Task 1:
Arizona unfortunately stumbled out of the gates this season, holding onto a losing record for a good chunk of the season. This was a huge surprise to both everyone inside and outside the organization. By no means were the Outlaws expected to repeat their season performance the season prior, but I don't think it's a stretch to say no one was expecting them to lost 2 games to Orange County this season en route to stumbling into the playoffs. They were able to win enough to make up for the stumble, but it has to be in the back of their minds heading in to the first week of playoffs. They also lost 2 appearances to Austin this season, so if they get past the first matchup, they have a very tough opponent waiting for them.
Honolulu tore through the back end of the schedule, going 5-1 in their last 6, and setting themselves up for a playoff spot with their last week win against NY. The one loss however was to Arizona, their playoff matchup in the first round, so we will see if that is a bit of foreshadowing. Honolulu preformed pretty well this season, they had a rough pre season and a 4 game loss stretch, but all four came against very tough opponents that they can't be faulted for slipping to. They kept their heads high and won when it mattered to make it this far, and now anything can happen.
Cleaning up the ASFC we have the Austin Copperheads who lead the league this season. Obvious favourites to go all the way, this author is very much aware that regular season results don't guarantee anything and they need to preform these next few games or have it all for nothing. The only loss they had to a playoff team came in week 8 against Colorado, but their 3 losses to non playoff teams show they can be beaten. Look for them to go all the way.
Moving over conferences now we look at Colorado, Chicago and Sarasota. Chicago clinched in their last game by defeating Berlin handily to secure their spot, but they have really seemed to struggle against other playoff bound teams this season. An accomplishment to make the playoffs to be sure, but I think they are the least likely team to move on.
Sarasota Sailfish ended up with the same record as Chicago, and they also seemed to win all the games they should have, and lost against the higher competitive teams. Either them or Chicago will need to win their game, and I do truly believe the best team will win and get the privilege of playing in Colorado for the conference finals game.
Colorado lead the way in their conference by posting a 11-5-0 record. They had some odd losses in weeks 10 and 11 against Yellowknife and Philadelphia, but aside from that 2 week excerpt they seemed to put forward a very solid season. Their other losses came against highly competitive teams, and they were able to beat teams that they could be considered on par with , or better than. Colorado earned their conference championship position and should enjoy their playoff bye week while they watch and prepare for the winner of Chicago and Sarasota.
With everyones journey to this point, I want to stick with my guns and say Arizona is a dark horse underdog, potentially upsetting team. I do believe that Arizona should have had a better record through the season, but they were able to correct the ship with enough time to secure their playoff birth. They are largely untouched from the previous season where they fell one game short of the ultimate victory. The one thing that I think can force them to loose is the same thing that lead to them to drop some odd games this season, which is a mix of bad sim luck and themselves. Perhaps this bad sim luck will rear its ugly head in the playoffs as well, but I don't think a loss at this point in time can really be chalked up to poor luck, as it's down to the best of the best.
I think the NSFC is the most likely conference to produce an upset result. Specifically Sarasota emerging victorious to represent their conference. This would feature them against Austin, where I think Austin is the ultimate victor this season. Either way I do believe our league champion will be out of the ASFC, whether that is Austin, or if they manage to be upset by either Arizona or Honolulu.
Ultimately this is setting up to be a pretty good playoff series. I don't think there is any clear cut blow the competition away favourites, Arizona vs Honolulu, Chicago vs Sarasota, W1 vs Austin, W2 vs Colorado. It'll be a fun group of games to watch for sure and let the best team win!
Arizona unfortunately stumbled out of the gates this season, holding onto a losing record for a good chunk of the season. This was a huge surprise to both everyone inside and outside the organization. By no means were the Outlaws expected to repeat their season performance the season prior, but I don't think it's a stretch to say no one was expecting them to lost 2 games to Orange County this season en route to stumbling into the playoffs. They were able to win enough to make up for the stumble, but it has to be in the back of their minds heading in to the first week of playoffs. They also lost 2 appearances to Austin this season, so if they get past the first matchup, they have a very tough opponent waiting for them.
Honolulu tore through the back end of the schedule, going 5-1 in their last 6, and setting themselves up for a playoff spot with their last week win against NY. The one loss however was to Arizona, their playoff matchup in the first round, so we will see if that is a bit of foreshadowing. Honolulu preformed pretty well this season, they had a rough pre season and a 4 game loss stretch, but all four came against very tough opponents that they can't be faulted for slipping to. They kept their heads high and won when it mattered to make it this far, and now anything can happen.
Cleaning up the ASFC we have the Austin Copperheads who lead the league this season. Obvious favourites to go all the way, this author is very much aware that regular season results don't guarantee anything and they need to preform these next few games or have it all for nothing. The only loss they had to a playoff team came in week 8 against Colorado, but their 3 losses to non playoff teams show they can be beaten. Look for them to go all the way.
Moving over conferences now we look at Colorado, Chicago and Sarasota. Chicago clinched in their last game by defeating Berlin handily to secure their spot, but they have really seemed to struggle against other playoff bound teams this season. An accomplishment to make the playoffs to be sure, but I think they are the least likely team to move on.
Sarasota Sailfish ended up with the same record as Chicago, and they also seemed to win all the games they should have, and lost against the higher competitive teams. Either them or Chicago will need to win their game, and I do truly believe the best team will win and get the privilege of playing in Colorado for the conference finals game.
Colorado lead the way in their conference by posting a 11-5-0 record. They had some odd losses in weeks 10 and 11 against Yellowknife and Philadelphia, but aside from that 2 week excerpt they seemed to put forward a very solid season. Their other losses came against highly competitive teams, and they were able to beat teams that they could be considered on par with , or better than. Colorado earned their conference championship position and should enjoy their playoff bye week while they watch and prepare for the winner of Chicago and Sarasota.
With everyones journey to this point, I want to stick with my guns and say Arizona is a dark horse underdog, potentially upsetting team. I do believe that Arizona should have had a better record through the season, but they were able to correct the ship with enough time to secure their playoff birth. They are largely untouched from the previous season where they fell one game short of the ultimate victory. The one thing that I think can force them to loose is the same thing that lead to them to drop some odd games this season, which is a mix of bad sim luck and themselves. Perhaps this bad sim luck will rear its ugly head in the playoffs as well, but I don't think a loss at this point in time can really be chalked up to poor luck, as it's down to the best of the best.
I think the NSFC is the most likely conference to produce an upset result. Specifically Sarasota emerging victorious to represent their conference. This would feature them against Austin, where I think Austin is the ultimate victor this season. Either way I do believe our league champion will be out of the ASFC, whether that is Austin, or if they manage to be upset by either Arizona or Honolulu.
Ultimately this is setting up to be a pretty good playoff series. I don't think there is any clear cut blow the competition away favourites, Arizona vs Honolulu, Chicago vs Sarasota, W1 vs Austin, W2 vs Colorado. It'll be a fun group of games to watch for sure and let the best team win!