Ok....here is a short Nostradumbarse shot at the way this league will go this year
First of all.....what were they doing with the conference balance?....at first glance, and second glance for that matter, Alpha is loaded.....Zeta.....not so much to put it kindly. I don't know a lot about a lot of the teams in this league this year.....and while there may be a surprise or two in there......I doubt it....really.
I am going to list the teams in groupings from contenders on down....no record projections....Zeta first.
Zeta:
Should we just call it Ballers and the Rest of the Guys Conference? Look, this is not to be disparaging to any team, but with few exceptions, I see the Ballers romping to the League finals here....how's that for cutting to the chase....
Contenders:
Montreal Ballers: Solid team that has been in contention in elite from day one of team creation. Still waiting to take a championship and came close last year. The skids are greased this season for them to show up in the league championship again and I will be surprised if they are upset on the way....and from this viewpoint, I only see one team that could get in their way......
Shangri-La Dragon's Revenge: Team showed up last year as a big time competitor. Knew they would be good, didn't know they would be that good. Solid group that should fight the Ballers to make it to the league championship. In the playoffs, most anything can happen....I don't think they are as good as the Ballers....but damn close and it wouldn't surprise me to see them in the league championship game
Half a Step Back:
Minsk Mullet Mafia: Solid team. Will make the playoffs but not going to beat the top teams. Will win the games they should and probably host a playoff game.
Gimmelshtump Lawn Gnomes: Stepped down in competition for season 31 and took home the gold....congrats. Now back to the meat grinder. The Gnomes are a very solid organization that always competes well, but just seems a little behind the top teams in elite. Being in the Zeta Conference, they are a solid choice to host a playoff game. Can't see them beating the top teams, but it is good to see the Gnomes back up here.
Black Sea Storm: Who knows....they have some nice builds and I think the previous season comments was they don't have time to worry about the "lower" leagues. No problem with that....It takes time to do it right. This is a team that could jump to the top and challenge the Ballers/Dragon's Revenge if the effort is put in. Of all the teams that could be a surprise coming out of Zeta, this is the team I would look at. But.....if they just jerk around, they have no chance to do it. They will make the playoffs based on the weak conference....they could probably sleep walk into the playoffs and then....as I said....who knows.
Tennessee Outlaws: The owner has a team in WL and will undoutedly spend his time there. It wouldn't have mattered much....sorry. This team will win its share of games anyway and will probably make the playoffs, but it isn't a lock. Depending upon how much time is put into the league, I can see them winning between 6-12 games. Not a dominating team up here, even with attention paid.
La Cosa Nostra: This team could make some waves in Zeta. Looks like a solid group, but I don't see them standing out in this second grouping. I see a 3rd - 8th place finish. A playoff team in Zeta, but can't put my finger on where.
Full Step Back......Fight for Playoffs: (no order)
Dryden Gold: Were up here previously for a visit....glad to see them back again. Will win the games they should, which will probably be enough for a 6th - 8th playoff seeding. Could they surprise a abit more......maybe, but I don't see it. Good enough to be a pain.
Molakai Lavastorm: See Dryden....another good team but lucky to be in Zeta. Welcome back Molakai.
South Yorkshire Aftershocks: Made a decent run in season 31, we will see more about them in week 1 when they open against Tigana. That should give us a good look at where they fit in.
Portland Hood Waxers: Another solid team....for this grouping. Builds look pretty good. They could win 10 games or 5 games. Really not sure. By week 7, we will know exactly where they fit in......they will have played Ballers, Dragon's Revenge, Dryden, Outlaws, and La Cosa Nostra.
Sea Wasp Armada: This team performed well last season in the league tourney if I remember, but was a one and done close game loss in the playoffs. I see them as a team that may sneak into the playoffs and will always come ready to play. They will need some breaks though. If they get them, they could surprise up to hosting a playoff game, but that is a high water mark.
Chicago Sinners: They could surprise but I don't see them hosting a playoff game. They fit squarely in this group that will be competing all season long among each other to grab a playoff spot. Beyond that, I'm not familiar enough with a lot of these teams to do anything beyond group them here.....and I could be totally wrong.....but I doubt it.
MIchigan Mutants: Another team we have seen in elite previously. I don't think they make the playoffs, but in Zeta this year....I guess a 7th or 8th is possible. Probably not though. Going to have a tough go I think.
Nice to be Here......well maybe not:
What's YOUR Deal?: The deal is you will beat Winchester...not sure of any others. But as far as that goes.....4-5 wins is not outrageous in Zeta for this team, but that will be a successful season I believe.
Winchester Leviathans: All CPU...nuff said.
Alpha Conference next.....
