CommunityFortress

We're on the home stretch of the regular ESEA season, with only cp_granary left in the rotation before the real games... er, the playoffs start. Last week was pretty exciting in terms of matchups in both divisions -- hopefully week 8 is equally entertaining.

No Grid vs. Slaughterhouse Gaming

A few weeks ago, I would've called this as a really even game between two teams with really solid heavy classes. Unfortunately, without opey and mear, SG isn't going to put up much of a fight, even with their recent pickup of Jack Frost. Expect marmell to lock the map down and throw away the key, getting some support from enoryt and w1rex when he needs it. 5-1 No Grid

eXpertise vs. Area 51

These two teams played just the other day on Freight, and while I didn't watch it, I know that A51 won despite their disheveled roster. Now, A51's big papa bear is back, and he's only going to make things more painful for eX this time around. Normally, I would also add that BloodSire and Jammar are going to dominate as usual, but eXpertise apparently has the best scout pair you'll find outside of CEVO-P (DaishiKiller's words, not mine). I still think A51 should take this without much trouble, though. 5-2 Area 51

Doin' Work vs. 404 Not Found

DW demonstrated that they have improved considerably over the course of the season and can compete with the top teams in ESEA-O by giving me and the rest of KoG a solid thrashing on Freight last week, and I doubt they're going to slow down much against 404 -- especially since 404 is supposedly having roster issues. Apy and dosR are going to go to town here on a map that favors the heavy classes more than others, and unless blaze and shakr play the games of their lives, this should be quick and painless. 5-0 Doin' Work

Zilla Gaming vs. Overthrow

Zilla seems to be back in their CEVO-F champion form, and while Overthrow is certainly not a bad team, I doubt they'll make much of a dent in the ZG heavyweights. Spike and RubyIce will probably be able to prevent it from being a complete steamroll, but not much else. 5-0 Zilla Gaming

Throwback vs. All Natural

My match to watch for week 8.1. Hopefully All Natural has worked out the kinks with their new combo, because they will need to be ready for this game. Provided Throwback shows up with 6 players, they could possibly take this from an unorganized AN. In any case, definitely keep an eye on g0atrly and sequel from Throwback, and zeroskillz and rline on AN -- they'll likely have big games no matter which way this goes. AN is extremely good, and is only going to get better as they mesh with their new members, but I'll take my chances and call the upset. 5-4 Throwback

The Terribles vs. Strickland Propane

Unfortunately for the Terribles, a top ESEA-O team like Strickland is a bit out of their league. Much like the ZG/OT game, Cake and poopinator may be able to slow down Strickland a little bit, but wo0t's Jay-Z-inspired pipes of fury + rockets raining from the sky from 40jam and kayp (or possibly evolution?) will likely be too much for the Terribles to handle. 5-0 Strickland Propane

Good luck guys! Hopefully none of these teams die before the playoffs...