BxnnyMxn is correct. The sliders don't affect anything at that time of year. I am playing an older version, and online I get 1% newbs using this version to practice for the current year so they can protect their stats, 2% of guys like me (approx 400-500), 40% cheesers, who are trying to get you to quit so they can unfairly reach a level they would never reach on a new game, which is really sad, because they will get a banner that nobody cares about and a pack of cards.
The majority of my games are against legit 1000 level goons and it's already over by the end of the first. I keep telling myself to keep grinding for my programs, but it can be maddening at times when you are just trying to get your guys leveled up, and you end up mostly getting matched against guys where the game is just you helping them pad their stats.
FYI turn off communication. All you are going to get is trash talk. It's one minor victory you can get.