(GotFrag) - I would be remiss if I didn't fully admit that, as far as knowing the ins and outs of the ESEA-Open division, I'm lacking. I've followed the season's progress from afar, noting only who seemed to be untouchable and who their closest rivals were, and as such I was drawn in to the Week 5 [t00l]-ex. matchup on cp_gravelpit since it was such a pivotal moment in the season.

But can I give you justifiable reasons why eXult is better than United Gamers? Or why Slaughterhouse Gaming and Royal deserve to be in over Sneak Sneak Sneak? No, I can't - which is why this is simply a Mini-Preview, composed out of a nagging guilt for not offering enough coverage for a fantastic season that, by many accounts, was more exciting and competitive than their betters in the ESEA-Invite division. There's no doubt that we'll be seeing a number of these teams in the top division next season, should they agree to be moved up, and one or two of them might just be strong enough to make an impact where in counts, in the W/L column.

But before that happens, there's a Season 4 Title to be won, and seven other teams to overcome before that eventual champion is crowned - so, without further ado, I give you my picks for the ESEA-Open Season 4 Playoffs.

RK'S PICKS: BIG FLAMEOUT

Harmonic - At the risk of some epic seanbud flames, I'm taking .hrmnc as my high seed to go nowhere. They had only 2 wins all season that were against anyone of note, and of those two I don't put much credence on a late-season, cp_follower victory. Am I saying they're a bad team? Of course not - they wouldn't have a 12-4 record if they were a bad team - but they're record and seeding was inflated by FFWs and an easier-than-most schedule that just makes me doubt how far they can go in these playoffs. They've got a tough first-round matchup against a team that beat them quite badly in the regular season, and will face equally tough competition the lower bracket from teams - I could maybe see them beating royal` again, but that'll probably be their only victory in these playoffs.

RK'S PICKS: BIG SURPRISE

eXultance.TF2 - eXult's season was deceptively middle-of-the-road, slotted firmly in the 2nd tier with a 10-6 record even though they faced [t00l] twice and only had one bad loss otherwise. Personally, I can forgive a late-season loss to [sss] on cp_follower when balanced against respectable outings vs [t00l] and ex., as well as a solid record against teams below them in the standings. Add to that their first round matchup against .hrmnc, and you've got the makings of a true darkhorse... although I have to admit, getting ex. round 2 on cp_granary (a map they've played quite poorly) kinda throws a monkey wrench into things.

RK'S PICKS: LOWER JOURNEYMEN

??? - You could also call this the "best team to end up outside the finals" catagory, but whatever it's called I'm at a loss to pick one team that fits here. The problem is the very large gap between the top two teams and the 2nd tier, which houses a group of a good 4-5 teams - none of them are good enough to knock off [t00l] or ex., but they all can beat up on each other on any given Sunday. uG` and the terribles could make some hay if they get hot, and could handle the sGs and eXult's and .hrmnc's of the world, but I don't see either of them getting past ex. in the lower bracket, and they have to beat up on each other in the very first round anyway. The long and short of these playoffs is, the top two teams are up there for a reason, and unless someone catches lightning in a bottle, that'll probably be your finals matchup, too.

RK'S PICKS: TOURNEY FAVOURITE

Tool Academy Grads - A stellar season without a single slip, highlighted by two very close matches against their only real rival, eXpertise - these guys belong in the finals, plain and simple. This rather interesting mix of guys from a variety of past teams has found their stride together, and are the very definition of 'jelling'. Aside from a late ex. and an early .hrmnc match, they never let anyone get more than 2 points on them all season and were literally cruising by mid-season, the #1 seed all but wrapped up by Week 5. Anything short of the ESEA-O S4 Title will be a disappointing finish for [t00l], and I expect them to plow right through these playoffs without pause.

RK'S PICKS: GRAND FINALS

cp_badlands: [t00l] [ 5 : 3 ] ex.