The Third Quarter (of the season it is).

[The Road Writer]

Since my stink covered self just showed up, there are no season predictions from me this season. What I am going to do though is try to guess how things will look in 5 more weeks, when every team has 12 games in the books and are ready to head into the final fourth of the season. Don’t be adding up wins and losses either, this is not the most scientific method here, just my hunches.

*** North
Iowa City, 6-2 (will be 8-4) - I think the Snipe Hunters will stumble just a touch, and go 2-2 over the next 5 weeks. A loss to Houston, with a loss in one of their division games against Wichita or Cleveland.
Cleveland, 5-2 (will be 8-4) - I am looking at 3-2 for Cleveland, with a couple cupcakes and tough road games against Iowa City and Little Rock.
Wichita, 2-5 (will be 4-8 ) – They only have one game I would outright pick them to win right now, but they re good enough for more. I am saying a Montreal win for sure, and maybe an upset of Iowa City or Murfreesboro. 2-3 over the next 5 games.
Montreal, 2-5 (will be 3-9) – Not a good team, and they have 4 road games in the next 5. I could easily see 5 straight losses, but think they should get 1 win in the last two against Texas and Albuquerque. That has them going 1-4.

*** South
St. Louis, 6-1 (will be 9-3) – After two close road wins, I think the Cardinals are close to giving up a game to someone. In fact, over the next 5 games I see probably 2 losses. Norfolk, or on the road in Anchorage and Murfreesboro are the possible losses to me. That makes them 3-2 over the next 5.
Houston, 6-2 (will be 8-4) – The Renegades have one of the toughest stretches over the next 4 games that any team will see. Home against the Mules, then on the road in Louisiana, Lawrence, and Iowa City. This team is on all of their hit lists. I see winning the first two, losing the last two, for 2-2.
Murfreesboro, 5-3 (will be 7-5) – The Mules have only two home games left this year, and only 1 over the next 5 weeks. I feel I should be saying 1-3 over the next five weeks, but because I have been known to ride a mule from time to time I will say 2-2.
Louisiana, 3-4 (will be 4-8 ) – Several home games on that schedule, and the road game is a possible win. Could compete in many of these games, but Houston, Vermont, and Anchorage are probably just too much for a team with no running game. Sorry VooDoo, I say 1-4 for the next 5 weeks.

*** East
Norfolk, 8-0 (will be 11-1) – Norfolk is looking like the class of the league once again, but I say no one goes undefeated in the IFL this season. Their loss? Arch-rival Hartford or at St. Louis.
Hartford, 3-4 (will be 6-6) – Not the best season for Hartford so far, but the defending champs are a feisty bunch. Portland and Norfolk could be a problem, and Wichita and Pittsburgh may not have good records but I can’t count them out. With all that said, I think this team goes 3-2 to get back to .500.
Boston, 2-6 (will be 2-10) – Uh oh, a struggling team with a tough 4 game stretch, mostly on the road. I could go the easy way and say 1-3, but I think they completely lay an egg, 0-4. Yes, that means I think West Virginia beats them.
West Virginia, 0-8 (will be 1-11) – This team has sniffed victory a couple times this season, and as I said above I think they get it against Boston. Not against anyone else over the next 5 weeks though. 1-3 over that time I say.

*** West
Anchorage, 5-2 (will be 9-3) – Only 1 game I can consider a gimme over the next 5. This is a quality team and in first place for a reason though. After this last loss against California I think this team refocuses and goes on a bit of a roll against top notch competition. With that said, they go 4-1. St. Louis, Portland, and Vancouver can argue over who gets to give them that loss.
Portland, 4-3 (will be 8-4) – Portland has two straight losses. I feel sorry for their next five opponents. Anchorage can’t rest easy because the Seals will be riding their buttocks. Three division games with Hartford and Oakland added on, I say 5-0 is possible, but will be conservative with 4-1.
California, 2-5 (will be 5-7) – Three teams with winning records, but two at home. The 2 other games are on the road against teams with losing records. Hmmmm. Could the Heroes snap out of it a little? I think so, but not totally. Five games, three wins.
Albuquerque, 2-5 (will be 3-9) – With five straight losses this team is near the bottom of the barrel. They will be at the bottom when they lose the next 4 to make it 9 in a row. One win in the next 5 games is my call here.

[The Road Writer]

NFC North
Lansing, 6-2 (will be 8-4) – Lansing has been one of the surprises of the season. So they will think my opinion stinks as bad as my body odor I am guessing. I think this team stumbles in the second half, start with their next game against Lawrence. 2-2 for them between now and week 13.
Madison, 4-3 (will be 7-5) – Madison started 3-0 and has not done much since then. They have a chance to catch Lansing though, and will inch closer I say. On the road at Norfolk is a loss, but the four home games should help them a bunch. A win against Vermont could really boost their morale, but even a loss may not kill them over the long haul. I say 3-2 over the next five.
Dakota, 3-5 (will be 5-7) – So far all I know about this team for sure is that they have done things in bunches. 4 losses, followed by 3 wins. And now they have started to lose again. Sorry guys, I just don’t see you able to get over that .500 mark this year. Newark, Madison, West Virginia, and Vancouver. Best case scenario is what I call for here, 2-2.
Pittsburgh, 2-5 (will be 5-7) – I say that even though this season has been a huge disappointment for the Power, they won’t give up. They have no intention of finishing in last place of their division, and may just be a spoiler for some teams. That means Lansing, Madison, Hartford, and Little Rock better watch out as they have this team coming up. I call for a 3-2 record over these five games.

NFC South
Little Rock, 6-1 (will be 9-3) – The Toads have been a strong team this year, but have not had the toughest schedule either. Their next three games are division games, and Texas is putting on the heat. After that they have Cleveland and Pittsburgh. I almost want to say 2-3, but the talent here is too much, so 3-2.
Texas, 4-3 (will be 8-4) – Texas was a joke for two weeks, and then they got the leadership they needed. It’s a new team, a whole new division. Their coming five games don’t give them the strongest teams in the league to play, that’s for sure. Vancouver is a test, and at Little Rock and Georgia shouldn’t be a picnic. I am predicting 4-1.
Georgia, 3-4 (will be 4-8) – They have been beating up the little guys, and losing to the big guys (well, and Tulsa). LR, OAK, TEX, IWC, and Madison in the next five. Yikes. Georgia fans may send this team packing back to Columbia after this series of games. 1-4 is the best I can see unless they get more then that one upset.
Tulsa, 3-5 (will be 5-7) – Word is that Tulsa wishes to play Georgia the next 8 games and the league has denied their request. The Generals account for 2 of their 3 wins. That makes this team a hard call for me, so I split the line and call it 2-2 over these four games. That would move them out of last.

NFC East
Lawrence, 6-1 (will be 10-2) – Not sure I can see this team slowing down the way things are right now. The next five games should be wins, should be. You never know I guess, but I am saying in 5 games 4 of those suckers will be wins as this team inches towards home field advantage. 4-1.
Vermont, 5-2 (will be 8-4) – If this was two years ago, I would be of the belief that Vermont could catch and maybe even pass Lawrence. I admit, last year made me lose faith though. At Madison and Louisiana could very well be losses, will Orlando and Newark are not sure things being division games. 3-2 and start to drop back a bit from the Phantoms.
Orlando, 3-4 (will be 4-8) – This team has beaten a couple of good, tough teams. Can the Pirates keep doing that? 4 of the next 5 on the road though, and their one road game up to now was a 41-9 pounding from Lansing. Sorry Pirates, time to start thinking about next season. Most likely going 1-4.
Newark, 1-6 (will be 2-10) – Look, without Crespo I just can’t see this team being a threat. I hate to say it because everyone and their Mom loves Newark, so I don’t plan on hitching through Jersey anytime soon. Lawrence, Vermont, St. Louis, are losses. Maybe they can get a win from Dakota or Tulsa. 1-4.

NFC West
Vancouver, 5-3 (will be 7-5) – Oakland just showed the Whales they are not walking away with this division, and brought them back to the real world some. I think I need to travel to Vancouver and find out if this team is indeed for real. Texas, Anchorage, Reno, and Dakota for the next five weeks. I say they go 2-2.
Oakland, 4-3 (will be 8-4) – People may call me crazy on this one, but this is my big prediction here. I say Oakland, fueled by the big win over Vancouver, get on a roll. Portland and Lansing are their biggest roadblocks for the next five weeks. They go 4-1 and take over first place.
Salt Lake City, 1-7 (will be 3-9) - Chaplin is back at the helm, maybe that means that can gt a win or two, with four games and a bye week. I am guessing things will get a little better for the Stallions, but not good enough to make the fans forget the last 7 games. They will go 2-2.
Reno, 1-7 (will be 2-10) – The Wolfpack has played better over the last four games then they did the first four games, but that hasn’t meant too much. Things just are not right out in Reno, but at least they have brothels. I may head out there to catch a game. Just me being there should get them a win. They go 1-3, the win being the game I attend.



That's all. 5 weeks and we see how I did.

[r00k]

Great read ... glad to see you back

[Matt]

awesome work, trucker man

[sovstar]

r u any good at frogger??

[JesterBlaze]

me likey the road guy...

[tarcone]

I have not only beaten them twice. I have blown them out twice.

Great read.

[The Road Writer]

r u any good at frogger??

Back in the 80's when I would hang out in the video arcade at the malls. Been a while though.

[SteveBsFan]

Nice write up

[The Road Writer]

Ok girls, lets review. I just took each division and made a quick comment about each one. The teams current record should be next to them in that comment. Time for a nappy nap for me, goodnite pumpkin.

*** North
Iowa City, 5-2 (will be 8-4) - I think the Snipe Hunters will stumble just a touch, and go 2-2 over the next 5 weeks. A loss to Houston, with a loss in one of their division games against Wichita or Cleveland.
Cleveland, 5-2 (will be 8-4) - I am looking at 3-2 for Cleveland, with a couple cupcakes and tough road games against Iowa City and Little Rock.
Wichita, 2-5 (will be 4-8 ) – They only have one game I would outright pick them to win right now, but they re good enough for more. I am saying a Montreal win for sure, and maybe an upset of Iowa City or Murfreesboro. 2-3 over the next 5 games.
Montreal, 2-5 (will be 3-9) – Not a good team, and they have 4 road games in the next 5. I could easily see 5 straight losses, but think they should get 1 win in the last two against Texas and Albuquerque. That has them going 1-4.

I turn out to be dead on with Cleveland(8-4), but the Snipe Hunters(7-5) let me down by coming up a game short. Wichita(6-6) gets my congrats for doing what I thought was possible and beyond. Montreal(4-8 ) also beats my prediction, though still in last.

*** South
St. Louis, 6-1 (will be 9-3) – After two close road wins, I think the Cardinals are close to giving up a game to someone. In fact, over the next 5 games I see probably 2 losses. Norfolk, or on the road in Anchorage and Murfreesboro are the possible losses to me. That makes them 3-2 over the next 5.
Houston, 6-2 (will be 8-4) – The Renegades have one of the toughest stretches over the next 4 games that any team will see. Home against the Mules, then on the road in Louisiana, Lawrence, and Iowa City. This team is on all of their hit lists. I see winning the first two, losing the last two, for 2-2.
Murfreesboro, 5-3 (will be 7-5) – The Mules have only two home games left this year, and only 1 over the next 5 weeks. I feel I should be saying 1-3 over the next five weeks, but because I have been known to ride a mule from time to time I will say 2-2.
Louisiana, 3-4 (will be 4-8 ) – Several home games on that schedule, and the road game is a possible win. Could compete in many of these games, but Houston, Vermont, and Anchorage are probably just too much for a team with no running game. Sorry VooDoo, I say 1-4 for the next 5 weeks.

Houston(8-4) met my expectations, but as St. Louis(7-5) and Murfreesboro(6-6) fall short of my lofty goals for them, Houston is in first instead of my expected second. Louisiana(5-7) manages to squeak out one more win then I thought.

*** East
Norfolk, 8-0 (will be 11-1) – Norfolk is looking like the class of the league once again, but I say no one goes undefeated in the IFL this season. Their loss? Arch-rival Hartford or at St. Louis.
Hartford, 3-4 (will be 6-6) – Not the best season for Hartford so far, but the defending champs are a feisty bunch. Portland and Norfolk could be a problem, and Wichita and Pittsburgh may not have good records but I can’t count them out. With all that said, I think this team goes 3-2 to get back to .500.
Boston, 2-6 (will be 2-10) – Uh oh, a struggling team with a tough 4 game stretch, mostly on the road. I could go the easy way and say 1-3, but I think they completely lay an egg, 0-4. Yes, that means I think West Virginia beats them.
West Virginia, 0-8 (will be 1-11) – This team has sniffed victory a couple times this season, and as I said above I think they get it against Boston. Not against anyone else over the next 5 weeks though. 1-3 over that time I say.

Norfolk(12-0) keeps blowing teams away and I still wait for that first loss any day now…..any day…..it’s coming…..maybe. Hartford(5-7) comes up short in my eyes, while Boston(5-7) blows my prediction out of the water. Good for the Dragons. I thought 1 win for the Beasts(2-10) was asking a lot, but they manage 2 wins and earn double the respect from me.

*** West
Anchorage, 5-2 (will be 9-3) – Only 1 game I can consider a gimme over the next 5. This is a quality team and in first place for a reason though. After this last loss against California I think this team refocuses and goes on a bit of a roll against top notch competition. With that said, they go 4-1. St. Louis, Portland, and Vancouver can argue over who gets to give them that loss.
Portland, 4-3 (will be 8-4) – Portland has two straight losses. I feel sorry for their next five opponents. Anchorage can’t rest easy because the Seals will be riding their buttocks. Three division games with Hartford and Oakland added on, I say 5-0 is possible, but will be conservative with 4-1.
California, 2-5 (will be 5-7) – Three teams with winning records, but two at home. The 2 other games are on the road against teams with losing records. Hmmmm. Could the Heroes snap out of it a little? I think so, but not totally. Five games, three wins.
Albuquerque, 2-5 (will be 3-9) – With five straight losses this team is near the bottom of the barrel. They will be at the bottom when they lose the next 4 to make it 9 in a row. One win in the next 5 games is my call here.

I was real close on this one, except I had it backwards. Anchorage(8-4) has stumbled more then I thought they would while Portland(9-3) has been red hot. I was also right in the total wins for California(4-8 ) and Albuquerque(4-8 ) combined, but was a little off individually.

[The Road Writer]

*** North
Lansing, 6-2 (will be 8-4) – Lansing has been one of the surprises of the season. So they will think my opinion stinks as bad as my body odor I am guessing. I think this team stumbles in the second half, start with their next game against Lawrence. 2-2 for them between now and week 13.
Madison, 4-3 (will be 7-5) – Madison started 3-0 and has not done much since then. They have a chance to catch Lansing though, and will inch closer I say. On the road at Norfolk is a loss, but the four home games should help them a bunch. A win against Vermont could really boost their morale, but even a loss may not kill them over the long haul. I say 3-2 over the next five.
Dakota, 3-5 (will be 5-7) – So far all I know about this team for sure is that they have done things in bunches. 4 losses, followed by 3 wins. And now they have started to lose again. Sorry guys, I just don’t see you able to get over that .500 mark this year. Newark, Madison, West Virginia, and Vancouver. Best case scenario is what I call for here, 2-2.
Pittsburgh, 2-5 (will be 5-7) – I say that even though this season has been a huge disappointment for the Power, they won’t give up. They have no intention of finishing in last place of their division, and may just be a spoiler for some teams. That means Lansing, Madison, Hartford, and Little Rock better watch out as they have this team coming up. I call for a 3-2 record over these five games.

The magic eight ball worked well with this division. Lansing(8-4), Madison(7-5), and Dakota(5-7) all fell right where I thought they would. Pittsburgh(4-8 ) is my only disappointment coming up a game short for me. Kicking the crap out of the Toads should give them a bonus.

*** South
Little Rock, 6-1 (will be 9-3) – The Toads have been a strong team this year, but have not had the toughest schedule either. Their next three games are division games, and Texas is putting on the heat. After that they have Cleveland and Pittsburgh. I almost want to say 2-3, but the talent here is too much, so 3-2.
Texas, 4-3 (will be 8-4) – Texas was a joke for two weeks, and then they got the leadership they needed. It’s a new team, a whole new division. Their coming five games don’t give them the strongest teams in the league to play, that’s for sure. Vancouver is a test, and at Little Rock and Georgia shouldn’t be a picnic. I am predicting 4-1.
Georgia, 3-4 (will be 4-8 ) – They have been beating up the little guys, and losing to the big guys (well, and Tulsa). LR, OAK, TEX, IWC, and Madison in the next five. Yikes. Georgia fans may send this team packing back to Columbia after this series of games. 1-4 is the best I can see unless they get more then that one upset.
Tulsa, 3-5 (will be 5-7) – Word is that Tulsa wishes to play Georgia the next 8 games and the league has denied their request. The Generals account for 2 of their 3 wins. That makes this team a hard call for me, so I split the line and call it 2-2 over these four games. That would move them out of last.

Little Rock(10-2) kept playing better then I expected, while Texas(7-5) did not. Still sitting in position to get a playoff spot though. Tulsa(4-8 ) and Georgia(4-8 ) pretty much did what I thought they would, though Tulsa did fall a win short.

*** East
Lawrence, 6-1 (will be 10-2) – Not sure I can see this team slowing down the way things are right now. The next five games should be wins, should be. You never know I guess, but I am saying in 5 games 4 of those suckers will be wins as this team inches towards home field advantage. 4-1.
Vermont, 5-2 (will be 8-4) – If this was two years ago, I would be of the belief that Vermont could catch and maybe even pass Lawrence. I admit, last year made me lose faith though. At Madison and Louisiana could very well be losses, will Orlando and Newark are not sure things being division games. 3-2 and start to drop back a bit from the Phantoms.
Orlando, 3-4 (will be 4-8 ) – This team has beaten a couple of good, tough teams. Can the Pirates keep doing that? 4 of the next 5 on the road though, and their one road game up to now was a 41-9 pounding from Lansing. Sorry Pirates, time to start thinking about next season. Most likely going 1-4.
Newark, 1-6 (will be 2-10) – Look, without Crespo I just can’t see this team being a threat. I hate to say it because everyone and their Mom loves Newark, so I don’t plan on hitching through Jersey anytime soon. Lawrence, Vermont, St. Louis, are losses. Maybe they can get a win from Dakota or Tulsa. 1-4.

Lawrence(11-1) was as hot as Portland and Norfolk and goes undefeated during this stretch of the season. Vermont(8-4) matches my prediction, but it’s not really how I thought their roster would look. Orlando(3-9) and Newark(3-9) are right around what I figured, but congrats to the Bears on getting one win more then I thought they could.

*** West
Vancouver, 5-3 (will be 7-5) – Oakland just showed the Whales they are not walking away with this division, and brought them back to the real world some. I think I need to travel to Vancouver and find out if this team is indeed for real. Texas, Anchorage, Reno, and Dakota for the next five weeks. I say they go 2-2.
Oakland, 4-3 (will be 8-4) – People may call me crazy on this one, but this is my big prediction here. I say Oakland, fueled by the big win over Vancouver, get on a roll. Portland and Lansing are their biggest roadblocks for the next five weeks. They go 4-1 and take over first place.
Salt Lake City, 1-7 (will be 3-9) - Chaplin is back at the helm, maybe that means that can gt a win or two, with four games and a bye week. I am guessing things will get a little better for the Stallions, but not good enough to make the fans forget the last 7 games. They will go 2-2.
Reno, 1-7 (will be 2-10) – The Wolfpack has played better over the last four games then they did the first four games, but that hasn’t meant too much. Things just are not right out in Reno, but at least they have brothels. I may head out there to catch a game. Just me being there should get them a win. They go 1-3, the win being the game I attend.

I didn’t see this one coming. Oakland(6-6) is technically in first place like I thought would happen, but barely as Vancouver(6-6) is right there. Both teams much worse then I imagined. Reno(4-8 ) has been doing well lately and jumped up the standing a spot as Salt Lake City(2-10) just can’t get it together.


I would say I did a pretty good job. But I think I do a good job at everything, so that probably doesn’t count.

[Suicane]

Great write up. Please don't come to St. Louis though, you deserve better.