This week I supplied two games of the week for both conferences! Enjoy!
Games to Watch
Balanced Game of the Week
Florida Frenzy @ Tasmania Tigers
Florida Frenzy has been on a bumpy road after several seasons of absolute terror. Ranked middle of the road statistically their rushing game seems to be their ‘golden ticket’ again as usual. TT is the #10 Offense but with a weak-statistical Defense. Both teams have similar ratings and they have, imo, equal capabilities. HOWEVER, Defensively, it seems both teams have a lot of work to do. In this game, it comes down, not just to 1 thing, but to everything. They have to become the team they know they should be. They have got to click on all cylinders and execute on every play. TURNOVERS are something that has been for both teams, I think that is also something that needs to change here, but the last team to have the ball, I think will pull this one out in a close, down to the wire bullfight.
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Underrated Underdog Game of the Week
Williamsport Soul Reavers @ Berlin Devine Right
Statistically BDR is ranked as a top 15 team, right around the same area as WSR. Both teams have made early marks in Alpha though it can be argued easily that the marks made by BDR are a bit more convincing, on offense, BDR is rated slightly better than WSR, but BDR is much more proven than WSR which is why we over here in Williamsport get the underdog card (besides you can’t even try to argue BDR the underdog in this match up
) This could be a very close game, a nail biter, that I suspect, is going to come down to defensive play making.
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Powerhouse Game of the of the Week
Banzai Pipeline 'Nites @ Sydney Pelicans
BPN is clearly the Powerhouse here. Banzai has done great so far this season, they are top 10 both on Offense & Defense. For Sydney, the Brightside is that they’re ranked equally on offense and defense, the downside, that ranking is #26. Keep your heads up gentlemen. Against Knox, Sydney proved their capabilities, and while yes you can argue that “knox isn’t great, even though they beat WSR and WSR beat 3 ‘weak teams’” fact is, that Knox Beat a team that is right now 3-1 in Alpha. To me, that makes it a key win and a statement game for them. CLEARLY SP has to step it up everywhere and take BPN out of their rhythm if they have ANY hopes of winning this game. I am going to go ahead and make a rare prediction (simply meaning I don’t make them often). BPN wins big. But we’ve already seen a few upsets this season. If SP is going to make an improvement on play, now is just as good a time as any. BPN cannot overlook Sydney, because we all know what that leads to! This could be a nightmare, It could be a jaw dropper, stay tuned to find out!
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Middle of the Road Game of the Week
Canberra Strike @ Nottingham Hoods
Both teams have a lot of quality. Both teams are proven to at least some degree, despite the absent of recent (or any) trophies. Both teams are 2-2 as well. They have a solid week ahead of them here. CS is ranked #2 & #4 (O & D respectively) statistically. Defensively, the Hoods are ranked #10, offensively, they need to step it up. At least in terms of level balance, the Hoods have somewhat of a ‘lower tier’ offensive line. That may be the week spot of this team, though I think you could find it difficult in this matchup to find weak spots. Both teams know they have their work cut out for them and I expect this to be a ‘underrated’ game of the week type performance by both. This game could be the downward spiral one team is trying to avoid, while in turn it could also be the morale boost a team needs to get moving in the right direction again!
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Oceania Pro Alpha ‘Blitzorade’ Game of the Week
German Wilddogs @ Gold Coast Vipers
Based on my expectation of this game. GW gets put back in the game of the week. This is more of a ‘middle of the road game’ in terms of ranking and results, but it has the makings of a solid game in Alpha this week. Both teams imo, can make a strong push for the playoffs regardless of the results here but like I said about the Hoods/Strike game, this could be a poison pill for one, while it’s a rose petal for another. Offensively…to be blunt, both teams are ranked some what horrid, and it’s really, imo been their downfall this season. GW is ranked 7th defensively, it’s also an area where GCV needs to step up. This game could be close, it could be far from it, it depends on how prepared each team is and whether or not they execute efficiently. For both teams, I think defensive play making is going to be key here. Neither offense has really played up to par so it may take extra opportunities given by their defense to change that.
Oceania Pro Alpha ‘RedBull-Flag Game of the Week
Auckland Old Gold & All Blacks @ Molokai Lavastorm
Auckland has a #7 overall ranked Offense, but really hasn’t found their groove yet this season, defensively they have a long road ahead of them if they want to improve enough to become playoff material. The same could be said for ML though. Both of these teams, like many others I’ve talked about in this weeks write-ups, have mid-grade statistical ratings. Once again, even though at this point it sounds repetitious, I think it’s going to come down to Defensive Play making. Based on their ability to execute offensively, I think the key will be who does better on the other side of the ball. However the downfall for both teams at a spectators view, is that the ‘big games’ they’ve had so far, they have not been able to pull out. They are both 2-2 but not against top talent are their wins. Refocus and get it done this week. This may determine which team is destined to watch the playoffs from the comfort of their own couch.
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Oceania Pro Zeta ‘Tostito Goal’ Game of the Week
Mata-Utu Voodoo @ Sydney Sea Wasps
Someone please inform SSW that they should not be in a game of the week. They’re not suppose to deserve it. They’re underdogs nearly every week, they shouldn’t be winning these games. No seriously though, SSW has pulled two great upsets two weeks in a row, they’re the underdog in my opinion this week as well against a slightly better ranked team in terms of match up value & CLEARLY by statistical value. However, SSW is proving to everyone in this league, stats don’t mean shit! Even I admitted last week, that I thought SSW would lose. Guess what SSW, I like that you’re proving me wrong so…
My prediction? Voodoo by 10. Good luck guys! This one could be another big upset!!
Oceania Pro Zeta ‘4th Quarter Pounder” Game of the Week
So Cal BDC @ Kingston Uprising
THREE Weeks in a row, So Cal, gets the game of the week, slow down boys! But c’mon, 4-0 & 4-0, someone is going home 4-1! Kingston & So Cal have been on an absolute role. Both have been unstoppable. Kingston has been underachieving on Offense (if you don’t like it, step it up) but they are ranked #1 Defensively! So Cal is ranked 6th on offense & #3 Defensively. This game is going to be about who’s offense makes bigger plays because CLEARLY the defenses are going to show up to kick ass!
Folks, don’t go anywhere, there is no commercials, if you miss this…It’s not just your loss, it clearly makes you a dumbass..Sorry, but the truth hurts!
Games to Watch
Balanced Game of the Week
Florida Frenzy @ Tasmania Tigers
Florida Frenzy has been on a bumpy road after several seasons of absolute terror. Ranked middle of the road statistically their rushing game seems to be their ‘golden ticket’ again as usual. TT is the #10 Offense but with a weak-statistical Defense. Both teams have similar ratings and they have, imo, equal capabilities. HOWEVER, Defensively, it seems both teams have a lot of work to do. In this game, it comes down, not just to 1 thing, but to everything. They have to become the team they know they should be. They have got to click on all cylinders and execute on every play. TURNOVERS are something that has been for both teams, I think that is also something that needs to change here, but the last team to have the ball, I think will pull this one out in a close, down to the wire bullfight.
--
Underrated Underdog Game of the Week
Williamsport Soul Reavers @ Berlin Devine Right
Statistically BDR is ranked as a top 15 team, right around the same area as WSR. Both teams have made early marks in Alpha though it can be argued easily that the marks made by BDR are a bit more convincing, on offense, BDR is rated slightly better than WSR, but BDR is much more proven than WSR which is why we over here in Williamsport get the underdog card (besides you can’t even try to argue BDR the underdog in this match up
) This could be a very close game, a nail biter, that I suspect, is going to come down to defensive play making. --
Powerhouse Game of the of the Week
Banzai Pipeline 'Nites @ Sydney Pelicans
BPN is clearly the Powerhouse here. Banzai has done great so far this season, they are top 10 both on Offense & Defense. For Sydney, the Brightside is that they’re ranked equally on offense and defense, the downside, that ranking is #26. Keep your heads up gentlemen. Against Knox, Sydney proved their capabilities, and while yes you can argue that “knox isn’t great, even though they beat WSR and WSR beat 3 ‘weak teams’” fact is, that Knox Beat a team that is right now 3-1 in Alpha. To me, that makes it a key win and a statement game for them. CLEARLY SP has to step it up everywhere and take BPN out of their rhythm if they have ANY hopes of winning this game. I am going to go ahead and make a rare prediction (simply meaning I don’t make them often). BPN wins big. But we’ve already seen a few upsets this season. If SP is going to make an improvement on play, now is just as good a time as any. BPN cannot overlook Sydney, because we all know what that leads to! This could be a nightmare, It could be a jaw dropper, stay tuned to find out!
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Middle of the Road Game of the Week
Canberra Strike @ Nottingham Hoods
Both teams have a lot of quality. Both teams are proven to at least some degree, despite the absent of recent (or any) trophies. Both teams are 2-2 as well. They have a solid week ahead of them here. CS is ranked #2 & #4 (O & D respectively) statistically. Defensively, the Hoods are ranked #10, offensively, they need to step it up. At least in terms of level balance, the Hoods have somewhat of a ‘lower tier’ offensive line. That may be the week spot of this team, though I think you could find it difficult in this matchup to find weak spots. Both teams know they have their work cut out for them and I expect this to be a ‘underrated’ game of the week type performance by both. This game could be the downward spiral one team is trying to avoid, while in turn it could also be the morale boost a team needs to get moving in the right direction again!
--
Oceania Pro Alpha ‘Blitzorade’ Game of the Week
German Wilddogs @ Gold Coast Vipers
Based on my expectation of this game. GW gets put back in the game of the week. This is more of a ‘middle of the road game’ in terms of ranking and results, but it has the makings of a solid game in Alpha this week. Both teams imo, can make a strong push for the playoffs regardless of the results here but like I said about the Hoods/Strike game, this could be a poison pill for one, while it’s a rose petal for another. Offensively…to be blunt, both teams are ranked some what horrid, and it’s really, imo been their downfall this season. GW is ranked 7th defensively, it’s also an area where GCV needs to step up. This game could be close, it could be far from it, it depends on how prepared each team is and whether or not they execute efficiently. For both teams, I think defensive play making is going to be key here. Neither offense has really played up to par so it may take extra opportunities given by their defense to change that.
Oceania Pro Alpha ‘RedBull-Flag Game of the Week
Auckland Old Gold & All Blacks @ Molokai Lavastorm
Auckland has a #7 overall ranked Offense, but really hasn’t found their groove yet this season, defensively they have a long road ahead of them if they want to improve enough to become playoff material. The same could be said for ML though. Both of these teams, like many others I’ve talked about in this weeks write-ups, have mid-grade statistical ratings. Once again, even though at this point it sounds repetitious, I think it’s going to come down to Defensive Play making. Based on their ability to execute offensively, I think the key will be who does better on the other side of the ball. However the downfall for both teams at a spectators view, is that the ‘big games’ they’ve had so far, they have not been able to pull out. They are both 2-2 but not against top talent are their wins. Refocus and get it done this week. This may determine which team is destined to watch the playoffs from the comfort of their own couch.
--
Oceania Pro Zeta ‘Tostito Goal’ Game of the Week
Mata-Utu Voodoo @ Sydney Sea Wasps
Someone please inform SSW that they should not be in a game of the week. They’re not suppose to deserve it. They’re underdogs nearly every week, they shouldn’t be winning these games. No seriously though, SSW has pulled two great upsets two weeks in a row, they’re the underdog in my opinion this week as well against a slightly better ranked team in terms of match up value & CLEARLY by statistical value. However, SSW is proving to everyone in this league, stats don’t mean shit! Even I admitted last week, that I thought SSW would lose. Guess what SSW, I like that you’re proving me wrong so…
My prediction? Voodoo by 10. Good luck guys! This one could be another big upset!!
Oceania Pro Zeta ‘4th Quarter Pounder” Game of the Week
So Cal BDC @ Kingston Uprising
THREE Weeks in a row, So Cal, gets the game of the week, slow down boys! But c’mon, 4-0 & 4-0, someone is going home 4-1! Kingston & So Cal have been on an absolute role. Both have been unstoppable. Kingston has been underachieving on Offense (if you don’t like it, step it up
) but they are ranked #1 Defensively! So Cal is ranked 6th on offense & #3 Defensively. This game is going to be about who’s offense makes bigger plays because CLEARLY the defenses are going to show up to kick ass!Folks, don’t go anywhere, there is no commercials, if you miss this…It’s not just your loss, it clearly makes you a dumbass..Sorry, but the truth hurts!
Edited by Jack Riley on Jun 27, 2009 20:17:27
