S30 Open Power Rankings, Vol. 3, 2/18/2019
(I try to post these on Monday morning, but due to an emergency, I didn't have time to write this up until Monday evening.)
#1 The Boomers (10-0) [+1]
Probably should've ranked them #1 last week. As the season has progressed, their roster has grown more and more stacked with players who have invite experience. Plus John Milter has started playing scout in some matches and to no one's surprise, finished with a 30-3 Kill-Death vs. 5Head. If Milter doesn't continue to play scout, then I think Enoch might be the #1 team, but if JM stays on scout, it's hard for me to justify moving them to #2 until they lose a game.
#2 Enoch eSports (10-0) [+3]
I didn't know much about this team before the start of the season since most of them don't have any info on their ESEA profiles, but they're now among the last 3 undefeated teams, and have played a tough schedule all season with dominant wins over Good Damage, 5Head, and now Snore. Since week 3, I figured they were at the top of open, but this last week has revealed to everyone that these guys might be the best team in the division.
#3 Simian Aggression (10-0)
Based on results so far, it's hard to confidently say which 10-0 team is going home with the $250 (lol) grand prize. Enoch got a slight edge over Simian Aggression based on strength of schedule, but until they play each other, it's hard to pick one over the other.
#4 Snore (9-1) [-3]
Just based on individual talent level, these guys are still going to be a tough game for anyone outside of the top 4 of the division. There might be a limit to how far that'll go against the top teams if they're playing semi-casually (as shown in their loss to Enoch), but they could still be a threat to make finals if they decide to get a little more serious as playoffs come closer.
#5Head (8-2) [+1]
I've been waiting all season for the novelty of moving up 5Head to #5, and the apparent death of Hostile Hamster Date Night has finally given me the excuse to. On a serious note, I do think these guys deserve the spot based on their performances over Lion Coalition, The N-Word Free Zone, and even Enoch eSports whom they managed to take a few rounds from.
#6 Good Damage 2 (6-4) [+3]
Following a close 5-4 shootout with The N-Word Free Zone, it seems like the hardest work of the season is done. Unless one of the opponents on their schedule drastically improves or some unfortunate circumstance befalls Good Damage 2, they have a chance of winning out the rest of the season.
#7 The N-Word Free Zone (7-3) [+3]
After snapping their 5 game win streak in the above mentioned game against Good Damage 2, The N-Word Free Zone's next week looks to be a little more relaxed. While the Portland Burnsiders and Nav eSports are not easy matchups, The N-Word Free Zone should be expected to take care of business and improve their record to 9-3.
#8 Lion Coalition (6-4) [+4]
Also very little to note here. The remainder of their schedule looks like quick work (seriously, one of their matches is against a Newbie Mix team with no wins) aside from their second to last match against There We Go. I can see these guys finishing with 10-12 wins.
#9 Carrier Penguins (7-3) [+2]
Nothing to report here. Results have been pretty much as-expected since the last update. They ended up moving up mostly due to other teams dropping down.
#10 There We Go (6-3) [+7]
Some teams are cursed with a hard schedule, but There We Go's schedule was a little different, with a mix of teams that were either way too hard or way too easy. Unfortunately, they ended up losing to the Portland Burnsiders in a 5v6, but re-bounded and picked up their first notable win of the season over Home Run Thomas. As a side note, I see that they beat Team Win Steel in UGC Platinum last week 5-2, but I don't want to put too much stock into that since it's just UGC so I don't know if both teams were taking it seriously.
#11 Team Win Steel (8-2) [+3]
After a gauntlet of tough games and narrow victories, Team Win Steel got a breather week with some slightly easier opponents who were both beaten 5-0. With another week of games that they're favored in coming up, it looks like the hard work won't resume until late the tail end of February.
#12 Enjoy Freezing (7-3) [-4]
I admit I made a mistake here. I may have ranked them higher than they deserved based on their previous win over Good Damage 2, and now that I've taken a closer look, I noticed that Good Damage 2 only had 5 players that match. Considering their sometimes inconsistent performances against mid-tier teams, they're moving down the rankings a bit in spite of still having a good record and solid chances to make playoffs.
#13 Home Run Thomas (7-3)
In their first challenge since January, Home Run Thomas's 7 game win streak came to an end. With 7 wins and only 2 or 3 more needed to make playoffs, these guys just need a little extra to slide in.
#14 Moshi Moshi VAC Ban Desu (5-5) [+3]
This team is in an odd spot right now. They've managed to give some quality teams a hard time, but haven't been able to close out many wins, so their record sits only at .500 right now.
They need 4/6, maybe even 5/6 to make playoffs. Considering their final 6 opponents (one of which is dead), it's a doable task, but not easy. Perhaps the late addition of ebsikl will be enough to pull it off?
#15 Toaster in the Bath (6-3)
Toaster in the Bath is in an odd position. They have a win over the Portland Burnsiders, and I think they are overall a tiny bit better than the Burnsiders, but their chances of squeezing into the playoffs are looking rough based on the difficulty of their final 6 games.
#16 Portland Burnsiders (5-3-1)
Not a whole lot has happened here. One of their matches had to be rescheduled, and the other would've been a great matchup had it not been 6v5. The road ahead for the Burnsiders is tough, but clearly visible. Although they probably won't beat The N-Word Free Zone or Good Damage 2, their last 4 matches are all winnable enough to secure a low playoff spot.
Honorable Mentions(s) (Other teams with a decent chance of making playoffs, #17):
None this week
No Longer Ranked (Teams no longer likely to make playoffs, #18):
Plumpwench [-1], Hugs and Kisses [-1]
Although these are good teams who are likely to finish with at least an even record, making playoffs at this point probably isn't in the books. All of these guys need to win 3 or 4 of their next 6 to have a chance of making it in, and based on prior results and future schedules, that looks like a tall task. One of these guys might make it in, but in doing so, will probably end the other's chances.
General Nick [-1], Keyboard Lords [-1]
These two teams have kind of the same story this season. In some matches, they've managed to look good enough to sneak into the post-season. However, they're just a little short of being consistent enough to pull it off.
Gjohnce (now Longerboys) [-10]
According to this post: https://www.teamfortress.tv/50358/kuhnockers-lft, Gjohnce is now dead (the team, not the person).
Hostile Hamster [-13]
They forfeited their last two matches and a bunch of people left the roster so I'm assuming they're dead. A little sad since they were probably going to stay in the top 6. All that remains is one final epitaph on their roster guestbook:
"if only apex champions did not legitimately kill this fucking team lol dab"
-RITE-AID
TLDR
-Hostile Hamster, Gjohnce dead?
-Boomers #1, Enoch #2, Simian #3, Snore #4, #5 5Head
-There We Go, MMVBD ranked
[b]S30 Open Power Rankings, Vol. 3, 2/18/2019[/b]
[i](I try to post these on Monday morning, but due to an emergency, I didn't have time to write this up until Monday evening.)[/i]
[b]#1[/b] [i]The Boomers (10-0)[/i] [+1]
Probably should've ranked them #1 last week. As the season has progressed, their roster has grown more and more stacked with players who have invite experience. Plus John Milter has started playing scout in some matches and to no one's surprise, finished with a 30-3 Kill-Death vs. 5Head. If Milter doesn't continue to play scout, then I think Enoch might be the #1 team, but if JM stays on scout, it's hard for me to justify moving them to #2 until they lose a game.
[b]#2[/b] [i]Enoch eSports (10-0)[/i] [+3]
I didn't know much about this team before the start of the season since most of them don't have any info on their ESEA profiles, but they're now among the last 3 undefeated teams, and have played a tough schedule all season with dominant wins over Good Damage, 5Head, and now Snore. Since week 3, I figured they were at the top of open, but this last week has revealed to everyone that these guys might be the best team in the division.
[b]#3[/b] [i]Simian Aggression (10-0)[/i]
Based on results so far, it's hard to confidently say which 10-0 team is going home with the $250 (lol) grand prize. Enoch got a slight edge over Simian Aggression based on strength of schedule, but until they play each other, it's hard to pick one over the other.
[b]#4[/b] [i]Snore (9-1) [/i][-3]
Just based on individual talent level, these guys are still going to be a tough game for anyone outside of the top 4 of the division. There might be a limit to how far that'll go against the top teams if they're playing semi-casually (as shown in their loss to Enoch), but they could still be a threat to make finals if they decide to get a little more serious as playoffs come closer.
[b]#5[/b][i]Head (8-2)[/i] [+1]
I've been waiting all season for the novelty of moving up 5Head to #5, and the apparent death of Hostile Hamster Date Night has finally given me the excuse to. On a serious note, I do think these guys deserve the spot based on their performances over Lion Coalition, The N-Word Free Zone, and even Enoch eSports whom they managed to take a few rounds from.
[b]#6[/b] [i]Good Damage 2 (6-4)[/i] [+3]
Following a close 5-4 shootout with The N-Word Free Zone, it seems like the hardest work of the season is done. Unless one of the opponents on their schedule drastically improves or some unfortunate circumstance befalls Good Damage 2, they have a chance of winning out the rest of the season.
[b]#7[/b] [i]The N-Word Free Zone (7-3)[/i] [+3]
After snapping their 5 game win streak in the above mentioned game against Good Damage 2, The N-Word Free Zone's next week looks to be a little more relaxed. While the Portland Burnsiders and Nav eSports are not easy matchups, The N-Word Free Zone should be expected to take care of business and improve their record to 9-3.
[b]#8[/b] [i]Lion Coalition (6-4)[/i] [+4]
Also very little to note here. The remainder of their schedule looks like quick work (seriously, one of their matches is against a Newbie Mix team with no wins) aside from their second to last match against There We Go. I can see these guys finishing with 10-12 wins.
[b]#9[/b] [i]Carrier Penguins (7-3[/i]) [+2]
Nothing to report here. Results have been pretty much as-expected since the last update. They ended up moving up mostly due to other teams dropping down.
[b]#10[/b] [i]There We Go (6-3) [/i][+7]
Some teams are cursed with a hard schedule, but There We Go's schedule was a little different, with a mix of teams that were either way too hard or way too easy. Unfortunately, they ended up losing to the Portland Burnsiders in a 5v6, but re-bounded and picked up their first notable win of the season over Home Run Thomas. As a side note, I see that they beat Team Win Steel in UGC Platinum last week 5-2, but I don't want to put too much stock into that since it's just UGC so I don't know if both teams were taking it seriously.
[b]#11[/b] [i]Team Win Steel (8-2)[/i] [+3]
After a gauntlet of tough games and narrow victories, Team Win Steel got a breather week with some slightly easier opponents who were both beaten 5-0. With another week of games that they're favored in coming up, it looks like the hard work won't resume until late the tail end of February.
[b]#12[/b] [i]Enjoy Freezing (7-3)[/i] [-4]
I admit I made a mistake here. I may have ranked them higher than they deserved based on their previous win over Good Damage 2, and now that I've taken a closer look, I noticed that Good Damage 2 only had 5 players that match. Considering their sometimes inconsistent performances against mid-tier teams, they're moving down the rankings a bit in spite of still having a good record and solid chances to make playoffs.
[b]#13 [/b][i]Home Run Thomas (7-3) [/i]
In their first challenge since January, Home Run Thomas's 7 game win streak came to an end. With 7 wins and only 2 or 3 more needed to make playoffs, these guys just need a little extra to slide in.
[b]#14 [/b][i]Moshi Moshi VAC Ban Desu (5-5)[/i] [+3]
This team is in an odd spot right now. They've managed to give some quality teams a hard time, but haven't been able to close out many wins, so their record sits only at .500 right now.
They need 4/6, maybe even 5/6 to make playoffs. Considering their final 6 opponents (one of which is dead), it's a doable task, but not easy. Perhaps the late addition of ebsikl will be enough to pull it off?
[b]#15[/b] [i]Toaster in the Bath (6-3)[/i]
Toaster in the Bath is in an odd position. They have a win over the Portland Burnsiders, and I think they are overall a tiny bit better than the Burnsiders, but their chances of squeezing into the playoffs are looking rough based on the difficulty of their final 6 games.
[b]#16 [/b][i]Portland Burnsiders (5-3-1)[/i]
Not a whole lot has happened here. One of their matches had to be rescheduled, and the other would've been a great matchup had it not been 6v5. The road ahead for the Burnsiders is tough, but clearly visible. Although they probably won't beat The N-Word Free Zone or Good Damage 2, their last 4 matches are all winnable enough to secure a low playoff spot.
[b]Honorable Mentions(s) (Other teams with a decent chance of making playoffs, #17):
[/b]None this week
[b]No Longer Ranked (Teams no longer likely to make playoffs, #18):
[/b]
[i]Plumpwench[/i] [-1], [i]Hugs and Kisses[/i] [-1]
Although these are good teams who are likely to finish with at least an even record, making playoffs at this point probably isn't in the books. All of these guys need to win 3 or 4 of their next 6 to have a chance of making it in, and based on prior results and future schedules, that looks like a tall task. One of these guys might make it in, but in doing so, will probably end the other's chances.
[i]General Nick[/i] [-1], [i]Keyboard Lords [/i][-1]
These two teams have kind of the same story this season. In some matches, they've managed to look good enough to sneak into the post-season. However, they're just a little short of being consistent enough to pull it off.
[i]Gjohnce (now Longerboys)[/i] [-10]
According to this post: https://www.teamfortress.tv/50358/kuhnockers-lft, Gjohnce is now dead (the team, not the person).
[i]Hostile Hamster[/i] [-13]
They forfeited their last two matches and a bunch of people left the roster so I'm assuming they're dead. A little sad since they were probably going to stay in the top 6. All that remains is one final epitaph on their roster guestbook:
"if only apex champions did not legitimately kill this fucking team lol dab"
-RITE-AID
[b]TLDR[/b]
-Hostile Hamster, Gjohnce dead?
-Boomers #1, Enoch #2, Simian #3, Snore #4, #5 5Head
-There We Go, MMVBD ranked