Everyone in the League, except the Trojans are hoping for a Sting victory to bring the Trojans back into the fold. It looks like another stormy Saturday in Brigham City with forecast temps in the upper 50s with 50% chance of showers and winds from the North at 16 mph. I think the weather is an advantage for the Sting. Home Field should also help along with having the Trojans needing to travel about 7 hours.
The Sting are coming off a bye, so they should be well rested. The non-football aspects of this game appear to favor the Sting, But, this is football, the Trojans have been the most dominating defense in the league allowing only 5.2 pts/game. The Sting have been good on defense too surrendering about 14 pts/game.
The Trojan and Sting are both better at rushing than passing. Ball and Blake are a very good 1-2 punch for the Trojans, but Messenger is no slouch either and leads the league in rushing. Last week the Trojans finally got the offense working against a weak defense, I guess we will see if it can continue against a much better defense.
I think this game comes down to turnovers, both teams have been good at getting them, but the Trojans have been spectacular. There are still lots of unknowns regarding how the Trojans will travel, but I keep hearing it isn't an issue. If they travel well, this will be a close low scoring game.
Trojans 14 Sting 7
Shock(3-1) @ Rev(3-1) - Game of the Week part 2
A separation game, This should be a barn burner assuming the weather isn't too bad. I'm a little tired of these bad weather games, but the forecast is once again for 40% chance of showers with 15 mph winds.
The Rev are a little more dependent on the passing game, at least their pass/run ratio is more pass oriented than the Shock, so the wind and rain may effect them slightly more. But this game is very evenly matched. Both teams have solid QBs with very good recievers, and good running games. I'd give the Rev the advantage in passing, and the Shock the advantage in the running game. The defenses for both teams are very good. Special teams are both good, but I'd give an advantage to the Shock with Thomas if Eteauti isn't available for the Rev.
I hope the weather for this game is good, if so, it could be the best game of the year to watch, if bad weather, which I expect, it could get sloppy and come down to a turnover or special teams play.
Rev 24 Shock 21
Wildcats(1-2) @ Vipers(1-2)
This should be a very competitive game. The winner gets the inside track to the playoffs. Both teams have looked good and bad. Sherwood is more of a dual threat QB and Hernandez is more of a passer. Last week the Vipers got run over by the bigger more physical Lions and the Wildcats were shutdown by the Shock. Both QBs needs to limit interceptions. The Wildcats are the more physical team and assuming bad weather I will pick the Wildcats to win.
Wildcats 28 Vipers 16
Raiders(0-4) @ Lions(2-1)
The Lions will run all over the Raiders, although the Raiders will have better stats ;)
I'm looking for a week of upsets here and it starts with the Sting bringing their "A"game against the best D in the Big 9. If the sting can pull the upset it would come to the surprise of many outside the Sting camp. But it would also muddle up the playoff picture quite a bit and make the next 4 weeks a lot more interesting. I think this one is a low scoring back and forth game of field positon that the home teams takes, even if only by accident or goof. One lucky bounce is some times all you need.
Trojans 13 - Sting 19
Rev @ Shock
In past years this would be a good game for most of it but then not close in the end. this year will be different and if the Rev stumble one too many times the Shock just may walk away with one. Shock fans must be hopeful as there are plenty of times you knew you would have to play a perfect game to even have a chance to be the Rev, but now you guys don't need such luck or happen stance to win; you could pull it off simply because you're that good this year. lets see if you guys can step it up and take one most people have already counted you out for, even if only by habit.
Rev 27 - Shock 28
Wildcats @ Vipers
Toss up here, I really could go back and forth either way, but I think Rex gets his boys ready for war and they hold up against the local rival.
Wildcats 20 - Vipers 22
Lions @ Raiders
The Lions will run 30 plays, score on 7 of them, and still get tackled 50 times.
