they still have to face 2 of the top four teams in the conference, so going undefeated in the second half would be quite an achievement. Games against the Sharks, Scorpions and CFLers will be their benchmark games, picking up 2 out of three should be enough to get them a home playoff game.
6. Lexington MetalHeads (5-3)
They have talent but their chemistry hurts them, probably not as bad as their close loss to the Thunder did. Despite Porto's record, the MetalHeads were heavy favorites. This ranking is more based on that talent than acheivement since they haven't been competitive against the other two teams in the top 5 that they've faced. They did have an impressive week one win against the Naples Knights, currently 4th in Alpha, and winnable games coming up against the Warriors and Hellboys are important for them to maintain this position. Their real measuring stick games come against the CLFers, Scorpions and Sharks.
7. Liverpool Warriors (6-2)
Another entirely CPU team that has had success. They played good games against the Scorpions and CFLers and put a 18 point beat down on the Stampede. They are a team that should not be taken lightly, but are beatable for nearly every other team in the conference. I can't see them beating the Matadors, Sharks, MetalHeads or Dutchmen but games against the Hellboys and Thunder are both toss-ups. Despite their 6-2 record, missing the playoffs is a real possibility for this team.
8. Natal Hellboys (5-3)
Apparently overachieving CPU teams are the trend in Zeta as the Hellboys is the third one with a winning record in the conference. 4 of their 5 wins have come at an average of just under 5 points, so they've had a little luck thus far. Their luck seems to have run out some as the Matadors beat them convincingly in week 8 making their close loss the the CFLers in week 2 feel like a long time ago. They have yet to play 6 out of the top 7 teams and their chances of winning any of those besides against the Thunder or Warriors are slim.
9. Indianapolis Stampede (4-4)
The Stampede are a perplexing team. They beat the Matadors early to start out 2-0 and then dropped 4 out of their next 5, 3 of those losses to CPU teams. 3 of their losses were by an average of 4 points and having one of those games go their way would have helped their playoff hopes immensely, but an 18 point loss to the Warriors is baffling. They come back the week after that to kill the Sharks who were better rated than they were. That win kept their playoff hopes alive as 5 of their next 8 games are very winnable but who knows with this team.
10. Mannheim Sharks (4-4)
Here is another confusing team that can't seem to decide if they are good or not. They beat the Dutchmen in week 2 and lose to the Scorpions by 1 in week 4. After that the wheels fall off, the CFLers crush them in week 5 and they lose back to back games by 25+ in weeks 7 and 8 against weaker opponents. They have talent, but if they don't regain their early season form, the playoffs are going to be a far reach. A couple of upsets down the road are not inconceivable though and this team should not be taken lightly.
11. Jersey Mammoths (3-5)
The Mammoths are weaker than most teams in the conference but the playoffs could have been a possibility if it wasn't for a bad draw. Reading Football Club is about as bad as it gets for out of conference opponent and having the 3 good CPU teams early hurt. If they would have had a chance to gain a few levels, the outcome of those games could have been different. Their next to games against the Scorpions and the CFLers will probably put them in a hole that they won't be able to climb out of, but maybe they'll work some of that magic from the Shark game and come out on top.
12. Western Roman Empire (2-6)
They can probably lay claim to the title of "best of the worst," as they have yet to be competitive against any conference opponent that is ranked higher than them. Playoffs were never part of the picture and 5 wins is probably the ceiling for this team. They will still have to take care of business against Pride, Elves and Assassins if they want that dubious honor.
13. Nashua Pride (2-6)
Unless they pull of an upset (I'm looking at you Sharks), 4 wins are as high as the Pride are going to end up with. They have done their best to keep things competitive and have not lost by more than 28 this season. That will probably change with games left against the top two teams in the conference. If they can keep this core team together, I think the future is bright for the Pride as they will probably be playoff bound next season.
14. Budapest Tizenhetedikkerület (2-6)
This team is not untalented but they have horrible chemistry. They could finish with as few as 3 wins on the season. Winning games against the Stampede and Pride should be their goals for the season besides the gimme against the Elves. I just don't see it in the cards though. There's always next season.
15. Paris Elves (1-7)
It is probably only downhill from here. The Elves kept themselves off the bottom of the pile with a win over Munich but another win is not likely. Their best chances are against the Warriors, Budapest and the Western Roman Empire, but a more likely achievement will be to keep those games close.
16. Munich Assassins (0-8)
Their loss to the Elves this week cemented their place as the Western Europe BBB #14 cellar dweller. It is only going to get worse as they have 6 of the top 8 teams left to play. I assume that they are slow building, so maybe the future will be brighter.
Last edited Nov 25, 2008 13:00:16
