Sorry I didn't get the week nine predictions out due to work obligations, but hopefully this week's predictions will be worth the wait.
Saskatchewan Thrashers (1-8) versus Uganda Crowned Cranes (0-9)
The Thrashers have been knocked around this season and will be able to take out their frustrations on the hapless Cranes. Prediction - Thrashers by 100+
African Fire (1-8) versus Hungry Hungry Hippos (2-7)
The same thing that could be said about the Thrashers could be said about the Hippos. This week they get to beat up on a cpu team. Prediction - Hippos by 100+
Huronia Stallions (2-7) versus Africa Unite (4-5)
Africa Unite will get to tee-off on a cpu team this week as they try to keep their playoff hopes alive. I think they are better than their record would lead you to believe. Prediction - Unite by 100+
Grocery Baggers (1-8) versus Ikari Warriors (7-2)
The Warriors have quietly put together a very good season and stand a good chance of being in the top four in the playoffs. The Baggers have nothing to play for but pride at this point. No upset here, I'm afraid. Prediction - Warriors by 200+
P-Town Ballaz (3-6) versus Hanoi Paratroopers (7-2)
The underachieving Ballaz face a tough Paratrooper team this week and it won't be pretty. The Paratroopers may gain 300+ yards on ground in this one. Prediction - Paratroopers by 150+
Huambo Hermaphrodites (3-6) versus Ethiopian Food Mongers (7-2)
The Hermaphrodites must feel like they came to a gun fight with a knife this season, but I give them props for giving every game their best shot. However, there will be no upset here against a solid Food Monger team. Prediction - Food Mongers by 50.
Kilimanjaro Sting (9-0) versus Luxembourg Lions (7-2)
The Sting are undefeated for a very good reason - they really ARE that good. This week they face a Lions team who's passing attack has finally shown up. Despite this, the Sting simply has too many weapons here. The Lions will make it a game, but the Sting will remain undefeated. Prediction - Sting by 21.
THE GAME OF THE WEEK
Covington Black Knights (8-1) versus Ivory Coast Breakers (8-1)
This could be the best game of the season since so much is riding on it. Unless the Lions pull off a miracle in their game against the Sting, one of these teams will remain a game behind the Sting while the other team will fall to two games back. I have said before that the Black Knights are the best team in Elephant Conference, but the Coast Breakers could pull off the upset here. Either way, it is going to be a heck of a game to watch. Prediction - Black Knights by 7 (but a Coast Breaker win here would not surprise me at all).
Saskatchewan Thrashers (1-8) versus Uganda Crowned Cranes (0-9)
The Thrashers have been knocked around this season and will be able to take out their frustrations on the hapless Cranes. Prediction - Thrashers by 100+
African Fire (1-8) versus Hungry Hungry Hippos (2-7)
The same thing that could be said about the Thrashers could be said about the Hippos. This week they get to beat up on a cpu team. Prediction - Hippos by 100+
Huronia Stallions (2-7) versus Africa Unite (4-5)
Africa Unite will get to tee-off on a cpu team this week as they try to keep their playoff hopes alive. I think they are better than their record would lead you to believe. Prediction - Unite by 100+
Grocery Baggers (1-8) versus Ikari Warriors (7-2)
The Warriors have quietly put together a very good season and stand a good chance of being in the top four in the playoffs. The Baggers have nothing to play for but pride at this point. No upset here, I'm afraid. Prediction - Warriors by 200+
P-Town Ballaz (3-6) versus Hanoi Paratroopers (7-2)
The underachieving Ballaz face a tough Paratrooper team this week and it won't be pretty. The Paratroopers may gain 300+ yards on ground in this one. Prediction - Paratroopers by 150+
Huambo Hermaphrodites (3-6) versus Ethiopian Food Mongers (7-2)
The Hermaphrodites must feel like they came to a gun fight with a knife this season, but I give them props for giving every game their best shot. However, there will be no upset here against a solid Food Monger team. Prediction - Food Mongers by 50.
Kilimanjaro Sting (9-0) versus Luxembourg Lions (7-2)
The Sting are undefeated for a very good reason - they really ARE that good. This week they face a Lions team who's passing attack has finally shown up. Despite this, the Sting simply has too many weapons here. The Lions will make it a game, but the Sting will remain undefeated. Prediction - Sting by 21.
THE GAME OF THE WEEK
Covington Black Knights (8-1) versus Ivory Coast Breakers (8-1)
This could be the best game of the season since so much is riding on it. Unless the Lions pull off a miracle in their game against the Sting, one of these teams will remain a game behind the Sting while the other team will fall to two games back. I have said before that the Black Knights are the best team in Elephant Conference, but the Coast Breakers could pull off the upset here. Either way, it is going to be a heck of a game to watch. Prediction - Black Knights by 7 (but a Coast Breaker win here would not surprise me at all).
