2) Underdog
If I were to pick a team that was an underdog in this year's playoffs that had the best chance to win and move on to the Ultimas, I would choose the San Jose Sabercats who are going on the road to face the Orange County Otters. I don't know if I really believe this or if I've just been brainwashed into thinking that the Sabercats are the team that are always on the cusp and taking that next step but never really do, but I'm sticking with them for yet another season. The one thing I can point to is the fact that the Sabercats pitched a 23 point shutout at home against the Otters and only lost to them by three points on a 32 yard bomb to Carlito Crush deep in the 4th quarter, so they definitely showed that they could keep up with Orange County even on OCO's turf. I think for the most part San Jose's 9-5 record is a bit deceiving in that 4 of those 5 losses came on the road and even though one of them was against Colorado, we all know really weird things happen on the road, while their only home loss case to Baltimore who is the other favorite in these playoffs.
3) All about the QBs
I think that the quarterback matchup in the San Jose Sabercats vs Orange County Otters matchup is pretty intriguing and will truly be the one thing that determines the outcome of this game. For the Sabercats, they have Joliet L. Christ, who took the league by storm this only throwing for 3438 yards and 27 touchdowns (only good for the bottom half of the league), but also running for 814 yards and 6 touchdowns, which is basically the same stat line as San Jose's lead back, Jarrod Canton. Basically Christ is the team's majority offensive weapon and if he's shut down its' going to be a bad time. On the other side of the field will be Gus T.T. Sowbiz who was 3rd in the NSFL in passing yards and first in passing touchdowns. In two of Orange County's losses Showbiz threw at least one interceptions, while in all the losses their lead back had 4.2 or less yards per carry. Basically their high powered offensive attack got knocked off balance and their timing plays just weren't in sync. I think that if Orange County wants to win Showbiz needs to put the team on his back and carry them past the Sabercats.
5) Spotlight on Youth
I think that if I were to pick one player from S12 or newer that will have a huge impact during this Ultimas Week, I'd have to go with Luke Smyles. I know we're not looked at as a team that can even win a game during these playoffs, but if we do have some kind of a chance and one of these young players were to be a reason I'd bet anything it'd be him. Smyles has quietly had a huge season for us playing both defensive end and linebacker and in the process racked up over 100 tackles with 9 sacks and two forced fumbles. Against the Hawks he'll be asked to do quite a lot and I think he's definitely up for the challenge, whether or not that'll be enough for a win is neither here nor there because at the end of the day he has had such a huge season for us I think he needs to be recognized in some way. So yeah if we keep the game close or somehow pull off the upset against Baltimore whether it shows up in the stat sheet or not a large impact will be because of him.
12) Sit Down With a Fan
Interview
If I were to pick a team that was an underdog in this year's playoffs that had the best chance to win and move on to the Ultimas, I would choose the San Jose Sabercats who are going on the road to face the Orange County Otters. I don't know if I really believe this or if I've just been brainwashed into thinking that the Sabercats are the team that are always on the cusp and taking that next step but never really do, but I'm sticking with them for yet another season. The one thing I can point to is the fact that the Sabercats pitched a 23 point shutout at home against the Otters and only lost to them by three points on a 32 yard bomb to Carlito Crush deep in the 4th quarter, so they definitely showed that they could keep up with Orange County even on OCO's turf. I think for the most part San Jose's 9-5 record is a bit deceiving in that 4 of those 5 losses came on the road and even though one of them was against Colorado, we all know really weird things happen on the road, while their only home loss case to Baltimore who is the other favorite in these playoffs.
3) All about the QBs
I think that the quarterback matchup in the San Jose Sabercats vs Orange County Otters matchup is pretty intriguing and will truly be the one thing that determines the outcome of this game. For the Sabercats, they have Joliet L. Christ, who took the league by storm this only throwing for 3438 yards and 27 touchdowns (only good for the bottom half of the league), but also running for 814 yards and 6 touchdowns, which is basically the same stat line as San Jose's lead back, Jarrod Canton. Basically Christ is the team's majority offensive weapon and if he's shut down its' going to be a bad time. On the other side of the field will be Gus T.T. Sowbiz who was 3rd in the NSFL in passing yards and first in passing touchdowns. In two of Orange County's losses Showbiz threw at least one interceptions, while in all the losses their lead back had 4.2 or less yards per carry. Basically their high powered offensive attack got knocked off balance and their timing plays just weren't in sync. I think that if Orange County wants to win Showbiz needs to put the team on his back and carry them past the Sabercats.
5) Spotlight on Youth
I think that if I were to pick one player from S12 or newer that will have a huge impact during this Ultimas Week, I'd have to go with Luke Smyles. I know we're not looked at as a team that can even win a game during these playoffs, but if we do have some kind of a chance and one of these young players were to be a reason I'd bet anything it'd be him. Smyles has quietly had a huge season for us playing both defensive end and linebacker and in the process racked up over 100 tackles with 9 sacks and two forced fumbles. Against the Hawks he'll be asked to do quite a lot and I think he's definitely up for the challenge, whether or not that'll be enough for a win is neither here nor there because at the end of the day he has had such a huge season for us I think he needs to be recognized in some way. So yeah if we keep the game close or somehow pull off the upset against Baltimore whether it shows up in the stat sheet or not a large impact will be because of him.
12) Sit Down With a Fan
Interview
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