Well, I guess I should go back to calling myself an ignorant guy. There were teams that really impressed me over the weekend. I wasn't expecting as much from the Cobras, or the Gladiators. They both had pretty sound victories. Well done fellas. Now lets get into it:
Outlaws @ Cobras
It sounds like the Outlaws are not the team they were last year. They had a great second half in Elko last week, but ran out of clock. Apparently their defense has beefed up quite a bit. That's good, because the Cobra's offense is better than I thought. With Ihde running around in the back field, they are going to need to cover the run really well. I still haven't seen stats or anything from last week, so I don't know how the cobras put up as many points as they did, maybe they were really good at running punts back or something...
The Cobras came out with a big bang last week. They have a lot of momentum going now, having lost a close one to the Sting, and won pretty big on a long road game. They have a stout defense, with probably the biggest safety in the league, and a good running game, with probably the smallest running back in the league. I expect great thing coming from the Cobras this season, especially with their 'easier' schedule.
I think the Outlaws come out flat again. 2 weeks on the road at the beginning of the season is tough to do. The Cobras pull away early, and the Outlaws never recover.
Outlaws 7 - Cobras 28
Warriors @ Oilers
The Warriors pulled away pretty quick last week, and got lucky they ran out of clock. Their offense produced 0 points in the second half, and they struggled keeping the Outlaws out of the end zone in the second half as well. First road game of the season. Hopefully they can bring all of their players. If they do, this has the makings of being a close game.
The Oilers have numbers. I was actually surprised to see how many guys were on the sideline last week. I was expecting 18-20, but they had about 30. You could tell they were rusty, as they have had 2 practices before the season started. I think they will get more competitive as the season goes on. This should be a pretty good game, I would expect a close one here.
Warriors have the defense to stop the Oilers. The Oilers have the defense to stop the Warriors. I'm just gonna go with the home team on this one, just because they don't have to travel.
Warriors 7 - Oilers 10
GOTW
Mustangs @ Stampede
These two teams squared off last season for the first time in years. It came down to the wire and the Stampede won it by 2 points. This should be another power-struggle game, with the two teams trying to get 1st place in their division.
The Mustangs are coming off a win in week 1, and look for that momentum to carry them to Logan. As it is the first travel game of the season, there are always worries, on who all you will take to the game. But the Mustangs are confident in their abilities to stop any offense in its tracks, and put enough points on the board to win the game.
I know very little about the Stamede, other than they converted some of their bigger play makers to coaching staff. But in this league, that doesn't mean those guys won't strap up. I think this could be a close game, with both defenses controlling the game. I can't pick against my own team, and knowing the Stampede haven't had any pre-season games/scrimmages, I think they come out rusty, and just never recover.
Mustangs 14 - Stampede 7
Anarchy @ Diggers
The Anarchy showed up to a pre-season jamboree with 11 players. They played their heart out, and still did pretty well. They gave the Tribe a run for their money in the first round of the playoff. According to the team owner, they have been able to augment their roster, and return a bunch of their 'old guys'. So this team went from maybe not being able to make every game, to being a contender in the Central Division.
The Diggers are coming off a close win, on a long travel game. Taking only about 18 guys, they went up to Flathead and won 7-6. Congrats guys. a 1 point win is still a win. Now they host a good Anarchy team, and need all of their players to show up to this one. If the Anarchy really are returning everyone I think they are, this will be a hard game to win for the Diggers.
Anarchy 21 - Diggers 10
Monsters @ Avalanche
2 teams I know virtually nothing about.
Both of these teams are fighting to get to .500. The Avalanche lost a big one to the Cobras last week. And the Monsters lost a close one to the Diggers. Honestly, I just have to go with the home team on this one. Plus I think they Avalanche have the better roster.
That is correct. If the Mustangs score first, and you don't ever pass them in points, that is the definition of not recovering. Its gonna be a fun game. Saturday night lights! Why the hell do y'all play so late?
