It's playoff time! The past sixteen weeks have finally borne a little postseason fruit for eight teams, but only one can be crowned the Zeta Conference Champion. Berlin may be the favorite, but we have all seen crazy things happen in the postseason. Even the Dragons could turn it around and win the trophy.
Berlin Hounds from Hell vs Kazakhstan Dragons: The Dragons have come on strong in the second half of the season, winning six of their last eight games, including the decisive final game against the Elk that gave them their shot at the playoffs. The eighth seed is no joke, however, and any postseason success must start by upsetting the number one seed Hounds. Unfortunately, this is much easier said than done. Many teams have given the Hounds a close game, but no one has been able to defeat the Even boys. Despite having the conference's best quarterback in Brady Carr, the Dragons won't be able to outscore the Berlin offense, which features two of the conference's best backs, Beau Even and Matt Hopper. Putting a halt to the Hounds' ground game will be extremely difficult, but if the Dragons can pull that off, they may have a chance to pull off the upset. However, for the sake of making a prediction, I have to go with Berlin. They've proven so far that can and will win the close games.
Hill Valley Deloreans vs Mombasa Wombats: In the first game between these two teams, Mombasa put up more points than any opponent but the Hounds and Arsenal, but still lost the game. The Wombats have come a long way since that week four matchup, while Hill Valley has stumbled a bit towards the end of the season. Still, the Deloreans are extremely capable and hold the number two seed for a reason. The Wombats were unable to defeat any of the top four teams this season, not a good sign for the seventh seed. That said, Hill Valley has shown a bit of vulnerability lately. If there is to be a big upset this round, it will most likely be this game. Probability and previous history, however, favor the Deloreans, and so do I. It will be Hill Valley that moves on to the second round.
Jefferson City Bucks vs Macedonian Lions: It must be fate that the Bucks' postseason begins against the same team that ended their run last season. While the Lions went on to win their league's championship after that victory, this is a new season and a Bucks team that is hungry for revenge. With both home field advantage and a better overall team this season, the Bucks should be able to take care of the Lions in the same manner they did earlier in the season. The second half of this season showed the Lions' true colors and their vulnerability, although their shocking win over the Deloreans gave a glimpse of their potential. While they are excellent game planners, they won't be able to overcome the revenge factor as the Bucks roll through them on the way to the second round.
Bratislava Butchers vs Czechoslavakia Mates: When I wrote last week's preview, I failed to note the fact that the Mates' win over the Lions would put them into the fifth seed when the Wombats lost their final game. While the Butchers would rather have faced a team they have beaten already, the opportunity to make up for the early loss to the Mates will make for an intriguing and dramatic first round playoff game. This one could really go either way, as the Mates have already shown they can beat a quality opponent, but they've also proven that they can lose to one. I stated earlier in the season that it would be silly for me to make a prediction concerning my own team, since I'm not going to predict against them unless it involves the undefeated Hounds. Obviously, the same is true here, but as far as it goes, the revenge factor will bring the Butchers victory. We haven't forgotten that early loss to the Mates, and will do whatever we can to ensure that they don't forget it either.
Unfortunately, I haven't the time today to give Alpha Conference a good look. It would be unfair of me to try to do a preview based on nothing more than their records alone, so instead I will do a recap for their games tomorrow and try to familiarize myself more with them in time to give round two a good preview. Good luck to everyone in tomorrow's games, may the best teams (Butchers) win.
Berlin Hounds from Hell vs Kazakhstan Dragons: The Dragons have come on strong in the second half of the season, winning six of their last eight games, including the decisive final game against the Elk that gave them their shot at the playoffs. The eighth seed is no joke, however, and any postseason success must start by upsetting the number one seed Hounds. Unfortunately, this is much easier said than done. Many teams have given the Hounds a close game, but no one has been able to defeat the Even boys. Despite having the conference's best quarterback in Brady Carr, the Dragons won't be able to outscore the Berlin offense, which features two of the conference's best backs, Beau Even and Matt Hopper. Putting a halt to the Hounds' ground game will be extremely difficult, but if the Dragons can pull that off, they may have a chance to pull off the upset. However, for the sake of making a prediction, I have to go with Berlin. They've proven so far that can and will win the close games.
Hill Valley Deloreans vs Mombasa Wombats: In the first game between these two teams, Mombasa put up more points than any opponent but the Hounds and Arsenal, but still lost the game. The Wombats have come a long way since that week four matchup, while Hill Valley has stumbled a bit towards the end of the season. Still, the Deloreans are extremely capable and hold the number two seed for a reason. The Wombats were unable to defeat any of the top four teams this season, not a good sign for the seventh seed. That said, Hill Valley has shown a bit of vulnerability lately. If there is to be a big upset this round, it will most likely be this game. Probability and previous history, however, favor the Deloreans, and so do I. It will be Hill Valley that moves on to the second round.
Jefferson City Bucks vs Macedonian Lions: It must be fate that the Bucks' postseason begins against the same team that ended their run last season. While the Lions went on to win their league's championship after that victory, this is a new season and a Bucks team that is hungry for revenge. With both home field advantage and a better overall team this season, the Bucks should be able to take care of the Lions in the same manner they did earlier in the season. The second half of this season showed the Lions' true colors and their vulnerability, although their shocking win over the Deloreans gave a glimpse of their potential. While they are excellent game planners, they won't be able to overcome the revenge factor as the Bucks roll through them on the way to the second round.
Bratislava Butchers vs Czechoslavakia Mates: When I wrote last week's preview, I failed to note the fact that the Mates' win over the Lions would put them into the fifth seed when the Wombats lost their final game. While the Butchers would rather have faced a team they have beaten already, the opportunity to make up for the early loss to the Mates will make for an intriguing and dramatic first round playoff game. This one could really go either way, as the Mates have already shown they can beat a quality opponent, but they've also proven that they can lose to one. I stated earlier in the season that it would be silly for me to make a prediction concerning my own team, since I'm not going to predict against them unless it involves the undefeated Hounds. Obviously, the same is true here, but as far as it goes, the revenge factor will bring the Butchers victory. We haven't forgotten that early loss to the Mates, and will do whatever we can to ensure that they don't forget it either.
Unfortunately, I haven't the time today to give Alpha Conference a good look. It would be unfair of me to try to do a preview based on nothing more than their records alone, so instead I will do a recap for their games tomorrow and try to familiarize myself more with them in time to give round two a good preview. Good luck to everyone in tomorrow's games, may the best teams (Butchers) win.
Last edited Mar 28, 2009 18:56:34
