Rivalry Rankings
El Clasico & The Battle of Brotherly Love are just some of the big rivalry games that will impact Playoff Qualification and Seedings in Week 13.
Rivalry Week is here. While every game is important and 'every point counts', some rivalries are bigger than others. The following is a ranking of this week's rivalry games based on a combination of Off Field Rivalry (OFR, how bad do they want to beat each other in everything that they do), Playoff Importance (PLI, how much impact does this game have for Playoff qualification and seeding), Competitiveness (COM, how competitive is the career H2H record of the rivals). All categories are rated from 1-10.
In reverse order:
5. Squid v. Tits
OFR 4 + PLI 9 + COM 4 = 17 points
They like each other too much for this rivalry to be ranked higher. Both teams will be rooting for the other when not playing each other. That said, this game has huge consequences for the Playoffs this year (for the second year in a row). Squid has an outside chance at the BYE and if Tits wins he's in. A Tits loss opens the door for Bo (7-5) and the long shot possibility of the 6-6 teams (Del, Stinky, Jeff and Billy) sneaking in with a points tie-breaker. Tits has a 3-1 record against Squid and has favorable matchups this week, but this game might also be the Game of the Week where Squid has more success. This rivalry is becoming an important game every year
4. Warren v. Jeff
OFR 8 + PLI 5 + COM 5 = 18 points
Warren is the only family member that Jeff has a winning record against. Unfortunately for Jeff, his easy wins over Warren's historically terrible teams (2010-2014) have not meant a playoff qualification. A win in 2015 will also not mean a Playoff bid for Jeff, but it might stop Warren from getting a BYE and winning the division (Jeff win, Billy win). This is not 2010-2014, in 2015, the Sushis are dominating. Look for Warren to end the regular season riding high. Maybe Jeff will find success in the Giorgio Cup?
3. Andrew v. Billy
OFR 8 + PLI 5 + COM 5 = 18 points
The Battle of Brotherly Love. A couple weeks ago this projected to be a contest between two of the best DelFL teams. Now it is Billy trying to stop Andrew from winning the Division (Billy win, Warren win) and preventing Andrew from getting the BYE. This seems to be a familiar circumstance with this rivalry. Billy has the upper hand in the career H2H, 5-3 all time, but Andrew has the hot team and wants not just the Brown Division, the BYE but also the Brown Jacket.
2. Boner v. Jesse
OFR 7 + PLI 4 + COM 8 = 19 points
Boner used to be able to say that Jesse has never beat him in anything. From the blacktop at St. Michael's to the gym at FHS, Boner defeated Jesse anywhere and everywhere. No more. Jesse and Boner have each won 4 games in their 8 meetings in the DelFL. Not only that, but the former roles seem to have reversed. Jesse is now king of the playground, a Playoff team and Brown Jacket contender, while Boner has one of the worst teams in DelFL history. Jesse wants the BYE (and could be critical in getting the Brown Jacket), Boner stands in his way.
1. Bo v. Tony
OFR 10 + PLI 7 + COM 3 = 20 points
El Clasico. It is the highest ranked rivalry game despite Tony, once again, having no chance at the Playoffs. It is the highest ranked rivalry game despite Tony rarely ever beating the OuTlAwZ. Although Tony did win last year, his career record against Bo is a putrid 2-7. That doesn't mean that this game isn't important. Bo is still very much in the hunt for a Wildcard spot, but with his low point total, he needs some help (Bo win, Squid win). Tony is also fighting for a spot in the Giorgio Cup and would love to awaken Bo's Playoff dreams. Expect a lot of contentious wechats this week.
Good luck to everyone!
