*Ranking Every Team Ever (Part 3)

[Modern_Duke]

Tier II: Ultimus Losers

30. S23 Austin Copperheads 8-8-0 (0.500)
Points For: 22.1 (+3.12%)
Points Against: 21.8 (+1.95%)
Point Differential: +0.3
Pythagorean Win %: 0.507

Definitely the most successful .500 team in league history. In Part 1 of this series I declared S29 OCO was the most average team of all time. Based on just regular season, this would be a decent contender to that title, but, well, they just happened to make the Ultimus as well.

29. S21 Yellowknife Wraiths 7-6-0 (0.538)
Points For: 24.2 (+1.55%)
Points Against: 23.7 (-0.71%)
Point Differential: +0.5
Pythagorean Win %: 0.513

Obviously Yellowknife makes quite a few appearances in this tier, but this team doesn't really showcase any bad luck that the other YKW teams might, as this was a really average team.

28. S1 Colorado Yeti 8-6-0 (0.571)
Points For: 17.9 (+0.07%)
Points Against: 18.1 (+1.27%)
Point Differential: -0.2
Pythagorean Win %: 0.493

Anyone who knows Yeti history knows they didn't win an Ultimus until much later, so its funny that they had a chance at it this early. Also funny knowing how quickly things turned sour for the Yeti in these early seasons.

27. S2 Baltimore Hawks 8-6-0 (0.571)
Points For: 19.1 (-0.97%)
Points Against: 19.3 (-0.23%)
Point Differential: -0.1
Pythagorean Win %: 0.496

The quality of the rest of the tier really jumps after these bottom 4 teams, but kudos to these teams for getting as far as they did.

26. S26 New Orleans Second Line 9-7-0 (0.563)
Points For: 26.1 (+5.86%)
Points Against: 22.6 (-8.36%)
Point Differential: +3.5
Pythagorean Win %: 0.585

25. S27 New Orleans Second Line 9-7-0 (0.563)
Points For: 27.8 (+14.75%)
Points Against: 23.7 (-2.27%)
Point Differential: +4.1
Pythagorean Win %: 0.594

Back to back NOLA appearances with very similar teams get back to back listings.

24. S28 Austin Copperheads 9-7-0 (0.563)
Points For: 26.9 (+5.40%)
Points Against: 22.6 (-11.72%)
Point Differential: +4.4
Pythagorean Win %: 0.603

That's 3 straight not-so-spectacular Ultimus appearances from the ASFC from S26-28.

23. S13 Colorado Yeti 8-6-0 (0.571)
Points For: 29.8 (+12.78%)
Points Against: 24.9 (-5.61%)
Point Differential: +4.9
Pythagorean Win %: 0.604

22. S16 Philadelphia Liberty 7-6-0 (0.538)
Points For: 30.5 (+24.06%)
Points Against: 23.5 (-4.38%)
Point Differential: +7.0
Pythagorean Win %: 0.650

Hey I remember this one, this Ultimus was probably the first stream I ever watched. Good game too.

21. S14 Philadelphia Liberty 9-5-0 (0.643)
Points For: 24.1 (-5.44%)
Points Against: 23.6 (-7.12%)
Point Differential: +0.4
Pythagorean Win %: 0.511

20. S17 Baltimore Hawks 8-5-0 (0.615)
Points For: 26.4 (+7.96%)
Points Against: 23.5 (-4.00%)
Point Differential: +2.9
Pythagorean Win %: 0.569

19. S4 Yellowknife Wraiths 8-6-0 (0.571)
Points For: 25.8 (+11.98%)
Points Against: 19.9 (-13.45%)
Point Differential: +5.9
Pythagorean Win %: 0.648

18. S3 Baltimore Hawks 9-5-0 (0.643)
Points For: 22.6 (+2.22%)
Points Against: 19.3 (-12.94%)
Point Differential: +3.4
Pythagorean Win %: 0.594

17. S11 Baltimore Hawks 9-5-0 (0.643)
Points For: 29.5 (+12.30%)
Points Against: 24.0 (-8.63%)
Point Differential: +5.5
Pythagorean Win %: 0.620

16. S12 Baltimore Hawks 8-6-0 (0.571)
Points For: 32.4 (+26.64%)
Points Against: 21.2 (-17.15%)
Point Differential: +11.2
Pythagorean Win %: 0.732

That's a really good Pythagorean record. Surprised this team only finished one game over .500.

15. S19 Yellowknife Wraiths 9-4-0 (0.692)
Points For: 29.5 (+23.35%)
Points Against: 25.5 (+6.60%)
Point Differential: +4.0
Pythagorean Win %: 0.586

14. S20 Yellowknife Wraiths 9-4-0 (0.692)
Points For: 27.0 (+11.18%)
Points Against: 22.6 (-6.87%)
Point Differential: +4.4
Pythagorean Win %: 0.603

We already saw S21 YKW above, but these two teams in the prior seasons were much better. Still couldn't get the job done though.

13. S8 New Orleans Second Line 9-5-0 (0.643)
Points For: 29.5 (+15.93%)
Points Against: 21.6 (-14.95%)
Point Differential: +7.9
Pythagorean Win %: 0.676

12. S6 Philadelphia Liberty 9-5-0 (0.643)
Points For: 31.4 (+23.47%)
Points Against: 22.4 (-12.17%)
Point Differential: +9.1
Pythagorean Win %: 0.692

11. S5 Yellowknife Wraiths 10-4-0 (0.714)
Points For: 30.9 (+18.67%)
Points Against: 22.1 (-15.04%)
Point Differential: +8.8
Pythagorean Win %: 0.688

10. S15 San Jose SaberCats 11-3-0 (0.786)
Points For: 23.3 (-6.42%)
Points Against: 18.9 (-23.93%)
Point Differential: +4.4
Pythagorean Win %: 0.620

9. S22 Orange County Otters 10-3-0 (0.769)
Points For: 26.2 (+28.52%)
Points Against: 18.0 (-11.81%)
Point Differential: +8.2
Pythagorean Win %: 0.709

Wow looks like they had a 21-3 lead on Colorado late in the third quarter.

8. S25 Colorado Yeti 13-3-0 (0.813)
Points For: 27.0 (+9.15%)
Points Against: 20.3 (-18.14%)
Point Differential: +6.8
Pythagorean Win %: 0.664

I don't want to talk about it.

7. S29 Berlin Fire Salamanders 13-3-0 (0.812)
Points For: 30.3 (+16.25%)
Points Against: 20.9 (-19.54%)
Point Differential: +9.3
Pythagorean Win %: 0.705

6. S10 New Orleans Second Line 11-3-0 (0.786)
Points For: 36.1 (+48.15%)
Points Against: 19.9 (-18.15%)
Point Differential: +16.1
Pythagorean Win %: 0.803

That's one of the best offenses ever, but they unfortunately ran into one of the best teams ever in the Ultimus.

5. S9 Baltimore Hawks 11-3-0 (0.786)
Points For: 33.8 (+36.02%)
Points Against: 17.1 (-30.98%)
Point Differential: +16.6
Pythagorean Win %: 0.833

That's one of the best point differentials ever, but they unfortunately ran into one of the best teams ever in the Ultimus.

4. S18 Yellowknife Wraiths 11-2-0 (0.846)
Points For: 30.2 (+23.97%)
Points Against: 18.4 (-24.61%)
Point Differential: +11.8
Pythagorean Win %: 0.765

The start of YKW's S18-S21 losing streak, and they started with the best of the bunch.

3. S24 Colorado Yeti 14-2-0 (0.875)
Points For: 28.4 (+27.60%)
Points Against: 18.1 (-18.67%)
Point Differential: +10.3
Pythagorean Win %: 0.744

I don't want to talk about it.

2. S7 Orange County Otters 12-2-0 (0.857)
Points For: 32.9 (+28.86%)
Points Against: 19.6 (-23.41%)
Point Differential: +13.4
Pythagorean Win %: 0.774

Like #5 and #6 above, this team just happened to face one of the best teams ever.

1. S30 Arizona Outlaws 14-2-0 (0.875)
Points For: 34.3 (+34.32%)
Points Against: 18.7 (-26.84%)
Point Differential: +15.6
Pythagorean Win %: 0.808

Poor Arizona. That's really all there is to say.

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Tier I:Ultimus Champions

30. S25 San Jose SaberCats 9-7-0 (0.563)
Points For: 23.1 (-6.52%)
Points Against: 23.9 (-3.23%)
Point Differential: -0.8
Pythagorean Win %: 0.480

I don't want to talk about it.

29. S16 Arizona Outlaws 7-6-0 (0.538)
Points For: 22.8 (-7.19%)
Points Against: 21.0 (-14.69%)
Point Differential: +1.8
Pythagorean Win %: 0.550

I think we can call this S16 Ultimus the worst matchup (in terms of teams that is, the game itself was very good) ever, with the #22 loser and #29 winner.

28. S24 San Jose SaberCats 9-7-0 (0.563)
Points For: 21.4 (-4.09%)
Points Against: 19.3 (-13.62%)
Point Differential: +2.1
Pythagorean Win %: 0.562

I don't want to talk about it.

27. S17 Orange County Otters 7-6-0 (0.538)
Points For: 27.8 (+13.63%)
Points Against: 21.2 (-13.44%)
Point Differential: +6.6
Pythagorean Win %: 0.656

Well the first of many OCO appearances in this tier. There were bound to be some less impressive ones. They were better than the record indicates, but still.

26. S29 New York Silverbacks 10-6-0 (0.625)
Points For: 28.2 (+8.32%)
Points Against: 25.5 (-2.01%)
Point Differential: +2.7
Pythagorean Win %: 0.559

25. S13 Orange County Otters 9-5-0 (0.643)
Points For: 25.9 (-1.83%)
Points Against: 23.5 (-11.02%)
Point Differential: +2.4
Pythagorean Win %: 0.558

24. S23 Yellowknife Wraiths 10-6-0 (0.625)
Points For: 25.4 (+18.60%)
Points Against: 21.1 (-1.56%)
Point Differential: +4.3
Pythagorean Win %: 0.609

Well the Wraiths finally ended their streak of unhappiness with this one, and all it took was a matchup against the lowest rated Ultimus contender.

23. S20 Austin Copperheads 8-5-0 (0.615)
Points For: 26.9 (+10.86%)
Points Against: 20.0 (-17.64%)
Point Differential: +6.9
Pythagorean Win %: 0.669

22. S22 Colorado Yeti 8-5-0 (0.615)
Points For: 22.7 (+11.18%)
Points Against: 16.0 (-21.61%)
Point Differential: +6.7
Pythagorean Win %: 0.696

I heard they were down 21-3 late in the third quarter too.

21. S30 Sarasota Sailfish 11-5-0 (0.688)
Points For: 28.4 (+11.08%)
Points Against: 23.8 (-6.78%)
Point Differential: +4.6
Pythagorean Win %: 0.602

Our defending champions were clearly underdogs against the #1 team in Tier II but hey that's why they play the games.

20. S28 Yellowknife Wraiths 11-5-0 (0.688)
Points For: 27.6 (+8.09%)
Points Against: 23.0 (-10.01%)
Point Differential: +4.6
Pythagorean Win %: 0.607

19. S1 Arizona Outlaws 9-5-0 (0.643)
Points For: 19.8 (+10.87%)
Points Against: 14.6 (-18.35%)
Point Differential: +5.2
Pythagorean Win %: 0.674

The inaugural league champions, this was the start of a run of 3 straight championships to start league history. You'll see the others much later on in the list.

18. S14 San Jose SaberCats 9-5-0 (0.643)
Points For: 28.0 (+10.00%)
Points Against: 16.6 (-34.62%)
Point Differential: +11.4
Pythagorean Win %: 0.774

17. S21 New Orleans Second Line 9-4-0 (0.692)
Points For: 28.8 (+20.57%)
Points Against: 20.0 (-16.18%)
Point Differential: +8.8
Pythagorean Win %: 0.703

16. S19 Orange County Otters 9-4-0 (0.692)
Points For: 27.5 (+14.98%)
Points Against: 18.7 (-21.74%)
Point Differential: +8.8
Pythagorean Win %: 0.713

15. S7 Philadelphia Liberty 10-4-0 (0.714)
Points For: 30.4 (+19.08%)
Points Against: 21.6 (-15.30%)
Point Differential: +8.8
Pythagorean Win %: 0.692

14. S4 Orange County Otters 9-5-0 (0.643)
Points For: 30.1 (+30.59%)
Points Against: 17.0 (-26.17%)
Point Differential: +13.1
Pythagorean Win %: 0.794

13. S27 Sarasota Sailfish 12-4-0 (0.750)
Points For: 29.7 (+22.49%)
Points Against: 21.3 (-12.06%)
Point Differential: +8.4
Pythagorean Win %: 0.687

12. S11 New Orleans Second Line 11-3-0 (0.786)
Points For: 33.1 (+26.17%)
Points Against: 24.3 (-7.55%)
Point Differential: +8.9
Pythagorean Win %: 0.676

11. S12 Orange County Otters 11-3-0 (0.786)
Points For: 27.4 (+6.83%)
Points Against: 19.1 (-25.52%)
Point Differential: +8.3
Pythagorean Win %: 0.702

10. S18 Orange County Otters 10-3-0 (0.769)
Points For: 27.9 (+14.51%)
Points Against: 17.9 (-26.50%)
Point Differential: +10.0
Pythagorean Win %: 0.741

9. S8 Yellowknife Wraiths 11-3-0 (0.786)
Points For: 31.9 (+25.19%)
Points Against: 20.4 (-19.72%)
Point Differential: +11.4
Pythagorean Win %: 0.741

8. S5 Orange County Otters 11-3-0 (0.786)
Points For: 30.1 (+15.38%)
Points Against: 18.9 (-27.37%)
Point Differential: +11.1
Pythagorean Win %: 0.750

7. S26 Yellowknife Wraiths 13-3-0 (0.813)
Points For: 28.9 (+17.28%)
Points Against: 19.5 (-20.80%)
Point Differential: +9.4
Pythagorean Win %: 0.717

This is the best team in recent history, which I was honestly kind of surprised by? Granted they were 3 games better that any other team and had the best defense in the league, but I don't remember them standing out as a terrifying opponent. Clearly I'm wrong though, because the numbers tell the tale here. However, I will say that there is a fairly big jump from here to the top 6 six teams.

6. S6 Orange County Otters 11-3-0 (0.786)
Points For: 33.6 (+32.16%)
Points Against: 18.1 (-28.73%)
Point Differential: +15.5
Pythagorean Win %: 0.812

This was possibly the legendary Mike Boss's best season so naturally this was a great team, but funny enough he actually wasn't all that good in the playoffs, with a 40% completion rate in the conference championship and 2 interceptions in the Ultimus.

5. S15 Baltimore Hawks 12-2-0 (0.857)
Points For: 37.1 (+49.26%)
Points Against: 21.2 (-14.75%)
Point Differential: +15.9
Pythagorean Win %: 0.790

Lead by MVP Childish Gambino in what I called the best QB season in league history, this was a dominant offense, scoring 40+ points 8 times, not to mention probably the most lopsided Ultimus ever with a 49-0 victory.

4. S2 Arizona Outlaws 12-2-0 (0.857)
Points For: 26.4 (+36.35%)
Points Against: 12.5 (-35.33%)
Point Differential: +13.9
Pythagorean Win %: 0.854

I know that these early Outlaws teams have a dubious reputation, but be that as it may, they sure were dominant. In their two losses they only gave up 13 points.

3. S10 Baltimore Hawks 13-1-0 (0.929)
Points For: 34.7 (+42.57%)
Points Against: 19.5 (-19.91%)
Point Differential: +15.2
Pythagorean Win %: 0.797

As I mentioned in Tier III article, there have only been 3 one-loss teams in league history and this is the most recent team to do it. Now with a 16 game schedule it makes it that much more unlikely that we ever see another one.

2. S9 New Orleans Second Line 12-2-0 (0.857)
Points For: 37.9 (+52.41%)
Points Against: 14.1 (-43.35%)
Point Differential: +23.8
Pythagorean Win %: 0.913

I really wanted to put this team at #1 based on the strength of their numbers, which are the strongest of any team (best offense, best point differential, and best pythagorean % of all time), but I had to give the edge to the next team based on 2 losses vs 1 loss.

1. S3 Arizona Outlaws 13-1-0 (0.929)
Points For: 30.5 (+37.69%)
Points Against: 11.9 (-46.47%)
Point Differential: +18.6
Pythagorean Win %: 0.904

The best team of all time. Best defense ever, only gave up 20+ points three times, and featured some of the most ridiculous stats ever, like Jayce Tuck's 32 sacks and a team total of 108 sacks. Their only loss came by 3 points to the second best team in the league, and they were even more dominant in the playoffs, outscoring opponents 76-19.


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That's it, it's been a fun, challenging project that helped me learn that much more about league history. I have some secondary data to show and summarize so I might do an appendix/companion piece soon, or I could save it for something else. I actually also have all DSFL teams ever ranked, but I have no desire to write more of these type of team summaries, so maybe I'll just share the list with no commentary (which is what 80% of this list was anyway).