Early Games

#14 Turkey Club (2-1) -7 vs Splits Happen (0-3): Tango is getting into the trash talking community, and the rest of the Club is getting settled into the league.  They should take advantage of this one as they won’t be favorites again til March.  Splits Happen may not be favored all year, so may as well go for the upset now.

#3 Back in Black (3-0) -3 vs #6 Still L.O.S. (2-1): Most weeks this is game of the week material.  BIB has been surviving without excelling, but they are 3-0 and Stevie Strikes is finding his groove. LOS is coming off a huge confidence boosting win over Off Constantly, but word on the street is that Precious and/or Double Cheese will miss the game.  No Cheese, no win.

#1 Walkaways (3-0) -3 vs #2 B.E.E.R. (3-0): The Walkaways handed B.E.E.R. its only regular season loss last year, and it was convincing.  Ultimately, they fell short of the finals and BEER lost in the finals, so it wasn’t particularly impactful.  In the offseason Walkaways cut La Gagita and added Valley Gurl Jess and The Dentist.  So far so good – undefeated and not really challenged.  B.E.E.R. is rolling without Slow Roll, but Tom Richards is back and he has a knack for big games against these guys.  Cheddar is the hottest bowler in the league right now.  The Walkaways depth should be the difference in this game, but they will see each other again.

#15 Cunning Linguists (2-1) -5 vs I.B.S. (1-2): I.B.S. is a bit backed up these days.  They got off to a hot start but have now been pumelled in back to back games.  That said, after this week they will likely be favorites for their next five games.  This game may play into their hands a bit as they are the distractors, and aren’t easily distracted.  The Linguists finally played to their talent level last week and upset Binga’s by a wide margin.  Now we’ll see if they can handle success.

Late Games

D-Guts (1-1) -1 vs Y&B (0-3): Hard to judge D-GUTS yet.  They won big when they had their whole team, lost big when shorthanded, then had a bye week.  They would love to get some momentum back before facing BEER next week.  Y&B are really hurting.  Something needs to change for them fast.  Lou Dawg could reappear in his motivational short shorts, or Pistol Pete could recover.  They have a chance here and probably need a win more than any team in the league.

N.E.D. (2-1) -1 vs My Balls (1-1): Another game that should be a good one.  NED is coming off a thrilling bowl-off victory, and hope that carries over.  They aren’t getting much from any bowler not named Shifter Pawl yet, though Donzarelli has looked good in practice.  My Balls may have their Captains back (not sure), and those Captains would love to get a win for new baby Ham.

#12 Pinny Candy (2-0) -5 vs Pinups (1-1): The Pinups have a ‘power win’ in their minds, and have proved a feisty group of commenters.  Now they need to translate that feistiness to bowling.  Pinny Candy could quietly go to 3-0 and be one of the last undefeateds standing.

#10 Strikes of Hazzard (2-1) -5 vs Incredibowls (2-1): The Strikes have really been playing well, and had they not let a 6-4 lead against BIB slip away last week would be sitting in the top four.  They need to stay focused after back to back games against top 5 teams.  The Deputy has been a great free agent pick up for Uncle Jesse.  The Incredibowls had a wild win last week, getting last place all three times and sneaking out an 8-7 vcitory.  A win here would get them in the top-20.

#9 Binga’s (1-2) -3 vs #13 Saucy Posse (2-1): This should be a very entertaining matchup.  Do you prefer the herb-infused Rasta vibe of Binga’s, or the hard working/hard drinking vibe of SauPo?  I like both, personally.  These are original teams going at it.  I’ll take Binga’s this week because they kind of dropped the ball last week and need the win more.

#11 Off Constantly (1-2) -7 vs Nutz (0-3): After another loss it occurred to OC they are going to have to work a bit this year if they want to win.  This week they finally started showing up to practice.  That is probably bad for the Nutz.  The Nutz need their whole roster to show up to have a chance.  OC is vulnerable, but the Nutz need their best game of the season.

First a shout out to Dombomb (Bowlderdash) and Shifter Pawl (N.E.D.) for competing in BoPo’s first official bowl-off on Tuesday.  Shifter Pawl looked to put it away early with an opening turkey, and broke out his ‘anti-aircraft’ celebration.  Dombomb kep his focus though, and spared the 6yh 7th and 8th frames while Shifter left them all open.  Suddenly a blowout was back within 10 pins.  Then in the 9th, Shifter closed his spare and Dombomb missed, and it was over.  Great stuff guys, and here’s to more bowloffs!

Early Games

Tequila Mockingbird (1-1) -10 vs Pud’s: Third time the charm for Pud’s?  They have promised to be back again, but this time the very life of their franchise is on the line.

#10 Guns of Brighton (2-0) -5 vs Guacabowle (1-1): The Guac’s picked up their first win and still pop collars.  G.O.B. definitely follows different fashion guidelines.  They are eager for a real opponent after ‘beating Puds’ last week.

#17 Happy Hands (2-0) -5 vs Lesbowlians (0-2): Happy Hands is uncharted waters for the franchise, and have a legitimate shot at starting 3-0 for what I assume is the first time.  The Lesbowlians are in uncomfortably familiar waters, trying to snap a losing streak.  This could be an interesting matchup as the averages of the teams are actually quite close.

B.U.I. (1-1) -3 vs #16 Wrecking Balls (2-0): BUI lost in the last frame last week or they’d still be ranked.  They look to exact some measure of revenge against the undefeated, if untested, Wrecking Balls.  Unfortunately for the Rambling Wreck, their top bowler will only be playing every other week, and this is not one of those weeks.  The Dude needs to have a big night.

Late Games

#11 TDYOB (2-0) -3 vs #15 Snakes On A Lane (1-1): TDYOB has been narrowly escaping, but they will be fired up for a frisbee battle.  I know, I know, the Dr. seems like an even-keeled guy who doesn’t get too up or down, but trust me, quietly he wants this win.  The Snakes hope that Honey Badger’s league leading average isn’t a fluke, and also, importantly, that he is actually bowling this week.

#5 Yay! (2-0) -9 vs Five O’s (1-0): Yay! looks to throw their weight around and stay the unquestioned top dawg for Thursdays.  The Slam Pigs have certainly proved a good fit for BoPo, and Ralphie and Mona have only experienced BoPo success. The 5 O’s are coming off a bye week, and walking into a buzzsaw.

Sweet Rolls (1-1) -7 vs Lovernauts (0-2): The Lovernauts will try to work their wiles on the last of the straight ballers.  Sweet Rolls have a chance to sneak back in to the top-20 with a win.  The Lovernauts need Rufio’s bowling magic to balance out their general dance move magic.  Also, Satchel needs to take just a tiny bit off that looper.

#19 Balls of Fury (0-1) -3 vs ICBING: The Furious ones look to justify being the only ranked team with no wins.  They’ve had a week off, and now all know what league they bowl in, so I like their chances.  ICBING seems to have lost their way a bit on the lanes, but are heroically leading the pack when it comes to doing shots.  That alone may move them back in to the top-20 in our hearts.  Kamikaze!

#7 UREA! (2-0) -11 vs Madbotts (0-2): UREA! rapid ascension should provide hope to all struggling franchises.  Overnight they have gone from the bottom of the barrel to a top 10 team staring at a 3-0 start.  The Madbotts don’t really care about all that, they are more focused on looking good, which they are accomplishing nightly.

Team down! If only we had known two weeks ago we could have stayed with 40 teams, but so far I like what I’ve seen from Guacabowle so I guess it all worked out for the best.  Now we just need a new Thursday team… BoPo had seen two forfeits in four years and now two in two weeks?  Yikes.

Early Games

#18 Turkey Club (1-1) -1 vs Nuts (0-2): Interesting game here.  The Nuts have nothing to be ashamed of in losses to L.O.S. and Walkaways, but their averages aren’t what you’d expect.  The Clubbers got a win under their belt, but this one would be much more impressive.  Tango is the reigning free-bowling winner…

My Balls (0-1) -3 vs Splits Happen (0-2): Someone is getting their first win of the season.  My Balls captains Bubbles and Barry had the good sense to have their baby on their bye week, actually on their bye night.  Not sure when Elliott will make his BoPo debut but Barry wants a win for his son.  Splits seem to be scuffling along this year, having little go right since Leroy opened the season with 6 strikes.

N.E.D. (1-1) -3 vs Bowlderdash (0-2): Bowlderdash actually has a 12 pin higher average than NED.  Hmmm.  I have no idea what to make of this game as I haven’t really watched either team play yet.  I think BowlderDash may be wishing they were on Thursdays where they have more kindred spirits.  A win might change their tune, and with a bye week followed by Splits Happen, they could actually be at .500 after week 5 if they could pull this one out.  Alas, I don’t think they will.  Shifter Pawl is the best player in the match, so I give the edge to the so far underperforming N.E.D.s

#1 Walkaways (2-0) -13 vs Three Livers (0-2): Blame the schedule maker for this one.  I suggest both teams do a lot of shots.

Late Games

Incredibowls (1-1) -1 vs Pinups (1-0): The Pinups have been making an hilarious case for their inclusion in the top 20.  I tell you what, win this one and you’re in.  The Incredibowls rebounded nicely from a week one slaughter with a big win of their own.  I think it’ll stay close, but the Pinups go down, and Bayside runs out of OJ.

#2 Back In Black (2-0) -3 vs #9 Strikes of Hazzard (2-0): It doesn’t get any easier for the Strikes, but at this point they believe they belong with the big boys and relish the opportunity to prove it.  If they could follow up a win over Off Constantly with a win over BIB, then they would have the best early season resume in BoPo.  Back In Black was indeed Back in week 2, with Stevie Strikes finding his groove and Bama almost cracking a smile once.  They need to play like that again to get past the Hazzard upstarts.  Hazzard gets a huge advantage from this game being played late.

#3 B.E.E.R. (2-0) -4 vs #13 I.B.S. (1-1): Oolie and Cheddar are the only players so far this season with multiple 200+ games.  Of course Cheddar is three for three.  B.E.E.R. should be breaking out the new unis tonight, which may show a little midriff on Filthy and Hungus.  Hott.  I.B.S. plunger routine is one of the great pre-game celebrations in BoPo.

#14 Saucy Posse (1-1) -3 vs Young & Bowled (0-2): SauPo, be careful.  This team always plays best when nothing is expected of them.  They should win this game against a still-rusty Truth and frankenfingered Pistol Pete, so they will likely take it to the wire.  Walter is ready for a breakthrough week.  He can’t let his little brother steal all the glory.

#6 Off Constantly (1-1) -3 vs #8 Still L.O.S. (1-1): Both teams are coming off ugly losses.  The upside for OC is they were missing two-thirds of their roster.  LOS hopes last week was just a reflection of their BEEr allergy and not an indicator of bigger problems.  Mr. Stiffy is overdue, and he could put a hurting on OC this week.  Oz should be back for the defending champs, who probably have never lost two straight.  One team is going to leave this game really questioning themselves, but LOS probably needs it more with a game against Back in Black next week.

#4 Binga’s (1-1) -4 vs #20 Cunning Linguists (1-1): Grab some coffee Tso, you’ve got a late game.  Binga’s is looking strong yet again but do not have a cupcake here in week 3.  The Linguists have a ton of talent but haven’t been able to put it together yet.  Pauly Ringwald and La Gatita need to rediscover their games to keep this team competitive with the BoPo titans.  Jamaican Jerk fell back a little bit last week but he’ll be fine.

Here we go.  With OC falling on Tuesday, there’s a chance for a Thursday team to sneak into the big boys club on the power rankings.

EARLY GAMES

Wrecking Balls (1-0) -3 vs Lesbowlians (0-1): The Balls caught a week 1 break with Pud’s missing the show, and so picked up a big 15-0 win without their top bowlers.  The Lesbowlians had opposite luck, rolling against a UREA! team that caught fire and losing 0-15.  Well, this game is at least guaranteed to be closer for both squads.

#13 TDYOB (1-0) -3 vs B.U.I. (1-0): This could be a very interesting game.  TDYOB is expected to cruise on Thursdays, and so when they struggle against a new team they tighten up a bit.  B.U.I. is playing with a ‘happy to be here’ attitude, has Cheddar coaching them when he’s free (which is often), and actually has some solid bowlers with plenty of league experience.  I’m probably reducing my power rankings to 15 teams next week: the winner of this will be in, the loser won’t.

Guacabowle (0-1) -1 vs Lovernauts (0-1): The Lovernauts continue their role as awesome league ambassador, playing a new team for the second week in a row.  This time they’ll have dance music since they play early, and that should help them a lot.  Guacabowle will have no idea what’s happening in BoPo with the contrast between their first two opponents.  They were game in week 1, and even though they may be the youngest team, they kick it 80′s style with Carl weathers and popped collars.

ICBING (0-1) -1 vs Happy Hands (1-0): The Hands got a big opening night win without their Captain, while ICBING got shellacked by an expansion team.  This line is about desperation, as ICBING needs it.  Actually, they don’t really care about any of their games other than Snakes On A Lane and TDYOB, but it would be a shame to see them fall into the April Fools Shootout just struggling for a bid to the tourney.  The Hands could be sitting pretty at 2-0 with a win.

LATE GAMES

Roll Another (0-1) -7 vs Madbotts (0-1): The Madbotts like to dance, and may have to polish up their hoedown moves with The Jerks of Grass playing for BoPo late games.  Maybe trade the fishnets for chaps for one week?  The mellower Roll Another likes the blugrass vibe, and should ride the Wabash Cannonball to a victory.

#12 Guns of Brighton (1-0) -7 vs Pud’s (0-1): The league spent hours on the curb waiting for Pud’s Taxi.  Well, must have been an issue with the dispatcher, but the Taxi insists it is showing up for Week 2.  The league doesn’t take kindly to no-shows, but Pud’s has three seasons under their belt so they get a mulligan.  G.O.B. looks like a strong contender for the Thursday crown behind Mr. Pickles and Invisible Hand.  This week they add fromer BEER star Coco Lopez…look out!

#9 YAY! (1-0) -3 vs #15 Snake On A Lane: Best game of the night (on paper).  Yay! should be nice and toasted by game three, and this week their match should still be close at this point.  Snakes is much more reserved, so might Ralphie’s cheers shatter their inner calm?  Dr Honniker is mastering the 10 second delay strike.  Never count him out.

#7 UREA! (1-0) -1 vs #16 Sweet Rolls (1-0): Second best game of the night (on paper).  UREA! is in uncharted waters for the franchise.  They are often lingering near the bottom of the pile, but find themselves sitting at #7 with a chance for a big win in week 2.  Knuckles and J-Bird are the wind beneath T-$’s enormous wings.  The Sweet Rolls are old=school, straight house ballers.  That could work out for them this season.  I’m going with T-$ in a nailbiter.

Tequila Mockingbird (0-1) -5 vs Goldilocks (0-1): They changed names again, and have TQMB stapled to thei bad-ass Whale shirts.  Now they’ve had a week to settle in, and should be looking at a W.  Harlyn P needed a week to understand the new pattern, and Riggs needed a week to get the pulse of his squad.  Goldilocks is happy about the tunes, happy about the league, happy about their opponent.  They are an iron-clad lock to have a good time.

Tuesday Men: Cheddar, B.E.E.R: Noone even close to his week one scores

Tuesday Women: Valley Gurl Jess, Walkaways: She won’t be happy with her 160 avg, but it led all league women

Thursday Men: Honey Badger, Snakes On A Lane: What better way to make your league debut than a 200 and the top Thursday average?

Thursday Women: J-Bird, UREA!: The captain led her squad to a big win with here 151 avg, and UREA! is on the scene