Breaking down the '5 letters or less' Region* / Will Medogdye

The below is expert commentary pertaining to the 2010 War of the Words tournament which begins noon EST, Thursday, June 3rd. It's not too late to play.

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There are a couple match-ups here that are especially intriguing, Phil.

First off, the 8/9 match-up of 'muck' vs. 'mire' should settle bragging rights once and for all for these two bubble words that just can't seem to establish an identity of their own without being paired with each other. With 'melee' likely waiting for the winner I see both words pulling out all the stops here.

'Feign' / 'pithy' could be a closer contest than it should be. All depends if 'feign' decides to show up. They are clearly the more talented word but have been known to disappear in big games.

Looking down the rest of the region here. . . 'Kiosk' is what it is. It may roll off the tongue but at the end of the day it sits there at the corner letting dogs piss all over it. I'm shocked it got a 4 seed. Shocked!! If it happens to make it by 'gaudy' I see the 'feign' / 'pithy' winner easily handling their round two opponent on their way to the sweet sixteen.

A few of my colleagues have 'gourd' as a sexy upset pick over 'lard'. I don't see it. 'Gourd's' sheer seasonality will be it's downfall. This ain't November. 'Lard' is just getting hot.

Many experts initially questioned 10 seed spilt's eligibility citing 'spilled' as the more valid and more widely used past tense form of 'spill'. Count 'gruel' in that camp as I expect them to make short work of the underdog, leaving them crying over milk of some sort.

'Slew' and 'delve' have a bit of a history, coming from the same conference they've already played each other twice this year and split both meetings. Don't let the 6/11 seeding disparity throw you. These words are very familiar with each other and are evenly matched. The big question in this game is whether 'slew's' deep bench can overcome 'delve's' superior preparation.

When all is said and done I see 'melee' as one of the more vulnerable #1 seeds in the tournament. I envision an epic battle in round 3 between 'lard' and 'dank', the winner making their way to the final four.

Back to you, Phil.

*The views and opinions expressed in this analysis are solely those of the individual referenced in the post title** and in do not necessarily reflect those of the W.o.W. Commissioner. Any use of the aforementioned views and opinions to assist W.o.W. participants in making bracket selections should be undertaken at their own risk.

**Will Medogdye