1. (0) Tallahassee Seminoles 12-1
The Seminoles fiercely defended the top spot in the rankings and the number one seed in the Eastern playoffs this week. They showed that their loss to the Valiant earlier in the season was just a small hiccup as they put the biggest beat down on a top five since their victims, the Eh's, beat the aforementioned Valiant by 49 in week 8. The only thing that saved the Eh's from suffering the largest loss of a top 5 team was the 2 touchdowns they scored in the fourth quarter. It was all about the Noles this week as they gear up for the playoffs in impressive fashion. They probably won't play another close game for the rest of the season, but the Turtles will do their best in their week 14 match-up.
2. (+2) USAORG Titans 11-2
The Titans leapfrog the Valiant this week because of their impressive showing against the Hurricanes. USAORG showed why they held the top ranking earlier in the season by dispatching the Canes by 29. The game was never in doubt as the Titans prevented the Canes from reaching the endzone and making them settle for a field goal in each of the final three quarters. They have faced every team in the top 5 and cruise the rest of the way to the playoffs.
3. (0) Vancouver Valiants 11-2
Vancouver had an big win of their own as they delivered a blow to the Gigantes playoff hopes with an impressive 56-9 result. They also kept their opponent from reaching the end zone and for a measure of consistency put up 14 points a quarter. I am still interested to see how their upcoming game against the Strikers turns out but I doubt Vancouver lets Thunder Bay sneak up on them the way the Titans did and they'll probably finish the season with 3 straight wins.
4. (-2) Toronto Eh's 11-2
As was detailed in the Noles section, the Eh's failed to show up for the big game. I was surprised to see the result so one sided since they themselves delivered a similar beat down earlier in the season. Before the game they looked like the most evenly matched team with the Seminoles and the clear cut number two team in the conference but their match-up only served to muddy the waters further. They'll have a chance to redeem themselves against the Hurricanes in two weeks.
5. (0) North Vancouver Hurricanes 10-3
Due to the narrowness of Thunder Bay's win and the Canes holding the head to head edge, North Vancouver holds on to the 5 spot even with their loss to the Titans. Still, they have to be disappointed with the way they responded in a big situation. They played other top teams close but couldn't muster any offense as the Titans had their way with them through the air. The Canes are going to have to regroup with their last chance to record a win against a top 5 team coming up soon.
6. (0) Thunder Bay Strikers 9-4
A bigger win would have let Thunder Bay jump the Hurricanes in the rankings but the Washemplae played them tough. The Strikers will have another chance to make some noise in the conference with their up coming game against the Valiant. A win and they would crack the top 5 as well as give notice to the rest of the league but it is going to be a tall order for this under dog. Don't count them out yet though as they will at least try to make it interesting.
7. (0) Oshawa Turtles 8-5
The Turtles put up a lot of points but clearly have defensive issues as they let Grise Forde put up a season high 45 points on them. A good team will exploit that weakness and keep them from putting up 100+. They'll have to get it figured out quick though with a week 14 match-up with the Seminoles. It will be interesting to see if they can live up to their potential with 2 top 5 opponents left in the final 3 weeks.
8. (0) Niagara Current 7-6
The Current made good against the Permanent Waves and gain some breathing room in their pursuit of the 8th seed. It is looking more likely that they could make the playoffs for the first time in the history of their franchise. The eighth seed probably wasn't what they were looking for but I am sure they'll take it. A couple of close games could have gone their way earlier in the season but they still have a chance to strike some fear with a potential first round playoff preview against the Seminoles next week.
9. (0) Saskatchewan Gigantes 6-7
The Gigantes couldn't compete against the vastly superior Valiants and a Current win could have knocked them out of the playoffs. They have to beat the Strikers in week 15 to have a shot at the playoffs and even if they win out they probably will end up tied with the Current with the head to head tiebreak going to Niagara. Winning out and the current suffering two losses is unlikely, so it looks like the 9th seed is their fate.
10. (0) Winnipeg Washemplae 4-9
Winnipeg played their hearts out against the Strikers but just came up short. They should pick up two cheap wins in their next games before falling to the Seminoles. They are a plucky bunch though and they will probably put everything they can into upsetting the Noles. Good luck boys, the future is pretty bright for you guys.
The Rest
11. Bad Harbour Hackers
12. Queen City Bandits
13. Grise Forde Icicles
14. Bosphorus Oftas
15. Arctic Blubberin' Esquimaux
16. Toronto Permanent Waves
The Seminoles fiercely defended the top spot in the rankings and the number one seed in the Eastern playoffs this week. They showed that their loss to the Valiant earlier in the season was just a small hiccup as they put the biggest beat down on a top five since their victims, the Eh's, beat the aforementioned Valiant by 49 in week 8. The only thing that saved the Eh's from suffering the largest loss of a top 5 team was the 2 touchdowns they scored in the fourth quarter. It was all about the Noles this week as they gear up for the playoffs in impressive fashion. They probably won't play another close game for the rest of the season, but the Turtles will do their best in their week 14 match-up.
2. (+2) USAORG Titans 11-2
The Titans leapfrog the Valiant this week because of their impressive showing against the Hurricanes. USAORG showed why they held the top ranking earlier in the season by dispatching the Canes by 29. The game was never in doubt as the Titans prevented the Canes from reaching the endzone and making them settle for a field goal in each of the final three quarters. They have faced every team in the top 5 and cruise the rest of the way to the playoffs.
3. (0) Vancouver Valiants 11-2
Vancouver had an big win of their own as they delivered a blow to the Gigantes playoff hopes with an impressive 56-9 result. They also kept their opponent from reaching the end zone and for a measure of consistency put up 14 points a quarter. I am still interested to see how their upcoming game against the Strikers turns out but I doubt Vancouver lets Thunder Bay sneak up on them the way the Titans did and they'll probably finish the season with 3 straight wins.
4. (-2) Toronto Eh's 11-2
As was detailed in the Noles section, the Eh's failed to show up for the big game. I was surprised to see the result so one sided since they themselves delivered a similar beat down earlier in the season. Before the game they looked like the most evenly matched team with the Seminoles and the clear cut number two team in the conference but their match-up only served to muddy the waters further. They'll have a chance to redeem themselves against the Hurricanes in two weeks.
5. (0) North Vancouver Hurricanes 10-3
Due to the narrowness of Thunder Bay's win and the Canes holding the head to head edge, North Vancouver holds on to the 5 spot even with their loss to the Titans. Still, they have to be disappointed with the way they responded in a big situation. They played other top teams close but couldn't muster any offense as the Titans had their way with them through the air. The Canes are going to have to regroup with their last chance to record a win against a top 5 team coming up soon.
6. (0) Thunder Bay Strikers 9-4
A bigger win would have let Thunder Bay jump the Hurricanes in the rankings but the Washemplae played them tough. The Strikers will have another chance to make some noise in the conference with their up coming game against the Valiant. A win and they would crack the top 5 as well as give notice to the rest of the league but it is going to be a tall order for this under dog. Don't count them out yet though as they will at least try to make it interesting.
7. (0) Oshawa Turtles 8-5
The Turtles put up a lot of points but clearly have defensive issues as they let Grise Forde put up a season high 45 points on them. A good team will exploit that weakness and keep them from putting up 100+. They'll have to get it figured out quick though with a week 14 match-up with the Seminoles. It will be interesting to see if they can live up to their potential with 2 top 5 opponents left in the final 3 weeks.
8. (0) Niagara Current 7-6
The Current made good against the Permanent Waves and gain some breathing room in their pursuit of the 8th seed. It is looking more likely that they could make the playoffs for the first time in the history of their franchise. The eighth seed probably wasn't what they were looking for but I am sure they'll take it. A couple of close games could have gone their way earlier in the season but they still have a chance to strike some fear with a potential first round playoff preview against the Seminoles next week.
9. (0) Saskatchewan Gigantes 6-7
The Gigantes couldn't compete against the vastly superior Valiants and a Current win could have knocked them out of the playoffs. They have to beat the Strikers in week 15 to have a shot at the playoffs and even if they win out they probably will end up tied with the Current with the head to head tiebreak going to Niagara. Winning out and the current suffering two losses is unlikely, so it looks like the 9th seed is their fate.
10. (0) Winnipeg Washemplae 4-9
Winnipeg played their hearts out against the Strikers but just came up short. They should pick up two cheap wins in their next games before falling to the Seminoles. They are a plucky bunch though and they will probably put everything they can into upsetting the Noles. Good luck boys, the future is pretty bright for you guys.
The Rest
11. Bad Harbour Hackers
12. Queen City Bandits
13. Grise Forde Icicles
14. Bosphorus Oftas
15. Arctic Blubberin' Esquimaux
16. Toronto Permanent Waves
