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| PrivateSnowflake, Memphis coach |
Memphis has won the last two World Bowls and will attempt in 1981 to become the USFL/WFL's first three-peater. The Showboats will be without QB Antonio Wilson, who (finally) retired after leading his team to those championships. But, in the offseason, PrivateSnowflake refused to stand pat. He continued to wheel and deal while other coaches took a nap. He signed free agents and made trades for new pieces. Now we'll see if "You snooze, you lose" proves to be reality.
The window may close on Memphis someday. They have 20 players on the preseason roster with nine or more seasons of pro experience. But, until someone torpedoes them, the Showboats are king of the river.
Southwest Division: Oklahoma finished just two games behind Memphis and rookie coach RoyceR earned some Coach of the Year votes. The Outlaws aren't going away any time soon. Houston coach setherick earned some Coach of the Century honors by taking the helm of the league's Titanic and steering it into calmer waters. The Gamblers (8-8) hit .500 for the first time in franchise history and might end up in the playoffs for the first time ever in 1981. San Antonio (7-9) won four of its last five, but the Gunslingers have 21 players with nine or more years of pro experience and may enter the rebuilding stage soon.
Pacific Division: Honolulu (12-4) won its first division title since 1975. The Hawaiians have strung together four consecutive seasons at .500 or better, so they are definitely trending upward. Los Angeles (9-7) missed the playoffs for the first time since coach mwd65 took over in 1975, but the smart money says the Express won't watch the postseason on TV again. The Southern California Sun (3-13) and San Jose SaberCats (1-15) have a lot of ground to make up.
Midwest Division: The Detroit Wheels (12-4) reclaimed the division title that had gone to Cleveland the last two seasons. The Wheels have 20 players with nine or more seasons of pro experience, so they need to strike quickly. The Thunderbolts (10-6) are looking for their sixth consecutive playoff appearance, but would really like to cash in during the postseason this time around (2-5 in playoff games). The Michigan Panthers (8-8) won five in a row to close the 1980 season and have accumulated enough young talent to make a run at the division. The Chicago Blitz (7-9) were in playoff contention until losing their final three games, so it may be a four-way Midwest Division race in 1981.
West Division: This division is always a horse race until the end. But, in another photo finish, the Portland Storm (12-4) claimed their fourth division title on the last day of the season. As long as 12th-year QB William Hill is under center, the Storm is the team to beat. A Week 16 loss cost the Denver Gold (10-6) a playoff spot for the second consecutive season. Maybe this is the year they finally win Week 16 (at Tampa Bay). The Arizona Wranglers (9-7) are seeking a return on their significant financial investments over the last few seasons. The Oakland Invaders (8-8) will try to return to the playoffs after a two-year absence. They do have the league's returning offensive MVP in WR Christopher Curtis and prolific QB Les Lacy.
Southeast Division: Tampa Bay (11-5) was the only team in the division to finish with a winning record and the Bandits are the overwhelming favorites to claim a sixth consecutive Southeast title. A 68-12 combined regular season record hasn't yet translated into a World Bowl championship for coach Mcarovil, however. The Jacksonville Bulls (6-10), Florida Blazers (5-11) and Orlando Renegades (5-11) will all serve as unlucky sparring partners for this division's Ivan Drago, but their games against each other should prove entertaining.
South Division: The New Orleans VooDoo (11-5) played their way into the World Bowl for the second time and no one is betting against a third, as all the major pieces from that team return. The Shreveport Steamer (10-6) earned a wild-card berth and upset New Jersey in the playoffs, so who knows where their ceiling is? The Georgia Force (11-5) have hit the rebuilding stage and are likely to disappear for a while. The Birmingham Stallions (3-13) showed last season they were serious about rebuilding. This season, the Stallions are likely to take some forward steps, maybe even a leap.
Atlantic Division: The Washington Federals (11-5) shocked the world by ending Pittsburgh's six-year reign atop the division. CrazyRazor earned Coach of the Year honors. We'll see how the Feds handle being the favorites this time around. The Maulers (8-8) seem to have thrown the switch into reverse, but they could just as easily lurch forward again. The Charlotte Hornets (3-13) and Baltimore Stars (2-14) can gain inspirations from Washington's surprising ascent.
East Division: The New Jersey Generals (11-5) are just two seasons removed from their most recent World Bowl appearance. They could be there again if they can wash the bad taste out of their mouths from last season's playoff loss to Shreveport. The Philadelphia Bell (10-6) fell short of the postseason with three consecutive losses to end the season, but recorded the first winning season in franchise history and have 19 players with four years or less of pro experience. The New York Stars (8-8) could go either direction. There's no place to go but up for the Boston Breakers (1-15).
