Rocky Mountain Football League

Week 10 Predictions

Wow…where do I begin??? After an EXTREMELY respectable 32-0 start with my predictions I stumbled last week with two “should’ve seen them” misses…maybe I’m more intertwined with the Shock than I thought (get the reference to a late season CHOKE???)…Congratulations to the Gladiators for proving me wrong and Dixie I should know better than to EVER pick against the champs…all I can state is that now since my record has a “blemish” on it I can really take a few chances on my last few picks…

Just like my rankings, this will be my last REGULAR SEASON predictions EVER!!!  So that means that for some of you, I’ll most likely never mention your team again…I also have to state that I’ll be out of town next week (the wife planned a vacation…) and so in my absence another ALIAS has graciously volunteered to “fill-in” while I’m away…I’ve done some vetting and firmly believe that you all DESERVE to hear his opinions about the first round of the playoffs…

As with every season in the past, the last week of regular season football is always one of the best for me as there’s a certain mystique about the idea that many players will never be suiting up again…since outside of the Rev-Spartans game the outcome of the game has ZERO significance on the playoffs I hope everyone involved can simply enjoy the game of football that you all are fortunate enough to play…There should be no “incidents,” no personal fouls, questionable calls, or anything that could possibly bring a black-eye to you or your team…this is the week that you simply get to pad up, look at the man standing across from you, and for a brief moment let everything else sink away and just embrace the gift that we all find within the game…Since it is my last regular season week, and since I’ll never see many of you ever play again, I’ve decided to treat myself to a triple-header…yep, I’ll be at Granger for the double-header and then heading over to Jordan for the Shock-Bulldawgs game…now onto the only predictions that matter…

Gladiators @ Mudducks

What a matchup…almost deserving of my GOW status since BOTH teams secured their first win in 2012 last week..Great Falls finally found some offense as they scored almost as many points in last week’s game as they had the whole season prior to kickoff…while the Mudducks found a way to hold on and secure a win at the end of the game (something they’ve struggled at multiple times this season)…My biggest concern is how will the Gladiators travel.  They’ve had a relatively “easy” travel schedule this season (I know they’ve covered a ton of miles, etc.) as this will be their first (and last) time entering Utah for 2012.  With nothing but pride to play for, I don’t know if Mullen will be able to rally the troops (literally) for the 9 hour drive down south.  The Mudducks will be ready for any number who decides to show up as they want to end the season on a high note.  The Ducks’ offense has been impressive this season and it’s good to see Hans Hatchett finally fit in somewhere and be able to lead a team.  Balser is one of the top-3 receivers in the league and should have a HUGE day against Great Falls’ suspect secondary.  I know there’s a lot of pride on the defensive side of the ball for the Mudducks since their offense has put them in multiple situations to win only to see their defense give up the late-big score and lose…what better way to help erase those mistakes than by posting a SHUTOUT against the visiting team…I firmly believe that the Mudducks are better than their record and they’ll show it Saturday afternoon…Mudducks 36 Gladiators 6

Stampede @ Stealth

This is going to be an interesting game since it technically means nothing and since both teams will be playing again next week in the first round of the playoffs.  If I were the coach of both teams I’d be VERY selective with what plays I run…I’d forget about the win (it means NOTHING) and work on different sets so as to be able to gameplan next Saturday.  The Stealth’s defense has been LIGHTSOUT since their early loss to the Shock and I don’t see the Stampede being able to score more than 16 either week and so the real matchup will be how the Stampede’s defense adjusts to Wissler and Crew…Logan is physically ailing due to multiple injuries and even more uncommitted players which is bad news when facing off against a team as big, fast, and mean as the Stealth…Coach-B needs to chose his plays/situations carefully as any big injuries will all but spell DISASTER next week.  I expect the Stealth to come out and run the ball well with their size and stable of capable RBs.  Wissler will use that running game to setup a few homerun attempts down the field.  This game will be a great poker match as neither team will want to show their full deck until next week but in the end the Stealth are just too big, too fast, too physical…and TOO GOOD to lose…Stealth win big as they try and intimidate and knock out any idea/dream the Stampede may have of upsetting them when it matters…Stealth 34 Stampede 10

Bulldawgs @ Shock

The Shock are coming off of a heartbreaking (and eye opening) loss to the Dixie Rebels while the Bulldawgs finally had some offensive production (albeit in a loss) against the visiting Mudducks last week…Now Magic Valley gets to travel to SLC for their final game of 2012 (and possibly their final game in AAA) while the Shock get to regroup and refocus on what their ultimate goal really is…The Bulldawgs found a new source of production in their former receiver-turned-quarterback Gary Jones as he ran wild last week.  The Shock have had some issues with scrambling QBs this season (see Spartans game) and so I see the opportunity for Jones and the Bulldawgs to march the ball and score some points.  The Shock know that this game means nothing in their real quest but still don’t want to come out lethargic and lose momentum as they head into a first round bye and then the semi-finals…I don’t expect the Bulldawgs to travel well as they’ve yet to travel with more than 19 to any game and so I really don’t see them poising any type of threat to the Shock…however, I also know the Shock are physically hurting and need to get some of their key players a couple weeks rest before making their final push.  Due to the fear of injury and overall lackluster feel this game will have I expect the Shock to rest all of their starters from about halfway through the 2^nd quarter and on…this will result in a closer than expected final score, but a game that will otherwise never feel out of hand…Shock 34 Bulldawgs 16

Revolution @ Spartans  **GAME OF THE WEEK**

The right to play at home next week is on the line as the Revolution travel to Nowherebend Idaho and take on the Spartans.  The winner will clinch home field advantage for next weeks rematch and when these two teams are separated by 400 miles…traveling is HUGE…The Spartans showed the league last week their complete ineptitude towards travel when they showed up with 15 players (one with a torn ACL) to take on a winless Gladiator squad only to give up 30 points and have to turn around and drive home with a loss…as I look over the records and schedules I can’t help but wonder if the Spartans took the week off last week (left most their team at home) as a win versus Great Falls wouldn’t have secured anything for them…but then I cannot think of a viable reason why someone would stay home, just to stay home…if that’s the case then I’ve lost some respect for an organization that I once admired…The Revolution’s offense was solid last week as Chuckypita proved that he’s prepared for a playoff run…I’ve heard of a few Revolution players that won’t be making the trip this week and so that gives me the greatest amount of “pause” about predicting the victor…Fact is that Nik Lewis is going to give the Revolution D fits this week with his ability to scramble and still throw the deep ball to Allen or Hall while I think the Rev’s offense will be able to move the ball as well.  This game will come down to two big plays (most likely turnovers or special teams) and I would normally go with the home (especially the Spartans) in this type of situation…BUT I have a feeling that the Revolution have found their mojo and are ready to make their post-season run…it starts this week…Revolution 31 Spartans 28

Aaahhhh…finally done…I’m excited about the three games that I’ll be attending and hope for some great football to be played on the field.  As I mentioned above, remember that outside of the Rev-Spartans game, none of the outcomes really matter so please lets as a league use this weekend to honor the game of football and exemplify sportsmanship to all…you can all knock each others’ heads off next week in the playoffs so enjoy the week off and get back to the “fun.”  It has been an honor covering so many of you for so long and I wish you all continued success in your football careers and even more in your lives…This follower has just about dipped his last chip in hot nacho cheese sauce and am ready to start my next chapter…

#Enjoy…