Single A Midseason Recap

by LegendMc and Buntum

This season, compared to the past, has had a lot of changes, such as large MMR caps, 15 games, and a free drop period before the trade deadline. All of this has happened and it’s only 8 games in! Take a look below at our recap of all teams and other metrics for those teams.

In addition to the rankings, below are the SOS and the playoff percentage calculation for each team. The SOS is created by the average ranking that each team has faced. The lower the value (ex. 4.5) the harder the schedule the teams have played up until this point and vice versa. For example, the Miners have a SOS of 8.25, meaning over the course of this season the placement of the team they’ve played has been around 8. The playoff prediction percentage is simply calculated by the likelihood of a team making the top 8.

Rankings:

1. Cougars (8-0) - SOS (opponents average rankings): 11.38, Playoffs: 100%

After 8 games, Cougars have proven themselves as a top team for the rest of the season. These guys have come into the season, either returning after a few seasons break or new players, and dominated half of A so far. With a SOS of 11.38, they have played mainly the lower teams so far this season, playing notable teams such as the current #5 Titans. The biggest question for this team is if they can remain hot with scheduling issues plaguing them the rest of the season.

-LegendMc.

2. Miners (7-1) - SOS: 8.25, Playoffs: 100%

For the third season, another DctGti team is at or near the top of the league. Returning himself and Voakes, with the addition of Konr, the switch from Genesis to Miners has served them well. With the lone loss this season to Cardinals, and their notable wins over #3 Jesters and #8 Genesis (also ff W over Rattlers), their SOS of 8.25 is the highest of the top 5 teams. As we’ve seen so far, this team should have no problem easily finishing top 4 with an upper bracket berth, and likely with a floor of #3. I even doubt this team loses more than 1 game remaining this season. At this point any DctGti seems like a clear lock for top 4 regardless of the season and regardless who is on the team. Konr would be my player to watch out for the rest of the 7 games, with a major ability to try and inch closer to MVP.

-LegendMc

3. Jesters (6-2) - SOS: 8.57, Playoffs: 98%

Maybe even more surprising to some than the Cougars, but this Jesters team didn’t even have a full team until about halfway through week 1, and everyone counted this team out completely for that exact reason. However, GM and Captain Stevie was clearly calculating this exact move the entire time after the pick up of Johnny after he got dropped by the Stallions (with a buyout). Which has worked out almost perfectly, resulting in a 6-1 record with the only loss to the #2 Miners in a game 5. It’s hard to have a season get better than this after that start, especially when Johnny has the highest goals per game and also received smurfing allegations early for his performance. It’s also without mention that Johnny’s teammates, GoodDay and Stevie have done so well especially after their difficult SOS of 8.57, putting themselves near the top of the stats as well.

-LegendMc

4. Rattlers (6-2) - SOS: 9.14, Playoffs: 98%

Even with the loss of Kiu and Quklo from last season, Lowill was quickly able to replace his star power lost and create a very strong team with himself, bdong, Ph3n0m, and new addition and longtime veteran GiraffaHuff. With a surprising forfeit due to cap at the beginning of the season, Lowill has finally been able to showcase more of himself this season with his new teammates, being top 5 in assists per game. However, some things don’t change having another do it all type of player in Ph3n0m, who is top 5 in goals per game and top 2 is assists per game. This team has already played the Miners, Jesters, and Titans so they will have a very good chance with a slightly easier rest of season to see if they can lock in a top 4 spot.

-LegendMc

5. Titans (5-3) - SOS: 9.5, Playoffs: 85%

This team has been an interesting case. Favored by many to be the team to beat. However two of their losses have come from two of the top four teams. This team is still looking to win a championship. With veterans like Serv, Aidan, Docile, and UnWashable (Tobu) they have the experience to rally behind each other and go all the way. The addition of Docile at the beginning of the season has proven to be one of the best moves they could’ve made. Docile is second in GPG and first in APG. He is making a solid case to be this seasons A MVP.

-Buntum

6. Cardinals (5-3) - SOS: 8.17, Playoffs: 85%

This Cardinals team, who started off 5-0 and looked as if they were going to surprise everyone along with the Cougars and cruise to the top after a huge win over the Miners, have seemingly started to crumble after a 3 game loss streak. Albeit to the Titans and a solid Embers squad, they also lost to a revitalized Ravens squad in last week's Thursday games. I don’t think it’s time to hit the panic button yet, but it’s definitely getting close. The losses in addition to the bubble of teams around the 6-12 range seemingly improving instantly after last week's free drop period, are definitely concerning. This team also has zero players in the top 10 in any statistical category, the key to success for the Cardinals is if Frog and Co. are able to have a player step up and fully lead, which I think could be Frog himself or Riisen.

-LegendMc

7. Embers (4-4) - SOS: 12.8, Playoffs: 55%

The Embers SOS has been the easiest to this point in the season. In front of them they face four of the top five teams. It’s not going to be an easy task for this team to make the playoffs given the remaining SOS. jjspeed is looking to lead his team to beat the odds and squeeze their way into the top eight. As long as the duo or Wes10 who is in the top six of GPG and natedgaf14 who is in the top eight of APG can continue to work together they can defy the odds.

-Buntum

8. Genesis (5-3) - SOS 9.3, Playoffs: 85%

This Genesis team had a rough start to the season going 1-3. Since that point they have turned that into an impressive four wins in a row. They do have a hard stretch of schedule coming up. We will see if they can keep the momentum going.

-Buntum

9. The Snowmen (4-4) - SOS 7.86, Playoffs: 55%

After a few games into the season this Snowmen team almost melted, a 1-4 start with the win 1 being a forfeit W usually means the end. Not this time though, after some roster magic by GM Simply Aj, the addition of Boku first then Wraith to fill the last spot has worked out about as good as you can get. The Snowmen also did likely play the hardest 3 game stretch in those losses this season with Cougars, Jesters, and Rattlers. All that means is now this team is in a very good position to make the top 8 sitting at 0.500. With a notable win this last week over fellow bubble team, the Embers, they have set themselves up for the rest of the season especially if they are able to sneak out a win against 1 or 2 of the teams higher up, such as Titans or Genesis.

-LegendMc

10. Ravens (3-5) - SOS 5.5, Playoffs: 20%

At this point it seems like every team I recap is having some sort of resurgence, but again, that’s what is happening to the Ravens. Finishing last week 2-0 against the Wranglers and Cardinals, after a pick up of DTB Bubba, who was the super sub waitlist last season. ChromeMoisty was very solid last season, but it seemed like he didn’t have too much help overall, and it seemed that way again this season until Bubba. This duo has started off really well and they also have put themselves in a playoff position. It’s hard to see this team getting higher than #6 even if they play their best Rocket League to end the season, especially with the start they had.

-LegendMc

11. Stallions (3-5) - SOS 8.38, Playoffs: 20%

This Stallions team is almost impossible to even comment on because of the unreal turmoil that went on last week. This team is, no joke, 0% of the same team from the previous week. Yes, you heard that right. They added 3 new starters to replace everyone else who went either non-playing or got dropped. The new squad includes former Pelican Chuck, and 2 former Snowmen in Buntum and Schultzy. These guys could do extremely well and find a way to make the top 8 but it may simply just be too late. 4 of their last 7 games include Cougars, Jesters, Rattlers and Titans. Depending on what happens in these games against top competition, it may just end up being a story of what could have been.

-LegendMc

12. Tempest (2-6) - SOS 8.67, Playoffs: 7%

In the last trade of the season, the Tempest were able to acquire the Gulls star McNair for their very own Trailblaiser. As a last dash to attempt anything, I definitely feel like this was a move in the right direction, especially at this point. A 7% chance for playoffs does this team justice, all the cards would have to fall essentially perfectly if they wanted to make it. I would likely count on this team ending up in the 12th spot, exactly where they are now to finish off the season. I would like Tempest to play spoiler where they can and hopefully make things a little more chaotic.

-LegendMc

13. Leopards (3-5) - SOS 7.83, Playoffs: 15%

Earlier in the season I mentioned how I think this Leopards team is either going to be very hot or very cold, and I guess I was correct about the cold part. Even though I did think this was a possibility for this team, it’s not any less surprising to me. I truly feel like this team should be at minimum #6 with all the returning talent that they have on paper. It seems to me it’s just a season that hasn’t gone their way, especially with the great players they have in Ezio, LittleBacon and Kinetic. With 3 wins they do have an off chance to make the playoffs but with an easier SOS compared to the lower teams so far, they have little time and only a few more good chances to right the ship before completely sinking like the other teams down at the bottom.

-LegendMc

14. Pelicans (2-6) - SOS 6.86, Playoffs: 7%

The unfortunate recipient of the complete chaos of the free drop week, this Pelicans squad lost both of their best players in Sho and Chuck. Even after they replaced one of these with Barey, an extremely solid waitlist picked up. I don’t think there’s really any chance to do much heading into the final 7 games. Especially after a very hot start the original team had, nearing the top of the power rankings at one point, it’s disappointing to see them all the way here with little chance to make things work at this point in the season.

-LegendMc

15. Gulls (1-7) - SOS 6.29, Playoffs: 2%

The new addition of Trail to the Bard led Gulls seems like a welcome trade. After a completely forgettable season for this team, it seems as if they can only play for their own enjoyment and to create some crazy upsets that’ll remind everyone they’re not so forgettable after all. After an early win against Genesis, that’s been essentially all the Gulls have been able to do. I really do think they’ll be able to keep some things interesting down the stretch once teams begin getting even more complacent and counting them out.

-LegendMc

16. Wranglers (0-8) - SOS 5.00, Playoffs: 0%

This has been one of the most surprising teams. They have two of the top players that projections were showing at the start of the season. Don’t think these guys won’t spoil playoff hopes for some of these contenders though. The record doesn’t show how good this team can actually be therefore they shouldn’t be underestimated.

-Buntum

Worst to First? - LegendMc

All the way up at the top, the Cougars remain alone. As the only undefeated team in A, and one of 2 remaining undefeated teams in all of RLPC, their season has been nothing short of impressive so far. After starting this season off at #15, and 1-3 in preseason, it’s safe to say not too many people were hot on this Cougars team. However, after 8 games it’s safe to say that this team is a lock for a deep run in the playoffs. Laden, the captain, has played a large part in the continued success, with a top 5 goals per game (1.33) and a league leading saves per game (2.58). When asked about the reason for his team's success, he said “Our teamwork and chemistry together has definitely been the reason why we’ve been able to perform.” Which is no surprise, both his teammates are also near the top of the league in goals and assists, Prizm with 1.25 goals per game, and LeAiden at 1.00 assists per game. I also asked Laden what he thought the biggest challenge they had left this season, he said, “Availability, just getting everybody on each gameday.” Next week, they face a red hot Miners squad in a top 2 matchup that is looking to reclaim their spot at the top. After the Tuesday matchup, there’s yet another challenge versus a very solid cardinals. Depending on the results this week, the Cougars could cement themselves as the top team in the league the remainder of the season and lock themselves into a top 4 / upper bracket playoff berth.