Rocky Mountain Football League

Week 4 Predictions

Another week down and another round of perfection...I was treated to two great games in the Rebels/Rev and Stealth/Shock and the weather was PERFECT for football.  While most teams have 2+ games under their belt, I am still having a hard time separating some.  How does Treasure Valley score 28 against the Rebels, but only 16 against the Mudd Ducks?  One thing for sure is that as this season continues to move along, the contenders will separate themselves from the rest.  Week 4 has a few games that will give us all a real look into who’s ready to make a championship run…

Revolution @ Gladiators

Great Falls is the only team in the league to have only played one game.  I don’t know if that is a benefit for them this week, or disadvantage.  While other teams have played against other opponents the Gladiators have been able to take their first game beating and make some adjustments.  Now they’re ready to see how those adjustments materialize on the playing field as they host the Revolution in Memorial Stadium.  The Rev had the defending champs on their heels all game last week until the final few minutes.  Losing like that hurts a lot and I’m curious to see how the Rev rebound.  The Gladiators were absolutely DOMINATED in their introduction to AAA but I think the bye week has allowed them to focus on the good, and replace the bad.  While I believe the Rev are far and away the better team, something to watch here is the fact that the former Utah Bears were never known to travel well.  With the long road trip ahead of them I wonder how strong the Rev will really be come game time?  Great Falls is looking for their first AAA win and it would be great for them to get it against what has been one of the perennial big-3 in the AAA.  The Gladiators do improve on their first game but it’s not quite enough as the Rev win this one going away and returns home at 2-1…Revolution 28 Gladiators 14

Rebels @ Stampede

Another week and another LONG road trip for the defending champions.  This time their bus heads to Logan to take on a Stampede squad that has yet to produce a roster of 20 players at any game.  The Rebels had 40 players suited last week in SLC, and while I don’t think they’ll travel quite as well this week, I wouldn’t be surprised to see the visiting sideline more packed than the home teams.  I’ve heard that the Stampede were in survival mode for their first 3 games and now should have a full roster (we’ll see).  The Rebels know they escaped a close one last week and would like to get back to dominating teams again.  If Dixie plans on hosting their playoff games they cannot slip and so I expect them to bring the necessary players to help them feel secure in this matchup.  The Stampede know how to defend the Rebels as they ALMOST pulled off a huge week 1 upset last season in St. George.  I know Coach B will have his defensive ready to take on the power offense that the Rebels try and implement.  The Stampede will play this one tough, but in the end the Rebels find a way to pull another magical escape out of their hat…Rebels 17 Stampede 12

Shock @ Mudducks

The Rocky Mountain Mudducks are still searching for their first victory and now have to face the #1 team.  Every statistical angle says that this game will be a blow out, and I generally believe in statistics…HOWEVER, I see this as a potential trap game for the Shock.  After player two big games (at Great Falls, vs Stealth) and having to face the currently #2 team next week (vs Spartans) I could see the Shock overlooking the Muddies.  Couple that with the fact that the game is at 1:00 (odd time for football) and that they Mudducks are trying their best to secure their first win and I see this game being much closer than it ought to be.  Ghostface Killa has a chance to show his mettle against one of the league’s best in Mr. Everything Matt Thornton.  Rumor has it that Hendrickson has shut down Thornton before so I’ll be interested to see in how this matchup pans out.  Also, the Shock currently have the #2 defense (who would’ve thought?) behind the Spartans, and now get to show face off against a pass-happy Balser.  Do the Mudd Ducks win??? No, but they make it interesting…Shock 27 Mudducks 20

Spartans @ Stealth  **GAME OF THE WEEK**

Treasure Valley has beaten every team that has crossed their path so far this season while the Stealth was built with one purpose in mind, to win the AAA Championship.  The Spartans defeated a scrappy Mudducks team in Horseshoe Bend last week while the Stealth were fed a generous portion of Humble Pie from the hands of the Utah Shock.  Treasure Valley has to hit the road for the first time this season and we’re all curious how they manage after playing in the welcoming confines of home the past three weeks.  The Stealth know that they cannot turn the ball over 4+ times again this week if they want to pull off the upset over the higher ranked Spartans, and controlling the game will be difficult against one of the toughest front-seven in the league.  I’m personally excited to watch this game as I want to see how the Stealth rebound after their big loss and how the Spartans travel knowing that next week they have to pack up and do it all again.  I think the Stealth use a healthy dose of Smoke and IK to wear down the road weary Spartans.  The Spartans like to run the ball as well and last week the Stealth had a hard time containing the run so I expect Treasure Valley to be able to produce some offense as well.  This game will come down to the fourth quarter, and while Treasure Valley has proven time after time that they can win the close one I think the home field advantage plays too big a part to overcome.  Stealth win a close one…Stealth 22 Spartans 20

Well there you have it, four games and four GUARANTEED predictions…I can’t wait to watch the doubleheader at Granger this week (concessions be damned…) and wish safe travels to all the teams packing up this week.  It’s been a fun season so far and we’re not even at the midpoint yet so keep it up everyone.