After some great games last night, here's the updated rankings.
Team/Record/LW
The Top Ten
1) Saskatchewan Sasquatches/4-0/1
What would you expect? They beat the Wrestlers 34-7. The only surprise is that they didn't win by more. Their 27.35 avg Starter is just 5'th in the league...so they aren't invincible. It'll just take the right team at the right time to knock them off.
2) Cheyenne Mountain Air Force/4-0/2
Big win over QC 37-20. The concern from the game, despite the score, was that they were outgained in yardage 449-315...and that's despite outleveling QC's starters by 2.5 levels/player. However, as long as the pass game keeps working like it did against QC, this team is golden.
3) Vinland Vikings/4-0/3
They got the victory over a tough Revelstoke team, but I know their owner is concerned about the fumbles. They currently have the leagues #1 passing offense...beating out #2 Kelowna by almost 500 yards.
4) St. John's Salty Dogs/4-0/5
Got the W over the Free Roaming Stallions, as expected. They have the leagues #4 rushing offense right now, and they've been playing well on defense so far. They've got a big game coming up in two weeks against Cheyenne.
5) Nebraska Husker Maniacs/4-0/6
One stat in particular jumps out at me: They're allowing 8.8 yards per game on the ground. With the #6 pass game and #5 rush game, this offense is also looking intimidating. They won't be tested for a few more weeks until they play QC.
6) Saskatchewan Beavers/3-1/9
Big win over Cold Lake last night. They ran the ball 53 times for a 4.6 avg, and that's tough to stop. The loss to Manitoba the week before is really unfortunate because Manitoba disbanded...and every game will count in the western conference this season.
7) Halifax Hashishim/4-0/8
Suffocating defense allowed just 183 yards to Lone Star. They've got the #3 rush defense, a carry over from last season, but their pass offense has greatly improved and currently ranks #3 in the league. The question for them has to be how they'll perform against the East's top teams.
8) Cold Lake Wolverines/3-1/4
A very tough loss to the Beavers last night, despite outleveling them by 1.5 lvl per starter. The schedules doesn't get any easier this week with a matchup vs Vinland, in what might be the game of the week. I'm sure they're looking to get better on their run defense, but with Vinland's passing offense averaging over 500 yards/game, can they afford to put too much emphasis on it?
9) Hillsburgh Hillbillies/3-1/11
Like I said, it didn't take long for them to move into the top 10. They still have several more easy games before being challenged again, so expect them to continue moving up.
10 Calgary Thunder/4-0/12
Hopefully a narrow victory over Manitoba gives them a little momentum going into the next game against the Beavers...because after that they've got the Wolverines and Sasquatches waiting too. That's as tough a 3 game stretch as I've seen, and I don't expect the Thunder to come out of it unscathed.
Middle of the Pack
11) Queen City Black Cats/2-2/7
A very tough loss to a very good team, but they have some things to be encouraged about. Twice they were failed to get any points despite being inside the 6 yard line going in, and twice they threw INT's leading to touchdowns. At minimum, that's a 20 point turnaround in a 17 point loss.
12) Revelstoke Revolution/1-3/10
They've faced three very good top ten teams, but now they have a streak of 5 that are easily winnable. Expect them to be 6-3 before facing another challenge.
13) Flint Tropics/4-0/13
They're undefeated this season, but I expect that they'll face a much more formidable team this next week than what they've been playing: QC stands in the way. If they win against an fired up QC team, they'll jump into the top 10.
14) The Lone Star Caballeros/1-3/14
They have more talent than their record indicates, so they might be able to pull off an upset or two. I'm not sure if it's player builds or gameplanning that is doing them in, but something here needs drastic improvement if they expect to compete with the top teams in the East.
15) Saskatoon Shredders/3-1/17
They're a middle of the pack team, so the next two weeks will probably reveal where they're going this season. Games against the Wrestlers and the gutted Icemen team need to be won if they expect to make the playoffs.
16) New Orleans Ghost Riders/2-2/18
If they want to make a statement in the West, then they'll have to beat the Hillbillies next week. That's a tall order for them, but you never know.
17) The Free Roaming Flaming Stallions/3-1/16
As I said, they can beat the cupcakes, but against the real teams, they'll flounder. That happened last night in a 34-13 loss vs the Salty Dogs. Can they turn it around the rest of the season?
18) In San Jose Pimpin Aint Easy/1-3/15
At least they've got a cupcake next week in Ottawa, but the week after the tough schedules resumes with a game against the Revolution, then the Vikings. They'll be 2-5 unless they pull off a major upset.
19) Portsmouth Cavaliers/1-3/21
The only reason this team is in the top 20 is because of the teams below them, not above. At this point forward, ranking the rest of the teams is more of a Weakling Rankings instead of Power Rankings.
20) Toronto Smoke/1-3/19
Off the teams down at this point, at least this team gives consistent effort. If for no other reason, I think that'll help pull them above the rest of these bottom teams.
The Bad
21) Ballina Big Prawns/1-3/20
They probably have the toughest schedules of any team in the East. However, no one is going to lay down for them because of that. Not quite sure how Pangea worked...somehow northern Australia floated over to Canada
22) Barkmere Bulldawgs/2-2/22
At least they're improved over last season.
23) Manitoba Icemen/2-2/24
Despite being gutted, they almost pulled off the win over the Thunder. Almost doesn't count though.
24) Jeanland Jeaniacs/1-3/25
They'll get another win this next week against the Road Apples...but don't expect much else this season.
25) Kelowna Outlaws/1-3/27
In a battle of horrible teams last night, the Outlaws blew out the Black Wolves 59-38. At least the offenses can go.
26) Calgary Wrestlers/0-4/23
What happened to this team? Last season they were very respectable. This season...they're just bad.
27) Ottawa Black Wolves/0-4/26
They're really hurting after a loss to cupcake Kelowna.
28) The Hundredth Meridians Road Apples/1-3/29
So is Hundredth Meridians the city? And what exactly is a "Road Apple"? Hmmm....
29) Quebec Boreal/0-4/28
The reason reason Troy Aikman gave up the team: so he could go flirt with pretty boy jeffgarcia out of sight.
30) Peterborough Preachers/0-4/30
Should be rated lower than this...but it's not possible with the two other teams.
31) Bloodweiser Bugle All Stars/0-4/31
At least they would beat the Crusaders.
32) Castlegar Crusaders/0-4/32
At least they would beat your grandma...oh wait...no, they wouldn't.
Team/Record/LW
The Top Ten
1) Saskatchewan Sasquatches/4-0/1
What would you expect? They beat the Wrestlers 34-7. The only surprise is that they didn't win by more. Their 27.35 avg Starter is just 5'th in the league...so they aren't invincible. It'll just take the right team at the right time to knock them off.
2) Cheyenne Mountain Air Force/4-0/2
Big win over QC 37-20. The concern from the game, despite the score, was that they were outgained in yardage 449-315...and that's despite outleveling QC's starters by 2.5 levels/player. However, as long as the pass game keeps working like it did against QC, this team is golden.
3) Vinland Vikings/4-0/3
They got the victory over a tough Revelstoke team, but I know their owner is concerned about the fumbles. They currently have the leagues #1 passing offense...beating out #2 Kelowna by almost 500 yards.
4) St. John's Salty Dogs/4-0/5
Got the W over the Free Roaming Stallions, as expected. They have the leagues #4 rushing offense right now, and they've been playing well on defense so far. They've got a big game coming up in two weeks against Cheyenne.
5) Nebraska Husker Maniacs/4-0/6
One stat in particular jumps out at me: They're allowing 8.8 yards per game on the ground. With the #6 pass game and #5 rush game, this offense is also looking intimidating. They won't be tested for a few more weeks until they play QC.
6) Saskatchewan Beavers/3-1/9
Big win over Cold Lake last night. They ran the ball 53 times for a 4.6 avg, and that's tough to stop. The loss to Manitoba the week before is really unfortunate because Manitoba disbanded...and every game will count in the western conference this season.
7) Halifax Hashishim/4-0/8
Suffocating defense allowed just 183 yards to Lone Star. They've got the #3 rush defense, a carry over from last season, but their pass offense has greatly improved and currently ranks #3 in the league. The question for them has to be how they'll perform against the East's top teams.
8) Cold Lake Wolverines/3-1/4
A very tough loss to the Beavers last night, despite outleveling them by 1.5 lvl per starter. The schedules doesn't get any easier this week with a matchup vs Vinland, in what might be the game of the week. I'm sure they're looking to get better on their run defense, but with Vinland's passing offense averaging over 500 yards/game, can they afford to put too much emphasis on it?
9) Hillsburgh Hillbillies/3-1/11
Like I said, it didn't take long for them to move into the top 10. They still have several more easy games before being challenged again, so expect them to continue moving up.
10 Calgary Thunder/4-0/12
Hopefully a narrow victory over Manitoba gives them a little momentum going into the next game against the Beavers...because after that they've got the Wolverines and Sasquatches waiting too. That's as tough a 3 game stretch as I've seen, and I don't expect the Thunder to come out of it unscathed.
Middle of the Pack
11) Queen City Black Cats/2-2/7
A very tough loss to a very good team, but they have some things to be encouraged about. Twice they were failed to get any points despite being inside the 6 yard line going in, and twice they threw INT's leading to touchdowns. At minimum, that's a 20 point turnaround in a 17 point loss.
12) Revelstoke Revolution/1-3/10
They've faced three very good top ten teams, but now they have a streak of 5 that are easily winnable. Expect them to be 6-3 before facing another challenge.
13) Flint Tropics/4-0/13
They're undefeated this season, but I expect that they'll face a much more formidable team this next week than what they've been playing: QC stands in the way. If they win against an fired up QC team, they'll jump into the top 10.
14) The Lone Star Caballeros/1-3/14
They have more talent than their record indicates, so they might be able to pull off an upset or two. I'm not sure if it's player builds or gameplanning that is doing them in, but something here needs drastic improvement if they expect to compete with the top teams in the East.
15) Saskatoon Shredders/3-1/17
They're a middle of the pack team, so the next two weeks will probably reveal where they're going this season. Games against the Wrestlers and the gutted Icemen team need to be won if they expect to make the playoffs.
16) New Orleans Ghost Riders/2-2/18
If they want to make a statement in the West, then they'll have to beat the Hillbillies next week. That's a tall order for them, but you never know.
17) The Free Roaming Flaming Stallions/3-1/16
As I said, they can beat the cupcakes, but against the real teams, they'll flounder. That happened last night in a 34-13 loss vs the Salty Dogs. Can they turn it around the rest of the season?
18) In San Jose Pimpin Aint Easy/1-3/15
At least they've got a cupcake next week in Ottawa, but the week after the tough schedules resumes with a game against the Revolution, then the Vikings. They'll be 2-5 unless they pull off a major upset.
19) Portsmouth Cavaliers/1-3/21
The only reason this team is in the top 20 is because of the teams below them, not above. At this point forward, ranking the rest of the teams is more of a Weakling Rankings instead of Power Rankings.
20) Toronto Smoke/1-3/19
Off the teams down at this point, at least this team gives consistent effort. If for no other reason, I think that'll help pull them above the rest of these bottom teams.
The Bad
21) Ballina Big Prawns/1-3/20
They probably have the toughest schedules of any team in the East. However, no one is going to lay down for them because of that. Not quite sure how Pangea worked...somehow northern Australia floated over to Canada
22) Barkmere Bulldawgs/2-2/22
At least they're improved over last season.
23) Manitoba Icemen/2-2/24
Despite being gutted, they almost pulled off the win over the Thunder. Almost doesn't count though.
24) Jeanland Jeaniacs/1-3/25
They'll get another win this next week against the Road Apples...but don't expect much else this season.
25) Kelowna Outlaws/1-3/27
In a battle of horrible teams last night, the Outlaws blew out the Black Wolves 59-38. At least the offenses can go.
26) Calgary Wrestlers/0-4/23
What happened to this team? Last season they were very respectable. This season...they're just bad.
27) Ottawa Black Wolves/0-4/26
They're really hurting after a loss to cupcake Kelowna.
28) The Hundredth Meridians Road Apples/1-3/29
So is Hundredth Meridians the city? And what exactly is a "Road Apple"? Hmmm....
29) Quebec Boreal/0-4/28
The reason reason Troy Aikman gave up the team: so he could go flirt with pretty boy jeffgarcia out of sight.
30) Peterborough Preachers/0-4/30
Should be rated lower than this...but it's not possible with the two other teams.
31) Bloodweiser Bugle All Stars/0-4/31
At least they would beat the Crusaders.
32) Castlegar Crusaders/0-4/32
At least they would beat your grandma...oh wait...no, they wouldn't.
