1) Ironton (11-0) - Statement victory over Le Thor. While a win was expected by most, 55-0 was most certainly not. It will take a monumental effort by any team, Lion or Elephant, to keep the gold trophy out of Ironton.
2) Darfur (11-0) - No other threats on their schedule so it will be the conference semi-finals before they need to worry about a gameplan.
3) Wallachia (10-1) - They've played Ironton tougher than anyone (says the Moral Victory Fairy) and have beaten both Fat Jaws and Darfur in scrimmages so at least on paper, they represent the toughest potential playoff opponent for the Tanks in Lion Conference and if they win out, will face them in the finals.
4) Fat Jaws (10-1) - Chances are the big loss to Darfur was a fluke (the margin, not the loss) and they've looked pretty good in the following weeks. Huge game this week with Appalachicola Bay will most likely determine the 2 and 3 seeds (but Kazan is still lurking)
5) Luxembourg (10-1) - Important matchup with Le Thor looming in 2 weeks. While the possibilities are slim and slimmer, they are not eliminated from the top seed in Lion but will have to not only survive Le Thor but then face down a week 16 match with the Ironton juggernaut.
6) Appalachicola Bay (10-1) - 9 game winning streak since their nail-biter loss to Darfur and could move up in the rankings should they continue their play against the Badness. This team has improved as the season has progressed and are a definite threat to Darfur in the playoffs.
7) Le Thor (10-1) - Probably not the 7th best team in AA1 but the poor showing against the Tanks drops them here temporarily. Redemption could come in two weeks when they take on Luxembourg.
8) Kazan (8-3) - Becoming more dangerous as their chemistry improves. Could pose a problem to Fat Jaws in a couple weeks. Not an ideal 2nd round opponent for Darfur in the playoffs.
9) Serengeti (8-3) - Proved they could play with some higher level teams by their close game with Luxembourg. They are likely the only non-home field seed in either conference that has a chance to surprise someone in the playoffs.
10) Johannesburg (7-4) - Next year they will be among the strongest in AA1
Honorable Mention:
-Uganda (7-4) - Can they turn things around? If they beat Serengeti in a few weeks, it could mean a more favorable 1st round matchup.
-Bangkok (8-3) - Actually played Darfur better than expected but are likely in for several more losses down the stretch b/c of their killer schedule
-Abbotsford (8-3) - the Uganda of the Elephant conference....how can a team with 60s and 70s peppered throughout their lineup and 100 chemistry lose by 60 points to anyone in this league (except Ironton)?
GOTW - Elephant
Fat Jaws vs Appalachicola - The Bucs played Darfur a much closer game than FJB did but the Badness looked more impressive vs the Gnomes and the Bite. Big game as it most likely means which of these teams get to play at home during their semi-final playoff matchup. Appalachicola has been hot but I think FJB has just a little too much here. The Badness by 6
GOTW - Lion
Serengeti vs Houston - The Tanks and Gigolos are the only ranked teams playing this week but this game looks to be the best matchup in Lion (no disrespect intended for the Gigolos). This is a game that the Wildebeest should win. But Houston is sneaky and are capable of pulling the upset here. I don't think Serengeti will let this one slip away but if they are too focused on their matchup with Uganda, Houston could make them pay. Serengeti by 14
2) Darfur (11-0) - No other threats on their schedule so it will be the conference semi-finals before they need to worry about a gameplan.
3) Wallachia (10-1) - They've played Ironton tougher than anyone (says the Moral Victory Fairy) and have beaten both Fat Jaws and Darfur in scrimmages so at least on paper, they represent the toughest potential playoff opponent for the Tanks in Lion Conference and if they win out, will face them in the finals.
4) Fat Jaws (10-1) - Chances are the big loss to Darfur was a fluke (the margin, not the loss) and they've looked pretty good in the following weeks. Huge game this week with Appalachicola Bay will most likely determine the 2 and 3 seeds (but Kazan is still lurking)
5) Luxembourg (10-1) - Important matchup with Le Thor looming in 2 weeks. While the possibilities are slim and slimmer, they are not eliminated from the top seed in Lion but will have to not only survive Le Thor but then face down a week 16 match with the Ironton juggernaut.
6) Appalachicola Bay (10-1) - 9 game winning streak since their nail-biter loss to Darfur and could move up in the rankings should they continue their play against the Badness. This team has improved as the season has progressed and are a definite threat to Darfur in the playoffs.
7) Le Thor (10-1) - Probably not the 7th best team in AA1 but the poor showing against the Tanks drops them here temporarily. Redemption could come in two weeks when they take on Luxembourg.
8) Kazan (8-3) - Becoming more dangerous as their chemistry improves. Could pose a problem to Fat Jaws in a couple weeks. Not an ideal 2nd round opponent for Darfur in the playoffs.
9) Serengeti (8-3) - Proved they could play with some higher level teams by their close game with Luxembourg. They are likely the only non-home field seed in either conference that has a chance to surprise someone in the playoffs.
10) Johannesburg (7-4) - Next year they will be among the strongest in AA1
Honorable Mention:
-Uganda (7-4) - Can they turn things around? If they beat Serengeti in a few weeks, it could mean a more favorable 1st round matchup.
-Bangkok (8-3) - Actually played Darfur better than expected but are likely in for several more losses down the stretch b/c of their killer schedule
-Abbotsford (8-3) - the Uganda of the Elephant conference....how can a team with 60s and 70s peppered throughout their lineup and 100 chemistry lose by 60 points to anyone in this league (except Ironton)?
GOTW - Elephant
Fat Jaws vs Appalachicola - The Bucs played Darfur a much closer game than FJB did but the Badness looked more impressive vs the Gnomes and the Bite. Big game as it most likely means which of these teams get to play at home during their semi-final playoff matchup. Appalachicola has been hot but I think FJB has just a little too much here. The Badness by 6
GOTW - Lion
Serengeti vs Houston - The Tanks and Gigolos are the only ranked teams playing this week but this game looks to be the best matchup in Lion (no disrespect intended for the Gigolos). This is a game that the Wildebeest should win. But Houston is sneaky and are capable of pulling the upset here. I don't think Serengeti will let this one slip away but if they are too focused on their matchup with Uganda, Houston could make them pay. Serengeti by 14
