The Sideline Whisperer

Predictions for Saturday, January 5th, 2013

By The Sideline Whisperer

Happy New Year to all, especially the few of you out there who seem to think the rugby season begins on Jan. 1 in Florida (you know who you are). Posted on 1/4/2013 1:18:04 PM		Happy New Year to all, especially the few of you out there who seem to think the rugby season begins on Jan. 1 in Florida (you know who you are). To me, Jan. 5 is a bit of an early start to things, but we have three South matrix games on the schedule for this Saturday, and at this point in the season all of these games are very important. In Division 2, we're just past the halfway point, and teams with two losses will not be wanting to lose another one, as that could potentially put them out of postseason contention, and the races to make the crossover games (i.e. not finish fifth in either division) are also very close. Remember, the teams with the top two points totals, regardless of division, following the crossover games on Feb. 9, Feb. 16 and Mar. 2, will qualify for the South playoffs, while the top four teams, regardless of division, after the crossover games will also qualify for the State Championships on Mar. 16, 23 and 30. You got that? Sort of? That's good enough. Miami Tridents (3-2) at Boca Raton (3-1) After an 0-2 start, the Tridents have turned things around in a big way lately with three straight victories over Miami RFC, Naples and Fort Lauderdale. Those wins have got them right back into the thick of the playoff race, and another win here would be huge. Boca, meanwhile, won the earlier matchup of these teams 42-12 and will be looking to maintain their position on top of the South Division. I fancy this game to be a very close affair, with the home team just edging it. Boca Raton 25, Miami Tridents 20 Fort Lauderdale (2-3) at Miami RFC (0-5) Talk about a huge game for the Knights here. They've done the opposite of the Tridents, as Lauderdale have lost three straight after winning their first two games. Those losses came against Naples, Boca and the Tridents though, so don't read too much into that slump. Miami, meanwhile, are pretty much just playing for pride at this point. I think motivation could be the big factor here. Fort Lauderdale 19, Miami RFC 15 Jacksonville (1-2) at Tampa Krewe (3-0-1) This is the first meeting between these two teams this season, and while I think Tampa will win handily, you have to worry about the margin of victory getting a little excessive with Jax not being the best traveling team, people might still be on vacation after the new year, and the fact they got hammered 81-5 by Daytona last month. Krewe to easily maintain their top spot in the North Division here. Tampa Krewe 57, Jacksonville 5 Last Week (12/15/12): 1-2 Overall: 15-9 Picture credit: Thanks to Donna Butler-Young.

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