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I split these up into two separate sets, first off is divisional rivalries.
1) Hartford vs. West Virginia - What makes a great rivalry? First, you need teams that play often. Hartford and West Virginia have played more season and playoff games against each other than anyone else in the IFL (5 games). The teams must be evenly matched. Hartford holds only a 3-2 advantage in the games they have faced off against one another. To take the rivalry to the next level, the teams must be playing for high stakes. These two teams are in the top three for regular season wins in the IFL. Both seasons, the AC East has come down to a race between these two teams. In the 2004 season, these teams played for the right to advance to the AC title game. There is only one thing these two teams don't do, talk smack about the other's team. They have too much respect for each other to do that. Not to mention they do not need to give the other team bulletin board fodder prior to the game.
2) St. Louis vs. Louisiana - Two years, two identical records, and two division crowns for St. Louis, that would be enough to force any GM to drive off the cliff. All it has done in this rivalry is make it more intense. Much like the Hartford - West Virginia series, this rivalry has it all. The only reason this is not #1 is the teams were 8-8 one year and 9-7 another year. If they get their records up this year and keep the flame going, next year this time it could take the #1 spot!
3) Anchorage vs. Albuquerque - These are two teams that are going to be going after each other for the forseeable future. Both teams have bright futures, and last year they competed for the AC West crown. However, this one suffers a bit because of Anchorage's record against Albuquerque is 3-1. However, this year, Albuquerque could very well make that 3-3 by the time the year is out.
4) Iowa City vs. Wichita - To sum up this rivalry I only need to say three words, "Damn pig farmers!"
5) Salt Lake City vs. Oakland - This is a rivalry that is really just now becoming one. Look at all the off season sparring between Oakland owner/GM Jave and the owner/GM of Salt Lake City. If Oakland could only back those words up, this rivalry might start moving up!
Conference Rivalries:
We do not have a lot of conference rivalries yet, but there are a few that are developing:
1) Salt Lake City vs. Columbia - If my count is right, in the regular season and playoffs these teams have faced off three times. Columbia has won all three games. But, there are four big reasons why they top this list. These teams have faced off twice in the playoffs, the back and forth banter between the GMs, seasoned gunslinger in Julian Cartagena vs. the young buck Booker, and finally, Salt Lake felt like they should have won that playoff game last year. With the improvements they made to their defense this year, if they play again, they just might! Circle week 13 on your calendar for another heated game.
2) Hartford vs. Anchorage - These teams have played against each other three times in the playoffs and regular season. Early in 2003, it appeared that Anchorage would be one of the top AC teams, and a potential Bowl winner. That all changed on a cold day in Anchorage when Hartford came to town. The 5-1 Lynx took on the 6-0 Grizzlies, and things appeared to be going well when Theron Galicia took a shot to the knee. He crumpled to the ground in pain, his career was over. The Grizzlies walked out of Anchorage with a win. In 2004, the Lynx came to the Grizzly's Den and walked out with a loss. Then, in the 2004 playoffs, amid much controversy the Lynx knocked the Grizzlies out of the playoffs. The Grizzlies only need to wait until week 5 to see if they can get the upper hand on this conference rival!
1) Hartford vs. West Virginia - What makes a great rivalry? First, you need teams that play often. Hartford and West Virginia have played more season and playoff games against each other than anyone else in the IFL (5 games). The teams must be evenly matched. Hartford holds only a 3-2 advantage in the games they have faced off against one another. To take the rivalry to the next level, the teams must be playing for high stakes. These two teams are in the top three for regular season wins in the IFL. Both seasons, the AC East has come down to a race between these two teams. In the 2004 season, these teams played for the right to advance to the AC title game. There is only one thing these two teams don't do, talk smack about the other's team. They have too much respect for each other to do that. Not to mention they do not need to give the other team bulletin board fodder prior to the game.
2) St. Louis vs. Louisiana - Two years, two identical records, and two division crowns for St. Louis, that would be enough to force any GM to drive off the cliff. All it has done in this rivalry is make it more intense. Much like the Hartford - West Virginia series, this rivalry has it all. The only reason this is not #1 is the teams were 8-8 one year and 9-7 another year. If they get their records up this year and keep the flame going, next year this time it could take the #1 spot!
3) Anchorage vs. Albuquerque - These are two teams that are going to be going after each other for the forseeable future. Both teams have bright futures, and last year they competed for the AC West crown. However, this one suffers a bit because of Anchorage's record against Albuquerque is 3-1. However, this year, Albuquerque could very well make that 3-3 by the time the year is out.
4) Iowa City vs. Wichita - To sum up this rivalry I only need to say three words, "Damn pig farmers!"
5) Salt Lake City vs. Oakland - This is a rivalry that is really just now becoming one. Look at all the off season sparring between Oakland owner/GM Jave and the owner/GM of Salt Lake City. If Oakland could only back those words up, this rivalry might start moving up!
Conference Rivalries:
We do not have a lot of conference rivalries yet, but there are a few that are developing:
1) Salt Lake City vs. Columbia - If my count is right, in the regular season and playoffs these teams have faced off three times. Columbia has won all three games. But, there are four big reasons why they top this list. These teams have faced off twice in the playoffs, the back and forth banter between the GMs, seasoned gunslinger in Julian Cartagena vs. the young buck Booker, and finally, Salt Lake felt like they should have won that playoff game last year. With the improvements they made to their defense this year, if they play again, they just might! Circle week 13 on your calendar for another heated game.
2) Hartford vs. Anchorage - These teams have played against each other three times in the playoffs and regular season. Early in 2003, it appeared that Anchorage would be one of the top AC teams, and a potential Bowl winner. That all changed on a cold day in Anchorage when Hartford came to town. The 5-1 Lynx took on the 6-0 Grizzlies, and things appeared to be going well when Theron Galicia took a shot to the knee. He crumpled to the ground in pain, his career was over. The Grizzlies walked out of Anchorage with a win. In 2004, the Lynx came to the Grizzly's Den and walked out with a loss. Then, in the 2004 playoffs, amid much controversy the Lynx knocked the Grizzlies out of the playoffs. The Grizzlies only need to wait until week 5 to see if they can get the upper hand on this conference rival!
I think our rivalry really goes into effect this year. Trust me, i have been watching your transactions. 8)
, but a lot of 
's in a post should really be a 
. I know it sometimes seems like it's more productive to 
than to propose changes, but I 
we should :grouphug: and figure a solution. I'm not just 
, I 
we come up with something, or :scratchhead: what I'm going to do.
and watch :jedi:. 
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