IT’S “CRUNCH TIME”!! AS RMFL TEAMS BATTLE FOR PLAYOFF POSITIONING… AND SURVIVAL

Feature Story by: Jared Neumeier

Posted: June 1, 2007

RMFL – If you had to create a label for each weekend of the RMFL season, based upon the match-ups of that weekend, it seems as if the weekend ahead of us would be most appropriately be entitled, “BIG GAME WEEKEND”.

The reason is quite clear.

Not only are we getting down to “crunch time” for the RMFL playoffs, but many of the games will play absolutely pivotal roles.  Lets look at the big games, in order of criticality, and their implications quickly:

1.                  RHINOS (5-1) AT WOLVERINES (4-2).  I rate this above the Bitterroot/Phoenix match up for a couple of reasons.  First, I think this will be a closer game. Second, this will probably be the toughest… and most losable game for each team heading into the final 3 games close of the season.  If the Wolverines still had Fountaine behind center, I’d perhaps even favor the Wolverines.  Even with Fountaine out for the season, the Wolverines have unleashed a couple of new and dangerous offensive weapons in John Jensen and Joe Mapson; leading the Wolverines to the 4th ranked offense in the AAA.  The Rhino-Raiders, however, bring the #1 ranked defense in the AAA, however, not proving to be quite as disrupting as last seasons version with key players missing key games all year.  Although I believe the Rhino-Raiders will win this game in a low-scoring affair, its enough of a toss up to make it #1 this week.  A Wolverine victory could grease the skids that might even take them to a #1 seed.  For the Rhino-Raiders, a win is expected and keeps them in the drivers seat for the #1 in a well-balanced AAA field in 2007.

2.                  BITTERROOT (7-0) AT MISSOULA (5-1).  Although the previous match, a couple of weeks ago, was a real down-to-the wire 6-0 victory by the Blaze at home, the actual stats belie a close contest.  Bitterroot nearly doubled up the Phoenix in offensive production.  On the other hand, the score was ONLY 6-0 and it was AT BITTERROOT.  Therefore, a Phoenix optimist is going to feel pretty good about taking the fight to Washington-Grizzly Stadium and see what they can do in front of the home crowd.  I’m however, still a little more convinced by history (Bitterroot has beaten Missoula 3 straight times) and the overall domination the Blaze have shown against like opponents.  The #1 seed in the Northern Division is still up for grabs, however, the Phoenix would not only have to win… but have to win by 29 or more points to turn the Points Allowed tie-breaker in their favor (and then shut out Glacier in their final game).  I don’t see that happening, therefore, whoever wins, it will play out as more of a play-off tune up than a match up that will change the shape of the playoffs.

3.                  UTAH HEAT (3-3) AT EASTERN IDAHO (5-1).  If you look at record alone, you wouldn’t think that this sets up to be a very good match-up.  The 5-1 team, is after all, home.  However, statistically speaking, the Heat have thus far, out-performed the Lionz on both offense and defense.  With the Heat offense ranked #1 and defense #3, they clearly out-rank the Lionz at offense #3 and defense #4.  Of course, the big question for this game will be… how well will the Heat travel.  Thus far, the Heat have had the most favorable home schedule in the RMFL.  They haven’t had to play a game out of Utah… yet.  I think that the Heat may have proven that if this game were full team vs. full team, the Heat should come out on top.  However, not even the best and most organized teams have been able to carry a full traveling squad.  A Lionz victory all but assures themselves of a play-off home game… and keeps them alive for the VERY Valuable #1 seed.  For the Heat, they should be motivated by survival. With the Pocatello Predators breathing down the backs of their neck for the final play-off spot, the Heat need to win to hold position. Similar to the Wolverines game, expect the Lionz to pull out another squeaker… however, it’ll be more like by a touchdown or so than a single point on the last play of the game.

4.                  GREAT FALLS (2-4) AT HELENA (2-4).  Due to a series of field restrictions and scheduling vagaries, this game begins the first of two, back-to-back, home and home games for these two teams to close out the season.  For the Gladiators, with a 28 point lead in the Points Allowed tie-breaker (the first tie-breakers, head-to head… and strength of schedule), a simple split of the two should all but guarantee them the 3rd playoff spot in the Northern Conference and a re-match with a Missoula team (likely) that they have never defeated.  For Helena, they will need a little more than a split.  They will either have to beat the Gladiators both times… or, in they can get in with a split as long as they end up out-scoring the Gladiators in the two games combined by 28 or more points.  With both teams ranked near the bottom in offense (Helena 7th, Great Falls 9th), at least the Gladiators still have a defense to be proud of, currently ranked 3rd.  However, Helena may have found a quarterback to make a difference in Steve Kurschner and with the Gladiators continuing to spin their wheels on offense, the smarter money might be on a Titan sweep. However, any victory, even a 3-2 win, should be enough to give the Gladiators one more crack at salvaging what seemed to be a break-through season.

5.                  MAGIC VALLEY (4-2) AT BEAR RIVER VALLEY (4-2).  On the surface, this looks like it should be the real GAME OF THE WEEK.  Two teams with identical record locked in combat for a first round home playoff game battling head-to-head.  Makes for good copy.  However… statistically speaking, these two teams come into the game ranked almost identically defensively (211  yards/game for Bear River Valley; 209 yards per game for Magic Valley), however, are night and day different regarding offensive production.  The Rockets average 378 yards of net offense every game… The Bulldawgs?  How about a very uninspiring 216?  In fact, this is the first meeting of the season for these teams, which might help account for the Bulldawgs higher defensive ranking.  Magic Valley has yet to play the #1 offense in the AA.  Oh, and by the way, the Rockets are also hosting the game. Barring a meltdown against a desperate team like the Bulldawgs, the Rockets seem locked in on the #2 Mountain Conference seed. If they lose to the Bulldawgs, they could… mathematically… possibly miss the playoffs.  The Bulldawgs, however, finish against the Vipers, so even if they emerge from the game with a victory and a slight edge in the Points Allowed tie-breaker with the Rockets, they’ll face a high-scoring offense on the road, while the Rockets face the Sabercats at home.  The Idaho Matadors, with Snake River and Morgan remaining on their schedule, two games they will be favored in (but could lose) may be finishing with a 5-3 mark. If the Bulldawgs do beat the Rockets… somehow, we might end up with a 3-way tie at 2nd, however, the edge in that tie-breaker scenario will likely go to the Rockets with the Matadors the “odd man out”.  Talking about a Bulldawg victory, however, is extremely speculative. Expect the Rockets to win comfortably by a few scores or more.

6.                  SNAKE RIVER (1-5) AT IDAHO (3-3). After the Matadors beat the Sabercats easily 51-22 at Snake River, you might even wonder if this game could be close… and it may not. However, as long as the Sabercats have Tyler Collingwood and Cody Bates, they will always have the ability to score some points.  The Sabercats defense, however, which has been the worst in the RMFL for 3 years straight, continues to keep this team from becoming the contender it wants to.  This game is only “big” in this article because I do give the Sabercats a chance.  This isn’t a long road game for these guys to head into Nampa, so they should be at full strength and the Matadors offense has shown signs of problems. Idaho’s offense, however, is ranked #4 in the AA and their defense is ranked 8th; perhaps a chink in the armor?  The Sabercats offense is ranked 6th, hampered in many ways be a defense that constantly puts them in situations of playing from behind.  An Idaho loss here, mathematically guarantees the Rockets a playoff spot… and gives the Bulldawgs some hope.  However, for the Matadors, their destiny is in their own hands.  A win at home… then a win at Morgan, sets them up with a likely first round play-off rematch with the Rockets.  I’d expect a very similar game to the first meeting between these two teams with plenty of points… most of them for the Matadors.

 

OTHER GAMES:  Cache Valley comfortably over the Speed.  Pocatello less comfortably over the Muddogs.  The Vipers comfortably over the Marauders and Idaho Falls comfortably over the Seminoles.

 

AND WHAT DOES IT ALL MEAN?

PLAYOFF POSSIBILITIES:

AAA

Cache Valley Bears (5-1)  The Bears currently hold the #1 spot because of the 3-way tie with the Lionz and Rhino-Raiders.  The strength of schedule tie-breaker will cancel out in the AAA and the Lionz have yet to play either team, therefore, the Bears currently hold the “pole position” based on points allowed only.  The Bears winning out, however, does not guarantee them the #1 seed.  If they win out, one of their victims will be the Lionz, knocking them off the 1-loss plateau, however, that does not guarantee that the Rhino-Raiders will lose.  An end of the season 8-1 tie with the Rhino-Raiders will go to the Red and White (by virtue of their head-to-head win over the Bears)… and, to be sure, the Rhinos are also expecting to win out.  So, for a #1 seed, the Bears need someone… anyone to knock off the Rhino-Raiders in any of their last 3 games.  The Wolverines and Lionz are capable, but you’d have to favor the Rhino-Raiders in both games.  Therefore, if the Bears and Rhinos both win out, the Bears would secure a #2.  If the Bears should happen to lose a game… or two, all bets are off.  The Bears, however, have clinched a playoff spot and are simply battling for position.  I’m not expecting the Bears to lose a game, however, it wouldn’t shock me either… especially against the Lionz or Mustangs. Projecting: #2 (8-1).

Rhino-Raiders (5-1): There are two teams that still control their own destiny. The Rhino-Raiders and Eastern Idaho Lionz.  If either team wins each of their 3 remaining games, they are home for the playoffs.  The Rhino-Raiders, however, have the easiest route.  With their only road game, and probably most difficult test remaining, at the Wolverines, the Rhinos are certainly expecting to win out and, once again, carry the top seed into the playoffs.  The Lionz still have to play the Rhinos in Ogden and the Cache Valley Bears (in Idaho)… not to mention the Utah Heat… arguably the 3 best teams in the AAA right now.  If the Rhinos cannot beat the Lionz in Ogden, the Lionz will most certainly have earned whatever seed they end up with.  So in this writer’s estimation, the Rhino-Raiders need to beat the Wolverines to maintain the advantage they earned over the Bears in Logan in week #2. Like the Bears and Lionz, the Rhino-Raiders have clinched a playoff spot and are currently the most likely #1 seed… if they just do what they have been doing for years.  Projecting: #1 (8-1).

Eastern Idaho Lionz (5-1):  Although the Lionz started the season with 5 straight victories, it was not difficult to tell that things weren’t always going to be “Fun and games” for the 2-time championship game runner-up.  They barely beat the Speed, barely beat the Seminoles, won close against Pocatello and were struggling with the Muddogs until the Muddogs lost their star quarterback.  Then, they needed last second heroics and some liberal clock work to defeat the Wolverines at home…by a point.  So when the Mustangs knocked them out of the ranks of the undefeated last week, I’m sure no one was terribly shocked.  Now, what looms for Eastern Idaho, is a difficult 3-game closing stretch, finishing with the two teams I just projected at finishing #1 and #2.  Although I do think that the Lionz will be able to (most likely) defeat the Heat up in Ashton, Idaho, I wouldn’t “favor” them against the Rhinos nor Bears, even though they get the Bears at home.  What I think does count in the Lionz favor, however, is a team history of getting better on defense and at offensive line as the season progressed.  I’d say they did it the past two championship appearance years and they seem to be doing it again this season.  They have a very mobile quarterback in Todd Barber and an array of weapons on offense.  Defensively, they are getting some more quality players and certainly are a better team now than when they struggled earlier with the lower AAA tier teams.  The Lionz have clinched a playoff spot. If they win out, they are #1… no questions asked.  They could even win two of three and retain the #1 seed. However, they could also lose all 3 and end up 5-4 and on the road on June 23rd.  Just for arguments sake, however, and to play it safe, I’ll suggest a 1-2 finish for a 6-3 record and therefore: Projecting #4 (6-3).

Utah Wolverines (4-2): The Utah Wolverines currently hold the #4 spot by virtue of their convincing victory over the other 4-2 team, the Idaho Falls Mustangs, earlier in the season.  For the Wolverines, however, it won’t be as simple as winning as many as Idaho Falls to stay ahead of the Mustangs in the seeding, since certainly there will be some losses coming out of the 3 teams ahead of the Wolverines.  In fact, if the Wolverines can win their final three games (Rhino-Raiders, Boise, at Pocatello), they could end up with a #1 seed. Certainly, a victory over the Rhino-Raiders at home this weekend would set up that scenario and give them the confidence needed for their final two games.  There is probably little doubt that they will beat the Speed at Juan Diego, however, the two games against the defending champions and a Pocatello team that might very will be playing to get into the playoffs that final week makes their schedule even more difficult than the 4-2 Idaho Falls Mustangs who have the struggling Muddogs and Seminoles at home in Idaho Falls and only a show down at Cache Valley remaining on their schedule as a challenge to a remarkable 7-2 finish (after an 0-2 start).  I believe that with a victory over the Rhinos, they ride the momentum all the way to a 7-2 finish and a #2 seed (behind the Bears), however, a loss to the Rhino-Raiders and I couldn’t guarantee success in Pocatello when that offense finally starts to produce.  Projecting: 6th (5-4).

Idaho Falls Mustangs (4-2): The Idaho Falls Mustangs have a legitimate shot at making the greatest turnaround in RMFL history; better even than their 2003 turnaround all the way to the RMFL title.  That season, they were 3-3 at one point with a real concern as to whether they would even make the playoffs.  They didn’t lose again after that, even defeating in the playoffs each of the three teams they lost to in the regular season (Pocatello, Madison and Snake River).  After an 0-2 hole playing on the road to two teams that have played considerably better than expected, Utah Wolverines and Utah Heat, the Mustangs have not lost… including a rousing home victory to end the Rhino-Raiders incredible league winning streak.  Now with their team gelling like never before and two home games against lower tier AAA teams, the Mustangs have but the Cache Valley Bears who could prevent them from winning 7 straight… and, possibly even capturing the #1 seed.  Since they are only 4-2, they could (mathematically) finish 4-5 and miss the playoffs, therefore cannot take any game lightly, including this weekends match-up against a Seminoles team that has proven they can go on a road trip and win (see Boise Speed, week 1). I believe, however, that this Mustang team has reached the heights I thought they would when I made them the solid pre-season #3 team.  I believe they have a chance of upsetting the Bears in Logan, however, for betting and/or predicting purposes, you have to go with #2 (or #1) at home against #3.  Projecting: #3 (6-3).

Utah Heat (3-3):  At 3-3 and even after a heart-breaking loss to the Rhino-Raiders in Ogden, a game in which the Heat feel they clearly out-played the Rhinos, they Heat have still got to like their chances of not only making the playoffs… but advancing.  After a cushy beginning schedule, however, the Heat are facing some loaded guns their last three games, they will probably have two win at least 2 of them… Pocatello for sure, to make the playoffs after such a promising start; that includes a home victory over the Idaho Falls Mustangs.  It starts with the Lionz on Saturday… then at Pocatello… then at Boise.   If you count the Boise game as a “sure thing”… and you probably should NOT, then all they would have to do is beat the Lionz or Predators… on the road.  There is no question that the Heat are fully capable of finishing 6-3 and even have a home game in the first round of the playoffs, there is also a chance they could lose all 3 and finish 3-6 and completely out of the playoffs.  I just think that the Lionz match up too well with the Heat to have their best chance there… I think that the showdown in Pocatello will be the game which decides who gets in as the #6… who gets to get an early jump on the off-season evaluation of “what little tweak do we need to do to get us to that next level”.  It really all comes down to how well this team travels. If you look at this squad as a reincarnation of the Utah Blitz… you might say… “not too bad” (they went up and beat Helena a few years ago in a key playoff game); if they are the reincarnation of the Utah Warriors… then “not too good” (but, of course, the Warriors only had one real road game… they were throttled 43-16 in Idaho Falls).  I think when the dust settles, the Heat may yet be another year away. Projecting: 7th (4-5).

Pocatello Predators (2-4): Here goes where I am going to get accused of being a “Poky-lover”, “Idaho bias” and “just predicting what I want to happen”.  I think that the Predators might just win out.  Right now they are nipping at the heels of the Utah Heat for the final playoff spot and they start their 3-game run for the post-season with a final road game against the Muddogs, who have struggled, but got their first and confidence-building victory over the Speed at home in their last game.  Not exactly a gimmee, but a game that the Predators can win and set up for home games against the Utah Heat and Utah Wolverines…two teams they can pass in the seeding’s if they can beat them at home. In this respect, the Predators really do have their fate in their own hands.  They can win out and could actually end up with a home playoff game… if enough cards fall into place. On the other hand, they could win 2 of three; however, if it’s the wrong 2 of 3, they could still end up on the outside, looking in.  If they beat the Muddogs and defeat the Heat the following week, then their showdown on the final weekend with the Wolverines might just be for the #4 seed… or #5. If, however, they lose to the Muddogs and/or the Heat and the Heat beat the Lionz this weekend, then the Predators off-season could start quite a bit early.  I still think there is a lot of game in this bunch and quarterback, Jordan Peterson, is improving…and maybe there is a Jeff Belnap option as well.  Projecting: 5th (5-4). 

Salt Lake Seminoles (1-5): Yes, they are still “in it”!  The Seminoles can make the playoffs if they 1) win out (at Idaho Falls, Muddogs, Rhino-Raiders) and 2) two of the following: either the Mustangs lose out, the Heat lose out, the Wolverines lose out AND the Predators only win is over the Heat.  Well, this team really opened some eyes with the big road win over the Speed on the first week, however, the likelihood of the banding together, putting on actual football pants AND winning all of their final 3 games, including two against top teams Idaho Falls (in Idaho) and the Rhino-Raiders is …. Very remote.  I’m actually thinking that the Muddogs will have enough to win that match up and usurp them for 8th place.  Projecting: 9th (1-8).

Muddogs (1-5): And Yes!, they are still “in it”, too.  The Muddogs can make the playoffs if they 1) win out (Pocatello, at Salt Lake, at Idaho Falls) and 2)  two of the following: either the Mustangs lose out, the Heat lose out, the Wolverines lose out AND the Predators only win is over the Heat. Look familiar? (That’s because I just copied it from the scenario for the Seminoles.)  It’s a long shot, however, for a team that was looking to be a one-year and out wonder in the AAA, I guess they’ll have to take it.  There seems to be more life in the Muddogs, I think right now than the Seminoles, hence my projection of them winning that game.  The Muddogs have seemed to hold together well through the adversity that is ’07 and I think they will be back much stronger in 2008. Projecting: 8th (2-7).

 Boise Speed (0-6):  Mathematically eliminated.  Will be playing for the joy of football and for pride. Perhaps playing to avoid a trip down to the AA in 2008.  Projecting: 10th (0-9), but still good enough to pull off an upset in any or all of their remaining games.

 

AA

 

 Not really a lot of analysis to do here.  Probably everyone in the solar system expects the Vipers and Bitterroot Blaze to land their respective #1 seeds.  Everyone in the galaxy then expects the Missoula Phoenix and Bear River Valley Rockets to get their respective #2 seeds.  It seems pretty immanent to most that the Idaho Matadors will eventually surpass the Magic Valley Bulldawgs for a #3 seed, however, it’s a virtual toss-up on the #3 seed in the Northern Conference, however, just about everyone in the league thinks that it really doesn’t matter… but, for the sake of argument and analysis, lets do it anyway…

 

MOUNTAIN CONFERENCE:

 

VIPERS (6-0): Actually have NOT mathematically clinched the #1 seed.  If they lose their final two (at Morgan, Magic Valley), and the Bulldawgs win their final two, the Bulldawgs could supplant the Vipers from the #1 seed.  The Rockets, however, cannot. So, only the Bulldawgs can rain on the Vipers “home for the playoffs” parade, however, for them to even have a chance to do that, the Vipers would have to lose to Morgan on Saturday.  Well, lets not hold our breath on that happening! Projecting: #1 (8-0).

 

BEAR RIVER VALLEY ROCKETS (4-2): Their #2 seed in the playoffs will not be secure until they can beat the Bulldawgs on Saturday.  If they do defeat the Bulldawgs at home… as I am sure everyone except the Bulldawgs expect, then they will have clinched the #2 seed.  If they should happen to lose that game, they are still mathematically not clinched into the playoffs.  If the Bulldawgs and Matadors both win their last two… and the Rockets lose their last two, they Rockets don’t even make the playoffs.   The Rockets, however, are home for both games and after what might be a solid test against the Bulldawgs and a good defense, they get the Snake River Sabercats at home… a game that has 60-12 written all over it.  Projecting: 2nd (6-2).

 

MAGIC VALLEY BULLDAWGS (4-2): You would think that a team that sits at 4-2 with two weeks remaining would be feeling pretty good regarding their playoff chances… and maybe they do. If they do, however, they may be the only ones.  The Bulldawgs built their 4-2 record with 4 wins against Snake River and Morgan.  They only games they have played against teams with winning or at least non-losing records, they have lost, being defeated by both the Idaho Matadors and Vipers, in albeit close contests.  So this Bulldawg team sports a good record by beating not so good teams.  Now they have the two best teams in the Mountain conference remaining… they easy part of the schedule is over, the real test begins. The Bulldawgs defense has been good all season and their offense with Ben Landrian at quarterback, Brad Cook at wide receiver and Lonnie Edwards, former RMFL MVP, in the backfield , has been better.  However, I think they would have to have more than just a few tricks up their sleeves to get two difficult road wins against the Rockets and Vipers.  Because of their loss to the Matadors, a two-way tie with the Matadors at 4-4 will not get them in, however, the Matadors with only Morgan and Snake River remaining on their schedule, could possibly finish 5-3.  The Bulldawgs are #3 for now… but the work is just starting if they are to do anything more than make a little noise in 2007. Projecting: 4th (4-4).

 

IDAHO MATADORS (3-3): Had the Idaho Matadors NOT defeated the Magic Valley Bulldawgs earlier in the season, I would already be starting to write about the “Playoff possibilities of the Northern Conference” right now.  This conference would be over.  The Bulldawgs would be 5-1, the Matadors would be 2-4, two games behind the 4-2 Rockets without any tie-breaker advantages.  It would be OVER… stick a fork in them.  HOWEVER… they did win that football game and now they are in the fast lane to what could be the #3 seed and a re-match with the Rockets in the first round of the playoffs.  They are home for Snake River and they are at Morgan.  Even  in the seemingly comfortable position they seem to be in (comfortable, of course, ONLY if you believe that Magic Valley cannot beat the Vipers or Rockets), they have not proven to be dominant enough to already put down wins against these two opponents.  Snake River can be dangerous and Morgan will have nothing to lose and will be home and rested, having the hard travel portion of their season long over.  Further, the Matadors could actually still lose one of these games and still be the #3 seed. They actually, could be the #2 seed (if the Bulldawgs beat the Rockets and lose to the Vipers AND the Rockets lose their last two vs. Bulldawgs and Sabercats).  But lets talk about reality.  The Matadors realistically need one more win to make the playoffs… and that is no sure thing.  Projecting: 3rd (5-3).

 

SNAKE RIVER SABERCATS (1-4) AND MORGAN MARAUDERS (0-6) are mathematically eliminated.

 

 

NORTHERN CONFERENCE

 

BITTERROOT BLAZE (7-0):  The Bitterroot Blaze only have one game remaining… Saturday at the Missoula Phoenix.  They will have to lose that game by 29 or more points to NOT secure the #1 seed.  The Blaze have proven to be perhaps the most dominant team in the AA, however, there is no question that Missoula is capable of pulling off the win at home, having battled the Blaze for 4 quarters to a 6-0 loss in Darby a couple of weeks ago.  If the Blaze lose by 29 or more points … and the Phoenix shut out the Glacier Knights the last week, then… and only then will the Blaze lose the number #1 seed. Now WHO thinks that is going to happen!??!  Projecting #1 (8-0).

 

MISSOULA PHOENIX (5-1): If you read the synopsis on the Blaze, then you know the work cut out for the Phoenix if they are going to avoid a 1st round game versus Great Falls or Helena AND… ultimately (if they win in the first round) a trip to Utah.  There is certainly a lot of motivation to try to earn the #1 seed… and they can, no doubt, shut out Glacier on the final weekend.  However, beating the dominant Bitterroot Blaze… a team they have yet to ever beat at all… by 29 or more points… why… that’s just CRAZY TALK!!!  The Phoenix can do no worse than the #2 seed; and will get it.  Projecting: #2 (6-2).

 

GREAT FALLS GLADIATORS (2-4):  Who’d a thunk that when the Great Falls Gladiators obtained two of the Helena Titans 3 biggest offensive weapons in the off-season (Keith Deboo and Eddie Sullivan) that the Gladiator offense would still be this bad??  Not I!  I really expected a big offensive turnaround by the Gladiators and had, quite incorrectly, projected them ahead of the Missoula Phoenix even.  Boy was I wrong.  The Gladiators have a home and away game remaining with the other 2-4 team, those same Helena Titans… a team that seems to be improving as the season has gone along.  The Gladiators, however, have yielded 28 points less than the Titans thus far this season… and therefore, have the advantage.  If the Gladiators win both games… no problem, if the Gladiators split the two with the Titans… For example, if the Gladiators win on Saturday by 7 points, the Titans would then need to not only win that final game, they would have to win by 35 or more points to overcome the now 35 point deficit on points allowed… a rather daunting task against the 3rd ranked defense.  It has been a disappointing season for these Gladiators, who may very well not have enough gas in the tank to beat the Titans at this point. However, I do think they can win one of them and return to the playoffs.  Projecting 3rd (3-5).

 

HELENA TITANS (2-4):  Last week, against a decent Glacier defense, the Titans had a quarterback pass for almost 250 yards and 3 touchdowns; Steve Kurschner.  The Titans believe they have found the answer to a struggling offense here and look to build on that success heading into these last two games with the Gladiators.  As per the analysis in the Great Falls section, the Titans need more than a split with the Gladiators to make it into the playoffs. The Titans need to simply win both games… which assures them obviously OR, if they should happen to split the games, they will need absolutely obliterate Great Falls in their own victory… not exactly a high probability situation.  Therefore, the Titans simply need to be thinking sweep the series… starting with Saturday.  If the Titans win on Saturday, they will be in the drivers seat… so to speak.  The final game of the season will ultimately be for the playoffs, however, the Titans would have won the first and would have momentum and confidence. I figure both games to be a toss up… however, Helena cannot lose either “coin toss” or they will begin their off-season early… again.  Projecting 4th (3-5).

 

GLACIER KNIGHTS (0-7) HAVE BEEN MATHEMATICALLY ELIMINATED.