Beat the Guru: 2010 AFL Quarterfinals
Adam Markowitz
Friday August 6, 2010
The Guru is back after taking a hiatus for a few weeks just in time for the playoffs! The regular season was a tumultuous one to say the least, as there were a number of ups and downs, freakish results, thrilling conclusions, and of course, refereeing that leaves a lot to be desired.
As we start the playoffs though, there are two major flaws in the system, one of which the league has at least found a remedy for, while the other appears as though it will go completely ignored.
So let's get down to business, shall we?
Disclaimer: This information should be used for entertainment purposes only. Should you choose to actually lay real money on these games, that’s purely your choice, and neither I nor ArenaFan are responsible. Lines courtesy of Bookmaker Sportsbook as of Friday morning.
Orlando Predators (+7) @ Jacksonville Sharks - Issue #1:Why on earth is WR Bobby Sippio going to be allowed to play in this game? Last time I checked, when you're suspended for a game, you should be sitting. If you go into the stands under any circumstance, you should be chucked from that game and barred for quite a long time. If Sippio plays, I want my official ArenaFan tin foil hat. There's no way on this planet that anyone will be able to convince me that if this were a team NOT owned by Brett Bouchy that Sippio wouldn't have gotten the book handed to him. Oh, this game? Get real. Orlando has been playing over its head down the stretch, while the Sharks are on a roll. This could be Aaron Garcia's year to finally taste glory. It would be interesting to see if the Sippio suspension is upheld next week or not, though...
Guru's Pick: Shark Attack by 11
Tampa Bay Storm (-2) @ Tulsa Talons - The Storm have been waiting to get their hands on the Talons ever since the final gun of their Week 1 loss at the BOK Center. QB Brett Dietz set virtually every passing record in the books this year for HC Tim Marcum, who is going to try to make our own Joe Kauffman change his trademarked slogan from "Where are you five championships?" to "Where are your six championships?" Tulsa isn't getting in Tampa Bay's way even if the game is at home. There's a reason the oddsmakers have lined the Storm as favorites.
Guru's Pick: Storm by 13
Arizona Rattlers (+7) @ Spokane Shock - This seems to be the upset that everyone is calling for. The Rattlers are trendy and would've been even trendier had they knocked off Iowa in their final regular season game. As it is, it's hard to argue with a Spokane team that has an amazing offense, an amazing defense, and is absolutely on fire. You don't win 11 games in a row by accident in any league, especially one in which so many things can go wrong like the AFL. The hometown crowd badly wants to see an ArenaBowl played in their own backyard, and the Shock will take Step #1 towards accomplishing that goal this weekend.
Guru's Pick: Shock by 18
Chicago Rush (+8) @ Milwaukee Iron - Here's the other problem the AFL has... The Iron reportedly tried to sell their home game in the playoffs to Arizona... surprise, surprise... why am I not shocked that Mr. Bouchy was involved in this little charade as well? However, the good news for Milwaukee fans is that the game will be able to be played in their home city after the Bradley Center was taken off limits for some offseason renovations. The bad news is that there may be more Rush fans there than Iron fans. The worse news is that someone has to get upset in the first round of the playoffs. Never count out Coach Ho.
Guru's Pick: Upset Special, Rush by 3
Recap
Jacksonville -7
Tampa Bay -2
Spokane -7
Chicago +8
Tampa Bay -2
Spokane -7
Chicago +8
See how well you can do against the Guru. Make your picks here.
Adam Markowitz is an accountant living in Orlando. Adam is an old school AFLer, having followed the AFL since 1991. He attended or covered well over 200 games, including 17 ArenaBowls. Adam worked for the Arena Football League for two years as a columnist and historian before retiring in 2017 when the 50-yard indoor war left the Sunshine State. Adam still muses about the AFL on ArenaFan from time to time, and you can follow him on Twitter @adammarkowitzea.
