That's a wrap on season 6 with 8 strong teams headed to the post season. It was a competitive second season for BBB #8 with a lot of familiar faces in the top half of the league. A few teams took a step back from a season ago but many more made strong showings after Brewers, Sin and Vampires vacated the conference and left the top spots up for grabs. On to the rankings.
1. (0) Tallahassee Seminoles 15-1
The Noles made good on their superior talent by ripping off 14 straight wins after an early loss to the Valiant. They steamrolled through the conference and are looking sharp heading into the playoffs with home field advantage throughout. They get a rematch with their week 15 opponent, the Current, in the first round and they will be looking to stay on that roll. They won't get a shot at the only team to beat them unless they both make it to the conference finals. They will do there part to get there as anything less would be a bust.
2. (0) USAORG Titans 14-2
A two loss season is impressive for this well ran bunch. They have the talent to go all the way but their first round game won't be easy against the talented Turtles. You can always count on a solid game plan from this team and right now a conference championship has to be in the plans for the Titans. The past three weeks they've pick up easy wins, so I am sure they are looking forward to the challenge.
3. (0) Vancouver Valiants 14-2
The Valiant won out in the second half of the season with the only close call being a 1 point thriller against their first round matchup, Thunder Bay. They are the only team to beat the top team in the conference and will be looking to get back to that form in the post season. Taking care of the Strikers is first on their to do list and I am sure they won't be taking them lightly after that close call a few weeks ago. A first round exit would be a disappointment for this talented team but they have to be pretty happy to be down here in BBB where competing for a championship is much more realistic.
4. (+1) North Vancouver Hurricanes 13-3
The Canes barely escaped Oshawa with a win this week. If it wasn't for a big picksix in the start of the third quarter, the outcome could have been very different. Luckily for them, they pulled it out and held onto their hard earned 4 seed. Their reward? A first round match-up against the tough Eh's. They beat Toronto a few weeks ago, but it is going to take a large effort for them to complete a season sweep. Any one of the top 5 teams have a shot at going all the way.
5. (-1) Toronto Eh's 13-3
The Eh's have played .500 ball in the final four weeks of the season which cost them a home playoff game but don't count them out. They'll come back strong in their first round game with the Hurricanes and their eyes will be set on a conference championship. They have the talent to do it. Don't sleep on the Eh's as they probably revel in the underdog position that they are in right now.
6. (0) Thunder Bay Strikers 11-5
The Strikers came on strong in the second half and their games against the Titans and the Valiant proved that they can hang with the big dogs of the conference. It is going to take a super human effort for them to advance past the first round game though and I'm not sure they have it in them. I don't doubt they will lay it all on the line though and if the Valiant don't take them seriously, they'll be headed home early.
7. (0) Oshawa Turtles 9-7
They have to be disappointed with their regular season showing since they are on the same level talent wise as anyone in the league. Will their poor season motivate them or rob them of the confidence they need to avoid a first round exit? The Titans aren't invincible but they are tough. This is their last chance to live up to their talent though, so it will be something to watch for.
8. (0) Niagara Current 9-7
They did it! They went from one of the worst teams in the conference to making the post season in one season. Their mantra holds a little more weight now, but probably still not very much in Tallahassee. They are out leveled but they are going to leave it all out on the field and if the Noles take them too lightly, they might be surprised by the Current's toughness. I always cheer for the underdogs, so I'll be keeping an eye on these guys in their David verse Goliath first round game.
Its been a fun season. Good luck to everyone in the post season and those teams that missed out as they start preparing for next time around. The Pro Bowl will be released after the second round playoff game, so make sure you get your ballots cast before the start of those games. Thanks to everyone who reads these.
1. (0) Tallahassee Seminoles 15-1
The Noles made good on their superior talent by ripping off 14 straight wins after an early loss to the Valiant. They steamrolled through the conference and are looking sharp heading into the playoffs with home field advantage throughout. They get a rematch with their week 15 opponent, the Current, in the first round and they will be looking to stay on that roll. They won't get a shot at the only team to beat them unless they both make it to the conference finals. They will do there part to get there as anything less would be a bust.
2. (0) USAORG Titans 14-2
A two loss season is impressive for this well ran bunch. They have the talent to go all the way but their first round game won't be easy against the talented Turtles. You can always count on a solid game plan from this team and right now a conference championship has to be in the plans for the Titans. The past three weeks they've pick up easy wins, so I am sure they are looking forward to the challenge.
3. (0) Vancouver Valiants 14-2
The Valiant won out in the second half of the season with the only close call being a 1 point thriller against their first round matchup, Thunder Bay. They are the only team to beat the top team in the conference and will be looking to get back to that form in the post season. Taking care of the Strikers is first on their to do list and I am sure they won't be taking them lightly after that close call a few weeks ago. A first round exit would be a disappointment for this talented team but they have to be pretty happy to be down here in BBB where competing for a championship is much more realistic.
4. (+1) North Vancouver Hurricanes 13-3
The Canes barely escaped Oshawa with a win this week. If it wasn't for a big picksix in the start of the third quarter, the outcome could have been very different. Luckily for them, they pulled it out and held onto their hard earned 4 seed. Their reward? A first round match-up against the tough Eh's. They beat Toronto a few weeks ago, but it is going to take a large effort for them to complete a season sweep. Any one of the top 5 teams have a shot at going all the way.
5. (-1) Toronto Eh's 13-3
The Eh's have played .500 ball in the final four weeks of the season which cost them a home playoff game but don't count them out. They'll come back strong in their first round game with the Hurricanes and their eyes will be set on a conference championship. They have the talent to do it. Don't sleep on the Eh's as they probably revel in the underdog position that they are in right now.
6. (0) Thunder Bay Strikers 11-5
The Strikers came on strong in the second half and their games against the Titans and the Valiant proved that they can hang with the big dogs of the conference. It is going to take a super human effort for them to advance past the first round game though and I'm not sure they have it in them. I don't doubt they will lay it all on the line though and if the Valiant don't take them seriously, they'll be headed home early.
7. (0) Oshawa Turtles 9-7
They have to be disappointed with their regular season showing since they are on the same level talent wise as anyone in the league. Will their poor season motivate them or rob them of the confidence they need to avoid a first round exit? The Titans aren't invincible but they are tough. This is their last chance to live up to their talent though, so it will be something to watch for.
8. (0) Niagara Current 9-7
They did it! They went from one of the worst teams in the conference to making the post season in one season. Their mantra holds a little more weight now, but probably still not very much in Tallahassee. They are out leveled but they are going to leave it all out on the field and if the Noles take them too lightly, they might be surprised by the Current's toughness. I always cheer for the underdogs, so I'll be keeping an eye on these guys in their David verse Goliath first round game.
Its been a fun season. Good luck to everyone in the post season and those teams that missed out as they start preparing for next time around. The Pro Bowl will be released after the second round playoff game, so make sure you get your ballots cast before the start of those games. Thanks to everyone who reads these.
