OK, since we have 6 of 16 games in the bag the cream of S7 is starting to rise. I figured I would take a look at my preseason picks and make some much needed adjustments based on the results we have seen so far, with a liberal dose of 'gut feeling' thrown in for good measure.
The Golden Group:
In the West it is no surprise that the two early favorites, Andromeda Strain and Crib Midgets, are undefeated and smoothly racking up wins. After an early scare by Tamriel, the Strain has dispatched their opponents handily, including the 5-1 Final Thought team which many people expected to put up more of a challenge. The Crib Midgets have yet to be truly tested and their most difficult game was a shutout of the previously unbeaten Elite Proving Grounds in Week 6. Both of these teams are dangerous, and represent the conference, and the league's, very best.
In the East we have the UFC Gladiators who have stormed to an undefeated record by beating some decent Eastern teams such as TD Corp and Belly. I had them listed as a potential contender in the preason and they have proven to be more than a mere contender. At this point in time, they are the only Golden worthy team in the East.
Just missed the cut:
The West's Final Thought's only loss of the season came at the hands of a powerhouse team, and they have beaten up on all other opponents. They have not faced any stiff competition yet, but they are killing the weak teams which is what good teams do. Once they have been tested we can better appreciate what they are capable of.
On the other side, we have the undefeated Philadelphia Fighting Fuzz. They are not in the Golden Group because they have had the easiest first 6 games possible; they have faced 5 teams that have no wins. Their unblemished record is the only reason they are here and at this point it is difficult to tell whether they are contenders or pretenders. Mexico City Cougars, however, deserve consideration as they are 5-1 and have not lost since their embarrassing loss to the Wee Lads. Knowing this team as I do, I am overlooking that loss and calling it a muligan so they stay here.
Playoff bound and potential dark horses:
The West has a couple teams that will likely have a good enough record to make the playoffs, but will really have to come up with some brilliant gameplanning to stand a chance: Four Winds Bar and Minnesota Jr Vikings at 5-1, will continue to handle weak teams, battle mediocre teams, and lose to good teams. Elite Proving Grounds at 5-1 is a different story, as I feel they have potential to crack the top 4 in the conference.
Gabon Dragon Whelps and Tamriel PW Oblivion are both 4-2, yet they have shown enough to warrant strong consideration as legitimate teams in the East. They have only lost to strong teams and have done so without getting completely blown out. With a few more games and time to tinker, they will be there in the end.
Start planning for next season:
Basically the rest of the teams are here. I know, it is pretty harsh but for any team not listed it will be a season long struggle just to squeek into the playoffs with any hope of doing something. Since the league is so top heavy, there is a massive difference between a top finishing in the top 4 of each conference, and those that finish below. That includes teams that have decent records to this point, but have shown inconsistency (Irish Wee Lads, TD, Flint, Belly, Bama), as well as the teams that don't even have winning records.
Well, that's it. I will revisit things again near the 2/3rd mark and see how things are shaping up, but I don't expect there to be as many changes. My biggest surprise has been the Eugene Cobras. I thought they would do more and had them as an early favorite and it looks like my concerns of them not coming from a strong league are at least somewhat valid. I do look for them to impove as the season progresses though, so don't be too shocked if they are one of the few teams that rise.
The Golden Group:
In the West it is no surprise that the two early favorites, Andromeda Strain and Crib Midgets, are undefeated and smoothly racking up wins. After an early scare by Tamriel, the Strain has dispatched their opponents handily, including the 5-1 Final Thought team which many people expected to put up more of a challenge. The Crib Midgets have yet to be truly tested and their most difficult game was a shutout of the previously unbeaten Elite Proving Grounds in Week 6. Both of these teams are dangerous, and represent the conference, and the league's, very best.
In the East we have the UFC Gladiators who have stormed to an undefeated record by beating some decent Eastern teams such as TD Corp and Belly. I had them listed as a potential contender in the preason and they have proven to be more than a mere contender. At this point in time, they are the only Golden worthy team in the East.
Just missed the cut:
The West's Final Thought's only loss of the season came at the hands of a powerhouse team, and they have beaten up on all other opponents. They have not faced any stiff competition yet, but they are killing the weak teams which is what good teams do. Once they have been tested we can better appreciate what they are capable of.
On the other side, we have the undefeated Philadelphia Fighting Fuzz. They are not in the Golden Group because they have had the easiest first 6 games possible; they have faced 5 teams that have no wins. Their unblemished record is the only reason they are here and at this point it is difficult to tell whether they are contenders or pretenders. Mexico City Cougars, however, deserve consideration as they are 5-1 and have not lost since their embarrassing loss to the Wee Lads. Knowing this team as I do, I am overlooking that loss and calling it a muligan so they stay here.
Playoff bound and potential dark horses:
The West has a couple teams that will likely have a good enough record to make the playoffs, but will really have to come up with some brilliant gameplanning to stand a chance: Four Winds Bar and Minnesota Jr Vikings at 5-1, will continue to handle weak teams, battle mediocre teams, and lose to good teams. Elite Proving Grounds at 5-1 is a different story, as I feel they have potential to crack the top 4 in the conference.
Gabon Dragon Whelps and Tamriel PW Oblivion are both 4-2, yet they have shown enough to warrant strong consideration as legitimate teams in the East. They have only lost to strong teams and have done so without getting completely blown out. With a few more games and time to tinker, they will be there in the end.
Start planning for next season:
Basically the rest of the teams are here. I know, it is pretty harsh but for any team not listed it will be a season long struggle just to squeek into the playoffs with any hope of doing something. Since the league is so top heavy, there is a massive difference between a top finishing in the top 4 of each conference, and those that finish below. That includes teams that have decent records to this point, but have shown inconsistency (Irish Wee Lads, TD, Flint, Belly, Bama), as well as the teams that don't even have winning records.
Well, that's it. I will revisit things again near the 2/3rd mark and see how things are shaping up, but I don't expect there to be as many changes. My biggest surprise has been the Eugene Cobras. I thought they would do more and had them as an early favorite and it looks like my concerns of them not coming from a strong league are at least somewhat valid. I do look for them to impove as the season progresses though, so don't be too shocked if they are one of the few teams that rise.
. Time for ya to start focusing on next year 
