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Just Cause Project vs Dropouts
In round one we see Dropouts vs Just Cause Project on SF Sandstorm. For those of us who don't know who the Dropouts are, the team is comprised of old OvK players and shader from CSX. With nearly everyone on their roster having some CAL-M experience, it's not a surprise they have made it to round three. Unfortunately for them, this is also where they face CAL Invite playoff team jCp. Due to the maps turbulent and speedy nature, look for the Dropouts to secure a few rounds here as steadily jCp climbs to the eight rounds needed to win.

Players To Watch sTan, who-
Prediction: jCp 8 > 3
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The Projects vs Slow Reaction
In my opinion this match would normal be a blowout, but once again due to the nature of the map, I expect the boys from Projects to pull a few upsets in between massive consecutive round losses. As an added treat though, we get to see the return of FlaW, one of the few players in AA to actually win something on LAN. Why is he back? Who knows why.

Players To Watch Insane, FlaW
Prediction: sR 8 > 2
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Redemption vs Hazard
This will definitely be a match to watch in the post game, as from what I've seen Hazard has been picking up banned players left and right these past few months. Redemption as well is getting a little heat from the community in the form of accusations that quick is not who he says he is. Not to mention last season z4ck was banned for a public server violation with the infamous glug bot. Anyway you stack it though hazard has been the team that keeps their questionable players on board the longest and I see them either dominating this match or getting stomped by Mechy and the gang from red.

Players To Watch Rabb, Rifle
Prediction: Redemption 8 > 6
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Revolution Gaming vs Ballin!
Honestly how has cool guy made it to the third round? Shock and awe aside it seems cool guy may once again be leading his team towards a CAL victory. With amazing teamwork and some new types of game play, his new team will be a challenge to all that dare challenge them. Despite the fact that none of their players have any CAL experience, this doesn't seem to stop them and their rampage of cool.

Players To Watch 1 cOO1 guY, ubeen
Prediction: Revolution Gaming 1 > 0
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10th Airborne vs neXus
The first close match I see for this round. To be honest even though nexus has never been out of open, and doesn't seem the likely team to win this round, they do have the ability and the players to give 10th a run for their money on Sandstorm. Look for the score bot on this one as it will definitely be a good match to watch and should see some interesting plays by nexus. EDIT There has been a roster upheaval at the nexus camp and a great deal of their starters have left to form a new team. Good luck to them and I don't see this match being as close as I originally predicted. That is, unless they break out their secret weapon big.

Players To Watch Dillon, h0b0
Prediction: 10th 8 > 5
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Ataxia vs Infamy
I'm going to have to confess I don't know much about either of these teams. Besides placing 2nd in CAL Open I haven't heard much from Ataxia recently. That said, I don't know a thing about Infamy, I can only guess they used to be an HTGN team by the name of Final Destination from their roster and players. I'm going to have to go with Ataxia to win this one by a decent margin, their players all have experience playing the higher leagues, but some some reason or another keep jumping the boat back down to open. Who really knows though as I've yet to see a dark horse in this tournament and Infamy could be that team.

Players To Watch Roo, hKs[hh]
Prediction: Ataxia 8 > 3
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overRated vs Conviction
This looks to be a blowout in the making, as the CAL Invite champs take on the new team coN. While checking the conviction players guid's out on CAL, I noticed none of them have been out of open spare two. For those that have, the team died early into the season making their total main experience zero and a mute point. I expect this match to be decided in the first half and see overRated taking this with ease.

Players To Watch Scarface, Alpha One
Prediction: oR 8 > 1
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Mediocrity! vs Innovation
Finally, the second and final close match in round three is between these two teams. While iNNo has been through two seasons of CAL Invite, they brought up terrible records in both, most recently being a 1-5-1 record in invites. That being said Mediocrity! or OverKill, has been the mirror of that in main being the team to seldom make playoffs and acknowledging it with class and humor. Although their attitudes and ability have have changed with their new name as they have recently merged with Joint Special Operations Group to form Mediocrity and their new found roster may have the ability to really screw with Innovations's trademark strats and inventive play.

Players To Watch ZeraTul, Chris
Prediction: iNNo 8 > 6 Med!