It has all come down to this. The 2007 Major League Gaming season has been exciting to say the least. There were two new teams who broke through the crowd to join the best of the best among Halo teams. FBI The Agency, 5k, and Nice Like Rice have all had break out seasons. FBI The Agency has placed among the top five teams at each event but unfortunately they have not been able to place above third. Nice Like Rice and 5k are teams who have done well for themselves this season, but once again have been unable to break past the best of the best. These three teams should look to improve on this season. Next year could be their chance to prove themselves once and for all. A new game will be on the circuit and the sky will be the limit.

It is always good to see new blood at the top of the ranks, but the true story of this year's MLG circuit is the ability for Final Boss to adapt and continue doing what they have always done best. Of course I am speaking of winning. While Final Boss lost their last event to a resurgent Str8 Rippin, Final Boss has been able to bounce back after the late collapse during last season. They added a new name to their roster and have since gone back to destroying the competition. Of five Major League Gaming stops this year, Final Boss has failed to place first only twice and at both of those events they placed a close second. Those two second place finishes came courtesy of Carbon and Str8 Rippin. Carbon was able to pull it off first at MLG Dallas, but it is very sad to see that this team is not as consistent as they would hope. While Carbon placed second at first two stops this year and then were able to win Dallas in dominate fashion, they have since fallen off. Placing fourth at the past two events does little to help their confidence and in my opinion it will take a great weekend for Carbon to make it back to back championships. The other team who was able to knock Final Boss around was the old rival Str8 Rippin. The new roster that Str8 Rippin has put together is formidable to say the least. This team has experience, skill, chemistry, you name it they have it. Perhaps the only fear for this team is consistency. Can they win over and over again? Can Tsquared finally walk away from a season knowing he truly put Final Boss behind him? These are questions that shall be answered this weekend. I would not count out any of these three teams. Carbon, Final Boss, and Str8 Rippin all have what it takes to win a championship. It is now time for these teams to step it up and do what they have to do to make it all a reality.

After doing predictions this entire season I have learned that it is ludicrous to choose anyone except Final Boss at number one. This team has proven themselves time and time again. With that stated, I am going to go ahead and go against what I have learned.


Str8 Rippin
Predicted Finish: 1st

This year's MLG Champions will be Str8 Rippin. While they have not provided the consistency it usually takes to be chosen as number one, this team has shown that they can beat Final Boss and Carbon. Their skill and confidence is all that I need to know to make this decision. As long as they stick to their game plan and execute the way they are suppose to, they will win this event.

Tom ‘Tsquared’ Taylor¹
Kyle ‘Elamitewarrior’ Elam
Mason ‘Neighbor’ Cobb
Bryan ‘Legit’ Rizzo



Winning Percentage*: .558
Record*: 24 - 19
Weakest Gametypes*: Ball Lockout, CTF Midship

* All statistics are based on games against teams who placed among the top five. Statistics are only taken from events which that specific team placed among the top five.
¹ Team Leader