The Sideline Whisperer

Predictions for 2/27/2016

By The Sideline Whisperer

After a great weekend of Ruggerfest and USA/Chile down in Fort Lauderdale, it's back to the action in D2 and D3 this Saturday, with plenty of intriguing matchups. Posted on 2/25/2016 6:33:14 PM		It was a superb couple of days at Mills Pond Park, seeing the likes of our Argentinian visitors as well as Life University. And Saturday night at Lockhart was also a blast, as we got to see the Eagles put up 60-plus against the plucky Condors from Chile. If you missed out on any of the action, I feel sorry for you. Weekends like this don't happen very often down here and so you have to take advantage. As always, stay in touch by emailing me at sidelinewhisperer@rugbyfl.com Division II (Schedule and standings on RugbyFL.com) Fort Lauderdale (7-0) vs. Miami Tridents (7-0) - The battle of the undefeated teams. Problem is here, unless one of them really tanks in their final two games, this game isn't going to mean much. There isn't a trophy for the regular season title that I know of, and both should host semifinals on April 2. Plus, the final is on a neutral venue. Still, bragging rights will be on the line, and if the two teams are to meet in the championship game, the winner here will likely have a slight edge. I think I have to go with the Tridents here, as their offense just appears to be a juggernaut at the moment. Tridents 35, Fort Lauderdale 27 Orlando (2-4) vs. Miami (0-7) - Orlando smashed struggling Jax last time out, and almost knocked off Fort Lauderdale the week before that. They appear to be playing better rugby than they did en route to an awful start to their campaign, and still have an outside shot at a playoff spot if things fall their way somehow, as they play two of the three teams directly above them before the regular season wraps up. The Bumblebees, as they apparently don't like to be called (but I will keep calling them that until they win a game this season), have lost two of their last three games by two points or less. Don't see them pulling this one out, however. Orlando 38, Miami 19 Tampa (0-7) vs. Boca Raton (3-5) - If the Buccaneers are to mount a serious late charge at a playoff spot, they could certainly use bonus point wins in their final two games. However, after losing in their only previous trip out of South Florida this season (37-19 to Jax), this game is no gimme, even after a week off that might placate the wives and girlfriends somewhat. Krewe only lost by eight points to visiting Fort Lauderdale before the break, and will want to play spoiler. In their earlier meeting, Boca edged Tampa 24-15, and I think this one is close again. I see a win for Boca that keeps them in the playoff mix, but no bonus point. Boca Raton 21, Krewe 12 Naples (4-2) vs. Jacksonville (5-3) - Definitely the matchup with the most on the line this weekend. The loser of this game could be in some serious trouble, especially if it's Naples, with games against top-of-the-table Tridents, Fort Lauderdale and Orlando to close out the season. A Jax win would pretty much secure them a playoff spot, and perhaps even the key third position, which would mean avoiding a trip to Tridents, should they knock off FTL this week. Naples has two games in hand on Jax, so a loss wouldn't be the end of the world, but it would certainly put them in a position where they'll feel Boca and Orlando breathing down their necks. Jax started off 4-1, but just like last season they're sliding late again, having lost their last two games by a combined score of 151 to 17. You have to wonder if the rugby league season is having an effect on some of the guys who play almost year round. I like the Hammerheads to roll. Naples 45, Jacksonville 15 Division III (Schedule and standings on RugbyFL.com) Pelicans (1-4) vs. Gainesville (4-0) - The Hogs will be wanting to solidify their spot at the top of the standings with a bonus-point win, and the Pelis won't provide much resistance. Gainesville 32, Pelicans 10 Daytona (1-4) vs. Sarasota (2-1) - This match smells like an upset waiting to happen. Sarasota have been all over the place this season in their three games with a rout of Tallahassee, a two-point win over the hapless Pelicans and a two-point loss to leaders Gainesville. Daytona, meanwhile, didn't get blown out by either Brevard (15-0) or Palm Beach (23-15). It's a long, long trip for the Surge, and I'm going to play it risky here and pick the underdogs. Daytona 20, Sarasota 17 Brevard (3-2) vs. Tallahassee (1-3) - The Red Eye would secure a playoff spot with a win here, and won't want to go into their final game against Sarasota potentially needing a result to clinch a semifinal berth. Conquistadors are just too inconsistent and aren't ready for a top four appearance in this division just yet. Brevard 29, Tallahassee 10 Palm Beach (4-0) vs. Indian River (0-3) - This game might look like a mismatch on paper, but Indian River have lost their last two games by three points each and put up 27 against Daytona earlier in the season. If the Panthers come into this game thinking they'll breeze to a win, they might find themselves getting upset, but I think they have enough to take care of business. Palm Beach 34, Indian River 25 Last Week: 6-2 This Season: 35-9 (79.5%) All Time: 187-60-1 (75.4%)

Code updated: 02/09/2023 2:48 3.133.152.26/Content/Articles/Article.asp