The REV put a beating on the Express last week. That is saying something, because Laurel is a good team. They did give up 24 points to them, which is close to what the Lions got up on them. So that brings up an interesting question. Did the REV defense not travel as well to Laurel? Or is the Laurel offense about as good as the Lions offense? I'm pretty sure we all have an idea of the answer to that one...
The Stealth still haven't played their Week 3 game. Although I doubt they lose to the Cobras, especially after their embarrassing loss to the Mustangs in week 2. They are pissed and ready to show that they really are a power 4 team. I just have a hard time believing they will beat the REV after that big win last week.
REV 21 - Stealth 7
Lions @ Shock
The Lions are "so hot right now" (Zoolander reference). They are playing really well, and seem to be playing like they are on a mission. I don't know too much about them except that they have the best linebacker in the league playing QB, and he is tearing it up!! I know Misi Tupe is not the whole team though. They have studs at every position.
The Shock have been winning pretty convincingly every week so far. They haven't been tested yet this season though, by another 'Power 4' team. I think the Shock are a great team, and are really doing well this year. They definitely deserve to be called a 'Power 4' team. But to be honest, I believe the REV and the Lions are on another level ("power 4.1"). Maybe this is just me being a AA player playing in AAA, and being IGNORANT of what is going on. I think the Shock will hang with the Lions, but in the end the Lions will take it to them.
Lions 35 - Shock 21
Sting @ Gladiators
The Sting are a good team. I think they have a good chance against the Gladiators. They do have a bit of a drive to get to the Gladiators, and we will have to see how they travel.
The Gladiators have improved immensely since last season. They get the the advantage of no travel this week. I think the Glads take it, mainly due to the travel.
Gladiators 21 - Sting 14
Vipers @ Stampede
I would say this is the GOTW. These two teams are pretty well matched up in my opinion. They haven't played each other in a long time, if they ever have... But judging by how they have played this year, I think these teams are pretty well matched up.
The Vipers are a decent team. They fight hard, and will play to the whistle every time. Rex is really good at getting good talent on his squad.
I know almost nothing about the Stampede. From what I know, they have a pretty good passing offense. They are a good team and won't give up. For me, the nod goes to the Stampede, just because of their recent experience in the AAA.
Vipers 20 - Stampede 21
Matadors @ Anarchy
These are both teams that were much better last year than they have shown this season.
The Matadors have usually been a good passing team, that relies on their defense to get it done.
The Anarchy have a strong running game. I just have to go with the home team on this one.
Matadors 7 - Anarchy 14
Loco Express @ Mustangs
The Express are a pretty good team. They at one point led the REV when they played them last week. I don't know too much about them, except that they just picked up Shane Jurasek. We all know that he is a playmaker. I don't know anything about what kind of targets he has to throw to though. Their defense gave up 61 points at home last week. I'm not sure if that is due to them having such a bad defense, or the REV having such a good offense.
The Mustangs are coming off a win against the Anarchy. They are excited to prove themselves against the Express and show that they do belong in the AAA. The winner of this game sits atop the Norther Conference, along with the Gladiators (assuming my pick is correct for the Glads).
Snowdevils @ Bulldawgs
The Snowdevils are a good team. No one should ever take them lightly, and I know the Bulldawgs are not taking them lightly. I have only played them at my home field once, and they didn't travel well. I don't know if that is how it goes every away game or not. But if it is, they will struggle against the Bulldawgs. For the most part their offense depends 100% on JJ Dorsch. If the Bulldawgs neutralize him, they have a great shot at winning this game.
The Bulldawgs are coming off a disheartening loss to the Gladiators last week, and are hoping to salvage their season with a win this week vs the Devils. They do have a good team and can surprise anyone, any week. I will have to go with the Snowdevils in this one unfortunately. IF they travel well, they will win. If they don't the Dawgs can take it.
Snowdevils 21 - Bulldawgs 14
AA
Diggers @ Warriors
DIGGERS!!!!! YOU WON LAST WEEK!!! You successfully knocked off the team that was projected to sweep the AA!! I hope you guys don't let us down! You have a great chance to take it this year.
Warriors are a good team. They did really well last week @ the Outlawz. They are at home now, and they have a pretty good defense. They beat the Outlawz by more than the Diggers beat them. I am gonna have to pick the home team on this one. Sorry Diggers, two well matched teams, home team gets the nod.
Diggers 6 - Warriors 14
Outlawz @ Guardians
Outlawz Win. 40-0
-- Edited by blah blah blah on Monday 20th of April 2015 05:04:28 PM
Vipers vs Stampede GOW. Are you kidding me! The game between 2 undefeated big four teams is!
Lions @ Shock - I don't disagree with your projection if the Liomz travel well, if they don't the Shock will beat them.
IF the Lions don't travel well, it could be a good game. But since when do the Lions not travel well? The Vipers and Stampede are, in my mind, on the same level, they have a short drive, it should be a close game. Hence my GOTW. I doubt either team is missing any players. We will see though. Maybe the Shock can shock the league by showing that the Shock are either better than we thought, or the Lions are not as good as we thought...
Even if the Lionz do travel well, it will be a great game. Its still a 4 hr drive from St George. Historically this game has been close, Even last year when the Shock went 1-7, the final score was 37-31 and the game was in St George. The Shock appear to be better this year, however so do the Lions.
When you say " The Vipers and Stampede are, in my mind, on the same level." I'm assuming you mean to each other, not to the Shock and Lions ;) Even so, with your thinking the Matador vs Anarchy game could be the game of the week. I know I would much rather watch the Shock/Lions or the Stealth/Rev game. Both games will be much better than the Viper/Stampede game.
Here are my games of the week.
Rev @ Stealth
The game is basically a home game for both teams which means the Stealth should field a full squad. The Stealth are not the same team they were last year with the loss of Thomas CJ, and IK, but they are still a big physical team. Wissler can throw the ball, Stark/Hector/Anderson are good targets, but only good. The running backs are a good mix with Mann and Stattiewhite having good stats so far. The defense is basically the same as last year. From what I can tell Thompson didn't come back for kicking duties. This game will help us see if the Stealth are still a team to be feared.
The Rev are the Rev. They are good every year. (MVP)Peterson has great receivers in (MVP)Eteuati and Mapson who are explosive and can score on any play. They picked up IK Ubani from the Stealth to shore up an already good stable of running backs. The defense is very good with Mapu, Pierce, and Castillo. Special teams is definitely an advantage for the Rev in both the kicking and return areas. I'm still waiting for Bryant to explode on special teams.
Rev has the better offense and special teams, defenses are about equal. Rev 28 Stealth 16
Lions @ Shock
Are the Shock better than last year, did picking up Thomas make that big of a difference. Last year this team only won one game in the regular season, although they could have easily won all their games if the ball bounced a little differently. Wager, although only completing 50% of his passes has 13 TDs leading the league. Thomas/Thornton/Hooper are certainly one of the best receiving corps in the league and Allums is one of the best backs in the league. The defense has been consistent, leading the league in fewest points given up, although they haven't played a great offensive team yet. Special teams have been mixed. The kicking game is inconsistent, but the return game as been very good with Thomas returning 2 punts for TDs.
The Lions are Misi Tupe. He does it all. Leads the League in rushing and passing yards. He has good receivers in Groskreutz, Hafoka, Wood, and Tanner. Although I'm not sure how good because they are always covered man because every team has to load the box to stop Misi from running. And Misi makes them pay, although only completing 50% of his passes, hes averaging 20 yds per completion and has 11 TDs and only 2 int. The Lions have more running power in Tapuos, and Matololo. The defense is one of the top in the league giving up only 12 pts per game. The special teams are also good.
Lions have to travel for the first time this year, they have traveled well in the past, so I assume they will again this year, but it is still a 4 hour trip which they will probably make on game day. The Lions are the more physical team. The Shock will need to load up the box to try to stop the Lions running game. Then it will be up to the Shock DBs to man up. The Lions need to try to contain Thomas, Thornton and Allums. These teams are closely matched. I give the Lions offense the advantage, defenses are equal and Shock advantage on Special teams.
Misi is a special player, but I pick Shock to upset Lions. Shock 30 Lions 26
Our kicking game is inconsistent because well..... I've been kicking. HaHa! I'm not a real kicker, I'm just pretending to be one until we find a real one. Four missed PATs is bad, regardless. But 1/1 on FGs? Boom! Yeah, it was from like 20 yards, so what?!
I will say this tho... A battle of not very good teams being a better game to watch over two "top 4" games? Come on..... Nobody watches the CFL if the NFL is playing, D-III when SEC is on or WNBA playoffs over any other thing that's on TV.
Stat sheet shows 11 of 16 on PATs, the way I was taught that is 5 missed not 4 ;) You pretend pretty well, but I still call that inconsistent. Actually, it looks like only the Rev and Snow Devils have consistent kickers. You're not doing that badly.
If you need a real kicker, Thornton was an overall MVP, maybe he can kick, or Thomas seems to do everything, maybe he can.
The statement about doubting if either team (Stampede/Vipers) will be missing any players... not so sure. They had a LOT of injuries Saturday. Most of those injuries happened in the first half... we were 0-0 end of 1st qtr and they were 2 points ahead at one point. We blew them up in the 2nd half. Shock found its rhythm, yeah... but Vipers had a lot of 1st half players on the sideline nursing injuries. If they were hurt badly enough to suffer a second half beatdown like they did, I wouldn't expect them to be in full force this Saturday.
Refer to another prediction thread where the StGeorZion Blebelions vs. Shock is ALWAYS a great game, no matter which team traveled, and see how you've missed the point of it being called GOTW.
__________________
Darrell Baranowski
Utah Shock #51
Player... just a player. Hallelujah, I'M ONLY A PLAYER!!
