Gridiron Gazette: Goal Line Stand (Week 6)

Bud Heavy is having a quiet season, but is still winning thanks to RB Edgerrin James. With one of the easiest schedules the rest of the way, The Edge just may surprise some teams and carry The King deep into the playoffs.









Goal Line Stand (Week 6)
Cam Pannalist, Gridiron Gazette




Five games down, and after this weekend, five games to go. That means its time for our Mid-Season awards. Let's take a look at how the FAC-10's teams and players have fared thus far:


Best Offense
At 518 points, 142 ahead of second place, it's no question that the best offense thus far has been Fitchburg Tech. They have the #1 and #2 ranked players in football (Tom Brady, Randy Moss), a superb backfield (Joseph Addai, Clinton Portis), and a hall of fame tight end (Tony Gonzalez). At this pace, the Red Raiders should easily break Gillespie State's 2005 record for points in a season (1179), in which 13 games were played. The schedule in 2007 only consists of 11.


Best Defense
There are a few teams that have had blowout performances on the defensive side of the ball, but nobody has been more consistent than Athol A&M. The Alchys have yet to allow anyone to score more than 60 points against them, on their way to a 5-0 start.


Most Surprising Team
In 2006, the FAC-10 Championships matched up two expansion teams, yet nobody expected any of this year's new blood to perform well. To prove everyone wrong, Anheuser-Busch has kept up in the playoff race. Solidifying the 3rd best offense in the league, the boys of beer exploded in Week 4 for 120 points against Mexico. If they keep this up, we just might have back-to-back expansion champions.


Most Disappointing Team
This award is a little obvious, but it just has to be said. Arizona-Kickery lost a tough championship game in 2006, and spent the offseason building around their solid skill players (Drew Brees, Frank Gore, Marvin Harrison). Unfortunately, early season injuries combined with poor play has them 0-5, with no end to their losing ways in sight.


Best Game
Coming into their Week 5 matchup, Golden had not scored more than 70 points in a single game, while Gillespie State had only broken 60 once. The score was 82.69-82.12 as Monday night approached, with both teams looking for a boost in the FBCS standings. Maurice Jones-Drew came through for the Black Diamonds, giving them a 93-89 win, and kept them near the top of the standings (and power rankings).


Biggest Upset
After suffering two tough losses at the hands of Bud Heavy and Rakeville, 1-2 Anheuser-Busch entered their Week 4 matchup with Mexico very down on themselves. Meanwhile, the Wildcats had held Bud Heavy the week before to just 29 points, the lowest output of any team this season. With QBs Ben Roethlisberger and Marc Bulger inactive for the game, Mexico signed 81 year old Kurt Warner, only to have him get injured in the first quarter. Mexico still scored 92 points, but AB was unstoppable, putting up an amazing 120 points and boosting their confidence (and record) entering a bye week.


Most Valuable Player To His Team
There's no question that the Brady/Moss combo has been the best thing in football, but the 5-0 Alchys would be nowhere without their QB Carson Palmer. While the rest of the offense has been struggling (no offense to Chad Johnson), Palmer has held things together and kept Athol A&M undefeated and at the top of the FBCS for the first time in school history. If the Alchys want to stay there, they'll need #9 to continue his stellar season.


Team Most Likely to Break Out In The Second Half
Bud Heavy has games against Athol A&M and Gillespie State next, but then has a 4 week stretch which includes Rakeville, Golden, and Dublin. It's the best schedule to finish the season in the FAC-10, and it just might be the push The King needs for a run at the championship.


Team Most Likely to Slump In The Second Half
Mexico's bye doesn't fall until Week 10, which could be a blessing in disguise as their schedule consists of Fitchburg Tech (4-1), Athol A&M (5-0), and Gillespie State (4-1) over the next 3 weeks. The Wildcats need at LEAST one win against this trio or their hopes at a 2nd straight regular season title will be completely destroyed.

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Week 6 Matchups
(1) Athol over (6) Bud Heavy
(2) Fitchburg Tech over (4) Mexico
(8) Stardust over (3) Gillespie State
(5) Anheuser-Busch over (11) Arizona-Kickery
(9) Golden over (7) Rakeville
(10) Dublin over Bye (we hope)

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Power Rankings
1. Athol A&M ( - )
2. Gillespie State ( - )
3. Fitchburg Tech ( - )
4. Mexico ( - )
5. Anheuser-Busch (+3)
6. Rakeville (+3)
7. Golden ( - )
8. Stardust (-3)
9. Bud Heavy (-3)
10. Dublin ( - )
11. Arizona-Kickery ( - )

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League Notes
- Regardless of the fires spreading across Southern California, this weekend's Fitchburg Tech/Mexico game will still be played in Tijuana. To increase safety, fans will only be allowed into the game with fire-retardant sombreros.

- When Rex Grossman heard that Bud Heavy had signed QB Brian Griese, he called former coach and long-time friend Kevin Neville to complain. Coach Neville has yet to return his calls.

- Athol A&M's 87 point output last week was easily their highest-scoring game all season. Sources report that the team has switched to a Light Beer in their water coolers during practices.