Concord Maroon (17-0, 51-0) vs. Oklahoma State (10-7, 31-25)
Summary: This one has 3-0 written all over it in favor of Concord Maroon. The #1 seed out of the Midwest hasn’t dropped a MAP all season long. No other team in the playoffs can boast that stat (although Texas A&M Maroon’s only map drop was due to a forfeit). Oklahoma State, the 8th seed out of the West, comes into this playoff as the weakest team in the playoff field. They are the only team in this playoff without at least one player in the Top 25 in overall KD in their division and have no wins against any playoff team.
Keys to win for CM: Simply put — be Concord Maroon. This should be a cakewalk.
Keys to win for OKST: GingaNinja is the only shining star on this team. He’s the only one with a positive KD in any game mode. Him and his entire team need to play out of their minds just to not be embarrassed.
Final map count: 3-0 — Concord Maroon
Arizona State (14-3, 44-14) vs. Liberty Red (13-4, 44-17)
Summary: Arizona State finished the season off with plenty of momentum. They won 3-0 vs. Utah (Crimson Gaming), 3-2 vs. Grand Canyon and 3-2 vs. Oregon. Liberty Red comes off of a shaky performance to close out the 2020 season. They lose to BGSU 2-3 in round 11, 1-3 to Purdue and forfeit to Concord Maroon. They do beat UNI, SIUE and Illini Blue but none in convincing fashion. Arizona State may benefit with a Piccadilly pick for the first SnD as they’re 4-0 on that map in Search and Destroy while Liberty Red have not played a single time on Piccadilly SnD. On the other hand, Liberty Red would benefit from picking Gun Runner as they’re 2-0 in Search and Destroy while Arizona State is just 2-5. Both teams love the same maps for Hardpoint (Gun Runner) and Domination (Gun Runner).
Keys to win for ASU: Keep the momentum going. They’ve shown they can clutch up when it matters down the stretch. They need massive games out of their two best players: Coderz (1.48 OVR KD — 1.35 KD in HP, 1.43 KD in SnD, 1.53 KD in Dom) & Effectini (1.28 OVR KD — 1.37 KD in HP, 1.30 KD in SnD, 1.17 KD in Dom). Supporting cast of FLASHY and Bounty need to hold their own, which they have the capability to do, while gaudfather makes up for his lack of slay power with his objective IQ.
Keys to win for LUR: Polish up performance on respawn game modes. Despite them averaging more points in Hardpoint than Arizona State (242 - 224), they have far too many close games. This team puts up points but their “defense” against good teams is inconsistent. Domination is their weakest game mode and sometimes determines the swing of the match. They’ve dropped Domination maps to SIUE (154 - 162), Illini Blue (130 - 172), St. Clair (146 - 147), Purdue (127 - 172) and BGSU (156 - 161). 13 of their 17 map losses this season have come off respawn game modes. They have a roster that averages over 1.0 KD overall and in each game mode in ArK, Rorer, Toddy and Kurb so they need to use that slay power to keep the opponent OFF the objectives.
Final map count: 3-1 — Arizona State
UT-Dallas (16-1, 48-10) vs. Butler University (10-7, 32-24)
Summary: One of the more vocal teams in the league, UT-Dallas, should close this game relatively easily. They seem to enjoy close matches as they’ve beaten UT-Arlington, Grossmont and Grand Canyon all by a score of 3-2, though. Butler has only one win vs. a playoff team (St. Clair, 3-0). They fold under pressure against quality opponents. If they have any hope in taking a Hardpoint, they need to avoid Azhir Cave as they are 3-6 on that map and stick with Gun Runner (5-2) and/or St. Petrograd (3-1). If the Search and Destroy is played on Gun Runner, then Butler (8-1) will have a possibility to take the map, but UT-Dallas is just as good at 7-1.
Keys to win for UTD: Set the tone and make Butler uncomfortable early. UT-Dallas is weakest in Hardpoint with 6 of their 10 map losses coming in that mode. The captain, MrJPistachio and the supporting cast of NateFiasco, putrid and cocaine need to collectively outplay and contain Butler’s slayers to take that momentum and confidence into the rest of the match.
Keys to win for Butler : Someone outside the core 3 needs to step up. Butler has one of the top players in the Midwest in Vortex. Plazma and SlashinKnives put up respectable numbers and carry their weight but these three need HELP! SlickBick and Sirerin seem to be better options on the roster than Rush, but they have to put up over 20 kills each in Hardpoint and Domination to give them a chance.
Final map count: 3-0 — UT-Dallas
Illini Orange (15-2, 46-10) vs. University of Oregon (12-5, 40-17)
Summary: Oregon’s only quality win comes against the Cowboys of Oklahoma State, who are arguably the weakest team in this field of 32, and still gave up a map. They’re statistically weaker as a team in every game mode. Illini’s only two losses came to Concord Maroon (0-3) and Purdue (1-3). The “Fab Five” of the Orange are consistent slayers across the board. They’re one of the few teams that can say they have all 5 players in the Top 25 in OVR KD in their division.
Keys to win for ILO: Play the game the way you have all season. The “Fab Five” — Shields, Versa, Grinch, Schufyy, Crit — are a well-balanced team and compliment each other beautifully. They average in and around 25 kills a piece in both respawn modes. They’re 15-3 in Search (albeit 14 of those games are on Arklov Peak — 13-1) and 14-3 in Domination.
Keys to win for Oregon: Try to play to your strengths. They’re 3-1 on Gun Runner in Hardpoint while Illini Orange are 1-2. Jackbunt and Vaague both average over 30 kills a piece on Gun Runner Hardpoint. Kevo (28), Lilbooyeah (22), RamRice (21) all average over 20 kills each. For Search, they need to avoid Arklov Peak. The Orange are 13-1 on Arklov Search and Destroy and Oregon’s players tend to crap the bed when it comes to this map. Only RamRice and kevo post positive KDs on Arklov SnD.
Final map count: 3-0 — Illini Orange
Texas A&M Maroon (17-0, 51-1) vs. St. Clair Saints (10-7, 33-29)
Summary: Like the Concord Maroon/Oklahoma State game, this one should be lopsided in favor of the Aggies. Texas A&M Maroon have held the #1 spot in the CCL Top 25 polls for a majority of the season. Their only map loss was a forfeit to Oregon. St. Clair’s only quality win comes against Northern Iowa (3-2). They’ve struggled in their wins against SIUE (3-2) and Marquette (3-2) and lost 2-3 to Illini Blue. I’d put St. Clair as the 2nd to last worst team in the field of 32 (in front of Oklahoma State). There isn’t much to talk about here.
Keys to win for TAMU: Show up. TAMU has 3 players (Landxnn, Deelo, Justify) in the top 10 overall KD and respawn KD in the entire league. Loathe also cracks the top 10 with the other three in Domination KD. Landxnn is 5th in the league in Search and Destroy KD (2.03). Is there much more to say? Cue DJ Khaled’s “I Got the Keys” because TAMU has all the keys, keys, keys.
Keys to win for St. Clair: Make Canada proud and play your hearts out. Priestly and SauceIV can hold their own, but they need all the help they can get from their other 3 players. Come into the match, show out as best as you can, build on the program for next year. Hey, at least the new Saints logo is fire!
Final map count: 3-0 — Texas A&M Maroon
Bowling Green State University (13-4, 41-14) vs. Grand Canyon University (12-5, 43-16)
Summary: This will be the first game to go 5 maps in the playoffs. Bowling Green State is 2-0 (vs. Grand Valley State & Liberty Red) in matches that go all the way, while Grand Canyon is 0-3 (vs. UT-Dallas, Arizona State, UT-Arlington). Grand Canyon University has quality wins over Oklahoma State (3-0) and Oregon (3-0). Both of these teams are eerily similar in Hardpoint — BGSU is 14-6 averaging 226 seconds a game while Grand Canyon is 16-6 and averaging 227 seconds a game. In Domination, BGSU is 12-5 averaging 180 pts/game while Grand Canyon is 14-3 averaging 186 pts/game. The major difference in this game, and the one that will be the difference maker, is the fact that BGSU is the stronger SnD team at 15-3 (GCU: 13-7). Each one of these maps will be closely contested.
Keys to win for BGSU: Take at least one respawn map. They are the stronger Search and Destroy team and should be confident they’ll take the game 2 SnD (and game 5 if it gets there). They should make sure that Gun Runner Hardpoint is in the rotation as they are 8-1 on the map (GCU: 4-3). KingDes averages 31 kills, BlazTerr averages 28 kills and the supporting cast — Tactics, Bunger, IRaanger — all average 23+ kills a piece on that map/mode.
Keys to win for GCU: Finish the series early. As I stated above, they’re 0-3 in game 5 matches. They have to tighten up their Search game and find that clutch factor. They have a well-balanced roster. Each player averages in the mid 20s for kills per respawn map. Fanatic leads the team with a 1.20 overall KD and is in the Top 25 in the West. Ritual and Xiiphos both average positive KDs in all game modes. ShowMeBusch also averages positive KDs in both Hardpoint and Domination, but for GCU to finally get over the game 5 curse, he’ll need to improve his production in Search or else BGSU will be showing him the path to the loser’s bracket.
Final map count: 3-2 — Bowling Green State University
Purdue University (16-1, 48-8) vs. UT-Arlington (12-5, 41-18)
Summary: There has been a lot of chatter around the league that Purdue is a bit overrated and UT-Arlington is a bit underrated. Is it true? Partially. I don’t believe Purdue is overrated at all. I believe they are one of the better cohesive units in this playoff field. I do believe UT-Arlington is a little underrated. They have the potential to cause issues for any opponent. UT-Arlington has quality wins over Oklahoma State (3-0) and Grand Canyon (3-2). They have put up fights in most of their losses: UT-Dallas (2-3), Arizona State (1-3), Grossmont (2-3). Purdue’s only loss came to Concord Maroon. Their quality wins span over St. Clair (3-0), Northern Iowa (3-1), Illini Orange (3-1), Butler (3-0), Liberty Red (3-1) and BGSU (3-1). This will be the closest #2 seed vs. #7 seed matchup in the playoffs.
Keys to win for Purdue: Search for the answers to win Search. 6 of their 8 map losses have come in Search and Destroy. If they continue their consistency in the respawn maps, a search loss won’t matter a whole lot, but I’d still brush up on the Search and Destroy strategies if I were Purdue because if it goes to a game 5 search, there is a serious chance to be upset. Purdue is 21-1 in Hardpoint and 16-1 in Domination (both losses to Concord Maroon). This team is also one of those teams that do not have glamorous, superstar-type individual KDs, but compete well together. They haven’t missed a beat since putting Sauce into starting rotation about a month back. BenG is a top 25 player in the Midwest. Everybody on this team carries their weight.
Keys to win for UTAR: Play confidently. Everybody believes you are underrated. Play like the team that almost took the win from UT-Dallas and Grossmont and the team that defeated Grand Canyon. They have a trio of players — Natural, Omega, MagicBman - that are in the top 25 in overall KD in the West. It’ll take more than 3 players to defeat Purdue, though. The other 3 players on the roster seem to have weaknesses in one mode or another, so it seems that there is always a hole in the team. Check out these stat lines: kiddragon (0.79 HP KD — averages 100 seconds on hill, 0.91 SnD KD, 1.17 Dom KD), Linga24 (0.82 HP KD, 1.31 SnD KD, 1.19 Dom KD), Bones6Sa (0.93 HP KD, 1.28 SnD KD, 0.87 Dom KD). UT-Arlington needs a full team effort to defeat the Boilermakers.
Final map count: 3-1 — Purdue University
Grossmont (15-2, 47-12) vs. University of Northern Iowa (11-6, 40-21)
Summary: This match features a solid squad from the West vs. a relatively unknown team from the Midwest. Grossmont boasts wins on their resumé against Oregon (3-1), Grand Canyon (3-1), Arizona State (3-2), UT-Arlington (3-2) and Oklahoma State (3-0). Their losses come to Texas A&M Maroon (0-3) and UT-Dallas (2-3). The Griffins don’t really win games convincingly but they get the job done. Northern Iowa has a couple quality wins over Butler (3-0) and Bowling Green State (3-1), but some questionable losses to SIUE (2-3) and St. Clair (2-3). Their losses to Purdue, Illini Orange and Liberty Red were all hard fought so the potential for the Panthers is there. This could be closer than expected, but Northern Iowa will have to play up to their full potential.
Keys to win for GCC: Don’t let the Panthers hang around. Their matches against quality teams are a bit inconsistent. They destroy Grand Canyon in their two hardpoint maps (250 - 114 & 250 - 151), but then get demolished by Arizona State 101 - 250 in game 1 in that series but go on to destroy them in game 4 by a score of 250 - 79. Their two top players, JustJokester & briandickey, need to play like top players and lead their team to victory. Impostahh is a solid 3rd in respawn maps but is pretty inconsistent in Search and Destroy. MikeKinger and Marv round out the roster with positive KDs who can hold their own.
Keys to win for UNI: Let Grossmont and the CCL know who you are. They’re a relatively unknown squad outside of the Midwest, but the team can put up a fight. Check out this score line in the loss vs. Liberty Red: 250-235, 3-6, 147-161, 232-250. How about this one vs. Purdue: 219-250, 6-4, 172-183, 248-250. They have 8 players on the roster with 6 averaging positive overall KDs and 7 averaging over 20 kills a game a piece (respawn). JungleJim may be the only one averaging below 20 kills/game but he averages 122 seconds on the hill in Hardpoint and is a main bomb carrier in Search and Destroy next to BrettDuroe. UNI has a roster of talent that need to play flawlessly to make some noise this postseason.
Final map count: 3-0 — Grossmont
Humber College (17-0, 51-2) vs. University of Arkansas (10-7, 32-24)
Summary: The pride of Canada, Humber College, have only dropped two maps which were Search and Destroys to Lebanon Valley College and Penn State White. They should make quick work of the Razorbacks who only made playoffs due to the gift under the tree left by Florida State. They were the 9th seed in the Southeast division before Florida State just gave up their position as #7, moving Mississippi State and Arkansas up in the standings. To be fair, Arkansas did take Full Sail Armada to a game 5, round 10 and have taken maps off Tennessee-Knoxville and Florida State in those losses. They did win 3-2 vs. Mississippi State, as well.
Keys to win for HC: Don’t completely look over to the next game. Humber is clearly the favorite in this matchup but should focus on this game so they don’t fall prey to a close matchup like Full Sail Armada did vs. Arkansas. The entire roster of 7 all average positive KDs overall and in each game mode. They also arguably have the 6th man of the year in Crozier. Simply put, the key is show no weaknesses and send a message to whoever you play next.
Keys to win for ARK: Make the most of your opportunity. This spot was gifted to them by Florida State. Take this chance to showoff your skillset and become more known. Their shining star, Echo, will need some major help from his team so they can play Humber like they did Full Sail Armada in hopes of a victory.
Final map count: 3-0 — Humber College
University of Alabama (14-3, 41-15) vs. Lebanon Valley College (13-4, 40-16)
Summary: This is the only matchup in the first round I flip-flopped on. Both of these teams are pretty even. Hardpoint records: ALA 15-7, 229 sec avg vs. LVC 15-6, 217 sec avg. Search and Destroy records: ALA 13-5 vs. LVC 13-5. Domination records: 13-3 ALA, 179 point average vs. LVC 12-5, 186 point average. The difference in this matchup will be the Domination game type. Map veto strategy could also serve crucial. This is going to be a fun, close matchup.
Keys to win for ALA: Do not lose Domination. This will be the swing map that’s needed for both teams and Alabama is a better Domination team. I believe that Alabama is a stronger respawn team and will drop the Search map(s) to LVC. Hancho and Nix will need to put up 30+ kills a piece in Hardpoints like they both average and do their best to carry in Search, but they’ll need some help to put LVC away. Four of their five players average over 20 kills/map and they need to continue doing so to win this match.
Keys to win for LVC: Exposing Alabama’s weaknesses through map vetoes. Nobody plays Rammaza as much as LVC in this field of 32. They are the best Rammaza Hardpoint team in the playoffs at 5-1 while Alabama is 1-2. They’re 6-3 on Rammaza Search and Destroy while Alabama is 1-2 again. They favor Gun Runner Domination (8-3) while Alabama favors Hackney Yard (7-3). They only have one true star in NUTz with a respectable #2 in Thwizy who will need to carry since they have two players that average UNDER 20 kills a game (Dund3r & SpicyOmelette). This will be a brains vs. brawn type matchup. LVC has to be smart.
Final map count: 3-1 — University of Alabama
Full Sail Armada (16-1, 50-5) vs. RIT (11-6, 37-23)
Summary: Full Sail Armada is the strongest team in the league outside of the top seeds. Their only loss came to the best team in the Southeast, Georgia Southern, in a game 5 round 10 matchup. RIT only has notable wins against Penn State Blue (3-1). They’ve won over Rutgers Scarlet (3-0), but I am not counting that since it was a 5 vs. 4 player matchup. There is nothing statistically here that would give RIT an advantage over Full Sail Armada.
Keys to win for FSA: Wipe the dust off and sail on through to Round 2. There is nothing here that indicates Full Sail should struggle in this matchup. Veilleux, Fluffy, SneakEE, Danger, Pryzaam should just have some fun. Try a new strategy out or try a new gun out. This should be a scrim-type matchup for them, but don’t treat RIT as nobodies — they have taken maps off Penn State White and Lebanon Valley.
Keys to win for RIT: Shut out the noise. Nobody thinks you are winning this one. Fight your heart out, give them a run for their money and utilize this game to brush up on your weakness to make a run in loser’s bracket.
Final map count: 3-0 — Full Sail Armada
Penn State White (15-2, 48-8) vs. University of Tennessee-Knoxville (11-6, 40-21)
Summary: This will be one of the more intriguing games to watch. You have a Penn State White team that is young (3 freshmen) vs. a Vols team that completely changed after starting the season 2-5 to making the playoffs. Penn State White surprised most around the CCL with their success while Tennessee has silenced some of the negativity from the first half of the season. Penn State White’s quality wins include Lebanon Valley (3-0), Tespa Carleton (3-1), Penn State Blue (3-0), RIT (3-1). Losses to only Rutgers Scarlet (2-3) and Humber (1-3). Tennessee-Knoxville have 3-1 wins over Louisiana-Lafayette, Florida State and Arkansas. They’ve lost to Alabama, Mississippi State and LA Tech all by a series count of 2-3. This team has grit and fight, but can they overcome the “Torch Twins” and the Nittany Lions and cause a shakeup in the bracket?
Keys to win for PSUW: Earn that respect. Penn State White has been disrespected all season long and have felt like they’ve had to prove themselves to everybody. This team is led by the freshmen “Torch Twins” — Sensoble & Shades — two of the top players in the Northeast. Their best friend, Kenn, also a freshman, boasts a 1.11 KD overall with 22 kills/map. Reportt, has a 1.44 KD overall and adds senior leadership to the roster. Despite their youth, Sensoble, Shades and Kenn all have been playing together since Call of Duty Ghosts. The chemistry on this team is second to none. These 4 players have the capability to make up for the kill production that their 5th, Sparky, lacks. This is a team that will make some noise for the coming years in the CCL.
Keys to win for UTK: Close out the games. Enough with the heartbreaks. They’re 0-3 in Game 5 matches, their score line vs. Full Sail Armada hurts my soul (230-250, 3-6, 156-157) and they lose their Domination game to Georgia Southern 182-184. ConnDog needs to lead this team by example and keep the players calm. The Volunteers need more production out of the supporting cast of players. They’re only behind Arizona State when it comes to success on Piccadilly Search and Destroy (3-0). Domination is their weakest game mode and could prove to be the make or break in this match. Regardless of outcome, UTK will win at least one game in this playoff (winner’s or loser’s).
Final map count: 3-2 — Penn State White
Georgia Southern Eagles (17-0, 51-6) vs. Penn State Blue (10-7, 33-24)
Summary: This is going to be one of the more ugly matches in the playoffs. The Eagles are going to fly high and send Penn State Blue down to the loser’s bracket with quickness. Penn State Blue has no wins against a playoff team. They’re the worst Hardpoint team in the playoffs at 11-11 with only a 174 second average per game. Georgia Southern is 20-2 in Hardpoint, 18-0 in Search and Destroy and 13-4 in Domination. I’d say that Penn State could put up a fight in Domination but they average in the bottom 4 of points per Domination map at 168.
Keys to win for GSU: Spread your Eagle wins and get ready to fly into winners round 2. Use this game as a scrim since 7 of your 17 wins come off forfeits and prep for the winner of Carleton/Mississippi State.
Keys to win for PSUB: Take some magic from your Penn State counterparts and play out of your minds. I don’t think there are any true keys to victory for Penn State Blue. Just try not to lose ugly and make a run in the loser’s bracket.
Final map count: 3-0 — Georgia Southern Eagles
Tespa Carleton (14-3, 43-9) vs. Mississippi State University (11-6, 35-23)
Summary: Mississippi State should’ve been an 8 seed in this tournament but like Arkansas, were moved up in the seedings due to the Florida State fallout. With that said, the Bulldogs of Mississippi State have quality wins over Louisiana-Lafayette (3-1) and Tennessee-Knoxville (3-2). Their loss to Arkansas went to game 5 and they have taken a map off Georgia Southern. Tespa Carleton have 3-0’d RIT, Penn State Blue, Maryland and Lebanon Valley and took a map off Penn State White in that loss. Carleton have two of the best players in the NE and CCL in Hawk and 47 (fortyseven) who should show up and show out to propel them to victory.
Keys to win for CAR: Try not to let Hawk and 47 (fortyseven) do ALL the work. While they boast a 1.67 and 1.65 overall KD, respectively, only SweaTy is the only other player that averages a positive KD (1.01). Make a statement as a team and don’t just ride the performance of their two superstars.
Keys to win for MSU: Take advantage of the Carleton roster weaknesses outside Hawk and 47 (fortyseven). They have a true opportunity to take a Domination map as Carleton has one of the worst point averages at 166 vs. your 177. They are 3-1 on St. Petrograd Hardpoint which Carleton hasn’t played all season and they have the potential to compete in Search and Destroy as that was the one map they took off Georgia Southern.
Final map count: 3-0 — Tespa Carleton
Rutgers Scarlet (15-2, 45-11) vs. Louisiana-Lafayette (11-6, 39-21)
Summary: Rutgers should’ve been a #2 seed in this tournament over Penn State White but dealt with an unfortunate circumstance vs. RIT in which they had to play 4 vs. 5 and lost. They’ve beaten Penn State White (3-2), Carleton (3-0), Maryland (3-1), Penn State Blue (3-0) and Lebanon Valley (3-0). They’re only true loss comes to the undefeated Canadians, Humber. Louisiana-Lafayette post wins over Florida State (3-0) and Arkansas (3-0) but otherwise can’t seem to close out matches with losses to Georgia Southern (1-3), LA Tech (1-3), Alabama (2-3), Full Sail (0-3), Tennessee-Knoxville (1-3) and Mississippi State (1-3). They’re statistically weaker in all three game modes than Rutgers Scarlet and shouldn’t give them too much of an issue.
Keys to win for RUS: Use the fuel from the RIT loss to make some serious noise in the playoffs. The 1-2 punch of Lou and Protocol will serve all too powerful. RekLxss, Quantic, wendyzgod and Yodi all pull their own weight and support the team well. Come in and bring the brooms because you should be sweeping this series easily.
Keys to win for ULL: Make Rutgers Scarlet uncomfortable. They’ve taken game 1 Hardpoints over Georgia Southern, LA Tech, Florida State and Alabama. They lost their game 1 Hardpoint to Full Sail Armada by a score of 242-250. Come out firing and win the first Hardpoint to make Rutgers think they’ve underestimated you. Money, Astro and Zotz all average 25 kills per Hardpoint map. If they come out playing to their potential, this could be closer than most expect.
Final map count: 3-0 — Rutgers Scarlet
LA Tech (15-2, 46-11) vs. University of Maryland (12-5, 37-21)
Summary: The only thing I have Maryland beating LA Tech in is a logo battle. That turtle shell with the Maryland flag in it is nasty. But seriously, Maryland is the only team with a negative record on Search and Destroy (8-10) which has been their kryptonite all season long. LA Tech is 14-4 in Search and Destroy. LA Tech has wins over Louisiana-Lafayette (3-1), Tennessee-Knoxville (3-2), Mississippi State (3-0), Alabama (3-1), and Florida State (3-0). Their loss to Full Sail Armada was a 0-3 but their loss to Georgia Southern went 1-3 with a 5-6 game 2 Search and Destroy and a 249-250 game 4 Hardpoint. Maryland can only say they’ve beaten Penn State Blue and even they took a map off of them (3-1). Against top teams, Maryland doesn’t perform.
Keys to win for LAT: Crush Maryland’s dreams early and convincingly. The LA Tech roster has some fire power in WholeTroll (1.53 KD), Will (1.30 KD), Rhett (1.50 KD), Dropz (1.21 KD) and KiliminjaroBacon (1.19). They’re 17-5 in Hardpoint, 14-4 in Search and Destroy and 15-2 in Domination. The only weak spot Maryland can claim LA Tech have would be Arklov Search and Destroy where they’ve incurred all their Search losses, but when they are facing a Maryland team who is below .500 in Search, they can probably play Arklov and still win.
Keys to win for MD: Play consistently. The Maryland roster doesn’t have any superstars but they have all 5 players posting positive overall KD ratios, which is something some of the other teams can’t say. They are 6-2 on Azhir Hardpoint and 5-2 on Gun Runner Hardpoint while averaging 226 seconds/game. They’re only hope in Search is probably Rammaza where they are 1-1, but Arklov (1-4) and Gun Runner (1-4) are out of the question. Cdub averages about 27 kills each Domination map and could shine there, but the team overall just can’t match the slay power of LA Tech.
Final map count: 3-0 — LA Tech
