DFC IX Week Nine Results

Thursday night
West Virginia 31, Auburn 17

Saturday games
8. Texas Tech 63, Kansas 21 (tiebreak game, 84 total points)
UConn 40, Cincinnati 16
1. Texas 28, 6. Oklahoma State 24
7. Georgia 52, 13. LSU 38
25. Florida State 30, Virginia Tech 20
Ole Miss 23, Arkansas 21
3. Penn State 13, 9. Ohio State 6

The Week That Was
Welcome to the world of winners, Ryan Sherman. In winning Week 9, Ryan becomes the 27th person in the DFC to claim a weekly win to their name, and the second week in a row that a First Time Winner has been declared--Jason Barney was last week.

Coming up short, though undefeated, were 2nd place Jason Roberts and 3rd place DMOsborne. Not sure what the current record is, but this is 56 weeks now between DMO's last win (DFC V, Week 1) and now, and though I don't know it exactly, this is at least the fourth or fifth time DMO has come up with a stellar record, and finished 2nd--and in this case, 3rd--to someone(s) who were a little more stellarer.

Lori "Sunshine" Beirne comes up with a 7-1 record, and Jason Duren did likewise, finishing up 4th and 5th this week. Jonathan Osborne finishes 6th, and Scotty Latta gets 7th, both at 6-2. Joey Thornell continues his march towards the postseason, grabbing 8th place, while Eddy Jr gets 9th, and tied for 10th is Big Eddy and The Big Wasyluka, all at 6-2.

Also finishing:
6-2: Sarah Hasha, Clif Render, Jenn Ernst, The Mighty Gainey, Tom Johnson, Lenning, Tebershaw, Daniel Powell, Croyle
5-3: Jason Turnbow, Mackey, Pinkerton, Yours Truly, Halpert, Matt Latta, Tad Roose, DFC Defending Champion Drew Morris, Spawn of Wookiee
4-4: Zack Graves, Young Garrett, Barney, Mikey Nipp, Gina Roose, Tyler Campbell, Tommy Mac, Trey Cartledge, Hawbaker
3-5:
2-6: JustFish

THE STANDINGS
GAINEY CONFERENCE
North Division
Matt Latta continues to lead the North Division, at 51-21 (16.13), holding a three game lead over Joey Thornell, 49-23 (11.67). DMOsborne's 8-0 week vaulted him right back in the playoff race, now at 46-26 (14.56), while Clif "troy boy" Render's good week also gave him hope. He's at 42-30 (14.25). Justin Fisher had a tough week, both in family and in the DFC, finishing at 40-32 (18.5).

East Division
Eddy Jr took a backseat last week, falling to 2nd, but climbs back to the top at 47-25 (13.22), while Barney's average week keeps him on the playoff edge. He's 46-26 (22.0). Ryan Sherman's big week put him back in contention, at 45-27 (12.5), while three time DFC Champ cannot have back to back good seasons. Tad Roose is 41-31 (14.88), keeping himself ahead of the DFC Detroit Lions, Garrett Cheney, at 40-32 (16.11).

South Division
Looks like another division title for Jennifer Ernst, holding a commanding 6 game lead over Tommy McLeod. Jennifer's 51-21 (14.78) is strong, while Tommy Mac's once strong record has fallen to 44-28 (18.11), barely ahead of J. Lenning, 43-29 (13.33) and Tebe Shaw, 41-31 (22.11). And it looks like original DFC'er Tom Johnson will have another 'wait til next year' kind of year, at 39-33 (14.88)

West Division
We knew it would happen, and it did. Tim Wasyluka overtakes Trey Cartledge for the divisional lead. Tim's 46-26 is the same as Trey's 46-26, but Tim's 14.25 TBA edges out Trey's 15.67, and sometimes, thats all it takes. But wait! Whats that? Do I hear Big Eddy, wanting more postseason glory? He's one game back at 45-27 (14.44), and only a game ahead of The Spawn of Wookiee, at 44-28 (15.63). Defending DFC Champ Drew Morris must have one heckuva run in him to improve his worst-in-conference 39-33 (16.13)

If the Playoffs Began Today
The three first round byes would go to top seed South Division Champ Jennifer Ernst (51-21, 14.78), while 2nd seed would be North Division Champ Matt Latta, 51-21 (16.13). Taking the last first round bye spot would be wild card Joey Thornell, at 49-23 (11.67).

Participating in Wild Card Weekend, East Division Champ Eddy Jr would be the 4th seed at 47-25 (13.22), and 5th seeded Tim Wasyluka, the West Division Champ (46-26, 14.25). Coming into 6th would be DMO at 46-26 (14.56). Trey Cartledge would take 7th, also at 46-26 (15.67), while Jason Barnette would get that last spot at 46-26 (22.0)

On the Bubble, within two games... 9th place (in the conference) Ryan Sherman (45-27, 12.5), 10th place Big Eddy (45-27, 14.44), 11th place Spawn of Wookiee (44-28, 15.63) and 12th place Tommy Mac (44-28, 18.11)

THE MORRIS CONFERENCE
North Division
Suddenly the most exciting division in the DFC... a three way tie at the top, seperated only by TBA. Zack Graves, James Hawbaker and Jason Turnbow all are at 46-26, and while Zack's 10.25 TBA edges Hawbakers 10.88 for first, both blow away Turnbow's terrible 22.22. But wait! Still in contention, one Sarah Hasha, at 44-28 (16.13), and still not quite in contention, Mackey at 39-33 (16.33)

East Division
With a stumble here and a stumble there, Yours Truly is thankful that Gainey and Halpert haven't been able to capitalize. Heading towards Yours Truly's possible first MVP title, Yours Truly has a 53-19 record, with 10.78 TBA. The Mighty Gainey sits 8 games back at 45-27 (12.63), while Halpert is at 44-28 (13.0), one game ahead of rookie Jason Roberts, 43-29 (11.33)

South Division
The Powell ain't done yet. With the end of the season in sight, he has a 47-25 (11.13) mark into the final 1/4 of the year. Right behind him, though, leading the way towards Rookie of the Year, Bradley Pinkerton at 45-27 (12.38), while Final Fouralist Jason Duren is in 3rd at 43-29 (16.0). Rookie Christopher Croyle has a respectable 42-30 (18.0), while Michael Nipp... 36-36 (11.33). He's an original DFC'er, but I guess so was the Cardinals in the NFL...

West Division
Scotty Latta has opened up a few game lead at 51-21 (13.89), while Lori Beirne is in 2nd at 48-24 (11.78). Third in the division is Jon Osborne, 46-26 (14.88), and in 4th is Gina "Wife of 'Tad "The Dynasty" Roose' Roose, at 41-31 (17.63). In the cellar, again, is Tyler Campbell, at 40-32 (20.5).

If the Playoffs Started Today
Taking the coveted first week off of the playoffs would be top seed Yours Truly, the East Division Champ, followed by the 2nd seed, West Division Champ Scotty Latta. Edging out The Powell for the 3rd seed is Lori Beirne (remember, she has to beat him by a game, because tied record defers to divisional champs, regardless of TBA)

For Wild Card Weekend, The Powell wins the South, and gets the 4th seed at 47-25 (11.13), followed by 5th seed North Division Champ Zack Graves, 46-26 (10.25) and 6th seed Hawbaker, 46-26 (10.88). In 7th goes Jonathan Osborne, 46-26 (14.88) and Turnbow would take 8th at 46-26 (22.22)

On the Bubble... 9th place Pinkerton, 45-27 (12.38), 10th place Mark Gainey, 45-27 (12.63), 11th place Matt Halpert, 44-28 (13.0) and 12th place Sarah Hasha, 44-28 (16.13).

THE DFC POWER POLL TOP 12
1. Yours Truly, 53-19 (10-78) (1-6 weeks)
2. Scott Latta, 51-21 (13.89) (3)
3. Jennifer Ernst, 51-21 (14.78) (4)
4. Matt Latta, 51-21 (16.13) (2)
5. Joey Thornell, 49-23 (11.67) (5-2 wks)
6. Lori Beirne, 48-24 (11.78) (11)
7. Daniel Powell, 47-25 (11.13) (10)
8. Eddy Jr, 47-25 (13.22) (12)
9. Zack Graves, 46-26 (10.25) (6)
10. James Hawbaker, 46-26 (10.88) (8)
11. Tim Wasyluka, 46-26 (14.25) (NR-15th)
12. DMOsborne, 46-26 (14.56) (NR-22nd)
dropped out... Trey Cartledge (7th)... Jason Barnette (9th)

Lies, Darn Lies & Statistics

• This has been a monster year for weekly winners so far. With another 8-0 record to win the week, DFC IX now holds the record for most undefeated weekly wins... and there are still 3 weeks to go.
• DFC V has been widely considered the most "prosperous" year in DFC history, with a record 13 DFC'ers winning over 60 games--and that was out of a 24 person league. With 24 games left to pick, 20 people have at least 45 wins, meaning that a 5-3 average week for the next three weeks puts many more people over the 60 win mark--out of a 39 person league.
• DFC IV and V both had 84-12 records when you add up all the weekly win records in the 12 game season. So far, our weekly winners have 67 wins and 5 losses. To break the earlier season records, our winners need only two 6-2 records, and a 5-3 record. Considering out of 104 possible weeks in the DFC, only 3 people have won a week with a 5-3 record, its quite possible this will be done.
• MVP Awards... who's won 'em? Typically, and I say that because its really happened in all cases, they are won by the person with the most wins. Shawn Sharp won the MVP title in DFC I, going wire to wire #1 and winning the championship.
• Tommy Mac won DFC II's MVP Award, but bombed out of the first round of the postseason. Mark Gainey easily won the MVP Award in DFC III, racking up 65 wins, and also taking Rookie of the Year honors. Got the first round bye, but was beaten by Wookiee Fulaytar in the 2nd round of the postseason.
• In DFC IV, Jennifer Ernst became the first female to win the honors, with her 66 win performance, and then followed it up with a run to DeuceBowl IV, though she lost to Tad Roose by 2 games.
• DFC V saw Mark's still-record 68 win season, possibly the greatest single season anyone has ever had in the DFC... well, regular season, that is, as he got to the Final Four and lost.
• DFC VI was a hotly contested battle between Matt Latta and Mark Gainey. Mark was the only one who won 60 games that year (finishing 61-35), but many felt as if Matt's consistency deserved recognition. The voters spoke, and Gainey won his 3rd MVP title in four years, but once again was in the 2nd round of the postseason and done--while Matt Latta held up another trophy. The Brook DeRamus DFC Championship Plate. I'm sure Gainey would trade.
• DFC VII saw Tad Roose win his first MVP title, despite winning the championship two times before, and becomes the 1st DFC'er since Shawn Sharp to win the DFCMVP and then win the whole thing.
• Drew Morris makes it two DFCMVP'ers in a row, as he won the DFC VIII MVP and championship last season.