Stuck In The Cross Fire

Hello to all you Mr. KIA followers. Mr. KIA wont be posting predictions this week. He has been going through some rough times over the last couple of days, so hope for nothing but the best for him. Anyways, this is Ben and I know I have some big shoes to fill. Lets see how this goes...

We've made it through over half-way of the season. Needless to say, there have been bumps along the way. With teams dropping out and other teams not being able to show up, it seems like 10 teams is an unlucky number for us. This past week we saw T8B and DPP both leaving WSOP, but for different reasons. Jordy, T8B ex-captain, decided he didn't want to take up that position any more, leaving his team with an empty captain slot. Along with that, T8B has been having issues in their lobby with scrollers, making it difficult for players to get eligible without much frustration. As for DPP, it was a joint-admin decision to remove them from this season. As you've probably noticed, they've struggled throughout the weeks to bring a full team to the table. It was hard for us to see them have these issues while their opponents put up an effort to get 6 eligible and have only 3 or 4 end up playing. The majority of their team is from different timezones, so it seems like the match times just didn't quite work out for them. Sorry to see both teams go, and thank you for your time. In reality, it hardly effects anything at all, just one less team in each division.

Week 8 is nothing but cross-divisional match ups. Things could get interesting here as some evenly-matched teams come head-to-head. Maybe a few surprises are in store for the more confident teams, or maybe those who should win will win. With that being said, on to the predictions...

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Cross-Divisional Match-ups
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FR vs PFN, Monday @6pm, Room: Beetle Spot

Things just aren't getting any easier for this FR team. After a brutal loss to ICA 2 weeks ago, it was even more brutal last week vs BNR. It was a well-played match for both sides, coming down to 3-3 draw. Once both captains had called their tie-breaker players, the FR player had gone idle. BNR opted to call for a timer, and unfortunately for FR it expired, giving the game 7 win to BNR. Naturally, the players on the FR side were upset and disappointed that such a thing would happen. They need to pick their heads up and bounce back.

This week FR plays the team notably known for taking cheap wins, PFN. A team can only take so much abuse. Maybe I'm just hanging around the wrong people, but it seems like PFN has the worst reputation out there when it comes to DQ's, timers, or anything else of that nature. Corey, Petey, and the rest will need to double and triple check everyone is eligible and stays off idle. In my eyes, this is a very good match up. As long as Corey brings his strongest line up, he and his team will have a fighting chance to overtake a well-rested PFN team after their easy win last week. Now, I'm not saying PFN should look at this match with a grain of salt (or however that saying goes). FR will be looking for a big win, possibly moving them up into 2nd place within the Western Division. However, on paper PFN looks to have the better team. So if things go the way they should, the better team wins here.

Outcome: 4-2 PFN


LPL vs BNR, Monday @7pm, Room: Under Pressure

The second match for Monday puts up two of the biggest names in interleagues: LPL and BNR. These two recently met up in MLP playoffs, a match in which BNR got crushed, losing a quick 0-4. Surely BNR will be looking for sweet revenge here. Currently sitting 1st place in the Eastern Division and holding the best record for both divisions, BNR has made it clear they are the team to beat this season. Looking at the BNR roster, only a few big names jump out right away. But the thing that makes this team so deadly is how deep they are with consistent players. As long as bad luck and misfortunes are avoided, I believe any BNR player can pull off a win when called on.

Tino and the rest of the LPL crew are probably sicc of hearing this, but the loss of Ant could bring this team down to a sub-standard level. Now I'm not saying this is a terrible team without Ant, because they're still good (case point MLP playoff match). But, this isn't MLP. LPL doesn't have the same players here as they do over there. Tino will need to make sure he gets the right players eligible for WSOP playoffs in order for his team to be strong contenders. LPL also have a finals match today in MLP at the same time. Their focus will most likely be all on that match instead of this one. BNR will strike when LPL least expects it and gets their revenge.
Outcome: 5-1 BNR


ICA vs MIB, Tuesday @6pm, Room: Intermediate Lounge 2

Heavy hitters meet up with not-so-heavy hitters in this Tuesday match. ICA has been on cruise control so far this season, handling business like it should be. Currently one game back from having the overall best record, ICA will be coming out with guns blazing looking to pick up some what should be easy wins to boost up their record even more. Surely they will be rooting for LPL in Monday's match of the week versus BNR. With enough players to field a football team, it's time for ICA to settle in and figure out what they're playoff lineup will look like. Half of the ICA starting lineup is on the Top 10 Leaderboard, proving these guys are as dangerous as anyone else. They have a comfortable lead over the 2nd place LPL, so there should be no worries in locking the top spot in the Western Division.

Unfortunately, MIB will be heading into a one-sided battle here. I just don't see them having the players to compete with the big boys. And ICA, well they're the big boys. MIB are currently hanging onto a thread, sitting 3rd place in the Eastern Division. On the plus side, MIB did win a tight 4-3 match over DS last week. This might be the boost they needed to give them the determination to finish off the last half of the season strong and keep the team in the playoff hunt. In order to have a realistic chance here though, Rich or Kris or whoever shows to captain will need to pray to the gods that either their best players show up or lots of glitches go in MIB's favor. Good luck.

Outcome: 5-1 ICA

DS vs SPS, Wednesday @7pm, Room: A Face In The Crowd

The last match of the week proves to be the best match up. Chele and her DS team are dieing for some better luck. DS has now lost 3 tie breakers. If only these games had gone in their favor, DS would be 4-3, right in the mix with the rest of the Western Division. DS has a decent line up, but coming down the stretch relying on decent will only get the team so far. The whole team will need to step up to the plate in these final weeks. If players can start making shot when they count the most, maybe DS will surprisingly jump back into playoff contention.

SPS is quietly making a big comeback within their division. They joined mid-season and since then are 3-1. I know Jason is going to be pushing hard to get his team into that 3rd place spot. And with MIB going against ICA, this week will be his best opportunity to do just that. It's hard to get a read on SPS at the moment though. Nobody on the roster really jumps out at me, but that's probably because SPS have only played 4 weeks so far, one of them being a free win. Both teams will be looking to get out of the bottom of their divisions, but SPS should be more determined to win this one.

Outcome: 4-3 SPS