The Sideline Whisperer

Predictions for Saturday, December 8th, 2012

By The Sideline Whisperer

Feeling quite proud of myself after a 6-1 showing last week, I must say. Only Palm Beach ruined my perfect weekend, but putting up 60-plus points on the road is quite the achievement, so congrats to them. Let's see if I can keep the momentum going this week as we have another seven games on the schedule, including a couple of real gems in Boca and Brevard. --The Sideline Whisperer Posted on 12/6/2012 12:10:39 PM		Disclaimer: These predictions are made by a member of the Florida rugby community ("The Sideline Whisperer") that will remain anonymous as agreed between himself the the website. Actual results of the games in parenthesis. 2012 FRU State Championship Cup Div. II  Fort Lauderdale (2-1) at Boca Raton (2-1) As Florida rugby rivalries go, there aren't too many bigger than this one. And with the way things are shaping up this season, the two games between these two teams could certainly have a major impact on if either side makes the postseason. Both teams have played exactly the same opponents so far as we finish up Round 1 of the South Division matchups. Lauderdale took care of business against the Miami sides last month, although not by particularly convincing scores, before putting up a good fight in a close loss to South Division leaders Naples on the road last week. Meanwhile, Boca piled up the points in two Dade County visits either side of a similar close loss to Naples like Lauderdale had (except Boca was at home). Referee Terry Haas will certainly have his hands full for this game, which will feature many players familiar with each other and two teams looking to prove they belong in the race for the postseason. I think, in the end, the Buccaneers will have just have too much firepower for the Knights, with them pulling away late. Boca Raton 30 (33), Fort Lauderdale 17 (3). Miami Tridents (1-2) at Naples (3-0) Naples have continued their fine play from last season on to this campaign, and while they have been tested by Boca and Lauderdale, the Hammerheads head into this game clear at the top of the South Division. The Tridents, meanwhile, fell to Boca and Lauderdale before picking up a one-point victory in the Miami Cup. The Miami boys should be nicely rested after a bye week, while Naples will certainly still be feeling last week's close win over the Knights. Still, the Hammerheads just have too much talent to be given any trouble by the visitors here. Naples 42 (3), Tridents 10 (22) Jacksonville (1-1) at Daytona (0-3) Jax play a second straight game on the road here, although it's certainly not as far of a trip as it was last week when they visited Orlando and gave up 51 points. Daytona are still looking for their first win, having given up an average of 43 points in losses to Orlando, Krewe and the Pelicans. Jacksonville know that a loss here would be devastating to their playoff hopes, so I expect them to take care of business at home. Jacksonville 45 (81), Daytona 22 (5) Bay Area Pelicans (1-2) at Orlando (3-0) The Pelicans have struggled in two games against superior opposition on the road this season, allowing 44 and 42 points to Jacksonville and Krewe, so Orlando shouldn't have much trouble maintaining their unbeaten record here at home. They put up 51 against Jacksonville last week, and another big points haul shouldn't be out of the question again this Saturday. Orlando 55 (45), Pelicans 7 (7) 2012 FRU State Championship Cup Div. III  Gainesville (1-0) at Brevard (1-0) This game could turn out to be the best of the week, as the two qualifiers from last season's D3 Florida Matrix face off. There wasn't much to separate these two sides in their meetings last campaign, and looking at last week's results when they both hammered their respective opponents (Indian River and Treasure Coast), this weekend's contest should be another close one. I will keep with form and pick the Hogs to edge this one, but Red Eye certainly have the talent to turn this result upside down. Gainesville 28 (0), Brevard 25 (66) Treasure Coast (0-1) at Palm Beach (1-0) Treasure Coast took a pasting last week by Brevard, and things could get ugly again on Saturday when they face the Panthers, who put up 64 points at Sarasota in their opening game. The Pirates will likely put up as much of a fight as they can, but it won't be nearly enough to keep this one from being over early. Palm Beach 56 (40), Treasure Coast 10 (10) Sarasota (0-1) at Indian River (0-1) Both of these sides took heavy defeats during last weekend's opening round of action, and the difference here will likely be what sort of team Sarasota travel across the state with. The fact they only have 26 CIPPd players doesn't bode particularly well, but then again, Indian River only have 23 registered. I think Sarasota will want to take home victory in a game which should be one of their clearly winnable contests of the season, so I'll go with the Saracens here. Sarasota 20 (81), Indian River 5 (0) This Week: 4-3 Last Week: 6-1 Season: 14-7 (50%)

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