Wow. These past couple of sims, especially today's, have been some of the best I've seen since I joined GLB way back in the middle of season one. Sorry about not getting these up after Thursday's sims, but despite the fact that school is now over, the summer job sweeping chimneys (go ahead, insert your Mary Poppins joke here, but I probably have heard it before) doesn't exactly give a shit about whether or not I have as much free time for GLB. If you combine that with lazyness and my enjoyment of injesting large amounts of ethanol, you can get a pretty clear picture of why there were no Week 10 rankings. But I don't intend on making that a habit. Let's get on with these rankings.
The Playoff Picture
1.) Minneapolis Masterminds
The top team in the rankings survived a HUGE scare from an O'ahu team that has put the league on notice that they can beat anybody and everybody. MM easily took care of the Sharks and then needed a last-minute drive down the field and subsequent FG to keep their record unblemished. The Masterminds continue to be outperformed on offense yet somehow come out on top in the scoring department. Giving up over 500 yards through the air can't sit well with any offensive coordinator, as more and more teams continue to dare MM to stop their air attack. An easy one up next against San Antonio is followed by a big showdown against RSW
2.) Sportsrant.com Stalkers
The Stalkers have had back-to-back big wins over very good opponents. They came out on top in their matchup against Rutgers behind a solid pass rush that netted five sacks and by taking care of business in the fourth quarter. Much like MM, they then survived a big scare by a team that they could very easily see in the first round of the playoffs, squeaking by Detroit by a single point. Sportsrant continues ot be very efficient offensively, and now has two more big games looming on the horizon, with the Krakens up next followed by one of my most anticipated sims of the season against Pensacola.
3.) Motor City Madmen
I could probably write a novel under these guys' section right about now. The Madmen are coming off two important wins of their own, starting with a 4-point win over Detroit behind their solid ground game. MCM followed that with a nice defeat of Tampa BAy by switching things up and using their air attack to secure the victory. And now, it's been a long time coming but in the game of the week, Motor City looks to exact revenge on Pensacola for ruining their perfect Season 8. Based on sheer history alone, this is undoubtedly the game of the week.
4.) Rutgers Silent Willies
The Silent Willies stay in the four slot over Pensacola on the merits of their early season victory head-to-head. After back-to-back losses to both Sportsrant and Motor City, Rutgers got back on the right track with a blowout of the Norris Ninjas. Now an essential bye week against Florida precedes a big game against Minneapolis, and team that they had not lost to until Season 8. Thorpe's squad has the unenviable situation of still having not only the top team in these rankings on thier schedule, but also the hottest two teams to end the season.
5.) Pensacola Dolphins
Well now we will start to see just how good the Dolphins are. After walking over the Rainmakers like everyone has this season, The Dolphins handily discarded the Sidewinders and now gets Motor City and Sportsrant in back-to-back games. The Dolphina may very well be the most underrated team in these rankings the whole season so far, based on their early season defeat at the hands of RSW and their generally easy schedule up to this point. They look to show MCM that last Season's win in the conference championship game was by no means a fluke.
6.) Tampa Bay Krakens
The Krakens are steadily putting together a very solid Season 9 campaign. Early season wins over Detroit and O'ahu, teams that currently look much more formidable, helped them get a jump on playoff seedings. They have beaten who they should have, and lost when expected to (so far). While they handily dealt with the Sidewinders before falling to Motor City today, Moleman continues to be a dangerous X-factor that can change games at any moment. The Stalkers now await Tampa Bay, and while the Stalkers seem heavily favored, an upset here might be enough to get them a seed higher come playoff time.
7.) Detroit Rampage
Well Detroit seems to have turned the corner and figured something out recently, losing two heartbreaking games to the second and htird ranked teams by a combined five points. The Rampage are doing more than just competing, and with MM and RSW still on their schedule in the final five games, they still have a couple oppotunities to close out a game against one of the big boys. Cincy and Florida give these guys a bit of a break before facing MM in week 14. I don't see them passing the Krakens for the sixth spot even if they were to win out, due to their early season loss against them. However, this si not a team that I would wanna draw in the first round by any means.
8.) O'ahu Night Marchers
Speaking of teams that I don't want to see in the playoffs, The Night Marchers were a defensive stop in the final minute away from taking care of the last undefeated team in the conference. Now they encounter a relatively easy three game stretch before two huge games for them to close out the regular season. Considering recent results, it is not the biggest stretch of the imagination to think of the Night Marchers possibly winning out and ending at 9-7. That would include an upset of RSW, but right now it seems like they can handle anyone. This time next week, O'ahu should be 7-1 in their last 8 games with their only loss being a two-point defeat to MM. Lookout.
9.) Corona Del Mar Cougars
How big is their win against Detroit looking right now? The Cougars sit at 6-5 after everyone's favorite week off (in real time) in the schedule, and now finds themselves facing the biggest stretch of games for them this season. The Sidewinders game is crucial, as a win their would probably see them finish no worse than 9-7, providing them with either an outright playoff position or at the very least bring things down to tiebreakers. While they catch St. Louis at a good time, Corona still needs to be wary and take care of business: their playoff hopes may be riding on Monday's sim.
10.) St. Louis Sidewinders
I keep the Sidewinders in the discussion for the playoff picture this time around but that may not be the case after Monday. St. Louis is floundering, losing four in a row, albeit against four quality opponents, but none of the games were really close at all. Now their matchup against Corona is a must-win. A victory here essentially puts them in a final week showdown against O'ahu that could very well be for a playoff spot. But let's not get to far ahead of ourselves as the Sidewinders need to right their ship and take care of Corona if they wanna even think about the postseason. Much like Corona, biggest game of their season so far.
The Not So Playoff Picture
11.) Cincinnati Norris Ninjas
The Norris Ninjas now must try and play the role of spoiler for the rest of the season, a role that their lack of depth really does not help them fill out very nicely. After a blowout loss to RSW, their next four games also are against potential playoff teams, which means things aren't looking so well. Let the season 10 campaign begin.
12.) North Texas Cowboys and 13.) Orange County Old Farmers
The Cowboys dominated their matchup today against the Old Farmers, controlling the ball and running 39 more offensive plays than Orange County. North Texas figures to now have the edge on OCOF in the standings come season's end, now holding a game in hand as well as the head-to-head tiebreaker. Good luck to both of these teams in the future.
Rebuilding
14.) San Antonio
15.) Florida
16.) Seattle
The Playoff Picture
1.) Minneapolis Masterminds
The top team in the rankings survived a HUGE scare from an O'ahu team that has put the league on notice that they can beat anybody and everybody. MM easily took care of the Sharks and then needed a last-minute drive down the field and subsequent FG to keep their record unblemished. The Masterminds continue to be outperformed on offense yet somehow come out on top in the scoring department. Giving up over 500 yards through the air can't sit well with any offensive coordinator, as more and more teams continue to dare MM to stop their air attack. An easy one up next against San Antonio is followed by a big showdown against RSW
2.) Sportsrant.com Stalkers
The Stalkers have had back-to-back big wins over very good opponents. They came out on top in their matchup against Rutgers behind a solid pass rush that netted five sacks and by taking care of business in the fourth quarter. Much like MM, they then survived a big scare by a team that they could very easily see in the first round of the playoffs, squeaking by Detroit by a single point. Sportsrant continues ot be very efficient offensively, and now has two more big games looming on the horizon, with the Krakens up next followed by one of my most anticipated sims of the season against Pensacola.
3.) Motor City Madmen
I could probably write a novel under these guys' section right about now. The Madmen are coming off two important wins of their own, starting with a 4-point win over Detroit behind their solid ground game. MCM followed that with a nice defeat of Tampa BAy by switching things up and using their air attack to secure the victory. And now, it's been a long time coming but in the game of the week, Motor City looks to exact revenge on Pensacola for ruining their perfect Season 8. Based on sheer history alone, this is undoubtedly the game of the week.
4.) Rutgers Silent Willies
The Silent Willies stay in the four slot over Pensacola on the merits of their early season victory head-to-head. After back-to-back losses to both Sportsrant and Motor City, Rutgers got back on the right track with a blowout of the Norris Ninjas. Now an essential bye week against Florida precedes a big game against Minneapolis, and team that they had not lost to until Season 8. Thorpe's squad has the unenviable situation of still having not only the top team in these rankings on thier schedule, but also the hottest two teams to end the season.
5.) Pensacola Dolphins
Well now we will start to see just how good the Dolphins are. After walking over the Rainmakers like everyone has this season, The Dolphins handily discarded the Sidewinders and now gets Motor City and Sportsrant in back-to-back games. The Dolphina may very well be the most underrated team in these rankings the whole season so far, based on their early season defeat at the hands of RSW and their generally easy schedule up to this point. They look to show MCM that last Season's win in the conference championship game was by no means a fluke.
6.) Tampa Bay Krakens
The Krakens are steadily putting together a very solid Season 9 campaign. Early season wins over Detroit and O'ahu, teams that currently look much more formidable, helped them get a jump on playoff seedings. They have beaten who they should have, and lost when expected to (so far). While they handily dealt with the Sidewinders before falling to Motor City today, Moleman continues to be a dangerous X-factor that can change games at any moment. The Stalkers now await Tampa Bay, and while the Stalkers seem heavily favored, an upset here might be enough to get them a seed higher come playoff time.
7.) Detroit Rampage
Well Detroit seems to have turned the corner and figured something out recently, losing two heartbreaking games to the second and htird ranked teams by a combined five points. The Rampage are doing more than just competing, and with MM and RSW still on their schedule in the final five games, they still have a couple oppotunities to close out a game against one of the big boys. Cincy and Florida give these guys a bit of a break before facing MM in week 14. I don't see them passing the Krakens for the sixth spot even if they were to win out, due to their early season loss against them. However, this si not a team that I would wanna draw in the first round by any means.
8.) O'ahu Night Marchers
Speaking of teams that I don't want to see in the playoffs, The Night Marchers were a defensive stop in the final minute away from taking care of the last undefeated team in the conference. Now they encounter a relatively easy three game stretch before two huge games for them to close out the regular season. Considering recent results, it is not the biggest stretch of the imagination to think of the Night Marchers possibly winning out and ending at 9-7. That would include an upset of RSW, but right now it seems like they can handle anyone. This time next week, O'ahu should be 7-1 in their last 8 games with their only loss being a two-point defeat to MM. Lookout.
9.) Corona Del Mar Cougars
How big is their win against Detroit looking right now? The Cougars sit at 6-5 after everyone's favorite week off (in real time) in the schedule, and now finds themselves facing the biggest stretch of games for them this season. The Sidewinders game is crucial, as a win their would probably see them finish no worse than 9-7, providing them with either an outright playoff position or at the very least bring things down to tiebreakers. While they catch St. Louis at a good time, Corona still needs to be wary and take care of business: their playoff hopes may be riding on Monday's sim.
10.) St. Louis Sidewinders
I keep the Sidewinders in the discussion for the playoff picture this time around but that may not be the case after Monday. St. Louis is floundering, losing four in a row, albeit against four quality opponents, but none of the games were really close at all. Now their matchup against Corona is a must-win. A victory here essentially puts them in a final week showdown against O'ahu that could very well be for a playoff spot. But let's not get to far ahead of ourselves as the Sidewinders need to right their ship and take care of Corona if they wanna even think about the postseason. Much like Corona, biggest game of their season so far.
The Not So Playoff Picture
11.) Cincinnati Norris Ninjas
The Norris Ninjas now must try and play the role of spoiler for the rest of the season, a role that their lack of depth really does not help them fill out very nicely. After a blowout loss to RSW, their next four games also are against potential playoff teams, which means things aren't looking so well. Let the season 10 campaign begin.
12.) North Texas Cowboys and 13.) Orange County Old Farmers
The Cowboys dominated their matchup today against the Old Farmers, controlling the ball and running 39 more offensive plays than Orange County. North Texas figures to now have the edge on OCOF in the standings come season's end, now holding a game in hand as well as the head-to-head tiebreaker. Good luck to both of these teams in the future.
Rebuilding
14.) San Antonio
15.) Florida
16.) Seattle
