Say it isn’t so! We are at the end of the Winter Quarter and are taking our last steps before next weeks Major Open in Mexico City! Currently, it is rather a wonderful time to love Gears of War Esports, in the sense that we’ve been through a lot of heart ache and issues as of late, it seems things are finally starting to turn a corner in multiple senses. A quick list of those to lighten up your spirits:

• The Coalition is now offering hot fixes to the video game. These are minor updates that are implemented as a quick fix instead of the players waiting for months to get a solution. They’ve tested this a few times already with some successful results and other situations they quickly reverted a change.
• Organizations are ready for Gears Mexico. EndGame from the Pro League was picked up by UYU. On top of that, coach Nicholas “Ashes” Ridgeway is now the general manager for UYU. So congratulations on a job well done to both the coach, the team, and the organization. Glad to have you on board. Also a shout out to Encrypted Gaming for jumping back into the scene right before Mexico, with the Soaked squad. We also got PDHM Gaming on board as well, which took the old OneForAll team into their corner. So truly as much that was lost, was gained back in a matter of two weeks. We are excited to see all of these organizations and their teams compete.
• Changes to PGL and Gears Esports. Going into next quarter, we will see a few updates to the rules and regulations in regards to both ladders and tournaments. So stick around for more details.

Now for the sad moment. This will be your last #GetJipped Power Rankings…. of the Winter Quarter of course! Don’t you worry about the future, as we got something cooking in the laboratory that I hope and believe you are going to like for the future. Without further to do, let’s dive into the rankings!

Power Rankings Week 7 – North American Winter Quarter

1. InC – InControl (Checked In for Week 7)

Roster: Acells, HNC Precision, Emissive, Speedy, QG Rocky (Purpatrate)

As Optic Gaming was dominant in Gears of War 4, InControl is the same in those regards in the Challenger Point Tournaments. No team has been more successful in the Winter Quarter than this squad, that even includes the switch from earlier roster players Exist and God Dazed to the new look (although it now has been a few weeks) of Speedy and Emissive. Going into Mexico City, InControl has guaranteed they will in fact be the number one team from the challenger points, meaning they will be a top seed in open bracket. There isn’t much else to say in this space for this week other than good luck, as we don’t see any changes happening from the prior weeks. We predict that InControl will take care of business and win this out.

Question of the Week: Out of left field question. If InControl is to be upset today, which team will do it? I don’t trust Soaked/Encrypted Gaming(more on them shortly) to be the team to do the dirty work. Rebel Gaming hasn’t really fought this team well, so they are on the outskirts of doing it. Could it be Simplicity? Let me know what you think. Heck, maybe even a team I didn’t say yet.

2. Soaked / Encrypted Gaming (Checked In for Week 7)

Roster: VitalTheOne, ProPeLLs 24, Kryo TYB, k3soto, Aversuh

A congratulations is in order for this squad. They’ve fought hard week in and out and it has officially paid off, as they will be representing Encrypted Gaming in the Mexico City Open. You will see them under their prior name for today’s tournament, as it takes PGL Administration to get the changes through the system. Going into today’s tournament, the veteran squad with some of their new buddies from prior Gears games, will need to just win a game or two to secure second for the quarter. A quick exit paired with an amazing showing from Rebel would be the only thing that would knock them down a rung on the standings. I don’t see this happening and we look forward to seeing how they will try to run the tables in Mexico City.

Question of the Day: Does green and black look good on this team? They are the colors they will be representing when they are at the tournament. Got to let them know in advance, those jerseys are fire and Encrypted Gaming did a fantastic job as an organization in taking care of our team for San Diego. I don’t expect anything less.

3. Rebel (Checked In for Week 7)

Roster: Krash, Sleepytime, Zerpting, ReziK, Jerppy, (Eskamani)

A team that we thought would be a superstar throughout this Winter Quarter hasn’t impressed as much. Don’t get me wrong here, they will most likely finish third in the Winter Quarter standings, but one must think it is strange that a team with this much talent on it couldn’t get in the top two. Sure, they started later than other teams, but that isn’t an excuse. Week to week, they’ve been knocked out by the teams above them in the standings for the most part. So heading into Mexico City, this team needs to wake up and be ready to show their metal on LAN.

Question of the Week: Does Rebel come and play today? I believe it was last week they didn’t show up to their game if I recall correctly (could be wrong), but what’s this week worth to them? Second place is a far cry and the spot they are in is rather comfy, so I’m expecting they won’t take this as seriously as they would have earlier in the quarter.

4. Simplicity (Checked In for Week 7)

Roster: Yogurt, Toti, Ozby Romero, Cellz, Moaries (Jackal Tenebris)

A team that had many problems with losing out of their Pro League spot because of a hard to explain and unprofessional scenario, to a team that is fighting for their chance to make it back into the spot they belong. Simplicity over this quarter had it’s fair shares of ups and downs. Now the issue they face is in order for them to qualify for a chance at the pro league, they will need to ball out in this tournament. They place better than IDK by a spot that gives them over a forty point differential, they are in. Then again, at the time of this writing, they are sitting pretty. So if you do the math, you might not be that worries heading into today!

Question of the Week: Does Simplicity pull the upset here in the tournament and take IDK out of the Pro League Qualifier spot right at the end? The suspense is killing me!

5. PDHM Gaming (Checked In for Week 7)

Roster: Scavzy, Yachtyy, hndles, blastgod, Envyz4871

Make no mistake, here is another team that is right in the thicket of it all. The young squad formerly known as OneForAll gets a huge congratulations and a welcome part for the organization they are representing in Mexico City, in PDHM Gaming. So here’s the story, if somehow both Simplicity and IDK fail to perform well in this tournament and PDHM Gaming can rack up the points, they could in theory pull ahead of both of these teams and take the fourth spot for their own. Other than the few top teams in this quarter, PDHM Gaming is one of the best teams fighting for position every week. Don’t expect them to not try and run the tables today so secure a spot!

Question of the Day: Does the talent of PDHM Gaming and the focus today pay off with upsets and this team thriving into the spotlight? When things are this close, all you can do is bite on your nails and wish for the best.

6. TECHNIQUE2 (Checked In for Week 7)

Roster: CREA7i0N, Outsider Del, Cee Tips, Vo1kZ, OZ

The Twin Powers were not activated last week, as Oz had other matters to attend, yet the team with Death Wish being a substitute still did a great job. Technique2 is a team that i enjoy to watch, play against, and see grow. My only concern for them is from time to time, they will get upset with one another throughout the game and talk about it not working. Yet here we are multiple weeks after some of these situations and this team might be thicker than thieves and ready to show out. It is only a shame they didn’t get this roster solidified earlier, as I believe they would be in position to get a pro league qualifier spot rather than being on the outside this tournament.

Question of the Week: Will Technique2 cause an upset? They’ve been part of some of the best upsets in both quarters during the tournaments, so I’m looking for one more nail in the coffin from them to another team that desperately needs a win today.

7. Techniquev2 (Checked In for Week 7)

Roster: Advanced iP, Movemxnts, AhToMic, SickestGOW, Xelerates (TraMa Said No)

FreeBurger got them last week, but they won’t get knocked out this week by that roster. According to sources, FreeBurger isn’t playing this week and is potentially becoming a defunct team the rest of this quarter in the tournament series. Back to #THEGRIND. This team is rather a hard one to pinpoint as of late. They got a lot of talent on the team and even a player that is absent currently, but is also good at the game in the coaching position. As of last week, it seemed this team was calling it a day, but now it looks like they are sticking it through and will continue to work on it for Mexico maybe? Honestly, I’m lost in the sauce with this team when it comes to are they together or not in the long run, but make no mistake. Having #THEGRIND ranked seventh in a pool of already talented teams, just shows you how Sunday should be epic.

Question of the Week: Is this team truly together? Last week, team members like Movemxnts and others tweeted out Free Agent. Yet here we are with the gang all back together. So we making plays or are we opting out?

8. Bring Em Home (Checked In For Week 7) 

Roster: wpkb, Hitboxs, Flee Techz, nipcy, reborn (Warlordly)

The questions we have for this team. First off, does a team that has this type of young roster make noise against the best or do have they got a dash of luck on their side? I feel that Bring Em Home has talent on their team and can go out and bang with some of the best, but two weeks of help in the tournament isn’t what I expected to see. One week their game was delayed for over thirty minutes from technical difficulties, but PGL allowed them to pick back up even after the match was suppose to be a disqualified scenario, but the enemy team followed along with the notions and lost. That was honestly my team and we got swept (good job from them honestly), which is besides the point, as I believe if we would have said no, the game would of been done. Shame on me, never again. Then last week, they get Rebel not showing up to play. So going into this week, the question is simple.

Question of the Week: Does Bring Em Home have talent that hasn’t been showcased properly? Two weeks of strange circumstances have allowed them to progress further into the tournament then they would have otherwise. So how do we rate a team with this many gifts so to speak? I think they deserve this ranking, but I may be proven horribly wrong today as well. This is a gamble I’m taking.

9. IDK (Checked In for Week 3) (NR)

Roster: dominic fluehr, Murhz, Bloodated, Flash Movez, Vq (Heavy Bodies)

So let me start this one off wit the obvious. With current contractual agreements (maybe they don’t stand anymore?), Suhduceful (domini fluehr), shouldn’t even be allowed to play on another team. Yet again, part of this team use to be what was the second NmE Esports roster at San Diego, so maybe a loop hole? Anyhow, here’s the point. I don’t feel comfortable with this team anymore. They got talent, skills, and style, but they lost their identity many times over the past weeks. You got Suhduceful playing for the team now on week 2, you got Murhz coming in for Crashy, and this roster is completely a shell of what it use to be. Yet kudos for them still being in the hunt for a pro league qualifier position. However, I don’t see them going far even if they make that tournament. I have faith in Flash Movez, Bloodated, and Vq, but I honestly can’t shake my head yes for the other two players. Murhz is good, but is he permanently on the team or just subbing in this week? Suhduceful on the other hand, good player as well, but it is hard for me to feel confident in a player that was benched in pro league for not showing up, after all the times we’ve heard “I deserve this chance”. So sadly, my biased opinion is coming in partially for this entry, but I do believe they got a hill to climb in their current situation even without that thought process.

Question of the Week: Will IDK hold on to their spot for pro league qualification? They won’t need to do that much. Get into the Top 8 or even better, the Top 4 this week and they all but close the doors on the teams chasing them. Just avoid an early exit and they should be good to cruise.

10. LITBOYZWORLDWIDE (Checked In for Week 7)

Roster: Nunez, Eternity, Zenun, Hydra Retro, Hydra Jordan

Solid squad, a roster that’s been together many times before in previous tournaments and entries, what else can you write about them? When Nunez, Retro, and Jordan are together, they tend to make noise constantly. Which is why I still don’t understand why these three just don’t stick together and grow to be a powerhouse team. It has never made a lick of damn sense to me. Anyhow, add on the all around wonder pro in all games himself Eternity with a dash of another formidable player in Zenun, and you should have a stacked roster.

Question of the Week: Is this the roster we will see moving into Spring Quarter and the Arlington Open? Like I said, this would be a great roster in due time, but is this just a passing the time type deal or the real one?

11. #THEGRIND (Checked In for Week 7)

Roster: Advanced iP, Wobb7726, AhToMic, SickestGOW, TwiSsta (TraMa Said No)

Another team that shared multiple roster changes, but finally seems settled in to this current lineup (knock on wood anyone?). AhToMic and TwiSsta are a duo that are deadly every week. Advanced iP is a good player, unless he gets tilted or angry at something. Then look out for everythig including the kitchen sink. Wobb7726 another good player, but he still needs more time into this entry with Gears 5 to be back to his Gears of War 4 form, and SickestGOW might be one of the most humble players out there. My concern is the roster needs to still find the identity that works best with them, as they’ve seem to lost momentum and strength when they lost TraMa Said No as a player. They still play good, but not that next level good.

Question of the Week: Same as the team above them. Does this team stick together after this tournament or do they start all over again? #THEGRIND was an amazing team out of the gate, but roster swaps, losses, and things crumbling created many issues that never let the team get back on track. So start a new. pick up some pieces, or stick together?

12. Young Goonz (Checked In for Week 7) 

Roster: Nate8130, Victoreez, Terminus7577, xTMNTx MADNESS, Vendetta TE

By the look of their name and the fact that most of the players on this team are in fact a younger age, it is nice to see some younger talent step into the rankings. The pieces are there to make a nice run and become a team to look forward to watching in the Spring Quarter, but will this team stick together after today? Rostermania creates a lot of drama and issues following an event, as this team with so many young and what I believe are susceptible players, if they get an offer they think will throw them into the spotlight, will take it and not even think about it. Victoreez and Terminus are both coming out of San Diego on a team that cracked championship bracket, but haven’t found a true home sense. I don’t think this is their next home either and think we will see this team dissolve in the coming weeks.

Question of the Week: Am I wrong? I’ve been many times with predictions and assumptions, but all it takes is some players to get beat in a few scrims by people they think are lower skilled than them to call it a day. Isn’t the right attitude, but I feel this is a possibility this current team will need to watch out for. Let’s see what happens in the coming weeks.

13. Grinders (Checked In for Week 7)

Roster: Br KeNz, EdenReeses, Distract, Luck, Aferc

Grinders are aggressive. Young. Filled with talent. Yet they can’t break the next step in the process. Look at a team that has lossed multiple games in ladder matches against the likes of InControl, Simplicity, and more many times over. Does it suck to lose? Yes. Yet, does it suck to lose if you are learning? Yes, but no at the same time. Most amateur teams won’t get to understand the next level of play unless they go against those teams above them. Although they’ve been getting slaughtered in ladder matches, the quality of opponent they go against is better than most scrims they would get. So if they are doing it properly, this should be a huge advantage moving forward.

Question of the Week: This team has been together for a few weeks now and it seems they are on the same page. Is this the week we see them cause an upset in the bracket? I think it will be, so hold on to your hats and get ready for a fight!

14. #StayDeviant (Checked In for Week 7)

Roster: Abyss, BDG Vibiez, TD Poetic, Elemxntals, WP Jippery (Jippery McCloud)

Been a wild ride this quarter with ups and downs, but make no mistake, #StayDeviant has grown a lot as a team since they’ve been together and continue to improve. They have some issues to work through when it comes to fights and things of that matter, but if they start a spark by a flame and it catches, this is a team that is hard to bring down. Recently though, they’ve been in rather a lull and continue to fall off the face of the Earth slowly. So we will have to see if they rebound in today’s tournament, although they’ve been consistently finishing in the Top 16 of the bracket, they need to break through to the next level. One round away from a Top 8 a few weeks ago, but since then haven’t been the same.

Question of the Week: Does #StayDeviant bring the fire and passion back this week to make some statements or will they continue to fade? Just going to keep it brief and simple.

15. We Hungry (Checked In for Week 7)

Roster: lF lR lE 5 lH, KING9 WARZONE8, HZ1KING, Blest 8, Jason

Welcome aboard We Hungry. In case you didn’t notice them, this is a team that’s been grinding throughout the whole Winter Quarter to become an all around solid team. They still got work to do, but they have significantly grown into viable contenders and they did it the right way. Play scrims, learn what they did wrong, watch video, adapt to new strategies, etc. If anything, We Hungry is sort of a role model team in the sense that they started off being harassed in games, but now can hold their own.

Question of the Week: What can We Hungry learn about themselves coming into the last tournament of the quarter? Are they ready to hit the ground running for the Spring Quarter and Arlington?

16. Inevitable Part 2 (Checked In for Week 7)

Roster: Perrycite, Murkyez, Trioxy, Avoid Hearts, Zizel

Truth time. At the time of this writing, only 17 teams have entered this week’s tournament. It is no surprise since it is the last tournament of the quarter and most teams are out of positions or not even on rosters to compete. With that being said, here is a team that looks good on paper, but hasn’t played much together yet. Perrycite has been shuffling throug rosters more than a rolodex (thank me later for you young folk that have to search that word up), but is this the roster that sticks? Avoid Hearts has always played with Perrycite when he can, but now they got a few new weapons, one being the always hard to kill Zizel. So question time.

Question of the Week: If any team can cause a completely random upset this week, it will be this team right here. Low points in the standings for being a new team name, a few hard hitters on the team that most don’t recognize, and a team that is hungry to create an upset. Can’t paint a better picture.

Just Missed Out

Teams: Atomic eSports

Omissions and Extra Information

17 teams are signed up for this week as of this writing before noon, but we got another hour and a half before that locks. Only team that missed out of the Power Rankings is currently Atomic eSports, as this team hasn’t played a ladder match, let alone the game from my knowledge, in weeks.

1 new teams registered this week and they are known as Step Sis Slayers. Sounds like a combination of Step Brothers and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles in the sense of comedy and action. I don’t honestly recognize any of the players, so maybe a fun surprise or some new blood.

With this being the last tournament of the quarter, it will be surprising to see how the next quarter opens up. We went from so many teams at the start of this Season to an abysmal number that normally generates between 20-32 teams. So I’m hoping Arlington lights a spark in the amateur community to compete and grind again.

Your Teams With Professionals on Them: Rebels, Simplicity, InControl and Simplicity.

#CaseClosed

So sad to say, this is the last one for a few weeks, as we will go into hibernation while the Gears Esports Mexico City Open will play throughout the whole weekend. So my question to you as I leave for this entry of the Power Rankings, who will come out of the Open Bracket to make Champ Bracket? Who will raise the trophy above their heads? Love to hear your thoughts and feedback. Until we meet again in this column…

#getjipped
– Jippery McCloud

Posted: March 1st, 2020 (11:38 AM EST)