4. “Sim gonna sim” is a popular expression in the league. Write about teams that have been graced by the sim gods and had amazing performances despite statistical odds, and/or about teams that were considered favorites but may have dealt with some bad sim luck that hampered their efforts. How much of an impact did it have on their season(s)?
As a member of the s28 Colorado Yeti, I have to believe that the expression "sim gonna sim" was heard more in our locker room than any other. On the path to the s28 Ultimus, the ending did not match what we expected in the beginning. Colorado, coming off a playoff run in s27 where we lost in the conference championships, was widely expected to make the jump and be one of the top 2 teams in the NSFC, and almost a lock for the playoffs. Well, that didn't happen! As a member of that illustrious locker room, I wanted to look back on a couple of games where it seemed like the sim was completely against us winning. And, disclaimer, this isn't saying anything about the teams or players we were up against. I just think that the sim is gonna sim sometimes.
The most prolific "sim gonna sim" game of our season was absolutely week 13 vs Chicago. Chicago had not scored since 13:07 in the second quarter, and with 5:30 left in the 4th, yours truly scored our only TD of the day and put the Yeti up 18-13. Chicago had under 30 yards rushing at this point, a great defensive showing from Colorado. Well, the sim gods blessed the Butchers, and Baby Yoda went for 53 yards and a TD. It was his first and only carry of the day, and he accounted for 53 yards of the 83 total rushing on the day (64%). I do not think that will ever be seen in real life. Especially with a RB getting his first carry of the day. The only explanation for that? Sim gonna sim. I think what made that one sting even more, is that the game before we were disgraced by the sim gods. Week 12 versus Sarasota, the Yeti were up 30-14 when Richard Gilbert caught a TD with 6:08 second left in the 4th quarter. Well, on the very next drive Mike Boss threw a 52 yard td to Angler. After a Yeti offensive possession, on the very first play of the next drive Boss threw a 50 Yard TD to James Angler. Now, Mike Boss on the day had 330 yards and 3 touchdowns. 30% of his yards and 66% of his touchdowns came within 5 minutes. In the 4th quarter. So, two weeks in a row, the Colorado Yeti had been less than blessed by the sim. In all actuality, the Yeti lost 4 games by less than 4 points, with the two I just talked about coming off of 4th quarter comebacks. If the game versus Sarasota had happened in the NFL, I would guarantee it would make most peoples top 10 list for best comebacks of all time. If you would like a more in-depth look at the Yeti and how they did on defense, a great article written by Rusfan is linked. I could be biased, but from everything I was hearing leading up to the season, the Yeti were supposed to not only compete for the playoffs, but be contenders for the Ultimus. Whether it was Caliban having the most Jameis Winston season I have ever seen in ISFL history, or our defenses inability to close out games in the 4th, the sim is gonna sim. I don't know what we could've done differently from our part, but I am glad to be a part of this team going forward. I just hope that we get on the good side of the sim soon.
On the other side of the coin, I think the team that most benefitted from the sim this season was the Sarasota Sailfish. Not only because of the legendary comeback versus Colorado, but Sarasota had a few games that could've gone the other way had they not had sim luck. Week 7 versus Honolulu is a prime example. Mike Boss had thrown for 146 yards, and the stifling Honolulu defense played very well. but they allowed the only touchdown pass of the game with 1:41 left in the 4th quarter. I don't know if there is some stat that gives Sarasota the Aaron Rodgers gene, but they seem to have some crazy 4th quarter comebacks. The craziest of those, and I would say the most insane of all season, was week 11 versus Chicago. Going into the 4th, the Butchers lead 34 to 24. Sarasota scored a rushing touchdown with 8:56 left in the 4th, to bring them within 3. So, after some back and forth, the Sailfish hit a 51 yard field goal with 19 seconds left in the 4th quarter. So logically, the move would be to go for OT. Except, Sarasota is full of absolute mad lads. And Chicago failed to punt the ball and failed a 4th down conversion. So, with 2 seconds left, they hit another 51 yard field goal to win the game. The statistical improbability of them winning the game was one thing, but winning the game on back to back 51 yard field goals is absolutely absurd. And they beat the Yeti twice by 3 points or less. Must've been nice to be blessed this season.
I don't put much personal stake on the sim, because I know it is a game at the end of the day. But, I would be lying if I said that I don't like winning. And as a member of the Yeti this season, I saw what the sim can do when it's angry. I don't even know what we did, maybe we actually got hit with the Big Edd curse. Or my Yeti predecessors ended up using up all of our luck to win the s22 Ultimus. I hope we find a way back on to the good side of the sim, cause I would love to compete for an Ultimus next season.
(982 Words)
As a member of the s28 Colorado Yeti, I have to believe that the expression "sim gonna sim" was heard more in our locker room than any other. On the path to the s28 Ultimus, the ending did not match what we expected in the beginning. Colorado, coming off a playoff run in s27 where we lost in the conference championships, was widely expected to make the jump and be one of the top 2 teams in the NSFC, and almost a lock for the playoffs. Well, that didn't happen! As a member of that illustrious locker room, I wanted to look back on a couple of games where it seemed like the sim was completely against us winning. And, disclaimer, this isn't saying anything about the teams or players we were up against. I just think that the sim is gonna sim sometimes.
The most prolific "sim gonna sim" game of our season was absolutely week 13 vs Chicago. Chicago had not scored since 13:07 in the second quarter, and with 5:30 left in the 4th, yours truly scored our only TD of the day and put the Yeti up 18-13. Chicago had under 30 yards rushing at this point, a great defensive showing from Colorado. Well, the sim gods blessed the Butchers, and Baby Yoda went for 53 yards and a TD. It was his first and only carry of the day, and he accounted for 53 yards of the 83 total rushing on the day (64%). I do not think that will ever be seen in real life. Especially with a RB getting his first carry of the day. The only explanation for that? Sim gonna sim. I think what made that one sting even more, is that the game before we were disgraced by the sim gods. Week 12 versus Sarasota, the Yeti were up 30-14 when Richard Gilbert caught a TD with 6:08 second left in the 4th quarter. Well, on the very next drive Mike Boss threw a 52 yard td to Angler. After a Yeti offensive possession, on the very first play of the next drive Boss threw a 50 Yard TD to James Angler. Now, Mike Boss on the day had 330 yards and 3 touchdowns. 30% of his yards and 66% of his touchdowns came within 5 minutes. In the 4th quarter. So, two weeks in a row, the Colorado Yeti had been less than blessed by the sim. In all actuality, the Yeti lost 4 games by less than 4 points, with the two I just talked about coming off of 4th quarter comebacks. If the game versus Sarasota had happened in the NFL, I would guarantee it would make most peoples top 10 list for best comebacks of all time. If you would like a more in-depth look at the Yeti and how they did on defense, a great article written by Rusfan is linked. I could be biased, but from everything I was hearing leading up to the season, the Yeti were supposed to not only compete for the playoffs, but be contenders for the Ultimus. Whether it was Caliban having the most Jameis Winston season I have ever seen in ISFL history, or our defenses inability to close out games in the 4th, the sim is gonna sim. I don't know what we could've done differently from our part, but I am glad to be a part of this team going forward. I just hope that we get on the good side of the sim soon.
On the other side of the coin, I think the team that most benefitted from the sim this season was the Sarasota Sailfish. Not only because of the legendary comeback versus Colorado, but Sarasota had a few games that could've gone the other way had they not had sim luck. Week 7 versus Honolulu is a prime example. Mike Boss had thrown for 146 yards, and the stifling Honolulu defense played very well. but they allowed the only touchdown pass of the game with 1:41 left in the 4th quarter. I don't know if there is some stat that gives Sarasota the Aaron Rodgers gene, but they seem to have some crazy 4th quarter comebacks. The craziest of those, and I would say the most insane of all season, was week 11 versus Chicago. Going into the 4th, the Butchers lead 34 to 24. Sarasota scored a rushing touchdown with 8:56 left in the 4th, to bring them within 3. So, after some back and forth, the Sailfish hit a 51 yard field goal with 19 seconds left in the 4th quarter. So logically, the move would be to go for OT. Except, Sarasota is full of absolute mad lads. And Chicago failed to punt the ball and failed a 4th down conversion. So, with 2 seconds left, they hit another 51 yard field goal to win the game. The statistical improbability of them winning the game was one thing, but winning the game on back to back 51 yard field goals is absolutely absurd. And they beat the Yeti twice by 3 points or less. Must've been nice to be blessed this season.
I don't put much personal stake on the sim, because I know it is a game at the end of the day. But, I would be lying if I said that I don't like winning. And as a member of the Yeti this season, I saw what the sim can do when it's angry. I don't even know what we did, maybe we actually got hit with the Big Edd curse. Or my Yeti predecessors ended up using up all of our luck to win the s22 Ultimus. I hope we find a way back on to the good side of the sim, cause I would love to compete for an Ultimus next season.
(982 Words)