May 30, 2025
By Alex Rubin

This week’s Friday Night Frisbee matchup features a battle of strengths and some fascinating contrasts between the Atlanta Hustle (6-0, first place in the South Division, first in the UFA Power Rankings) and the Minnesota Wind Chill (2-1, second place in the Central Division, ninth in the UFA Power Rankings, and the 2024 UFA Champions). 

First, the strengths. The Hustle have the highest completion percent in the league (95.61 percent) and lead the league in completion percent on hucks (79.71 percent). With Austin Taylor, Adam Miller, and Sean Connole dealing in the backfield, the Hustle have the throwing range to score from anywhere on the field–especially with Alec Wilson Holliday and Cameron Brock, both offseason additions, able to run down anything thrown their direction. Together the Hustle lead the UFA in O-line conversion, scoring on 66.20 percent of their possessions. 

Minnesota, on the other hand, is loaded with defensive strength. Dylan DeClerck, James Pollard, and former Hustle standout Justin Burnett lead a D-line that is second in the league in blocks per game (12.67) and leads the league in both breaks per game (13) and D-line conversion, scoring on a staggering 69.64 percent of possessions (about 12 percent higher than any other team). If Atlanta gives up the disc, there’s a good bet Minnesota will convert that turnover into a score. 

Now for the contrasts. Atlanta has played six games already–half their season!--while Minnesota has taken the field for half as many contests. Blowout wins over the Pittsburgh Thunderbirds and Indianapolis AlleyCats did little but assure fans that the Wind Chill are still a team with championship aspirations, while their five goal loss to the Chicago Union also hinted that Minnesota has more growth to accomplish before they can even be considered favorites to win the division again.

The Hustle, meanwhile, have passed all of their tests. They dispatched a very strong Salt Lake Shred team in their first game of the season. Atlanta came away with both wins during their first cross-country doubleheader weekend in Southern California. The Hustle have a clear divisional edge over their rival Carolina Flyers with two wins already in that matchup. In short, none of their games have been easy and the Hustle have still won them all. This weekend will be a big test for the championship hopefuls, with this game against Minnesota followed by a matchup with a very strong Chicago side.

While the Hustle are clear Championship Weekend favorites, there is a lot we still have to learn about this year’s Minnesota team. They clearly have enough talent to repeat, but the rest of the Association has gotten stronger too, and the 2025 Wind Chill have not faced a challenge like this Hustle team yet. This weekend will be very instructive for fans and the team alike as the season continues to take shape, build narratives, and set up one of the most exciting postseason battles in UFA history.