NSFL S1 Predictions - Early Results

adam2552 · 06-04-2017, 08:44 PM

[div align=\\\"center\\\"]NSFL S1 Predictions[/div]

The NSFL has surveyed its players regarding how they think teams will finish S1. Each player was asked to order the teams how they would finish in their conference, which team would have the best regular season record, which teams would win their respective conference championships, and which team would win the league championship. If a team finishes in the top two in their conference they will make the playoffs. After 75 players were surveyed, there is one team that is clearly a league favorite, the Orange County Otters.

[div align=\\\"center\\\"]Orange County Otters - ASFC [/div]

The Otters were selected as a playoff team in 85.33% of responses, with an incredible 43 first place finishes and 21 second place finishes. The Otters were only selected as missing the playoffs entirely in just 11 of the responses. They also were chosen as the regular season champion, (25 times, and league champion, 16 times, more than any other team in the league. Surprisingly, they were only chosen as the ASFC Champion 31 times. While still more than any other ASFC team, it is shocking to see that so many that picked them as regular season conference champs, have the Otters being upset early in the playoffs.

The next two teams on the list most players believe will competing for the NSFC title. They are nearly identically rated showing that players believe the NSFC will have a tight race at the top between the Yellowstone Wraiths and the Colorado Yeti.

[div align=\\\"center\\\"]Yellowstone Wraiths - NSFC[/div]

NSFL players chose the Wraiths as winning the NSFC in the regular season 32 times and finishing in second 22 times, making the Wraiths a playoff team in 72% of responses. The Wraiths were not selected as a playoff team in 21 of the responses. 32 respondents selected the Wraiths as NSFC Champion and 14 of players picked the Wraiths winning the League Championship, which are both respectively the largest in the NSFC.

[div align=\\\"center\\\"]Colorado Yeti - NSFC[/div]

The Yeti are not far behind the Wraiths in the eyes of the players. The Yeti were actually selected as the NSFC team most likely to make the playoffs, selected by 76% of players to make the playoffs. Twenty-eight players selected the Yeti to finish in first place of the NSFC, while 29 players selected the team to finish second. This leaves 18 of the players surveyed marking the Yeti as missing the playoffs entirely. The Yeti were selected as winning the NSFC in 26 of the surveys and were disappointingly selected to win the league championship in just 10 of the responses.

The next team on the list is in a class of its own. They are not an overwhelming favorite, but are well respected around the league and many believe they will compete their conference’s championship, the San Jose Sabercats.

[div align=\\\"center\\\"]San Jose Sabercats - ASFC[/div]

The Sabercats were selected as a playoff team in 68% of the surveys. However, the majority of those respondents selected the Sabercats as the second place finisher in the conference. Only 17 of the surveys had the Sabercats finishing in first place, while 34 players marked the Sabercats as the second place finisher. Twenty-four of the respondents don’t think the Sabercats will even reach the playoffs. Of the 51 responses that have the Sabercats making the playoffs, 29 feel as though the Sabercats will win the ASFC Championship. Fourteen players even marked the Sabercats as winning the League Championship. Despite this, only seven players chose the Sabercats to have the best regular season record in the league.

The two remaining teams are believed to have a tough season in the minds of the players. These teams are clear underdogs in the minds of players around the league, the Baltimore Hawks and the Arizona Outlaws.

[div align=\\\"center\\\"]Baltimore Hawks - NSFC[/div]

Just 52% of responses marked the Hawks as a playoff team. Fifteen respondents have the Hawks finishing in first place, while 24 respondents marked the Hawks as second place finishers. Eight players marked the Hawks as finishing the regular season with the best record in the league. The Hawks were selected to win the NSFC Championship just 17 times and win the League Championship, a league low, seven times. The Hawks were not selected to even make the playoffs on 36 of the surveys.

[div align=\\\"center\\\"]Arizona Outlaws - ASFC[/div]

The Outlaws were selected as a playoff team in only 46.67% of surveys. Forty of the players surveyed believe the Outlaws will miss the playoffs entirely. However, 15 players believe the Outlaws will finish in first place in ASFC and 20 players selected the Outlaws to finish second in the ASFC. Eight players selected the Outlaws to have the best regular season record in the league. The Outlaws were chosen to win the ASFC Championship by just 15 respondents. However, 14 players also chose the Outlaws to win the League Championship, tied for the second most in the league.

The results of the survey show that despite no games being played yet, players are already beginning to form opinions regarding which teams are going to find success in S1. Readers should note that there were no rules preventing players from choosing their own team. It is, not only possible but, likely that players would choose their own team to have a successful season. Will the league follow the player’s pre-preseason predictions or will the underdogs shock the league? Are the Otters the runaway best team in the ASFC? Who will win the battle between the Wraiths and Yeti? These questions and many more will be answered not by player surveys but by the actual games once the season starts.

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