Dozen Trivia Playoff Capsules, Odds, & Predictions

The Dozen Trivia Season 6 playoff bracket has arrived! With less than a week until we kick off the madness in Chicago, which finishes off with a live Final Four on Thursday the 18th, let’s dive into the bracket to see the matchups and each squad’s chances.

First, a quick reminder on the format: it is double elimination to get to the Final Four before it becomes a single-elimination match play to crown a champion on the 18th. Which, by the way, as someone who is now heading to their fifth Dozen event, I gotta say these are can’t-freakin'-miss live shows! It is a full-on trivia party and a Stoolie’s paradise. AND last I checked, some tickets may still be available, so just go ahead and do it!

Alright, now let’s get into this. It’s hard not to think the heavy favorite is the Experts, as they hold the #1 seed and look to go back-to-back. Though, we do have some teams with firepower that could flip this tournament on its head in a moment!

#8 Grinders

• Captain: Jake Malasek

• Coach Gruden

• Frank The Tank

Other than the Experts, this could be the hottest team heading into the playoffs as they cruised through the play-ins, but now they have the unlucky draw of those Experts to kick off the tourney. Even the captain knows the task is tall. “Probably won’t win,” Malasek had to say sarcastically. If they want to shock the world, they will need Frank and Jake to be in the zone for any potential Experts slip-ups.

• Final Four Odds: +850

• Champions: +2500

#7 Chicago

• Captain: Chief

• White Sox Dave

• Cheah

The oldest franchise without a playoff win, though the addition of Steven Cheah this past offseason has given the squad a much-needed jolt. Now they have the past champions of Uptown Balls to crush the curse. They will be relying heavily on Cheah as they have all season; how far he goes is how far we see Chicago go.

• Final Four: +1000

• Champions: +5000

#6 Booze Ponies

• Captain: Will Compton

• Dana Beers

• Feits

Last year's tourney darlings and runner-up in the Boston championship match have had a rocky season considering the lofty expectations they had. Still, the firepower is there. With a first-round matchup vs. Minihane, this could be the momentum starter they need. Also, it’s very evident the Ponies love the theatrics, so at live shows, you gotta expect the bump.

• Final Four: +250

• Champions: +500

  
  

#5 Markettes

• Captain: Nick Turani

• Mark Titus

• KB

In the Markettes, we have a true unknown, as Nick and KB have some notorious Dozen tournament ghosts. With all three players earning postseason awards, you know this team has the talent to make a run, but will Green Greg be able to step up if needed when the lights are bright for a phone-a-friend? Opening against Ziti feels like a Final Four-type matchup right out the gate.

• Final Four: +400

• Champions: +1000

#4 Ziti

• Captain: Dave Portnoy

• Eddie

• Clem

The former champions always turn it on in the playoffs. The captain has said the season doesn’t start until tourney time. But the road will not be easy for Ziti, as they start with an unpredictable Markettes and are in the same bracket as the daunting Experts. The big question is: do they have their doubles down?

• Final Four: +175

• Champions: +350

#3 Minihane

• Captain: Kirk Minihane

• Klemmer

• Robbie Fox

The most volatile team in the tournament. Late in the season, the emergence of Klemmer has proven to be a difference-maker, helping them soar into the 3-seed. The question is: can the team stay together in a tight spot? The rosters are set, so there are no trades if one match goes wrong.

• Final Four: +150

• Champions: +450

#2 Uptown Balls

• Captain: Tommy Smokes

• Glenny Balls

• Rone

The team that kept their record unblemished until the regular season championship, where they dropped a close one to the Experts. The former champions look primed to be the team that can dethrone Brandon Walker. It won't be easy, but their route to the Final Four does feel very possible.

• Final Four: -150

• Champions: +175

#1 Experts

• Captain: Brandon Walker

• PFT

• Fran

The one-seeded and dominant Experts look like they are poised to join some of the all-time dynasties like the Chicago Bulls, UCLA basketball, and Alabama football. It feels like the only thing that can stop them is themselves. With the pressure off and one ring already on their fingers, the Experts are looking like a lock for the Final Four.

• Final Four: -250

• Champions: +100

We have the capsules now on each team, and I also threw in some odds on who could find their way to the Final Four or even finish as the champions. The CLEAR favorite has to be The Experts, and anyone who disagrees needs to check their B-Walk hate at the door because right now he is clearly king of this league, finally securing the scoring championship as well. But I wouldn't be a true beat writer for the Dozen league without a Final Four prediction, so here it is:

Alright, so yes, the championship match and champions picks are very chalk, but to me, it just feels clear-cut that they are the top two squads without question. Though my other two Final Four teams are surprises; many have Ziti and Minihane penciled in next to the Experts and Balls, but I say look out for the league's two favorites to make a run in the Markettes and the Booze Ponies. Though it is hard to have them advancing to the chip.

Well, we are officially just a week away until it will be Championship Thursday. If you have not gotten yourself tickets yet, find a way, as these live events are what make Barstool so unique and this Dozen Trivia league so much fun. Whoever finds their way to the Final Four will give us a must-see night of trivia, as Jeff D. Lowe always gives us a show!