Please do not hate me for these, I don't know most of the teams in this league as well as I did the BBB7 teams last season, so most of these predictions will be very wrong I am assuming, but I can tell you once a few games go by I'll have it down and can start actually making decent analysis.
Alpha looks scary cluttered. I am not even joking when I say that there are 14 teams in Alpha who can sit back right now and think they have a shot at the playoffs, and they wouldn't be wrong to think that. There is little difference between the teams ranked between 7 and 14 there. Zeta looks to have 3 awesome teams, a few good teams, some decent teams, and 7 pieces of shit. hopefully some fresh blood is in the wings from the BBB leagues to improve the conference for next season.
ALPHA
1. Amsterdam Red Lights: Looking to avenge their losses from last season with a revamped roster full of high level talent. They have the foundation in place to take this league, if their early season chemistry issues don't play a role.
-Strengths: Offense, front seven, kicking game.
-Weaknesses: Chemistry.
-Prediction: Conference championship contender.
2. Oslo Norsemen - Last year's top seed got knocked off by Bastogne in the second round, and denied a promotion they probably deserved, but are better off not having gotten. They need another season down here to build up their stadium to compete in AA, and they have kept their roster in tact so they should be one of the teams to beat in Alpha.
-Strengths: Quarterback, defense, chemistry.
-Weaknesses: Stadium.
-Prediction: Conference championship contender.
3. Amsterdam Magic Dragons - Mixed bag last season, won some great games, and lost some heartbreakers. They look to break through to the top quarter of the league with some new additions including a new running back.
-Strengths: Passing game, defense, kicking game.
-Weaknesses: Stadium.
-Prediction: Conference championship contender.
4. Tulsa Doom - Strong foundation from last year that they chose not to mess with in the offseason. Almost took the conference champs down in round 1 of the playoffs, and lost many close games to the top teams in Alpha. With a lot of other teams improving around them, I would have liked to have seen a couple moves made to shore up their defense a bit, especially with the other teams around them in the standings last year improving.
-Strengths: Stadium, running game, chemistry.
-Weaknesses: Cornerbacks, defensive ends.
-Prediction: Top four contender.
5. Stockholm Dynamites - Champions of BBB7 Alpha with an undefeated regular season, they kept most of their foundation together to try to make noise with in the crowded A4 Alpha conference. Strong core will make noise this season, but will probably struggle against the top four.
-Strengths: Running game, stadium, defensive line.
-Weaknesses: Receivers, linebackers.
-Prediction: Top four contender.
6. The Stuttgart Stallions - A solid team last season that played Oslo well in their playoff game, and the changes they have made should keep them in contention. Should still be able to find some success through the air.
-Strengths: Passing game, defensive line.
-Weaknesses: Running game.
-Prediction: Playoffs.
7. The Drunken Potato Farmers of Ayrshire - Last season's BBB8 champions look to build off of that in their new league. Competition will be tough but they can probably find their way into the playoff field.
-Strengths: Stadium, chemistry, run defense, kicking game.
-Weaknesses: Pass defense.
-Prediction: Playoff contender.
8. Barcelona Assassins - Lost some heartbreakers at the end of last season to keep them from getting in to the playoffs. Patched up some holes but did not address others, and with the infusion of talent from the BBB leagues this season, will have to fight again hard if they want a playoff spot.
-Strengths: Offensive skill positions, kicking game.
-Weaknesses: Offensive line, secondary.
-Prediction: Playoff contender.
9. Hell on Turff - Came up from BBB8, and has a solid core that might be able to contend in the packed A4 Alpha. Upgraded at most positions, and don't really have any holes, are a well balanced team but they might have trouble running the ball.
-Strengths: Defense, wide receivers.
-Weaknesses: Running game.
-Prediction: Playoff contender.
10. Madrid Pirates - Decent team that was on the outside looking in last season, and could be again this season. Early triumphs gave way to late season disappointments, and the roster does not look much different. They look like they can sneak into the playoffs this season though.
-Strengths: Stadium, starting unit, chemistry.
-Weaknesses: Depth, pass defense.
-Prediction: Playoff contender.
11. Newcastle Seahorses - Undefeated top seed from Alpha BBB8 last season but were tripped up in the second round by the Potato Farmers, a team they had beaten 47-7 just 4 days earlier. It looks like they had a couple of defections that they have not filled with recruits yet so it is hard to judge what the future holds for them. Abused bad teams through the air last season, but when a team with secondary talent finally decided to key on their passing game they were totally shut down and exposed. They're going to need a new gimmick this season.
-Strengths: Passing game.
-Weaknesses: Linebackers, secondary, incomplete roster.
-Prediction: Playoff contender.
12. Helsinki Hitmen - BBB7 Alpha runner up makes its debut in A4. Upgraded their solid offense in the offseason, but does not look to have made enough changes to address their defensive deficiencies. Their stadium situation is near terminal.
-Strengths: Quarterback, running game.
-Weaknesses: Stadium, wide receivers, linebackers, cornerbacks.
-Prediction: Outside looking in.
13. Louisville Cards - Have made some changes from last season, but I do not think that they were significant enough to pull them in to the playoff discussion.
-Strengths: Offensive line.
-Weaknesses: Skill positions, linebackers, secondary, stadium.
-Prediction: Outside looking in.
14. Palmetto Gamecocks - Alpha runner up in BBB8 last season, did not play with the roster and are content to play it out in A4. That could be their downfall as there is a talent gap between them and the playoff contending core of teams in Alpha.
-Strengths: None.
-Weaknesses: Defense.
-Prediction: Outside looking in.
15. Arlington Avalanche - Down from AA2 from last season, this team has some great pieces in place. Unfortunately, almost all of them have been inactive for weeks and months. CPU players litter the roster.
-Strengths: High level players.
-Weaknesses: Inactivity, CPU players.
-Prediction: Bottom third.
16. Stockholm Storm - Up from BBB8, but made the switch from Zeta to Alpha. They have decided to slow build, which is probably a good decision given the amount of top to bottom talent in Alpha this season.
-Strengths: None.
-Weaknesses: Talent.
-Prediction: Bottom third.
ZETA
1. Newark Nomads - In terms of talent possibly the best team in Zeta. Looks good from top to bottom for their starters, although there is a lack of servicable depth at some positions. Stadium is alarmingly small for a roster of players that high level, equipment will be hard to come by for the team. That being said they will probably get at least one home game in the playoffs, which should relieve some of that crunch.
-Strengths: Skill positions, cornerbacks.
-Weaknesses: Offensive line depth, stadium.
-Prediction: Conference championship contender.
2. Jacksonville Jackalopes - Selling out to gun for a home game in the playoffs this season, as their stadium is in dire straits. That being said, this team looks very strong, and they could very easily take this league.
-Strengths: Running game, offensive line.
-Weaknesses: Stadium.
-Prediction: Conference championship contender.
3. Krakow Knights - Playoff team last season almost knocked off Oklahoma, who got promoted to AA2. Looking very dominant all around, this team could compete for the championship this season.
-Strengths: Offensive line, defense.
-Weaknesses: Receivers.
-Prediction: Conference championship contender.
4. Bolderslev Pirates - A team looking to grow off of their playoff berth last season, and looks good all around. Did not change much. Another playoff berth is definitely in the cards, and so might a home game.
-Strengths: Quarterback, defensive ends.
-Weaknesses: Depth, stadium.
-Prediction: Top four contender.
5. Lyon Winemakers - Undefeated champions of BBB7 last season. Improved in many places, and should have no problem competing in A4. Stadium needs work.
-Strengths: Running game, offensive line, secondary.
-Weaknesses: Stadium.
-Prediction: Top four contender.
6. Victoria Assassins - Another team that did not change much from last season, and they only missed the playoffs by virtue of a tiebreaker. Mid-season 6 game swoon cost them dearly. Their team still looks good, and figures to lock down a playoff berth this season if they fix their depth issues.
-Strengths: Quarterback, offensive line, stadium.
-Weaknesses: Depth.
-Prediction: Playoffs.
7. The Berlin Wall - BBB8 Zeta champions last season, entering in to A4. Looks to have made some defensive upgrades, which will be needed against some of the high powered offenses of the conference. Stadium looks good, but their offense looks like it will have trouble.
-Strengths: Front seven, stadium.
-Weaknesses: Running game.
-Prediction: Playoff contender.
8. Monte Carlo Red Glare - BBB8 Zeta runner up last season. I'm not too sure of this, but the word on the grapevine is that they are a slow build team. Will take their lumps against the league's elite but should also be able to take care of the teams with serious problems below them.
-Strengths: Depth, stadium.
-Weaknesses: Underleveled.
-Prediction: Playoff contender.
9. Atlanta 404 - Kept most of their BBB7 Zeta runner up team together, and that is a good thing because their lack of a stadium will probably do them in. Players on this team can't really expect to have equipment paid for.
-Strengths: Receivers.
-Weaknesses: Stadium, defense.
-Prediction: Playoff contender.
10. Arlanda Jets - Mishmash of a team seemingly without a plan. Too many players at some positions, too few at others, few solid spots.
-Strengths: Quarterback.
-Weaknesses: Defense, kicking game.
-Prediction: Outside looking in.
11. Achei Crotone - Owner owns most of the players, and owner has been inactive for a week, so it is not a good sign for this team. Looks like it will be another losing year for this team, if it isn't sold.
-Strengths: None.
-Weaknesses: Inactive owner and roster, lack of good depth, stadium.
-Prediction: Bottom third.
12. Berlin Spartans - Solid at spots but have a glaring lack of talent at their depth spots, and have a shoddy defense.
-Strengths: Offensive starters, stadium.
-Weaknesses: Defense, depth.
-Prediction: Bottom third.
13. Venice Freebirds - I'm assuming that this team is under new ownership. Down from AA2, this team is full of high level talent from the owner's own players, but nothing else other than a bunch of CPU players. He could turn it around, but at this point the prediction is grim.
-Strengths: High level talent in some positions.
-Weaknesses: CPU players.
-Prediction: Bottom third.
14. Stockholm Assassins - Made the playoffs out of the Zeta field last season, and have some great pieces in place, but have not recruited to fill the holes left by players who left after the season. CPU players will probably follow, and this team will be a mess unless it turns its recruiting efforts around.
-Strengths: Skill position starters.
-Weaknesses: Incomplete roster, stadium.
-Prediction: Bottom third.
15. Bordeaux Carlin - Interesting group, high level talent but horrendous game planning and roster structure led them to a 2-14 record last season. They also have an alarming lack of depth which contributes to their problems.
-Strengths: Quarterback.
-Weaknesses: Stadium, defense, wide receivers, depth.
-Prediction: Bottom third.
16. Chrulle Mavericks - Showed promise last season, but let it all slip away with poor management of the roster and an inactive owner.
-Strengths: None.
-Weaknesses: Incomplete roster.
-Prediction: Bottom third.
Alpha looks scary cluttered. I am not even joking when I say that there are 14 teams in Alpha who can sit back right now and think they have a shot at the playoffs, and they wouldn't be wrong to think that. There is little difference between the teams ranked between 7 and 14 there. Zeta looks to have 3 awesome teams, a few good teams, some decent teams, and 7 pieces of shit. hopefully some fresh blood is in the wings from the BBB leagues to improve the conference for next season.
ALPHA
1. Amsterdam Red Lights: Looking to avenge their losses from last season with a revamped roster full of high level talent. They have the foundation in place to take this league, if their early season chemistry issues don't play a role.
-Strengths: Offense, front seven, kicking game.
-Weaknesses: Chemistry.
-Prediction: Conference championship contender.
2. Oslo Norsemen - Last year's top seed got knocked off by Bastogne in the second round, and denied a promotion they probably deserved, but are better off not having gotten. They need another season down here to build up their stadium to compete in AA, and they have kept their roster in tact so they should be one of the teams to beat in Alpha.
-Strengths: Quarterback, defense, chemistry.
-Weaknesses: Stadium.
-Prediction: Conference championship contender.
3. Amsterdam Magic Dragons - Mixed bag last season, won some great games, and lost some heartbreakers. They look to break through to the top quarter of the league with some new additions including a new running back.
-Strengths: Passing game, defense, kicking game.
-Weaknesses: Stadium.
-Prediction: Conference championship contender.
4. Tulsa Doom - Strong foundation from last year that they chose not to mess with in the offseason. Almost took the conference champs down in round 1 of the playoffs, and lost many close games to the top teams in Alpha. With a lot of other teams improving around them, I would have liked to have seen a couple moves made to shore up their defense a bit, especially with the other teams around them in the standings last year improving.
-Strengths: Stadium, running game, chemistry.
-Weaknesses: Cornerbacks, defensive ends.
-Prediction: Top four contender.
5. Stockholm Dynamites - Champions of BBB7 Alpha with an undefeated regular season, they kept most of their foundation together to try to make noise with in the crowded A4 Alpha conference. Strong core will make noise this season, but will probably struggle against the top four.
-Strengths: Running game, stadium, defensive line.
-Weaknesses: Receivers, linebackers.
-Prediction: Top four contender.
6. The Stuttgart Stallions - A solid team last season that played Oslo well in their playoff game, and the changes they have made should keep them in contention. Should still be able to find some success through the air.
-Strengths: Passing game, defensive line.
-Weaknesses: Running game.
-Prediction: Playoffs.
7. The Drunken Potato Farmers of Ayrshire - Last season's BBB8 champions look to build off of that in their new league. Competition will be tough but they can probably find their way into the playoff field.
-Strengths: Stadium, chemistry, run defense, kicking game.
-Weaknesses: Pass defense.
-Prediction: Playoff contender.
8. Barcelona Assassins - Lost some heartbreakers at the end of last season to keep them from getting in to the playoffs. Patched up some holes but did not address others, and with the infusion of talent from the BBB leagues this season, will have to fight again hard if they want a playoff spot.
-Strengths: Offensive skill positions, kicking game.
-Weaknesses: Offensive line, secondary.
-Prediction: Playoff contender.
9. Hell on Turff - Came up from BBB8, and has a solid core that might be able to contend in the packed A4 Alpha. Upgraded at most positions, and don't really have any holes, are a well balanced team but they might have trouble running the ball.
-Strengths: Defense, wide receivers.
-Weaknesses: Running game.
-Prediction: Playoff contender.
10. Madrid Pirates - Decent team that was on the outside looking in last season, and could be again this season. Early triumphs gave way to late season disappointments, and the roster does not look much different. They look like they can sneak into the playoffs this season though.
-Strengths: Stadium, starting unit, chemistry.
-Weaknesses: Depth, pass defense.
-Prediction: Playoff contender.
11. Newcastle Seahorses - Undefeated top seed from Alpha BBB8 last season but were tripped up in the second round by the Potato Farmers, a team they had beaten 47-7 just 4 days earlier. It looks like they had a couple of defections that they have not filled with recruits yet so it is hard to judge what the future holds for them. Abused bad teams through the air last season, but when a team with secondary talent finally decided to key on their passing game they were totally shut down and exposed. They're going to need a new gimmick this season.
-Strengths: Passing game.
-Weaknesses: Linebackers, secondary, incomplete roster.
-Prediction: Playoff contender.
12. Helsinki Hitmen - BBB7 Alpha runner up makes its debut in A4. Upgraded their solid offense in the offseason, but does not look to have made enough changes to address their defensive deficiencies. Their stadium situation is near terminal.
-Strengths: Quarterback, running game.
-Weaknesses: Stadium, wide receivers, linebackers, cornerbacks.
-Prediction: Outside looking in.
13. Louisville Cards - Have made some changes from last season, but I do not think that they were significant enough to pull them in to the playoff discussion.
-Strengths: Offensive line.
-Weaknesses: Skill positions, linebackers, secondary, stadium.
-Prediction: Outside looking in.
14. Palmetto Gamecocks - Alpha runner up in BBB8 last season, did not play with the roster and are content to play it out in A4. That could be their downfall as there is a talent gap between them and the playoff contending core of teams in Alpha.
-Strengths: None.
-Weaknesses: Defense.
-Prediction: Outside looking in.
15. Arlington Avalanche - Down from AA2 from last season, this team has some great pieces in place. Unfortunately, almost all of them have been inactive for weeks and months. CPU players litter the roster.
-Strengths: High level players.
-Weaknesses: Inactivity, CPU players.
-Prediction: Bottom third.
16. Stockholm Storm - Up from BBB8, but made the switch from Zeta to Alpha. They have decided to slow build, which is probably a good decision given the amount of top to bottom talent in Alpha this season.
-Strengths: None.
-Weaknesses: Talent.
-Prediction: Bottom third.
ZETA
1. Newark Nomads - In terms of talent possibly the best team in Zeta. Looks good from top to bottom for their starters, although there is a lack of servicable depth at some positions. Stadium is alarmingly small for a roster of players that high level, equipment will be hard to come by for the team. That being said they will probably get at least one home game in the playoffs, which should relieve some of that crunch.
-Strengths: Skill positions, cornerbacks.
-Weaknesses: Offensive line depth, stadium.
-Prediction: Conference championship contender.
2. Jacksonville Jackalopes - Selling out to gun for a home game in the playoffs this season, as their stadium is in dire straits. That being said, this team looks very strong, and they could very easily take this league.
-Strengths: Running game, offensive line.
-Weaknesses: Stadium.
-Prediction: Conference championship contender.
3. Krakow Knights - Playoff team last season almost knocked off Oklahoma, who got promoted to AA2. Looking very dominant all around, this team could compete for the championship this season.
-Strengths: Offensive line, defense.
-Weaknesses: Receivers.
-Prediction: Conference championship contender.
4. Bolderslev Pirates - A team looking to grow off of their playoff berth last season, and looks good all around. Did not change much. Another playoff berth is definitely in the cards, and so might a home game.
-Strengths: Quarterback, defensive ends.
-Weaknesses: Depth, stadium.
-Prediction: Top four contender.
5. Lyon Winemakers - Undefeated champions of BBB7 last season. Improved in many places, and should have no problem competing in A4. Stadium needs work.
-Strengths: Running game, offensive line, secondary.
-Weaknesses: Stadium.
-Prediction: Top four contender.
6. Victoria Assassins - Another team that did not change much from last season, and they only missed the playoffs by virtue of a tiebreaker. Mid-season 6 game swoon cost them dearly. Their team still looks good, and figures to lock down a playoff berth this season if they fix their depth issues.
-Strengths: Quarterback, offensive line, stadium.
-Weaknesses: Depth.
-Prediction: Playoffs.
7. The Berlin Wall - BBB8 Zeta champions last season, entering in to A4. Looks to have made some defensive upgrades, which will be needed against some of the high powered offenses of the conference. Stadium looks good, but their offense looks like it will have trouble.
-Strengths: Front seven, stadium.
-Weaknesses: Running game.
-Prediction: Playoff contender.
8. Monte Carlo Red Glare - BBB8 Zeta runner up last season. I'm not too sure of this, but the word on the grapevine is that they are a slow build team. Will take their lumps against the league's elite but should also be able to take care of the teams with serious problems below them.
-Strengths: Depth, stadium.
-Weaknesses: Underleveled.
-Prediction: Playoff contender.
9. Atlanta 404 - Kept most of their BBB7 Zeta runner up team together, and that is a good thing because their lack of a stadium will probably do them in. Players on this team can't really expect to have equipment paid for.
-Strengths: Receivers.
-Weaknesses: Stadium, defense.
-Prediction: Playoff contender.
10. Arlanda Jets - Mishmash of a team seemingly without a plan. Too many players at some positions, too few at others, few solid spots.
-Strengths: Quarterback.
-Weaknesses: Defense, kicking game.
-Prediction: Outside looking in.
11. Achei Crotone - Owner owns most of the players, and owner has been inactive for a week, so it is not a good sign for this team. Looks like it will be another losing year for this team, if it isn't sold.
-Strengths: None.
-Weaknesses: Inactive owner and roster, lack of good depth, stadium.
-Prediction: Bottom third.
12. Berlin Spartans - Solid at spots but have a glaring lack of talent at their depth spots, and have a shoddy defense.
-Strengths: Offensive starters, stadium.
-Weaknesses: Defense, depth.
-Prediction: Bottom third.
13. Venice Freebirds - I'm assuming that this team is under new ownership. Down from AA2, this team is full of high level talent from the owner's own players, but nothing else other than a bunch of CPU players. He could turn it around, but at this point the prediction is grim.
-Strengths: High level talent in some positions.
-Weaknesses: CPU players.
-Prediction: Bottom third.
14. Stockholm Assassins - Made the playoffs out of the Zeta field last season, and have some great pieces in place, but have not recruited to fill the holes left by players who left after the season. CPU players will probably follow, and this team will be a mess unless it turns its recruiting efforts around.
-Strengths: Skill position starters.
-Weaknesses: Incomplete roster, stadium.
-Prediction: Bottom third.
15. Bordeaux Carlin - Interesting group, high level talent but horrendous game planning and roster structure led them to a 2-14 record last season. They also have an alarming lack of depth which contributes to their problems.
-Strengths: Quarterback.
-Weaknesses: Stadium, defense, wide receivers, depth.
-Prediction: Bottom third.
16. Chrulle Mavericks - Showed promise last season, but let it all slip away with poor management of the roster and an inactive owner.
-Strengths: None.
-Weaknesses: Incomplete roster.
-Prediction: Bottom third.
