CUDL2025 Power Rankings - Week 1

 

First impressions

The teams this year are remarkably even. As Ira and I were discussing this piece, we agreed that, with very few exceptions, the teams were very difficult to rank in any objective way. Three of the four games were decided by three points or fewer; every team showed remarkable skill on the field, and most of the games were very close and well-matched. CUDL2025 is going to be crazy fun because each game feels unpredictable. 

 

Alright, let’s break it down. 

 

For comparison’s sake, here’s how the teams were ranked prior to the season by general consensus among smart men and women from around the league:

 

1. RHT

2. 12D

3. MMT

4. GTW

5. PLS

6. GS

7. GEAH

8. CLF

 

What Happened?

 

8. Golden Scoobers (0-1)​

Henry: The Golden Scoobers had the unenviable task of playing the Disc-iples first, but that doesn’t change the fact that they did not play well. They moved the disc effectively at times, but easy turnovers and unforced errors defined their offensive effort. They felt desperate under pressure and rushed into bad decisions and last-ditch hucks. On defense, they were no match for the freight train that was the Disc-iples— despite having good mismatches a majority of the time. 

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Yellow has the athletic talent to be excellent, but will have to work on harnessing their ability and turning it into ultimate skill. Specifically, the Scoobers must develop patience under pressure, limit huck attempts, and focus on a good defensive formation before they can challenge any of the top teams. 

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7. Green Eggs & Hammers (0-1)

Ira: Putting Green this low feels like a crime, considering the raw talent on this team. If they find their rhythm, they’re capable of knocking off any team in the league. Green boasts a deep bench and a dangerous play style that thrives on deep throws.

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It sounds simple, huck it and go, but good luck stopping it. They’ve got speedy cutters to run deep and the handlers to launch it. When facing Green, expect a full-on aerial assault. Although it’s not just their offense that’s powerful, they’ll challenge you with a physical man defense that forces your whole team to work for every point. 

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In this competitive season, Green has major underdog potential. Don't be surprised if they climb these rankings in the following weeks, but for now, they're a scary underdog that can beat any team. 

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6. Landsharks (0-1)​

Henry: The Landsharks were an interesting spectacle on Friday. Going into the game, I expected to see them get blown out of the water by the HammerTime powerhouse. To be clear, the Landsharks look good on paper— they have a solid handler lineup, a strong receiving corps, and a decent defense. But short-staffed against HammerTime? I did not see this being a close game, and definitely not a low-scoring game. 

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But… Landsharks gonna Landshark. Purple dominated the early game, with quick, punchy throws and effective turn defense. Purple broke Red three times in the first quarter alone, all of which came off of blocks. In typical Landshark fashion, the defense was stronger than the offense— yet it was poor second-quarter defense that lost them the game. 

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Overall, I was impressed with the Landsharks’ performance. However, they’ll need to improve significantly on both sides of the disc if they want to be championship contenders for a third straight year. 

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5. Le ‘Flauge (0-1)

Ira: In a year with league-wide parity, this might finally be Camo’s time to shine. After two years of struggle, they’re back with a new approach. They want the league to know they’re not just here to blend in. They thrive on heavy possession and the ability to adapt to whatever their opponents throw at them. 

 

Their Week 1 battle against the highly decorated Tugboats said it all. Down by six at one point, many teams would’ve folded— but not Camo. They clawed their way back into the game, falling just short at 14-16. They might have lost, but the message was loud and clear that Camo is no longer a team to overlook. If you’re not playing at your best the whole game, they’ll be sure to capitalize.  

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Henry: Despite losing their first game, the Parisian Rednecks significantly outperformed my expectations. The late addition of Damien Hartle to their lineup boosted their handling ability significantly and added valuable veteran experience. ‘Flauge now boasts a number of experienced players, which, combined with the leadership of Ben Murphy as captain, bodes well for their season. 

 

Camo faced the Mighty Mighty Tugboats in week one, a considerable challenge to say the least. Nevertheless, they stood up remarkably well, eventually falling by only two points. Further, ‘Flauge’s fourteen points currently ranks them fifth overall in the standings. This is a team that will improve dramatically as they discover their own talent and work out how best to use it. I look forward to seeing their work.

 

4. The Wind (1-0)

Ira: What do you think of when you hear "wind" on a frisbee field? Chaos? Frustration? Maybe even a strategic opportunity? Gray the Wind channels all of that and turns it into a weapon. This team thrives on precision and power by pushing ahead early and causing enough chaos to make comebacks difficult.

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In their matchup against Green, Gray stormed ahead and managed to keep things mostly comfortable on their way to a 14-11 win. So, what’s the recipe to beat them? Maybe overpower them? Good luck. Outsmart them? Even harder. When you play into the wind, sometimes your only hope is to chuck it and pray. Gray lives in that chaos. For the rest of the year, expect strong turbulence when going up against them. 

 

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3. HammerTime (1-0)

Henry: HammerTime is a problem for every other team in the league. The combined star talent of Brennon and Zach makes them insanely difficult to defend, and the rest of the team is built so well around them that on paper it seems there’s not much this team can’t do. In my mind, Red has the potential to be one of the highest-scoring teams in CUDL history. 

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With that said, seventh-seed Landsharks held them to only twelve points on Friday, seven of which came in the second quarter. They were continually plagued by botched hucks and unforced errors. Nevertheless, I still see Red being a powerhouse as the season progresses. This is but the first week, and teams are never at their best in the first week. The addition of Avi Marshall in future weeks will also improve their team, and as they clean up some of their precision and skill issues, I think HammerTime will become a serious championship contender. 

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2. Mighty Mighty Tugboats (1-0)​

Ira: Another year, another dominant Mighty Mighty Tugboats team. At this point, it’s clear they’ve unlocked the secret formula to CUDL success. With a lethal mix of strategy, athleticism, and technical precision, the Tugboats are once again looking... well, mighty. 

 

Their early win over Camo might just be a warning to the rest of the league. The Tugboats are hungry for history and a three-peat is on the menu. Nobody should be sleeping on this team. Their fast-paced offense and tight zone defense are going to be a headache for every team they face. Like it or not, the Tugboats are here to stay at the top of the power rankings and firmly in the championship conversation.

 

1. Disc-iples (1-0)

Henry: Another season, another huge performance from the Texas Orange. The Disc-iples lost their first three games of the 2023 season and have been on an almost unstoppable winning streak since. Since May 26, 2023, the Disc-iples have lost only four times. Their sixteen wins have often been characterized by what we witnessed this past Friday: skillfully and precisely shredding apart their competition. The Disc-iples held the Scoobers scoreless through two quarters. They allowed only eight points total while punching in twenty-one of their own. The Disc-iples, captained by Jason and Stella Rummel, are right back in their championship-level form— and it’s only the first week. This is a team that will improve significantly as the season progresses. After a decisive first win, it’s my belief that we could be looking at the CUDL2025 Champions. 

 

The Call​

As is our habit, we make a somewhat educated guess as to what the ending scores of next week’s games will be. This is merely our own stab in the dark, and you are more than welcome to disagree with us. Leave your own thoughts in the comments!

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Henry's Call

MMT @ RHT: 15-17, HammerTime

 

CLF @ GEAH: 16 -12, Le ‘Flauge

 

PLS @ GS: 12-9, Landsharks

 

12D @ GTW: 19-15, Disc-iples

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Ira's Call

MMT @ RHT: 17-15, Tugboats

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CLF @ GEAH: 16-12, Le 'Flauge

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PLS @ GS: 11-8, Landsharks

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12D @ GTW: 14-13, Disc-iples