12-01-2017, 04:46 PM
(This post was last modified: 12-04-2017, 11:57 AM by ItsJustBarry.)
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Playoff Predictions: Give a short write up on each of the playoff matches (including the championship game).
This season, we start by watching the Philadelphia Liberty head up to Canada to face off against the Yellowknife Wraiths. Despite Philly winning both matchups during the regular season, I am giving the advantage to Yellowknife. As a team that was slated to not fare so well this season while they prepped for the upcoming draft class, Yellowknife shocked many people by not only coming out and winning, but locking up the #1 seed in the NSFC. I expected a close game with Yellowknife edging out a victory in a single digit victory.
On the other side, we have Arizona and Orange County facing off for the 4th consecutive season. While many have automatically placed Arizona in the Ultimus game again this season, I am not sold. The high powered offense of Orange county is backed by an even better defense this season and I can see the boys in orange pulling off the upset.
That means that the Ultimus game would be the Wraiths headed to Orange County to play for the opportunity to soil the Ultimus Trophy with a new franchise’s name. I don’t think Yellowknife has the fire power to keep pace with the Otters and OCO wins easily but regardless of the outcome, everyone will rejoice as it’s just not Arizona.
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Root for the Underdog: Pick an away team in an upcoming game and try to convince yourself (and us) why they can win.
This one is easy for me to pick. The underdog I am rooting for, if you can even call them that, would be the Orange County Otters. To be completely honest, I would root for any ASFC team that is facing Arizona. It is time to see the passing of the torch and it begins this season when Orange County heads back to the desert for yet another ASFC conference championship matchup. This season, we have the top 2 quarterbacks, Mike Boss and King Bronko throwing to the top 3 receivers in Robert Phelps, Josh Garden, and Bradley Westfield. Despite the fact that the only time Orange County has defeated Arizona is in week 14 of S1, I like their odds this week. The Otters have played 45 games including 3 playoff games since the last time they beat the perennial favorite Arizona Outlaws. Why would I expect this season to be different? With the impactful offensive line changes this season, Orange County had the most to gain. The playmaker, the 2 time record holder for sacks in a season, Jayce Tuck, has been reduced to single digit sacks this season while both defensive ends for Orange County finished ahead of him.
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Sit-down with THE star, Angus Winchester: Interview a player from a team that is not your own that is in the playoffs.
Q: In your franchise’s history, including playoffs you’ve faced off against Arizona 12 times and have a record of 1-11. You are once again the #2 seed heading to the desert. Why do you expect this game to be different from the rest?
A: I think some of these games have been much closer by the numbers than history would indicate. There have been times where we have gone into Arizona with a 50/50 or better shot at winning the game. This season is no different, we have a good shot at beating them even on their own turf. Season four so far has been the greatest parity we have seen yet in the league for several reasons, and this could be the game where the Outlaws get dethroned.
Q: 3 playoff appearances, 3 devastating losses including 2 losses by 20+. The Otters have failed to score more than 13 in a playoff game while giving up an average of 26.6 points. With both sides of the ball appearing to struggle on the big stage, who are you expecting to step up to change history?
A: I don't really think this is going to be just one player, but a concerted effort across the board. Of course Mike Boss and his combination of Phelps and Westfield are always a threat for opposing defenses. But I also expect to see George Wright Jr and Gregor Clegane on the D-line wreaking havoc in both the passing game and the run game. And I have high hopes for rookie TE Steven O'Sullivan too.
Q: With the recent O-Line changes, Angus Winchester took advantage of the free swap and became the anchor of the defense as the starting MLB. Is this change the X-factor that will finally propel Orange County to the Ultimus game?
A: Not even close. I'm doing well as a linebacker, getting some good run stops and some big sacks. But I really think the biggest O-line move was Greg Clegane.
He is really big and really strong. He is going to absolutely dominate even against a very powerful Arizona offensive line.
Q: Assuming you reign supreme and finally berth the championship game. If you had the choice, which NSFC team would you prefer to face?
A: Tough call. I think both teams are very talented in different ways. Each brings something different to the table. Philly has a unique defensive scheme. Yellowknife has a unique spread offense scheme. I think if I had to choose I'd want to face Yellowknife to get some revenge for that lucky win they had against us early in the season...and to sack Akselsen.
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Hate the player or the game: Tell us which team made the playoffs and shouldn't have, or which team didn't and should have?
One team that is sitting at home this week that maybe should be in the playoffs in the San Jose Saber cats. After landing a few successful players in free agency last off season, there playoff aspirations were set to high. Seeing the Arizona Outlaws lose back to back games in weeks 5 and 6, this team had to expect the conference to be a lot closer than it ended up being. Unfortunately, the Outlaws went on to sweep their remaining schedule to retain their given place at the top of the ASFC. Despite beating the Orange County Otters in week 14, San Jose would lose the tie breaker and start their offseason a game sooner. When you look back at their schedule, the week 4 loss at home to Baltimore, which they had just previously two weeks prior, is the sole L on their schedule they probably should have and needed to win. With no notable players leaving San Jose this offseason and a promising S5 draft class, there is a lot to be excited for if you are a San Jose player or fan. This is likely the last season the ASFC playoffs are without green and gold representation.
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