It has been a quick first half and I am not sure why but forum activity has dropped off a bit this season, so hopefully this review can spark some chatter.
As a whole, Season 14 has picked off where last season ended with a few teams dominating in each conference, then a log jam in the middle, followed by our underachieving and CPU teams. There are some familiar faces near the top of each conference, as well as some new ones and a couple surprises floating about.
Since this is the midpoint the playoff spots are still up for grabs, with only a couple teams mathematically guaranteed a spot. So it's still pretty wide open, but as we'll see it's not as simple as that and in reality, there are fewer positions available.
The Mighty West
Our Western Conference has become somewhat fragmented this season; there are many really good teams but only a couple of these teams are destined for greatness. I see 5 legitimate contenders for this conference -- Final Thought, Montpellier Wildcats, Charleston Clippers, Crib Midgets, and Rome Praetorians -- and while it will utimately be settled in the playoffs, there is really only 1 team that has distanced themselves from the field.
1. Final Thought (8-0) They just win. It doesn't matter who they play, this team wins and wins and wins...until playoffs come around. But I think that changes this season and their performance so far supports this very well. They are undefeated, and have allowed only 14 points all season. They have also already played some very strong teams, and easily handled Rome and Montpellier. PING must be tired of hanging out in S7 because he is putting together a fantasic season. At this point, FT has proven once again that they are the team everyone else will be chasing in the home stretch.
Yes, that is correct, I am saying FT and only FT is in the league finals. And while I say this, I am going to do EVERYTHING I can to prove myself wrong but I can't ignore the outstanding job FT's dots are doing on the field.
- Potential Spoilers -
Montpellier Wildcats (7-1): They lost to FT like everyone else, but so far that is the only strong team they have faced. The second half of their schedule is much tougher than the first but they are an experience and battle tested group and should lock down one of the top 4 seeds.
Charleston Clippers (7-1): They lost to Langdon, a team we may hear more of at the end of the season. But they also beat Rome, a solid team. They also have a tougher second half and we'll soon find out if that loss was an abheration, or a sign of inconsistency. Regardless, this team will be in the top 5 seeds.
Crib Midgets (6-1-1): Crib is at a crossroads here; they tie their opener against an inferior opponent, and failed their only true test thus far in Rome. They kick-off the second half with a game against FT, and they still have big games against Montpellier and Charleston. They have to finish in the top 4 to have a chance in the playoffs.
Rome Praetorians (6-2): They have lost to FT and Charlestone and beaten Crib, proving they are amoung the top teams and living up to the preseason expectations. They have the easiest second half of all the top teams, and will challange for the top 4 seeds.
Honourable mentions go out to Four Winds Bar and Langdon ND Waterboys for great seasons so far. I don't see them being quite as good as the teams mentioned above, but they aren't far off either and have the abilty to play spoiler in the playoffs.
The Almost as Mighty East
The East has seemingly closed the gap and you don't have to look any further than the interconference games; in the past the West would eat the East, yet Death Valley took Crib to the end and their depth looks better. There are 4 legitimate contenders for the East -- Crystal Lake Psychos, CrackerTown Juniors, Death Valley Dragons, Hartford Shocks -- but similar to the West, there is one team that is just doing more than everyone else.
1. Crystal Lake Psychos (8-0) The Psychos get the top spot based on their record; they have played good teams in their conference and beat them handily so you have to give them props. It will be an interesting second half with 3 good games left on the schedule, but each year we see a team new to this league come in and blow minds. This is that team.
The rest are close but at this point, Crystal Lake is just getting it done and are a step above their competition. I expect them to play in the league final after an undefeated season, and punch their ticket to Gold with a win or loss in the championship.
- Potential Spoilers -
Hartford Shocks (5-2-1): They lost to the Psycho's which everyone else in this conference eventually will, and they had the misfortune of drawing Montpellier in the cross conference game. But they handled the Juniors and look to be turning into a top team. I consider them second best and this team should be one of the top 3 seeds.
CrackerTown Juniors (7-1): They lost to Hartford in a big game, but rebounded nicely and shutout the Dragons. This is another team that has a season defining second half and it starts in a week with a game against Crystal Lake. I see this team as being in the top 5.
Death Valley Dragons (6-1-1): They charged out the gates with a strong opener, and continued on a roll over the Cobras and Lumberjacks. The Juniors gave them a reality check but I think they learn from that game and go onto to finish in the top 4.
Honourable mentions for Minnesota Lumberjacks, Eugene Cobras, and Irish Grave Diggers. These teams should round out the playoffs and with a couple lucky breaks they could actually win a playoff game but it isn't likely to happen.
As a whole, Season 14 has picked off where last season ended with a few teams dominating in each conference, then a log jam in the middle, followed by our underachieving and CPU teams. There are some familiar faces near the top of each conference, as well as some new ones and a couple surprises floating about.
Since this is the midpoint the playoff spots are still up for grabs, with only a couple teams mathematically guaranteed a spot. So it's still pretty wide open, but as we'll see it's not as simple as that and in reality, there are fewer positions available.
The Mighty West
Our Western Conference has become somewhat fragmented this season; there are many really good teams but only a couple of these teams are destined for greatness. I see 5 legitimate contenders for this conference -- Final Thought, Montpellier Wildcats, Charleston Clippers, Crib Midgets, and Rome Praetorians -- and while it will utimately be settled in the playoffs, there is really only 1 team that has distanced themselves from the field.
1. Final Thought (8-0) They just win. It doesn't matter who they play, this team wins and wins and wins...until playoffs come around. But I think that changes this season and their performance so far supports this very well. They are undefeated, and have allowed only 14 points all season. They have also already played some very strong teams, and easily handled Rome and Montpellier. PING must be tired of hanging out in S7 because he is putting together a fantasic season. At this point, FT has proven once again that they are the team everyone else will be chasing in the home stretch.
Yes, that is correct, I am saying FT and only FT is in the league finals. And while I say this, I am going to do EVERYTHING I can to prove myself wrong but I can't ignore the outstanding job FT's dots are doing on the field.
- Potential Spoilers -
Montpellier Wildcats (7-1): They lost to FT like everyone else, but so far that is the only strong team they have faced. The second half of their schedule is much tougher than the first but they are an experience and battle tested group and should lock down one of the top 4 seeds.
Charleston Clippers (7-1): They lost to Langdon, a team we may hear more of at the end of the season. But they also beat Rome, a solid team. They also have a tougher second half and we'll soon find out if that loss was an abheration, or a sign of inconsistency. Regardless, this team will be in the top 5 seeds.
Crib Midgets (6-1-1): Crib is at a crossroads here; they tie their opener against an inferior opponent, and failed their only true test thus far in Rome. They kick-off the second half with a game against FT, and they still have big games against Montpellier and Charleston. They have to finish in the top 4 to have a chance in the playoffs.
Rome Praetorians (6-2): They have lost to FT and Charlestone and beaten Crib, proving they are amoung the top teams and living up to the preseason expectations. They have the easiest second half of all the top teams, and will challange for the top 4 seeds.
Honourable mentions go out to Four Winds Bar and Langdon ND Waterboys for great seasons so far. I don't see them being quite as good as the teams mentioned above, but they aren't far off either and have the abilty to play spoiler in the playoffs.
The Almost as Mighty East
The East has seemingly closed the gap and you don't have to look any further than the interconference games; in the past the West would eat the East, yet Death Valley took Crib to the end and their depth looks better. There are 4 legitimate contenders for the East -- Crystal Lake Psychos, CrackerTown Juniors, Death Valley Dragons, Hartford Shocks -- but similar to the West, there is one team that is just doing more than everyone else.
1. Crystal Lake Psychos (8-0) The Psychos get the top spot based on their record; they have played good teams in their conference and beat them handily so you have to give them props. It will be an interesting second half with 3 good games left on the schedule, but each year we see a team new to this league come in and blow minds. This is that team.
The rest are close but at this point, Crystal Lake is just getting it done and are a step above their competition. I expect them to play in the league final after an undefeated season, and punch their ticket to Gold with a win or loss in the championship.
- Potential Spoilers -
Hartford Shocks (5-2-1): They lost to the Psycho's which everyone else in this conference eventually will, and they had the misfortune of drawing Montpellier in the cross conference game. But they handled the Juniors and look to be turning into a top team. I consider them second best and this team should be one of the top 3 seeds.
CrackerTown Juniors (7-1): They lost to Hartford in a big game, but rebounded nicely and shutout the Dragons. This is another team that has a season defining second half and it starts in a week with a game against Crystal Lake. I see this team as being in the top 5.
Death Valley Dragons (6-1-1): They charged out the gates with a strong opener, and continued on a roll over the Cobras and Lumberjacks. The Juniors gave them a reality check but I think they learn from that game and go onto to finish in the top 4.
Honourable mentions for Minnesota Lumberjacks, Eugene Cobras, and Irish Grave Diggers. These teams should round out the playoffs and with a couple lucky breaks they could actually win a playoff game but it isn't likely to happen.
Edited by vrecksler on Feb 24, 2010 18:42:58
Edited by vrecksler on Feb 23, 2010 19:42:37
