Editor's Note: The NFL season may be over, but the " real football season" is already in full swing. Our series on alternative professional football leagues in North America continues with the Champions Indoor Football League (CIF).
CIF 2023 Teams (In Alphabetical Order)
Quickie Analysis: As this article was posted, the 2023 CIF season was already one week old, with six of the league's eight teams seeing action. The defending league champion Salina Liberty got their title defense off to a good start, defeating the Topeka Tropics in convincing fashion 75-45 on March 4. After finishing 9-3 overall in 2022 en route to claiming the CIF title, the Liberty will look to win back-to-back titles in 2023.
As for the offseason and off-the-field news, the CIF introduced a new commissioner shortly before Christmas in Bob Scott, who sold the Sioux City Bandits just two years ago in 2021. If that wasn't enough, the CIF also announced a new format where six of the league's eight squads will advance to the playoffs, while also introducing new scoring options for the 2023 season.
Under the new scoring rules, teams can opt to go for either a two, three, or four-point conversion after scoring a touchdown. Three-point conversions can be attempted from the five-yard line, while four-point conversions will be placed at the 10-yard line.
Still, even with all of the changes, expect the Salina Liberty to be the team to beat in the CIF this spring. However, don't be surprised if Sioux City, Omaha, and Billings have the ultimate say in who will take home the title this season.
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