 |  What's today's lesson kids? Never go out on a limb and predict things that won't happen. Or, at the very least, stick to the games that really will be spotlight matches, like all the great matchups given to us in Week 3 of the Qualifying Round. There aren't that many, but some of these matches will decide pools, and a few even give us our first look at powerhouse orders going up against each other. Spotlight Matches The Cult (36.67) currently holds the lead in the Shiver pool over Sideways 8 (30.50). While s8 was the definite favorite in the bracket and should be expected to win this match, TC will put up a fight and continue thier solid play. Prediction: s8, 46-21 over TC. How can a team that is undefeated and beating teams by an average of 29 points be said to be underachieving? When that team is the Northern Paladins. Np (29.00) takes on MCC (28.00) this week, and the winner will most likely take the Connacht pool title. Prediction: Np wins another relatively close match, 48-30. As expected, Team Angry Face (49.50) has dominated the Balin pool. However, they've yet to clinch the 1st place spot because of the excellent score put up by the Brotherhood of Bob (41.00). The question is: Is BoB a serious challenge to 12inch, or are they overachieving against weak opposition? Prediction: Angry Face reigns over thier bracket, winning 55-23. Iron Chef has been the surprise team of the tournament so far, turning the Summoner pool upside down. 3 teams have a shot at the title in this bracket: IC (10.00), Monkey Island (17.50), and Cacra (19.00). IC and Cacra seem to have the inside tracks, as they both get a shot at Predictable (-45.50) this week. However, mi and Cacra also hook up this week, and a big win by either team could put the pool title in thier hands. By the same token, a close match could give IC the title -- one they probably deserve, given thier QR play. Prediction: mi holds off Cacra in a tight match, winning 40-39. The Syndicate (41.00) has lived up to expectations so far. They look poised to take the Soulblighter pool even if they lose a tough match with Crouching Ghol, Hidden Wight (21.00). While cghw doesn't have the ability to beat Syn, they will make the films interesting and play some good Myth. Prediction: Syndicate takes it, 56-24. Spotlight Match of the Week OK, so e.i. vs. Oh! didn't pan out. But I promise this one will. Even if the score ends up one sided, this matchup promises to deliver some of the best films from the QR. The match I am speaking of, is of course: Evil Inc. vs. Wolfpack. Two orders, both contenders in any tournament they enter, but each without any major tournament victories (although e.i. did place 10th on Bison's "Best Myth II Teams Ever" list). Both teams are sporting rosters that read like a "Who's Who of Myth". Both have a couple of missing members that they've replaced with capable newcomers to thier teams. So how can you pick a winner here? Well, it's hard to pick against e.i., as they've yet to give up anything except for the standard 4 flags on Cracks. While it's safe to say that WP will do a bit more then that in this match, e.i.'s simply dominating play in the QR makes them my pick to win this match -- although if they meet later in the tournament, the tables could easily be turned. Prediction: Evil Inc. takes care of business, and wins over Wolfpack 46-29. Other Matches to Watch: MoR vs. Real Men, CI vs. kuk, GtM vs. LoA, mi vs. Ancrik, 58th vs. Aesir. It looks like only 3 teams are going to miss out on the QR, with only 67 teams remaining in the tournament. Teams like ARMY, Predictable, blairMagnet, and MM will be looking to scrape together as many points as possible to avoid being remembered as one of the few not to qualify for the DE in 2001. Good luck to all those teams, and everyone else who is just fighting for a higher seed. |
