#1 - malicious activity
#2 - The Westbrook Effect
Still see no reason to move these guys down in the rankings, though most of their toughest opponents are in central conference and won't play them until playoffs. If anything has the potential to impact their rank, it's next week's match with Hurricane Watch, or a probable match with Every Villain Is Lemons soon (none scheduled yet).
#3 - No Johns
Still undefeated despite playing some pretty tough opponents. They consistently look good, not even needing to outfrag Egg Salad Dressing in their fairly fast 5-2 victory over them.
#4 - Milters
In the most surprising week 3 match, Milters massively outplayed Egg Salad Dressing for a 5-0 win. While Egg Salad Dressing seemed to play uncharacteristically poorly, it's impossible to hand wave away a game like that, especially given the huge performances by fubuki, Lights, and CallumSLG (who only died 4 times in a 52 minute match). Milters have also only dropped 1 round all season so far. They will be after blood in their next match against No Johns.
#5 - Egg Salad Dressing
Snakewater could just be a bad map for them, and they were definitely playing tough opponents, but 2 straight losses doesn't look great for ESD. Next week they have another difficult game against Bote 6v6, and will need a good result to hang on to their rank.
#6 - Bote 6v6
Finally officially switched vipa and brick's soldier roles. They are still undefeated in the more competitive central conference, but have 2 key games next week against ESD and No Johns. As week 4 is badlands, Bote's coordination and teamplay will be put to the test - we already know their DM ability is excellent.
#7 - Not Around Bears
Their match against Cant Predict Stupid looked iffy at times, but they held out and got the W. The results of that game can also be largely attributed to Cant Predict Stupid noticeably playing better. Note also that Saturn (who has been playing so well that Duke Em accused him of cheating) is stepping down from scout, and Ed from season 21 is returning. They both fill similar roles in the team and I don't expect a negative impact.
#8 - Hurricane Watch
Two more 5-0 victories puts Hurricane Watch in first place in the east, at least for a week. Note that they rang Air for The_savior in their match against Ie Sparkle Gang Black, so it may not have been as big of a roll otherwise. Next week they play their hardest non-malicious activity opponent in the eastern conference, The Westbrook Effect, so look for them to finally drop some rounds (likely 5 but I could be wrong).
#9 - Cant Predict Stupid
Between Smarty starting to put up bigger numbers on pocket and negasora playing somewhat more conservatively than former scout SD, Cant Predict Stupid are starting to perform more how I expected at the season's start. They have taken multiple rounds off 3 different top 8 teams, and will be looking for the elusive upset win any day now.
#10 - Bob-omb Squad
A roster rework netted immediate results, with consecutive 5-3 victories over WuT dUdE and kawaii sexu desu desu. Mirrorman's addition has them looking more like Baddies, the s21 playoff team half of them came from.
#11 - WuT dUdE
Still easily on track for playoffs, but only having beaten one top 16 team so far could be an issue for them. Two more high open opponents coming up for them, so they have a chance to prove themselves in the week that could make or break their ranking.
#12 - kawaii sexu desu desu
Despite the losses, they played very well on snake, taking multiple rounds in long games against No Johns and the newly improved Bob-omb Squad. As is getting to be a theme, they have 2 key matches coming up on badlands.
#13 - Every Villain Is Lemons
I might still be underranking them, as they remain undefeated, but so many 5-4 victories by the skin of their teeth doesn't instill much confidence. They are certainly better than most teams in the east. A few recent roster changes seem to be working well for them.
#14 - Ie Sparkle Gang black
Two disappointing losses on snakewater led them to cut pocket Billdozer and rearrange their roster. With their 3-3 record, they should have a week or 2 of mid-open opponents to ease into the new lineup before being able to prove whether they are a top open team or not.
#15 - Shutup Mom im Bowflexing
Still have an excellent record, but weren't tested at all in the past week unlike most teams here. They haven't moved down exactly, just other teams have moved up. A win against either of their badlands opponent would be great for them, but at the very least they need to take several rounds.
#16 - Bearly Alive
For now this is a "benefit of the doubt" ranking, as I know they are skilled, but they forfeited two games and played one 5v6 while in the middle of changing their roster. They need to show up and do decently against WuT dUdE and Bob-omb Squad next week to stay in the top 16.
Just outside top 16:
Girls Gone Mild (pending full roster takeover, watch for them in the rankings by next week), kuwumbu jungle 2, Slightly Nervous Doggos, Oi Vey
Some upcoming matches to watch:
Bote 6v6 VS Egg Salad Dressing
kawaii sexu desu desu VS Shutup Mom im Bowflexing
Bearly Alive VS WuT dUdE (if it happens)
No Johns VS Bote 6v6
Hurricane Watch VS The Westbrook Effect
No Johns vs Milters
Bob-omb Squad VS Bearly Alive (if it happens)
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