The regular season of TWL concludes and I would like to congratulate the TWL again for a successful season. The number of dropped teams really didn’t affect any of the results and there were rarely any complaints about how the admins were handling the league. I am biased (because I’m a writer for TWL), but if it wasn’t for the cash prizes, TWL is unquestionably the best TF2 league out there right now.

Let’s not waste any more time. This is supposed to be a detailed TWL Division 1 playoff preview and I’m not going to make you guys read any more about anything else. One more thing, Michael Crabtree is a dumbass.

For the people who are still confused about how the playoffs will work, every team in Invite Division is in the playoffs, seeded from 1 to 7. And the top 5 teams in Division 1 is in, seeded 8-12. The top 4 teams in the Invite division will get the first round BYE while the 5-12^th seeds fight it out to see who gets to the second round. You can see the bracket here.

*Note: The bracket you see there is unofficial.

Now let’s talk a little bit about each team and what they will need to do to become the TWL S4 Champs.

Click "Read More" to see the rest of the article.

Top Contenders

Strickland Propane – 6-1 – First Round: BYE

Everyone knew Strickland was going to do well in TWL, but I don’t think too many people expected to see these guys on top. Riding a 6 game winning streak, Strickland Propane is lock, loaded and ready to take home the first meaningful TWL championship trophy. If they run through this whole tourney and take the trophy, Strickland will be the best team in TF2 not named Loaded, 20id or Evil Geniuses.

Knights of Goku – 5-2 – First Round: BYE

KoG aka Vicious Gaming came into the season as one of the favorites to win it. And they are entering the playoffs as one of the favorites as well. Their only 2 losses came from the #1 team Strickland and Evil Geniuses dressed in Businessmen clothing. In my opinion, these guys have one of the most solid lineups in TF2.  Look for them to take down eXpertise or SBU pretty easily in the 2^nd round and get ready for the “Match of the tourney” with Hostile Faction in the 3^rd round.

Middle of the Pack

Hostile Faction – 5-3 – 1^st round: BYE

With 2 out of the 4 matches ending the season being forfeit wins, I can’t really get a good read on how well HF will do in the playoffs. But they are technically on a 2 game winning streak, and their pickup on paladin will make a big impact in the playoffs. Although they did lose their starting medic in Drone, I don’t know if that will be a problem at all in the playoffs.

Point and Click – 4-4 – 1^st round: Kings of the Bongo

PnC has a strong team with their scout Slardel emerging as one of the top up and coming scouts in TF2. However, they are coming off a two game losing streak and they only have one SOLID win this season. Even though you can say that all their losses have been very close...it really doesn't matter if they can get the wins. Pencil in a first round upset from the Bongos? Definitely not, but I don’t see them getting past Hostile Faction in the 2^nd round.

Team Caboose – 4-4 – 1^st round: Exultance

This team is my pick if I had to pick one upset team. TLR and Clockwork still represent the best solly combo in this league. Droog does some damn fine work as well. This is a team that just beat Businessmen (their 2^nd round opponents) two weeks ago and only lost to Strickland (their potential 3^rd round opponents) by one point earlier in the season.

The Darkhorse

Businessmen – 4-4 – 1^st round: BYE

You don’t have to be a mastermind to understand that the Businessmen get carried by their CEVO P ringers…and most of their losses come from matches when not too many of the CEVO P players are playing. I can’t predict how well these guys will do in the playoffs because I don’t know if Cyzer, destroy, hero, and the other ringers will be playing in every match or not. But if their playoff roster involves Cyzer, destro, hero, syckness and dummy. I doubt these guys will lose a game.

Puncher’s Chance

eXpertise – 1-5 – 1^st round: Snow Bear University

The team that the TF2 community loves to hate will have a chance to prove how much they have improved over this season in the playoffs. After a really bad start in TWL, the whole wirex debacle and the “reportffw” incident, this team has bounced back and is making a great showing in CEVO-F and ESEA-Open. Look for them to handle SBU pretty easily.

terribles – 6-1 – 1^st round: Crack Clan

Another season and another great showing from the terribles. These guys just keep staying together and keep getting better. Seriously, can you think of another TF2 competitive team that have been together for over a year and have only made 1 roster change? A lot of props goes to volt for keeping his team happy. They will be looking for revenge and blood against Crack Clan in the first round.

Crack Clan – 6-1 – 1^st round: terribles

Crack Clan’s only loss this year came from the hands of the Bongos. During the game, there were a few disconnections and no one really can dignify that match as a “legit” loss. Aside from that controversial loss, Crack Clan has been unbeatable in Division 1 and they are out to prove their worth in the playoffs against the invite teams. With great leadership from Vengeance, some clutch play from their scouts, and their demo beebop doing some work, I would not be surprised if CC can win 1^st round and maybe give Strickland some trouble in the second round.

Just happy to be here

Snow Bear University – 5-3 – 1^st round: eXpertise

SBU had a good game to finish out the season and sneak into the playoffs. They have had good showings in every game they have played and have the potential to give any team in Division 1 trouble. But will they be able to make an impact against the Invite teams? Probably not. I have a lot of respect for tyir, kife, and the boys…but I put them in the “just happy to be here” section for a reason. And I’m sure they will agree with me that they are stoked to be in the playoffs.

Kings of the Bongo – 5-3 – 1^st round: Point and Click

The Bongos have been up and down all season. They have played many close games and gained a reputation as a “solid mid team.” However, with roster issues, losing their starting solly Zate to RL as well as losing their starting medic Jewbagel to computer issues, the Bongos Boys will not be able to make a big impact in the playoffs.

Exultance – 5-3 – 1^st round: Team Caboose

I’ve said this every time I talk about this team. But they have gone through a LOT of roster changes this whole season. But that didn’t make too much of a difference as their record reflects their skill level. Expect this team to only improve now they have settled down their their demo, KAYAWS and picked up pain-train (not pt). They take on Team Caboose, and I see Exult taking a point or two from them, but nothing more.

Playoff Predictions from admins (and dj)

So I wanted to get the opinions of the admins of TWL with their picks for the playoffs. More predictions will be added as they reply back to me...hopefully before the playoffs start. 

1. Who are your picks for the championship match and who will win it?

Vengeance: I think that the championship match will be between Strickland Propane and Hostile Faction.  I see it resulting in a close match, with Strickland taking the series 2 maps to 1.

Djfivenine: Going on a limb and saying Strickland over Goku.

TrainRiderJ: Knights of Goku vs Businessmen, Businessmen comes out on top with their EG ringers

Marginal: It's hard not to go with KoG and Strickland.  I'd really like to go out on a limb, but I have to go with those two for the championships, with Strickland taking home the crown.

2. Which team will exceed expectation in the playoffs?

Vengeance: Looking at the seedings and the bracket, I really don't see many upsets.  I think it's going to be relatively predictable, though I am calling the upset of Hostile Faction (3) over Knights of Goku (2) in the third round.  Hostile Faction has come a long way in a short period of time and I feel that they'll pull together and beat Knights of Goku.

Djfivenine: Said it in my preds, but Team Caboose. They have giving teams trouble all season.

TrainRiderJ: I think crackclan might surprise a few people, and I wouldn't be surprised to see pac in the finals.

Marginal: Take your pick.  Caboose can beat anyone on the right day.  Pac is basically in the same boat.  And who knows what might happen if the businessmen start their top lineup.

3. Give the people a player to watch out for in the playoffs.

Vengeance: I'd say watch out for Grillz, but medics have been getting too much love lately.  Wouldn't want it to get to their heads and have them thinking they're actually important :)  Watch for some crucial picks and random dets by woot.

Djfivenine: Will name two. Slardel from PnC and Daniel from KoG. I feel like the one that plays the best will lead their team into the championship. OH! and how about some love to Cake from terribles. His play could easily help his team upset Crack Clan.

TrainRiderJ: The crackclan scouts, daniel of kog, and sequel of pac. I know that was four people but I don't care, I'm an admin!

Marginal: It's hard to just pick one player.  But how about the difference a good demoman can make?  Strickland (woot), KoG (warpy), HF (boogz), Caboose (Droog), pac (Chupa), and Businessmen (destro - if he plays).  Any of those guys can turn the tide of a match.

4. What is your favorite round 1 matchup and why?

Vengeance: My favorite round 1 matchup has to be Crack Clan vs the terribles.  Biased as I may be, it seems to be the closest matchup (8v9) and the least likely to end in a roll.  It should be a good series.  The unfortunate truth is that the winner plays Strickland in the second round.

Djfivenine: CC vs terribles, no other match in the 1^st round will be close.

TrainRiderJ: I'll go with pac vs kings of bongo. Kings of bongo has been the subject of some gotfrag drama recently and pac has some very exciting players to watch.

Marginal: CC vs terribles.  It should be the closest.  Plus with CC sticking to a basically normal class setup, and the tendency for the terribles to switch it up, it should be a great contrast in styles.