This week's map, Solitude, is going to test each teams communication and teamwork. The layout on this map requires each squad, double-cap, or mid-house, to rely on the other to hold their respective areas as there is no direct path from double-cap to mid-house. The key to the map will rely on which team can hold mid-house the most. From either side, allies, or axis, the mid-house team can control the flow of traffic to mid. With the playoff's coming up, this will be teams last chance to put their best foot forward before facing the elimination rounds.
INVITE -
Standings going into the final week. - Not including any make-up matches - (Compliments to defiance previous calculation)
THUNDER - 19
hb - 17
g.skill - 13
iwa - 13
dpk - 12.5
dicE - 11
N2P - 10
Renamed - 9
92dt - 8
As we head into the final week of the regular season, invite has had some shakeups, but things have seemed to work out as expected so far. The two top teams of the division, THUNDER is still the odds on favorite to make the finals. The real shake-up will be how teams will be seeded for the finals. Everyone can theorycraft their different scenarios on if this team wins, then they will have this number of points, and be this seed, etc... so I leave that up to the individual to enjoy. Either way each team will need to win if they expect to either keep their current points standing, or if they even want to make playoffs.
THUNDER v. Renamed
Renamed has had a very tough road this year, and with this last week they have a chance to take out the top team. THUNDER on the opposide side of the spectrum has been dominating this season. Going into the final week with just one loss has really boosted their confidence. For as long as these guys have been playing together their teamwork is spot on, and I expect them to come out with the win this week.
THUNDER > Renamed - by 75+
Players to watch - Hudson, Dorito, Onax, Hutch
MOTW - g.skiLL v. Donkey PunchN Krew
These two teams have probably the most controversy surrounding them this season, and I think it is fitting they play against each other in the final week. Leading up to this week, g.skiLL has been taking flack for accepting FF wins rather than play against other teams. While I personally do not think they have done it maliciously, it still becomes questionable when it does happen. DPK has had their own issues, with k4boom's push for them to be originally to be moved down for invite successful, it was only reversed mid-season when they moved back up to main for last weeks matches. A move that seemed fitting as they took out a very good iwa team on Donner. For dpk to win this week they will again need to have stile, k4boom and element step up. If all goes how I think it will though, g.skiLL will take this in a hard fought match.
g.skiLL > dpK - 10+
Players to Watch - Milo, ko, k4boom, Stile
Highball v. dicE
hb has had an extremely successful season so far. They are currently seeded second with 17 points, and that shouldn't change. They are also the only team to beat THUNDER which happened in week 2. Unfortunately with the loss of ceebz, who was recently banned from TPG for cheating, they will need to have a strong showing from Beas, vertex and ck moving forward to expect to make it deep into playoff contention. dicE unfortunately has had a hard season, and I think they are a little disappointed as it has played out to date. This match can only act as a warm up to the playoffs as their real test won't happen until the elimination rounds. If they can come together as a team, they have the skill to take this match, but until they do that they will still be looking for another win.
Highball > dicE - 20+
Players to watch - Vertex, Beas, pyrite, DyeLife
iwa v. Nothing 2 Prove
Both of these teams are going into this week with a loss in the last match, but the good news is, is that both of these teams have solid spots in the playoffs. iwa, coming off of a disappointing loss to the recently re-moved up invite team dpk, will be looking to show what makes them great, with players like jaggon, bewton, blech, nomis, and shogun, they should be killing it. Nothing 2 Prove lost last week against THUNDER, which doesn't sting so bad seeing how they are in the top spot, either way I am sure they wanted to get the upset. This week, mista and Hildebrand will look to try and limp their team to victory. With the teamwork required on this map iwa may have the advantage, but it is only a slight one considering their showing last week.
iwa > Nothing 2 Prove - by 10+
Players to Watch - Blech, Nomis, Mistadobalina, Hildebrand?
92dt - Unfortunately they are not scheduled to play anyone this week. It would have been my hope that they play Renamed which would then see which team would grab that last spot for the playoffs, but it did not work out that way. I wish 9st the best in their future endevours.
MAIN -
Standings going into the final week. - Not including any make-up matches - (Compliments to defiance previous calculation)
dgf - 19
3h - 19
vVv - 15
LAB - 15
38th - 15
151 - 13
475th - 12
NoGo - 12
Dr. 11
SaB - 10
TMNT - 9
Golly - 9
This season started off rather rocky in Main. The decision to keep 3h and devil (dgf) in main was not a popular one as everyone expected to dominate the division (3h's only loss coming courtesy of devil, and dgf's only loss coming to the now invite dpk). Then the decision to dissolve the IM division, and create a larger pool of teams for MAIN. While the latter was dismissed as a ridiculous decision, it has turned out to be rather competitive between the lower level teams. Either way as this regular season comes to a close there are some heavy implications this week regarding playoff seeds. With vVv, 38tn, and LAB, having the same amount of points, and 151, 475th, and NoGo right behind, a loss can mean the difference for playoff seating.
dirty ghetto f*cks v. LIKE A BOSS!
dgf has had a grea season, their only loss coming to dpk, they have shown why they are the top team in Main right now (and quite possibly that they could compete in invite). With such stars as Watch Your Back, and Bullgooseloney it is no wonder why they have done so well. LAB has done, I think better than expected, even so in the eyes of their own players. Their late pickup of Skn has added a dynamic to their team which it needed to make a strong push. Unfortunately their dedication to DoD has been questioned as CS:GO takes up most of their time nowadays. If they can focus on the task at hand they may be able to snatch away a win from dgf and put their position as top dog in jeopardy.
dgf > LAB - 100+
Players to Watch - Watch your back, Bullgoosealoney, 3SidedQuarter, Skn
Subpar at Best v. 3xtreme Humiliation
3h is another team in Main which is having an outstanding season. Going into the final week they have only lost one match to dgf who currently sits at the top of the points board. If they can put away SaB, and dgf loses, they could find themselves holding onto the number 1 seed, so I am sure they will be routing for LAB. SaB has one of the best lineups in Main, but just cant seem to come together. With players like Yaso, CharlieGiteau, Ghandi, and Avenger, they should be doing exteremely well, but apathy for the game has taken its toll, and unfortunately forced their playoffs hope on winning this match.
3h > SaB - 50+
Players to Watch - Mogers, Will Ward, Yaso, Avenger
Golly v. Merrill's Marauders
475th has had a better season than most I think anticipated. With strong wins over LAB, and 151, they have managed to hold onto a playoff spot for now. They will be tested this week when they play Golly, and will need to pull out a win if they expect a decent seed going forward. Expect strong play e-machine and hypnotik this week as they look for that win. Golly is great in scrims, and if that was the basis of points they would be higher in standings, but unfortunately they cant seem to pull it together when it counts. Even though they have no chance as it stands to make playoffs, they still want the pride of having another in in their column.
475th > Golly - 15+
Players to Watch - E-Machine, Hypnotik, Jonski, berty!
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles v. NoGo Gaming Faction
NoGo as I have always said is an extremely good team, when they can show up, and it is reflected as their only played losses coming from 3h and dgf. If mino, and spoon can show up they are sure to dominate this map. TMNT unfortunately has had a difficult season, with only 1 win their record does not actually show how good this team could be if they all show up and play. With their driving force, TOM, still wanting to show how good they can be, he will look to upset NoGo this week and try to finish out the season on a happy note.
NoGo > TMNT - by 50+
Players to Watch - Mino, Spoon, Tom, Tin Bad
Death Ray v. OneFiveOne
Well with Breaking Bad now over Dr. Should be at least able to play on Sunday, unfortunately with AlexKirk still MIA they will have an uphill battle. 151 made a couple of strong moves in the middle of the season and won 3 in a row against Inx, gH, and LAB, unfortunately they hit a wall the past two weeks and lost they both. They will need to pull it together if they expect to beat Dr. and keep a semi-decent playoff seed. With a couple of key losses, and a win from Dr. this week they could have the potential to upset a team and squeak into a playoff spot, but they may need to do it without the missing Kirk. Jarrod will try to help carry his team over 151, but british, and joshinator will need to step it up if they expect to win. This match though can go either way depending on who plays for each team.
Dr. > 151 - 5+
Players to Watch - Jarrod, Joshinator, Traize, bnzr
vVv = 38th - Looking forward to this matchup, unfortunately not looking forward to the map
Either way I have worked out details with Dan Johnson that each team is to only use Tommys, Grease guns, mp4s, mgs and bazookas and only go to the double cap. It should make for an interesting match.
