3. Holy shit, we did it again. That's 2 out of the last 3 seasons that we've predicted the two Ultimus teams. We correctly predicted that the Outlaws and Crash would play each other for the title last season, and while it was touch and go for a bit, we ultimately got both of those teams right, which is a nice departure from getting both teams wrong the season prior, where we picked both OCO and COL. Let's see if we can go 3 for 4 in picking the Ultimus teams!
Let's start with the NSFC this time, as I think i've historically begun these write-ups with the ASFC. The NSFC is a weird spot still. It's becoming much more even keeled than it has been in years past, but there are still a few teams that stand out above the rest. BAL still should be the strongest team in the conference, returning a ton of talent and looking to bolster their roster a little bit more. They continue to find ways to fight off regression and keep the team intact, and it leads to. a ton of winning. However, BAL looked terrible in the final few weeks of the season last year, and while I know it's a new season up ahead, that bug can be hard to shake. Beyond BAL, I think you have the previous conference champion in CTC, followed up by one of the luckiest teams last season in CHI. I expect CTC to be better next season, but with the inconsistency of the running QB, I'm just not sure what to expect. CTC looked dead in the water at the midway point of the season and ended up in the Ultimus. Meanwhile, CHI had an incredible season last year and ended up as the 1 seed in the playoffs. Was it luck or is this team good? I have no idea, but I don't expect them to have a repeat performance this season. After these top 3 teams, we have SAR, YKW, COL, and BER. COL and BER are deep in rebuilds right now, so I wouldn't expect them to be competing or fighting for spots, although I think BER ends up better than most expect next season. Not a whole lot to say about SAR and YKW either as SAR continues to build on the current core and stay even keeled. YKW is very close to peaking, and I actually expect them to replace CHI in the playoff picture this season. All that to say, I see the following:
BAL
CTC
YKW
CHI
BER
SAR
COL
Moving to the ASFC, it's a little clearer than it was last season where we had a 4 team dog fight for 3 playoff spots. AZ is coming off another Ultimus appearance and win, so expect them to be competitive again. SJS is current in their peak window, and the team is only getting better, so expect them to be pretty close to repeating last seasons performance. NOLA eeked out a playoff spot after a strong middle of the season and some unlucky bounces for OCO. They are another team whose still not fully peaked, but showed promise last season. The bottom 4 are kind of all over the place, OCO decided to sell off most everything this offseason and should be worse for the next few. AUS is kind of rebuilding, but are also trying to ensure that the golden years of their current QB aren't wasted, so I would expect them to try and be aggressive this season and the next to make sure that they can compete without having to fully commit to a rebuild. NYS has fully entered the rebuild stage as well, so a down year seems in the works. HON was rightfully one of the worst teams last year and were rewarded with a ton of high draft picks this offseason following their tankathon the season before. I see the ASFC playing out as follows:
SJS
NOLA
AZ
AUS
OCO
HON
NYS
But, what does this mean for the end of the season though? It's a tough call, but I think my gut is telling me BAL and NOLA. That being said, would not be surprised if either team is bounced out somewhere along the lines by either AZ or SJS (in NOLAs case) or BAL losing to either YKW or CTC.
If we want some crazy picks, let's go with YKW and SJS.
Let's start with the NSFC this time, as I think i've historically begun these write-ups with the ASFC. The NSFC is a weird spot still. It's becoming much more even keeled than it has been in years past, but there are still a few teams that stand out above the rest. BAL still should be the strongest team in the conference, returning a ton of talent and looking to bolster their roster a little bit more. They continue to find ways to fight off regression and keep the team intact, and it leads to. a ton of winning. However, BAL looked terrible in the final few weeks of the season last year, and while I know it's a new season up ahead, that bug can be hard to shake. Beyond BAL, I think you have the previous conference champion in CTC, followed up by one of the luckiest teams last season in CHI. I expect CTC to be better next season, but with the inconsistency of the running QB, I'm just not sure what to expect. CTC looked dead in the water at the midway point of the season and ended up in the Ultimus. Meanwhile, CHI had an incredible season last year and ended up as the 1 seed in the playoffs. Was it luck or is this team good? I have no idea, but I don't expect them to have a repeat performance this season. After these top 3 teams, we have SAR, YKW, COL, and BER. COL and BER are deep in rebuilds right now, so I wouldn't expect them to be competing or fighting for spots, although I think BER ends up better than most expect next season. Not a whole lot to say about SAR and YKW either as SAR continues to build on the current core and stay even keeled. YKW is very close to peaking, and I actually expect them to replace CHI in the playoff picture this season. All that to say, I see the following:
BAL
CTC
YKW
CHI
BER
SAR
COL
Moving to the ASFC, it's a little clearer than it was last season where we had a 4 team dog fight for 3 playoff spots. AZ is coming off another Ultimus appearance and win, so expect them to be competitive again. SJS is current in their peak window, and the team is only getting better, so expect them to be pretty close to repeating last seasons performance. NOLA eeked out a playoff spot after a strong middle of the season and some unlucky bounces for OCO. They are another team whose still not fully peaked, but showed promise last season. The bottom 4 are kind of all over the place, OCO decided to sell off most everything this offseason and should be worse for the next few. AUS is kind of rebuilding, but are also trying to ensure that the golden years of their current QB aren't wasted, so I would expect them to try and be aggressive this season and the next to make sure that they can compete without having to fully commit to a rebuild. NYS has fully entered the rebuild stage as well, so a down year seems in the works. HON was rightfully one of the worst teams last year and were rewarded with a ton of high draft picks this offseason following their tankathon the season before. I see the ASFC playing out as follows:
SJS
NOLA
AZ
AUS
OCO
HON
NYS
But, what does this mean for the end of the season though? It's a tough call, but I think my gut is telling me BAL and NOLA. That being said, would not be surprised if either team is bounced out somewhere along the lines by either AZ or SJS (in NOLAs case) or BAL losing to either YKW or CTC.
If we want some crazy picks, let's go with YKW and SJS.