mathetyes
06-22-2009, 12:23 PM
I do.
Does anyone know what tiebreakers are being used? I presume head-to-head and record in division are considered primarily.
Here's how I see things unfolding - I'm very interested to hear what others say:
In order of decreasing certainty:
Pacific Division - Billings has clearly wrapped up the bye. Their game against Omaha does matter to them, though, for securing homefield advantage over El Paso (and throughout the playoffs). Fairbanks will hold on to the second seed, by virtue of getting to play Alaska two more times. The first round game between Fairbanks and Colorado will likely be competitive, but the next one in Montana won't be.
Lonestar Division - El Paso has clearly wrapped up the bye. They are impressive enough that I expect they will win out the regular season at this point, even over my Rochester team. Abilene will secure the second seed, by virtue of getting to play Odessa twice. The first round game between Abilene and Corpus Christi may be competitive, but the game in El Paso won't be (does this sound familiar?).
The game between Billings and El Paso is likely to be for the championship, in my impression. And I don't have a guess on what happens in that one, although conventional wisdom puts Billings on top.
Central Division - This is the one place where the top seed is still open to competition. Bloomington is done, but has set a challenging goal for Omaha. Wichita looks to secure the third seed - I think they can take it with RiverCity, but they have a good backup plan against Alaska. So, Sioux Falls is out by having lost 3 times to Billings - well, it seems they'd already proven that weren't winning a championship by that. Omaha, I think (if I read tiebreakers correctly), needs to defeat both Sioux City *and* Billings. Although they did it once, I'm guessing it won't happen again and Bloomington ends up as the #1 central team. #2 will probably easily defeat Wichita, but I can't see who wins an Omaha - Bloomington division matchup. Should be a good game, and definitely one I'm looking forward to seeing.
Atlantic Division - I admit I also saved this for last because it's where my loyalties lie. I think Maryland has secured the bye. It looks to me as if second place will be determined in this week's "Game of the Week" with Maryland visiting Rochester. Rochester seems to have finally settled on a lineup that can do things, but they'll definitely need to play up to their abilities to beat Maryland. If Rochester does beat Maryland they look to gather the home wildcard spot. It seems the same will happen if RiverCity loses its game to Wichita. This interpretation has something to do with tiebreakers. If head-to-head is used first, and one of these events happens, then Rochester will secure by having beaten RiverCity. Based on the last game against RiverCity and RiverCity's play since then, I believe Rochester will beat RiverCity either way. Naturally, I'd prefer to see them do it in person. I don't think RiverCity has a chance against Maryland, and I think Rochester only has a slim chance in Maryland for the division title *if* Rochester figures them out at home. If they've lost 3 times to them already, nothing different will happen in the 4th time.
On the United side of everything, it looks like Omaha, Bloomington, Maryland, and Rochester will be playing in the second round. I think it will be interesting to see who ends up with the conference title, but don't expect they will challenge Billings or El Paso to the league title.
Thanks to all for the fun of following the IFL. I hope others out there are enjoying it as much as I am. I also hope to hear other's thoughts on the developing playoffs. Early in the season, there were predictions on this board - I didn't know the teams well enough to participate then. Now, I am definitely eager to hear what others say . . . your turn.
Does anyone know what tiebreakers are being used? I presume head-to-head and record in division are considered primarily.
Here's how I see things unfolding - I'm very interested to hear what others say:
In order of decreasing certainty:
Pacific Division - Billings has clearly wrapped up the bye. Their game against Omaha does matter to them, though, for securing homefield advantage over El Paso (and throughout the playoffs). Fairbanks will hold on to the second seed, by virtue of getting to play Alaska two more times. The first round game between Fairbanks and Colorado will likely be competitive, but the next one in Montana won't be.
Lonestar Division - El Paso has clearly wrapped up the bye. They are impressive enough that I expect they will win out the regular season at this point, even over my Rochester team. Abilene will secure the second seed, by virtue of getting to play Odessa twice. The first round game between Abilene and Corpus Christi may be competitive, but the game in El Paso won't be (does this sound familiar?).
The game between Billings and El Paso is likely to be for the championship, in my impression. And I don't have a guess on what happens in that one, although conventional wisdom puts Billings on top.
Central Division - This is the one place where the top seed is still open to competition. Bloomington is done, but has set a challenging goal for Omaha. Wichita looks to secure the third seed - I think they can take it with RiverCity, but they have a good backup plan against Alaska. So, Sioux Falls is out by having lost 3 times to Billings - well, it seems they'd already proven that weren't winning a championship by that. Omaha, I think (if I read tiebreakers correctly), needs to defeat both Sioux City *and* Billings. Although they did it once, I'm guessing it won't happen again and Bloomington ends up as the #1 central team. #2 will probably easily defeat Wichita, but I can't see who wins an Omaha - Bloomington division matchup. Should be a good game, and definitely one I'm looking forward to seeing.
Atlantic Division - I admit I also saved this for last because it's where my loyalties lie. I think Maryland has secured the bye. It looks to me as if second place will be determined in this week's "Game of the Week" with Maryland visiting Rochester. Rochester seems to have finally settled on a lineup that can do things, but they'll definitely need to play up to their abilities to beat Maryland. If Rochester does beat Maryland they look to gather the home wildcard spot. It seems the same will happen if RiverCity loses its game to Wichita. This interpretation has something to do with tiebreakers. If head-to-head is used first, and one of these events happens, then Rochester will secure by having beaten RiverCity. Based on the last game against RiverCity and RiverCity's play since then, I believe Rochester will beat RiverCity either way. Naturally, I'd prefer to see them do it in person. I don't think RiverCity has a chance against Maryland, and I think Rochester only has a slim chance in Maryland for the division title *if* Rochester figures them out at home. If they've lost 3 times to them already, nothing different will happen in the 4th time.
On the United side of everything, it looks like Omaha, Bloomington, Maryland, and Rochester will be playing in the second round. I think it will be interesting to see who ends up with the conference title, but don't expect they will challenge Billings or El Paso to the league title.
Thanks to all for the fun of following the IFL. I hope others out there are enjoying it as much as I am. I also hope to hear other's thoughts on the developing playoffs. Early in the season, there were predictions on this board - I didn't know the teams well enough to participate then. Now, I am definitely eager to hear what others say . . . your turn.