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JackassRampant



Joined: Feb 26, 2011

Post   Posted: May 04, 2014 - 20:19 Reply with quote Back to top

NCBB Season XIX Non-AQ Preview

This season features a whopping 16 Non-AQ teams and 12 new coaches, along with three rebuilds and one non-eligible team. I'm ranking these teams based on my anticipation of their finishing order this season. Take these rankings with a whole shaker of salt, except that I'm pretty sure ClemUSA will be unstoppable in the AKC.

Southern Chaos Conference
The SCC is the stronger conference. The four Latin American teams (UNS, ITBA, UNLZ, and UB) will form the backbone of a strong conference for future seasons. The refurbished Buffalo will get its licks in, and there are some slower-building teams too, which will be competitive later.

#1 UNS Feathers
Coach: Emanukio
Race: Wood Elves
Build: 2 Wardancers, 1 Catcher, 8 Linemen, 2 TRR: 990k
Wood Elves are the best and the worst here, depending on the coach. A coach like Emanukio will always be dangerous in the NCBB, and UNS will be instant and perpetual contenders.

#2 ITBA Tinkerers
Coach: Garcangel
Race: High Elf
Build: 2 Blitzers, 2 Catchers, 1 Thrower, 6 Linemen, 2 TRR: 990k
Garcangel is one of four new Argentine coaches this season. The Tinkerers, Powermongers, Feathers, and Communicators will form about half a conference all by themselves! High Elves do well here and produce good draft picks.

#3 UNLZ Communicators
Coach: Kalessin
Race: Norse
Build: 2 Ulfwerener, 2 Berserkers, 1 Runner, 6 Linemen, 3 TRR: 970k
UNLZ has a good chance to jump to an early lead, as Norse thrive on rookie competition. They'll need it, because Norse also have a reputation for collapsing suddenly.

#4 UB Powermongers
Coach: Powermonger
Race: Chaos
Build: 4 Warriors, 7 Beastmen, 3 TRR: 1000k
Powermonger is playing the heavy among the four Argentine coaches. Chaos build strong, but the Non-AQ is often a bit rough for teams without skills.

#5 Buffalo BullCentaurs
Coach: Shades_SteelFist
Race: Chaos Dwarf
Build: Minotaur, 2 Bulls, 4 Dwarfs, 4 Hobgoblins, 2 TRR: 990k
Welcome back, Shades! I wasn't here when the Bull Centaurs made their original run, but then neither were any of Buffalo's original players. Chaos Dwarfs pull their weight, but don't produce great draft picks.

#6 Trojan Flyspecks
Coach: Morsing
Race: Nurgle
Build: Beast, 2 Warriors, 2 Pestigors, 6 Rotters, 3 FF, 3 TRR: 1000k
Coach Morsing must be a night owl to play in American leagues like this, but we have some European coaches already and it works fine. Nurgle struggle here, but this is a good league for a "fun" squad.

#7 UC Sunnydale
Coach: MrPeakie
Race: Necromantic
Build: 2 Werewolves, 2 Golems, 2 Wights, 5 Zombies 2 TRR: 980k
If Maysrill and RyanFitz can make Necromantic work, why can't MrPeakie? I predict rough early going (two rerolls, few skills), but a team that builds to good strength over time.

#8 Michigan State Spartogres
Coach: Apojar
Race: Ogre
Build: 5 Ogres, 6 Snotlings, 2 RR, FF2: 980k
Apojar is a stone thug of a coach, but Ogres struggle. I predict some highly colorful pitches and probably a win or two.

All-Killer Conference
The AKC is mostly composed of coaches from the Eastern and Central zones, plus one Australian. It's very Orky/Human, a lot of core Tier 1 teams.

#1 Dartmouth Big Green
Coach: ClemUSA
Race: Orc
Build: 1 Blocker, 4 Blitzers, 1 Thrower, 1 Goblin, 5 Linemen, 3 TRR: 990k
ClemUSA is an excellent coach: if you haven't played him, you should! Dartmouth and its oddball one-Blocker roster will be an immediate contender in the Non-AQ, and will make draftable Blitzers and the odd statty Lineman for the NBFL, plus a lot of pain over the seasons in the NCBB.

#2 ULL Ragin' Greenskins
Coach: DrPoods
Race: Orc
Build: 3 Blockers, 4 Blitzers, 4 Linemen, 4 TRR: 1000k
DrPoods should have a good ol' time with Orcs early-on. It will be interesting to see how all these new Orc teams fare going forward, but for now ULL should hold their own.

#3 UMass Amhurts Minutemen
Coach: TenaciousPiggy
Race: Human
Build: 1 Ogre, 4 Blitzers, 1 Thrower, 5 Linemen, 3 TRR: 970k
Like Penn State, UMass eschews Catchers in favor of bash. They feature an Ogre, bringing more beef at the expense of re-rolls.

#4 Penn State Naughty Lions
Coach: WoodPusher
Race: Human
Build: 4 Blitzers, 2 Throwers, 5 Linemen, Apoth, 4 TRR: 1000k
Humans prey on elves, so they do well in the elf-friendly NCBB. WoodPusher hopes to follow in the footsteps of BYU, SDSU, and Old Dominion. Penn State brings an all-ST3 build; I love those!

#5 Humontana Grizzlies
Coach: Nightbird
Race: Human
Build: 2 Blitzers, 1 Catcher, 1 Thrower, 7 Linemen, 3 RR: 870k
Nightbird starts over with a very lean Human squad. It will be interesting to see how he fares and what he does with his inducements (vroom vroom).

#6 OSU Dragon Princes
Coach: WingedHuman
Race: High Elf
Build: 2 Blitzers, 1 Catcher, 1 Thrower, 7 Linemen, 3 FF, 2 TRR: 1000k
WingedHuman had an okay season with High Elves in the NBFL before tanking, and now he brings that recipe to a much more receptive format. I predict a jolly old time and maybe a few wins.

#7 Arkansas Laserbacks
Coach: Miyuso
Race: Chaos
Build: 3 Warriors, 8 Beastmen, 3 TRR: 960k
This is Miyuso's second team. Last season's wooden spoon squad Kent State has been relegated to Division 2, so the Laserbacks could become Miyuso's AQ team. This Non-AQ could be a rough run for young Chaos.

#8 Wichitoada State Slanners
Coach: Jaradical
Race: Slann
Build: 1 Blitzer, 4 Catchers, 6 Linemen, 4 TRR: 990k
Wichitoada State is following in the footsteps of CDI Slannunity and the Butler Bullfrogs. Both teams struggled in their first season, but CDI looks pretty good now, and Butler has become a minor powerhouse. However, Wichitoada's build is just weird, and I'm predicting it's too squishy to build up to speed fast. Time will tell.

_________________
Veni, Vidi, Risi


Last edited by JackassRampant on May 08, 2014 - 18:26; edited 1 time in total
JackassRampant



Joined: Feb 26, 2011

Post   Posted: May 04, 2014 - 20:35 Reply with quote Back to top

Matches to Watch, Weeks 1-3

SCC
Round 1: ITBA Tinkerers vs Buffalo BullCentaurs, UB Powermongers vs Trojan Flyspecks
Round 2: ITBA Tinkerers vs UNS Feathers, UB Powermongers vs UNLZ Communicators
Round 3: UNLZ Communicators vs UC Sunnydale

AKC
Round 1: ULL Ragin' Greenskins vs Dartmouth Big Green, UMass Amhurts Minutemen vs Penn State Naughty Lions
Round 2: OSU Dragon Princes vs Humontana Grizzlies, Arkansas Laserbacks vs Wichitoada State Slanners
Round 3: Humontana Grizzlies vs. Penn State Naughty Lions

_________________
Veni, Vidi, Risi
DrPoods



Joined: Nov 14, 2013

Post   Posted: May 05, 2014 - 02:35 Reply with quote Back to top

Well, should be an interesting match against ClemUSA. Preseason ranked #2? Need to get off to a good start!

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JackassRampant



Joined: Feb 26, 2011

Post   Posted: May 05, 2014 - 15:17 Reply with quote Back to top

Preseason rankings posted on the internet are just about worth the paper they're printed on. I put the team races that struggle low and the ones that do well early I put high. There isn't any more to it than that.

_________________
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DrPoods



Joined: Nov 14, 2013

Post   Posted: May 05, 2014 - 15:55 Reply with quote Back to top

Ha ha ha. That's true.

Anyway, first game ULL v Dartmouth due for 10pm EST (American EST)!! Stay tuned.

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Morsing



Joined: Oct 21, 2012

Post   Posted: May 06, 2014 - 01:23 Reply with quote Back to top

So, the Trojan Flyspecks have made their debut in the game:
UB Powermongers vs Trojan Flyspecks

Mad about the low predictions for his team, Coach Morsing was out to prove that his team is more than just a filler. And he did, sort of.

1st half started with Powermongers powering down the field, smashing Nurgles finist left and right. In a classic play, he grinded down the field and scored in the last turn of the half. Now, could the nurgle do the same and ensure a draw? - no...
But, all their blocks were starting to wear the chaos players out. They are probably more used to punching than getting punched!

Long story short, the Nurgle team ranked up 5 casulties on the chaos players, 3 of them permanent injuries (2 -AV beastmen and 1 Niggling Chaos warrior). However, some desperate dodging and blitzing by the chaos team prevented the Nurgles scoring in the end of the half..

The Beast of Nurgle was the true star of the game, scoring 3 casulties and earning a skill! - He is now much better at standing firm to use his tentacles to full effect!
TenaciousPiggy



Joined: Jan 03, 2014

Post   Posted: May 06, 2014 - 01:36 Reply with quote Back to top

The real winner here is whoever plays against UB next.
JackassRampant



Joined: Feb 26, 2011

Post   Posted: May 06, 2014 - 02:48 Reply with quote Back to top

I won't be writing up every match, but I'll get a few every week. This week I'm rewarding the early birds.

UB Powermongers 1 vs Trojan Flyspecks 0

Coach Morsing and the Trojan Flyspecks at home, with FAME +1. Weather is nice. Morsing chooses tails, heads comes up, Powermonger and the UB Powermongers choose to receive.

First Half: Flyspecks set up in a "boat" formation with a 202 Rotter line, Rotters in the strong backfield positions, and the Beast in the middle of the backfield. UB sets up an 8-man line with the Warriors lined up to pound Rotters and Beastmen in the wide zones, plus a pair of halfbacks and a fullback to get the ball. Cheering Fans favors the Flyspecks, but a wild kick leads to a touchback, and the Powermongers' fullback, Alexis "Pijo" Scaravaglione, starts with the ball.

Powermongers generate a strong push on the defensive line, with Warrior Guillermo "Archon" Balsebre MNG'ing a Rotter and walling off the ball and north wide zone with a tough-looking screen. Flyspecks go all man-up on the Powermongers, blitzing with Beast Mohammed L. Kjaer to put a zone on the ball. Powermongers respond by blitzing the Beast off and reordering the screen, positioning the ball safely on the north side just beyond scrimmage. A brief scrum ensues, UB works its way south with a lateral play. They get the edge, and on turn 4 Scaravaglione has the ball inside scoring range in a 3-man sideline cage on the south side. All hands close around the cage, but the Flyspecks can't offer credible pressure despite a Casualty for Kjaer and Scaravaglione pulls in the UB franchise's inaugural TD after a classic grinding stall. The Trojan Flyspecks' Turn 8 drive yields no damage, but Pestigor Niels R. Norgaard throws a Completion.

Second Half: Flyspecks are up 10 men to 9, with a Rotter missing compared to a Warrior and a Beastman. UB Beastmen line up in a 101 formation, with a 303 Warrior screen in the backfield, two Beastmen on the flanks, and one as a deep safety. Offense spreads out a bit, leaving only Rotter Emil C. Hansen at fullback. Ball goes deep, UB get a free re-roll for coaching.

Kjaer goes to town on a Beastman, a career-ender. The Flyspecks send 3 Rotters back to get the ball, and Hansen starts running from deep in his own backfield. The Powermongers collapse around the sidelines, taking out a Pestigor, and the cage gets marked up deep in Flyspecks' territory, forcing a forlorn breakaway run after a handoff to Norgaard. Beastman Juan "Negro" Sandoval blitzes him down, and a bloody scrum ensues over the ball, in which Norgaard drops a career-ending head hit on Sandoval and Kjaer earns a skill-up retiring Balsebre, but neither side can get the ball secure until time expires.

Player of the Week: Niels Norgaard and Mohammed Kjaer deserve honorable mentions for spirited play, but the Flyspecks lost the game, so I'm giving the nod to Juan Sandoval, who gave his skull to preserve the win for the Powermongers.

ITBA Tinkerers 2 vs Buffalo BullCentaurs 1

Buffalo is home team, with FAME 2. They win the coin toss and elect to receive.

First Half: ITBA sets up a standard "boat" defense with a 101 line. Buffalo sets up a strong 9-man line with both Bulls back to get the ball. The kickoff goes really deep, and a Quick Snap sees both Bulls gravitate to the ball and the line pushes forward. Buffalo's line-blocking is awkward but effective, the only real problem being a Wild Animal fail from Minotaur Brawnus "Doc" Longhorn, leading to an unblocked lineman who nevertheless didn't have anywhere to go. Bulls fail the pickup, don't try to reroll it. The elves wrap around, Blitzer Matt D.B. killing a Hobgoblin in the defensive backfield. The following Buffalo turn ends on a both-down from Longhorn, which at least nets a Casualty on the lino who got off the turn before. This leads to a scrum over the ball near the Bull Centaurs' end zone, which often ends badly against elves, as is the case here, as the other ITBA Blitzer, R. Pizzini, runs in the TD on defensive turn 4.

Going into the second quarter, it's 10 on 9 in the Chaos Dwarfs' favor, and the High Elves are out of re-rolls. The Buffalo BullCentaurs this time put a Hobgoblin back to receive, but end up getting the ball with a Bull, Galapa "Hoofs" Surehoof, and doing a fake-north, drive-south routine, exposing the carrier deep on turn 7. The elves zip down and stop the score, leaving them receiving and up 1 at the half, though in the process Longhorn extracts another Casualty, again a Badly Hurt Line-Elf.

Second Half: It's 9-on-9, with the Mino on the line, a thin screen of Dwarfs and a south-oriented offensive setup. The Tinkerers open the hole but have a butterfingers moment with the ball. The elves win a quick scrum and on turn 4 Ticho Campo does what Catchers do and extends ITBA's lead to 2 scores, effectively icing the game. Still, the garbage drive goes well for Buffalo, as Longhorn skills himself up on the elves' Thrower and a handoff to Surehoof yields a "garbage" TD.

Player of the Week: Matt D.B. Blitzers gonna blitz, and between his Turn 1 kill and his stopping Surehoof's first scoring drive, Matt DB was the most influential player in the game. Props also to "Doc" Longhorn for getting his 3 Cas right away.

_________________
Veni, Vidi, Risi


Last edited by JackassRampant on May 06, 2014 - 16:42; edited 1 time in total
DrPoods



Joined: Nov 14, 2013

Post   Posted: May 06, 2014 - 04:00 Reply with quote Back to top

Nice writeup!

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"Gallifrey falls no more"
Do your part! Join the Adoption Agency NOW!
JackassRampant



Joined: Feb 26, 2011

Post   Posted: May 06, 2014 - 17:32 Reply with quote Back to top

Dartmouth Big Green 1 vs. ULL Ragin' Greenskins 0

It's a nice day. Dartmouth is at home, but the home crowd is shocked as busload after busload of ULL fans pour into the stands, leading to all kinds of crazy Animosity fails as the home crowd is dwarfed by the visiting mob of 12,000! Big Green coach ClemUSA calls heads, and heads it is. Dartmouth opts to receive.

First Half: ULL coach DrPoods sets up an interior "towers" defense, with BOBs and a Lineman in the 1 and 4 columns screening off Blitzers in the 2 and 3. 101 line is all Linos. Dartmouth only puts their Thrower, Larak Goblin-arm, at fullback, with a 7-man wall on the line, Goblin Badbog Frog-belly right behind in the 0 column, and an overloaded south line. The ball scatters all the way to N6-6, and a Blitz! is rolled. ULL goes full contact, pushing the north end of the line (Lineman Ghamonk Amazon-maimer) back and leaving two Blitzers to play safety. ULL pays for its high-contact strategy with the only Cas of the game from Ghamonk on the guy who pushed him, and the north side (playside) blocking goes well for Dartmouth early-on, while the south side collapses. Larak gets the ball early, but the Big Green are out-bigged, and when two Dartmouth players go KO there's no purchase to be had, and two failed redirects yield a desperate turn 6 dash with Badbog, who stuns himself on a GFI. Dartmouth can't recover, and ULL has no time to score.

Second Half: Dartmouth sets up a deep-ish interior defense, with a 101 Lineman line and Linos and BOB in the strong points. ULL puts only 3 on the line and one Blitzer back deep, with a shallow screen in case of … BLITZ! Again! Dartmouth goes high-contact, with two GFIs from the Thrower. ULL gets the ball but fails to clear off the contact, and can't cage safely. In the wild scrum, nobody seems able to get the ball, and it mostly seems to be a game of ClemUSA trying to scatter the ball against DrPoods trying to zone it. Scatter wins, and on T5 Dartmouth manages to put the ball in a cage and a Blitzer, Lagakh Goblin-tooth, walks it in on Turn 7, leaving time for a garbage drive and a Comp for ULL Blitzer Hunter Thibodeaux.

Player of the Week: I'm gonna give it to Grushnag Beast-mauler, the Dartmouth Blitzer who scattered the ball free.

_________________
Veni, Vidi, Risi
DrPoods



Joined: Nov 14, 2013

Post   Posted: May 06, 2014 - 17:42 Reply with quote Back to top

Very disappointing decision made too.

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Do your part! Join the Adoption Agency NOW!
JackassRampant



Joined: Feb 26, 2011

Post   Posted: May 06, 2014 - 18:17 Reply with quote Back to top

Which one?

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DrPoods



Joined: Nov 14, 2013

Post   Posted: May 06, 2014 - 23:45 Reply with quote Back to top

Which one?

There were that many? Anyway, the pickup attempt that popped the ball loose in the 2nd half.

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"Gallifrey falls no more"
Do your part! Join the Adoption Agency NOW!
JackassRampant



Joined: Feb 26, 2011

Post   Posted: May 07, 2014 - 01:38 Reply with quote Back to top

As usual, the Non-AQ are outpacing the bowl teams, with 4 of 8 Week 1 games played to 3 of 24 for the veterans! I hope I don't need to do a writeup for UNS' 3-0 laugher over UC Sunnydale: we've all seen rookie Woodies run over rookie opponents.

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Nightbird



Joined: Aug 02, 2003

Post   Posted: May 07, 2014 - 02:11 Reply with quote Back to top

Humontana is aiming to play our match vs Wichitoada State tonight. Awaiting a reply from jaradical.

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"If most of us remain ignorant of ourselves, it's because self-knowledge is painful
& we prefer the pleasures of illusion." ~Aldous Huxley
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