At the conclusion of Week 6, we only had one team eliminated from the playoff race. Week 7 brought crazy games, including the close upset of Exertus eSports over Classic Mixup on Sunshine. When the dust cleared, Classic Mixup had clinched their spot and three other teams were sent packing their bags. In the penultimate week of the season, we may see the final two LAN spots decided, with two teams comfortably in control of their own destiny and one needing a lot of help to get in.

Standings

Clinched

1. froyotech

   Current Record: 13-0-0, RF 60, RA 14
   Status: clinch #1 seed with two wins
   Games Behind (Games Remaining): 0 (3)
   Head-to-Head Tiebreakers Held: Classic Mixup (1-0), Exertus eSports (1-0), Street Hoops eSports (2-0), Rent-a-Homies (2-0), yolotech (2-0), 6cuties (2-0), Blame Game (2-0), WELOVEANIME (1-0)

2. Classic Mixup

   Current Record: 10-2-0, RF 50, RA 19
   Status: clinched playoff spot by virtue of record
   Games Behind (Games Remaining): 2.5 (4)
   Head-to-Head Tiebreakers Held: Street Hoops eSports (1-0), Rent-a-Homies (1-0), yolotech (2-0), 6cuties (2-0), Blame Game (2-0), WELOVEANIME (1-0)

Remaining Playoff Spots

3. Exertus eSports

   Current Record: 9-3-0, RF 50, RA 23
   Status: clinch playoff spot with win or Rent-a-Homies loss
   Games Behind (Games Remaining): 3.5 (4)
   Head-to-Head Tiebreakers Held: Rent-a-Homies (1-0), yolotech (2-0), 6cuties (2-0), Blame Game (1-0), WELOVEANIME (2-0)

4. Street Hoops eSports

   Current Record: 8-4-0, RF 44, RA 26
   Status: clinch playoff spot with two wins
   Games Behind (Games Remaining): 4.5 (4)
   Head-to-Head Tiebreakers Held: Exertus eSports (1-0), yolotech (2-0), 6cuties (1-0), Blame Game (2-0), WELOVEANIME (1-0)

In the Hunt

5. Rent-a-Homies

   Current Record: 5-7-0, RF 28, RA 41
   Status: eliminated with two losses
   Games Behind (Games Remaining): 7.5 (4)
   Head-to-Head Tiebreakers Held: 6cuties (1-0), WELOVEANIME (2-0)

Eliminated

6. yolotech

   Current Record: 4-9-0, RF 32, RA 44
   Status: eliminated
   Games Behind (Games Remaining): 9 (3)
   Head-to-Head Tiebreakers Held: Rent-a-Homies (1-0), Blame Game (1-0), WELOVEANIME (2-0)

7. 6cuties

   Current Record: 3-9-0, RF 17, RA 50
   Status: eliminated
   Games Behind (Games Remaining): 9.5 (4)
   Head-to-Head Tiebreakers Held: yolotech (1-0), Blame Game (1-0)

8. Blame Game

   Current Record: 2-11-0, RF 17, RA 50
   Status: eliminated
   Games Behind (Games Remaining): 11 (3)
   Head-to-Head Tiebreakers Held: N/A

9. WELOVEANIME

   Current Record: 2-11-0, RF 13, RA 44
   Status: dead
   Games Behind (Games Remaining): 11 (3)
   Head-to-Head Tiebreakers Held: N/A

Game of the Week

In Week 8, we return to the map that has become a staple of competitive TF2, introduced into ESEA in Season 6 and played in UGC Highlander since its beginning: Gullywash. Needless to say, this map has a lot of history.

This week’s match is a tough decision, but it will ultimately have to be the match between the current top two teams in North America, froyotech and Classic Mixup, duking it out. With WELOVEANIME dead and unlikely (or not allowed) to contest their match in Week 9, froyotech has an easy path to clinching the first seed with just one win in Week 8, but it faces stiff competition from both Classic Mixup and Exertus eSports, which will be looking to knock froyotech off and attempt to secure their own seeding. Naturally, Classic Mixup, the rival of old and current lesser titan of Invite, is more likely to pull off the upset. We’ll see how far they can get against a squad that shut them out in Week 4 on Process. Of course, we’ll be able to see this action-packed match live in TeamFortress.TV’s cast this Thursday at 11 PM. Don’t miss it!

If there were a second Game of the Week, it would definitely be the other froyotech match against Exertus eSports. Last week, Exertus eSports proved they were a contender by taking Classic Mixup down in a close 5-4 game on Sunshine. They’ll need the confidence if they’re going to do well against a starting lineup that hasn’t yet been greatly challenged by any team. So far, this match hasn’t been confirmed for casting, but hopefully some organization will pick it up, since it definitely will be one not to miss.