NA Power Rankings - Week 1

The Predictions

1. Team Twelve2. Tempo Storm3. Team Freedom4. Gale Force Esports5. HeroesHearth Esports6. SpaceStation Gaming7. Old Gods8. LFM EsportsThis is how I see it before any game has been played. I believe most of the placements are self-explanatory, so I'm not going to spend time on this blog going into detail as to why each team is positioned where they are. The only potential complaint that could be made is HeroesHearth being ahead of SpaceStation, but those two spots could easily be switched around. Next week will be the challenge in adjusting the NA scene based upon week 1 games. With that being said, let me get right into it with my predictions.Friday - 1/19Old Gods vs. Gale Force EsportsWhich part of the name will we get out of the Old Gods week 1? There's a lot of buildup behind this tenured roster, and I can see why. With their experience and talent they've brought together, some believe they have potential to go far this season. If they want to live up to the hype, there's no better way to get to it than by beating Gale Force, which is no easy task. Good thing Fury never got rid of that jersey, as he's become an excellent re-addition to the team. Let's not forget about the shortest retirement ever, as Gale Force is also glad to have Michael Udall return. Overall, I believe Gale Force to be the more solid squad, and will take this opening series 3-1. I'm looking out for Zuna and bigempct to be the difference makers. If either team wants to get the job done, I believe it will come down to what plays (or misplays) they will create.LFM Esports vs. SpaceStation GamingAnother great series to look forward to week 1, the new guys look to win their opening debut against a squad that's still developing. SpaceStation Gaming turned heads last season early on with some impressive victories against Team Freedom and Tempo Storm, but began to fall apart soon after. Adding Tomster should provide a boost, but I'm still not sold on the former Red Canid Jschritte; he will be the one to keep an eye on in this series. With the departure of Lag Force, LFM Esports enters the league. With limited expectations on how they will perform, they should play with a nothing to lose mentality rather than piling on additional pressure. There isn't a single player I'm looking to see outshine another, I'm just looking to see how LFM handles the new HGC scene they've found themselves in; we aren't in open division anymore fam. My heart says LFM can win this series, but my mind is saying otherwise.SpaceStation Gaming takes the series 3-1.Saturday - 1/20SpaceStation Gaming vs. Old GodsNeither team has anytime to waste once they're done Friday. Former Lag Force members square off against one another on their new teams in what I'm certain will be a close match. Consistency will be the key to whichever team wins this series. That could be said for any series no doubt, but for these two teams in particular, it has been something in the past that has been severely lacking. With what both squads have managed to put together, consistency will be what makes or breaks them moving forward. After losing to Gale Force the day prior, Old Gods will bounce back in a tight series to win 3-2. I believe both these groups will exit their opening weekend with a lot of material to improve on as well as elements that they can feel confident about.Tempo Storm vs. HeroesHearth EsportsThere isn't going to be a greater set than this one folks, as this will be THEE premiere matchup of the opening NA HGC. You've got the stacked Tempo Storm, adding tremendous talent in Glaurung and Fan in the off-season against HeroesHearth, the upcoming team with a special blend of former pros and newcomers. It's the established powerhouse against an ambitious rising group. You gotta bet Khroen, Arthelon and McIntyre have long awaited their return to the competitive scene. That excitement should be pumping through their veins big time this Saturday. Also, let us not forget the addition of Cauthon as coach of HeroesHearth. For whatever reason, I find this oddly reminiscent to the film Gladiator starring Russel Crowe, specifically when Maximus reveals to Commodus that he is the gladiator. I'll let you figure out which is which. HeroesHearth will be giving it everything they've got, but will it be enough to overcome Tempo Storm? My mind and heart are both split on this one, but this time, I'll go with my heart.HeroesHearth wins the series 3-2. I'm looking out to see how Tempo Storm drafts with their loaded skill and how ishb00 and BBJ perform in their professional opener.Sunday - 1/21Gale Force Esports vs. Team FreedomYet another juicy series, Team Freedom has the preparation advantage as this happens to be their only match this weekend. Replacing the void left by daneski and Kure comes YoDa and Lutano. We all know YoDa is a capable player who brings solid play to the table, Lutano however is a player I'm still looking to be sold on. I have no doubt he will be good, it's just a matter of how good. If he is capable of matching the talent of those who have departed, it's going to be a great time for Team Freedom. Gale Force will show up, but I don't think it will be enough. Team Freedom takes this series 3-2, continuing their HGC success against this club. Ah, I'll never forget, Superstition Nazeebo, Infernal Shrines... gg.Team Twelve vs. LFM EsportsTeam Twelve wins 3-0. Okay I get that isn't the proper way to begin discussing a match, but this should be a clean sweep. If there's one team I can rely on, it's Team Twelve. LFM Esports will give it their all, but against the most consistent NA team I just can't see it happening. Team Twelve will continue their march of team sweeps, as long as they aren't taken to Sky Temple (I'm sure things are sorted ever since the Even in Death series.) Looking forward to seeing how the new roster performs in the new season, and what kind of compositions they put together.That's what I got everyone, hope you enjoyed the read. I'll be doing this every week, so make sure you check in next week for the adjusted power rankings and upcoming match predictions. Thank you, and have a great day!