Rogue vs exceL

Next up, we have a clash between two playoff contenders. In others words, this is probably a must-watch if you're interested in the bigger LEC playoff picture. And, frankly, even if you aren't, there's still more than enough reason to tune in as these two challengers have all it takes to actually compete at the highest of levels. They might not look like it all the time -- in no small part due to being inherently inconsistent -- but the potential is certainly there.

Now sure, most people will automatically side with Rogue on this one and there's a good reason for it. They're insanely talented and have shown an immense amount of potential over the last five weeks. They're dominant, clean in execution, commanding when ahead, they're fairly solid macro-wise, and they can actually win through all possible avenues. Each and every member of the team can pop off and take over the game, as we've seen on multiple different occasions throughout the last month and a half. Some people still aren't used to seeing the likes of Finn, Inspired, and Larssen dominate to such a degree, but they have more than enough experience in playing at the LEC stage and should, by default, have our benefit of the doubt. They are still a bit rough around the edges (which was expected), but their mental fortitude and sheer resilience are downright mesmerizing. They're never going down without a fight and even when they do end up losing, it's never in a one-sided fashion. Instead, they compete for every inch of the Summoner's Rift and are competitive from start to finish. That's exactly what you want from a top-tier challenger as well, someone who's strong and capable even in defeat.

At the moment, Rogue are a Top 4 team. There's no one who can actually challenge them other than Fnatic, G2 Esports, and Origen. Once those three titans enter the discussion, however, things chance considerably. Still, being ranked so high even without any LEC overhyped legend is an insanely commendable achievement. Rogue, at this point in time, really does represent the next breed of LEC talent and watching their development will be an absolute must. They play League in a slightly different way as well and it's an exciting one, to boot.

On the other side, we have Excel. Many of the same things above apply here as well, although it feels like they're not as strong or capable. They still haven't locked down an identity and they're prone to making huge blunders in the early and mid game. If that happens against low-tier opposition, then they can still claw their way to victory. If, however, it happens against a team that can capitalize and exploit said weakness, then things tend to go awry very quickly. That's Excel in a nutshell. A lot of promise, a lot of potential and inherent strength, but not all of it coalesces in time for them to get the win. Still, they have more than just a couple of talented, highly dangerous players (Patrik and Expect, in particular), and even Mickey -- a guy who was mainly known for going AWOL on the Golden Guardians -- has been dominating far more than anyone had expected coming into the split.

As a whole, they're a very dangerous team, and with Youngbuck at the helm, they have a seasoned veteran leading the charge which is no small benefit. They've been competing as a five-man unit for less than two months and what they've already accomplished is nothing short of amazing. They're just one win behind Rogue in the standings which puts them in seventh place. They need to get a couple of high profile wins if they want to stand a chance of reaching the playoffs once all is said and done and upsetting Rogue here would provide them with ample hype and momentum.

In the end, however, it's impossible not to side with Rogue on this one. They're far more dangerous as a unit and have been playing some exceptional League of Legends over the last five weeks. Again, they're not perfect, but against a team like Excel Esports they don't need to be.