Patty's Last Day at #1 and Power-Rankings

for at least a week, but perhaps forever.

Standings

1. B&G (70)
2. Pineapple (62)
3. Born Again (58)
4. Otis (55)
5. BenBounce (53)
6. 2 Cats (47)
7. Conatus (44)
8. Team A (42)
8. E.H. Schnuck (42)
10. Da Zone (41)

Looking ahead, I can see a path to victory for any squad at this point. However, here are new power rankings based almost entirely on the likelihood of future championships:

1. Conatus
Sorry, guys. I didn't go into this with an intention to rank myself #1, but I think I have to.
*The Celtics haven't lost a game since the draft, will probably add Starbury before the deadline, and look like they can't be stopped in the East. LA will win one game at home in the Finals and then, that's all she wrote. Basically, Boston is good for at least another 80 points. Oklahoma is cruising to a #1 seed, but will at least be a #2 and Blake Griffin is proving to be the best player in the country. Xavier is another likely #2 after they crush a weak field in the A-10 Tournament and are clearly the best non-bcs college basketball team is the country by a lot. Manchester United will win the Champions League. The USA is no lock for the WBC (especially once single elimination begins), but they obviously have the most talent and the players seem to be taking the challenge seriously. 5 top contenders=#1 in the Power Ranking.
2. E.H. Schnuck
This one was close and I could have flipped 2 and 3. Dan has performed miserably so far, however, that is due in large part to the strength of his team being yet to come.
* With Brady coming back you have to call the Patriots one of the two early favorites for the AFL. The NL is a mess, but I don't see any reason why the Phillies can't win a bunch of games and make the playoffs when the Mets implode. Wake looks poised for a #1 seed, but even a loss in ACC Tournament, and even another regular season loss somewhere, can't keep them from at least being a #2. Tiger is coming back, and he doesn't have to be too dominant to still lap the field. Every Golf event on the schedule has been won by Tiger at least once (which isn't hard to arrange since he's won almost every tournament at this point.) The only Hope for the field is a career ending injury.
3. Da Zone
Surprised? Ziggy is currently in last place, however, he has strength yet to come.
*The Cowboys are a question mark, as always, but the NFC has no clear power (as usual) and they have no big gaps to fill in the off-season. Basically, they need to stop collecting felonies and stop choking in December. Regardless, the almost guaranteed 10 wins they will get gives Ziggy a nice 100 point cushion to work with into the fall. The Red Sox have been trying to keep up with the Yankees spending wise, and have failed, but are still ridiculously stocked with all-star talent. If the Yankees get sluggish from all that caviar and crystal, the Sox could easily win a tight AL East race. Regardless, I wouldn't bet against them taking the Wild Card for any odds. If they do come in as the wild card, then they CAN'T play the Yankees in the first round and will get some sweet MLB playoff win points. Duke is Duke. If they lose to Wake in the ACC tournament, they'll be a #2 Seed. If they win, they'll be a #1. Regardless, they won't be challenged before the regional Final and they obviously have as good a chance as anyone to win the whole thing. Finally, Cuba in the World Baseball Classic is a nice draw.
4. Team A
Brian's team is on auto pilot, but there is strength lurking in key places.
* Due to the hasty rules evaluation during the draft, he has the strongest 1-2 punch in the CFB category with USC and Notre Dame. USC has dropped a bit, but they're USC. Notre Dame isn't a non-bcs school, but they play one in the UFL. Anyway, they'll suck but they'll be bowl eligible and that bowl will be much more prestigious than they deserve. 8 wins and a post Christmas bowl is likely, but if they get nine expect to see ND on New Years day getting their asses stomped by a WAC team. The Cubs are going to score points, make the playoffs and then choke...but the points will still count. Japan has as good a shot as anyone in the WBC. If Brian were properly managing his team, he would be doing even better. Drake is a joke and probably won't make the tournament, however, I have a feeling Brian won't bench them in time.
5. Born Again
I know we all fear the Bosac. There is strength from top to bottom on his team, but nothing dominant. I give him credit for the Yankees, as the top MLB team. I also give a nod to Serena as a strong tennis option. However, she has looked weak at various points in the Aussie, and just doesn't play well outside of Majors. It would be surprising for her to win tonight and win more than one more major. It would not be surprising for her to skip one or more of our non-major tournaments, especially Dubai in 2 1/2 weeks because she needs time film more lame-ass commercials with the lame-ass manning brothers. Pitt will get a #2 seed, maybe even a #1, but they seem like upset fodder in the tournament. Like I said, top to bottom it is imaginable for most of Matt's units to have a decent, even awesome, year, there just aren't many locks to be found.
6.B&G
The early run seems to be closing. Like Matt's team, there isn't a lot of dominance to be found on this roster. Unlike Matt, there isn't a lot of hope either.
*The Devils are a bright spot, so far, but predicting the NHL playoffs is not a game I'll engage in. I also give credit for the Falcons as one of the 2 best teams in the NFC. Also, having Matt's FF team will help. Beyond that I see a solid number of regular seasons wins, but very little hope for championships or deep playoff runs. Of course, Cleveland, Alabama or the Mets could prove me wrong. Don't hold your breathe for young undisciplined Louisville or Memphis teams to go very deep into the tourney.
7. BenBounce
I went back and forth on Ben's team. I was either going to rank him here, or at #5. Came back to my original criteria of having the best units in multiple categories.
*Utah St. is rolling in the WAC, but come-on, they aren't Xavier and the Cinderella story will be over by the third round (assuming they don't get bounced in the conference tourney.) Michigan State is good and could go far, but not a dominant UFL slot. Oklahoma is #1 or #2 college football pick, which goes a long way. Same goes for the Steelers. But as far as tenuous future performance goes, picking NFL teams for next year is the far extreme. I wouldn't be surprised to see Ben in first place late in the year, but I just don't see a clear path to that fate.
8. 2 Cats
Do you really want your fate riding on the success or failure of Ohio St.?
*The Dodgers are real contenders. Past that, I see Herman collecting points, but no more than half the other squads in any given category. A good run by Butler and a Final 4 appearance for UNC would change my mind significantly. Real Madrid is also in a position to challenge my boys. Michelson could be good. Again, anything can happen, but I'm ranking based on who has the most categories with a clear advantage.
9. Otis
Not planning on managing hurts this squad.
*Florida has a great shot at the National Championship, but that is always tenuous. Gonzaga is hot and looks like the second best non-bcs team heading towards the tourney. Dementieva proved she can go deep into a major. Chelsea always has a shot. Orlando will make the playoffs and win many more games before then. So why so low in the rankings? Lack of dominance. Maybe slow and steady will win the race, but I can't see a category where otis is likely to out-score everyone.
10. Pineapple
Bussman might wake up Saturday morning in first place, but damn, this team is shitty. UConn is a decent #2 seed. The South West is the best little league division. Beyond that? The Suns are a 3rd or 4th team, at best, in the West. The Jets Suck. Tampa has a new coach, but will still Suck. Texas Tech was a one hit wonder in the Big 12 South, and they weren't even that wonderful. Hawaii's reputation will never recover from their big loss at the end of the 2007 season. They could go undefeated next year and still not play in a New Year's Bowl, much less a BCS bowl. The Twins might contend, but I only say that because they seem to find a way to contend every year, and not because there is any indication they will be good. The Rockies Suck. I can't Judge the Capitals, but let's call them mediocre. St. Mary's lost last night to Gonzaga and will be lucky to cling to a 10 seed...probably end up either a 13 or 14 if they don't win their conference tourney. I've never hear of your golfer. Safina did great in the Aussie Open, but can she carry your entire team? The whole Roma team will probably be in prison for match-fixing before the finals even roll around. Mark Cavendish wins an occasional stage, but his team doesn't win races. 20 points won't save your season. Taipei will not make the semi's.

So, there it is. Any thoughts on where my analysis went astray?