Sept 4, 2008
Tana River, Alaska (AP): The Western Conference has finished off an exciting regular season. Eight teams remain standing. These eight have separated themselves from the rest of the conference. There is a two and a half game separation between the lowest seeded playoff team and the closest non qualifying team. This is one of the closest playoffs in the history of the league. It wasn't until the last week that most of the playoff seeds were locked. Two teams finished with two losses in the regular season. Three teams finish with three losses. The top seven teams have only lost games to other playoff teams. This has the makings for one of the closest and most interesting playoffs to date. There is no clear cut favorite.
The number one seed was captured by the Huskers Illustrated Bugeaters. It took a loss by San Diego in their season finale to catapult the Bugeaters by Chicago. The Hedgehogs previously held the number one seed. The Bugeaters enter their game with the Oklahoma City Strikers tied with the conference's longest active win streak. Meanwhile, the Strikers enter their game after a surprising tie in their intra-conference game. These two teams opened the season against each other. The Bugeaters left Oklahoma City with the victory. The Strikers will be looking to change the outcome today. To do that, Marion Barber III will need to pick the entire team on his shoulders and run through the Bugeaters' defense. Marion leads the league in rushing yards. The two teams match up very well. The edge does go to the Bugeaters though. They have been more consistent throughout the season. The Strikers are the only team in the Western Conference Playoffs that has lost a game to a team that failed to reach the playoffs.
Chicago claims the number two seed in the playoffs. They have relied on the strong arm of Wun Hunglo. Wun led the league in passing yards this season. They also posses a pair of explosive running backs who have taken a back seat to the passing game. The Ewoks claim a playoff birth after being promoted from the BBB #12 league a season ago. They enter the playoffs with a tie for the longest active winning streak in the West. They have put together five straight wins to secure their playoff birth. At one time in the season, the Ewoks were sitting at 5-6. They have fought back and are looking to revenge their early season loss to the Hedgehogs. In the earlier meeting, Chicago used their home town fans to secure an eleven point victory. This match-up also looks very good. The strengths of each team will be battling the strengths of the other. As Chicago has the number two seed, they are the obvious favorite.
Mentone Beach earned the third seed. The Assault led the league in points scored during the regular season. They use an efficient passing attack to destroy their competition. On the season, they have completed over 72% of their passes. They also have a bruising rushing attack where they average six yards a carry over the season. Their opponent is the Los Alamos Isotopes. The Isotopes are the only team that had to relocate during the season. Rumors say it was because of some atomic experiment gone awry. The team has denied such claims, but the truth may never surface. The Isotopes are another team that had advanced from the BBB leagues. They won the BBB #11 league last season and are one of the few teams to have beaten the Assault in the regular season. The Isotopes rely more on their running game to wear down opponents. They are not as flashy as many teams, but they get the job done. Once again, the teams match up well against each other. It is hard to say either team has much of an edge over the other. With the head to head match-up going the Isotopes' way, many odd makers have this game even. Expect a slug fest.
The final game in the West many did not expect to see in the first round. When the season began, these two teams were the favorites to claim the top two seeds in the playoffs. Until three weeks ago, the Horde were sitting comfortably above all others in the West. They then stumbled, but still had hope to claim a top two seed. They then stumbled again and somehow found their way to the fourth seed. This is still an improvement over last season. Last season the Horde were eliminated first round of the playoffs. They will be looking to change that this season. Unfortunately, they don't have a very easy game. San Diego was also cruising pretty well. Then Lizard Lick came to town. When all was said and done, the Demolition dropped from the third seed to the fifth seed. This will be one of the best games of the playoffs. The Horde demolished the Demolition in the regular season. San Diego brings one of the leagues best rushing attacks to the Horde's Den. The Horde counter with the second highest scoring offense in the league. Statistically it is hard to pick against San Diego, but they didn't put up much of a fight in the regular season. If San Diego wins, would it still be considered an upset? Many eyes around the league will be watching this game.
Overall there are four exciting games today. Don't be surprised if two or even three teams pull upsets. Whoever wins today will have to gear up for another battle next round. The road doesn't get any easier. Every game in the playoffs will require good game planning, extraordinary effort and a lot of luck. May the best or luckiest teams win.
Tana River, Alaska (AP): The Western Conference has finished off an exciting regular season. Eight teams remain standing. These eight have separated themselves from the rest of the conference. There is a two and a half game separation between the lowest seeded playoff team and the closest non qualifying team. This is one of the closest playoffs in the history of the league. It wasn't until the last week that most of the playoff seeds were locked. Two teams finished with two losses in the regular season. Three teams finish with three losses. The top seven teams have only lost games to other playoff teams. This has the makings for one of the closest and most interesting playoffs to date. There is no clear cut favorite.
The number one seed was captured by the Huskers Illustrated Bugeaters. It took a loss by San Diego in their season finale to catapult the Bugeaters by Chicago. The Hedgehogs previously held the number one seed. The Bugeaters enter their game with the Oklahoma City Strikers tied with the conference's longest active win streak. Meanwhile, the Strikers enter their game after a surprising tie in their intra-conference game. These two teams opened the season against each other. The Bugeaters left Oklahoma City with the victory. The Strikers will be looking to change the outcome today. To do that, Marion Barber III will need to pick the entire team on his shoulders and run through the Bugeaters' defense. Marion leads the league in rushing yards. The two teams match up very well. The edge does go to the Bugeaters though. They have been more consistent throughout the season. The Strikers are the only team in the Western Conference Playoffs that has lost a game to a team that failed to reach the playoffs.
Chicago claims the number two seed in the playoffs. They have relied on the strong arm of Wun Hunglo. Wun led the league in passing yards this season. They also posses a pair of explosive running backs who have taken a back seat to the passing game. The Ewoks claim a playoff birth after being promoted from the BBB #12 league a season ago. They enter the playoffs with a tie for the longest active winning streak in the West. They have put together five straight wins to secure their playoff birth. At one time in the season, the Ewoks were sitting at 5-6. They have fought back and are looking to revenge their early season loss to the Hedgehogs. In the earlier meeting, Chicago used their home town fans to secure an eleven point victory. This match-up also looks very good. The strengths of each team will be battling the strengths of the other. As Chicago has the number two seed, they are the obvious favorite.
Mentone Beach earned the third seed. The Assault led the league in points scored during the regular season. They use an efficient passing attack to destroy their competition. On the season, they have completed over 72% of their passes. They also have a bruising rushing attack where they average six yards a carry over the season. Their opponent is the Los Alamos Isotopes. The Isotopes are the only team that had to relocate during the season. Rumors say it was because of some atomic experiment gone awry. The team has denied such claims, but the truth may never surface. The Isotopes are another team that had advanced from the BBB leagues. They won the BBB #11 league last season and are one of the few teams to have beaten the Assault in the regular season. The Isotopes rely more on their running game to wear down opponents. They are not as flashy as many teams, but they get the job done. Once again, the teams match up well against each other. It is hard to say either team has much of an edge over the other. With the head to head match-up going the Isotopes' way, many odd makers have this game even. Expect a slug fest.
The final game in the West many did not expect to see in the first round. When the season began, these two teams were the favorites to claim the top two seeds in the playoffs. Until three weeks ago, the Horde were sitting comfortably above all others in the West. They then stumbled, but still had hope to claim a top two seed. They then stumbled again and somehow found their way to the fourth seed. This is still an improvement over last season. Last season the Horde were eliminated first round of the playoffs. They will be looking to change that this season. Unfortunately, they don't have a very easy game. San Diego was also cruising pretty well. Then Lizard Lick came to town. When all was said and done, the Demolition dropped from the third seed to the fifth seed. This will be one of the best games of the playoffs. The Horde demolished the Demolition in the regular season. San Diego brings one of the leagues best rushing attacks to the Horde's Den. The Horde counter with the second highest scoring offense in the league. Statistically it is hard to pick against San Diego, but they didn't put up much of a fight in the regular season. If San Diego wins, would it still be considered an upset? Many eyes around the league will be watching this game.
Overall there are four exciting games today. Don't be surprised if two or even three teams pull upsets. Whoever wins today will have to gear up for another battle next round. The road doesn't get any easier. Every game in the playoffs will require good game planning, extraordinary effort and a lot of luck. May the best or luckiest teams win.
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