[Joel J]

I just watched these alliances get chosen. A bit weird, don't you think? I missed alot of the competition, so I'll ask: did 1114, 330, 254, 148, etc play badly or something? For example 148 lasted until the 3rd round of picking, and 1114 is on the 4th seeded alliance. Not what I was expecting. I was shocked 233 didn't team up with 1114 or 968.

My predictions:

Quarterfinals:

1. 233 71 1902 1732 vs. 8. 703 40 217 121
(Just not enough fire power on 703's alliance to overcome 233+1902. ramps are equal.)

4. 111 1114 2056 494 vs. 5. 968 330 177 910
(177's defense will give 968+330 the advantage they need over 1114. 1114 is essentially all by themselves offensively, while 968+330 can both git'r'done.)

2. 47 33 68 93 vs. 7. 126 254 45 107
(254's ramps will be the key to this victory. 47's alliance is lacking the needed offensive firepower, while 126 has 254+45.)


6. 48 67 469 148 vs. 3. 1720 234 1528 116
(116 will do a great job, and make these matches interesting; however, 67+148, together, will be too strong to overcome.)

Semifinals:

1. 233 71 1902 1732 vs. 5. 968 330 177 910
(Championship Event Grand Semifinals set 330+910 against 233+71. At the championships, 233+71 came out on top, but that will not happen at the IRI here today. 177's defensive/offensive capability just may be the key to 330's victory. 968+330+177 will be on the field.)

7. 126 254 45 107 vs. 6. 48 67 469 148
(Does 148 look like the steal of this competition to you? They do to me. 148 will give 48 the edge they need to overcome 254+45. This is going to be a very good set of matches.)

Finals:

5. 968 330 177 910 vs. 6. 48 67 469 148
(Simply put, 330.)

IRI Winner:

5. 968 330 177 910