I'm tipping a very interesting game between TSC and SIC.
There is not a lot of subtlety in the TSC back line - some issues setting up supports and no long passing 10 or 12. They like to go through or over rather than around and they were pretty good at that today.
SIC have a reasonable long passer in McGregor and a pretty handy all rounder in Hutchinson. Somewhat dubious through the 12 channel in defence.
I agree, the #12 channel has been a weakness for Riverview. However, Riverview have 2 players returning this term who are considered backline starters in the 1st XV - Tom McKellar and Joe Stageman. I believe that they will be back for the first fixture against Joeys, and it is likely that one of them will slot in at Inside Centre (Stageman is considered the best #12 on offer). This should sure up that channel a bit, but it will be interesting to see how the guys without much preparation fair.
To your more general point, I think Scots will be a well-oiled machine. Their backline, on paper, doesn't have the strike power View's does, but I think they'll execute better and will have stronger set piece (across the board). Interesting that you say they lack subtlety - I would have though that that's their strong point. McGregor, Freeman and Huchinson all have strong passing games, so that works to their advantage.
Did Scots/Cranbrook have all their players? I ask because it wouldn't surprise me if Crichton, Summer-Hayes, Porter et al. had a break after so much rugby.
Nonetheless, GPS' dominance is reasserted.