[MisterJ]

Great analysis. I agree with 2590 being the favorite at MAR CMP this year, but disagree about the narrow margin. I think Nemesis is head-and-shoulders above the rest of the field, especially as perennial powerhouses like 341 and 11 start to slip. This is 2590's event to lose. Daisy's been a defensive force like you said, but I'd expect them to get a more consistent shooter working tomorrow.

303 is an interesting bot, which has put up high scores in qualifying rounds, but has been shut down as the top-scorer of a few relatively-weak elimination alliances. It'll be interesting to see what they can do if allied with some above-average machines.

If Nemesis has a challenger for #1, it's probably TechFire. 225, which didn't even reach a finals until 2013 (when they won at Chestnut Hill) but has taken home three blue banners since, has outdone their 2013 FCS with a flimsy-looking, but scary-quick-and-accurate high-goal scorer. They can truss, catch, and score and their numbers at both Lenape and DC are fantastic.

Keep and eye on 1218 and 365, too. 1218 has made a habit of drastically improving in their second competition (their OPR more-than-doubled this year) and MoE did the same. More improvements are expected.

I've like 25's bot too - a dedicated catcher is rare. (Stop to brag - my team was the first to toss a caught shot to 25 this year.) They'll be in elimination rounds barring a complete failure and they can play an interesting role.

Finally 222, 1640, 1647, 56 are machines to watch. Some sleepers in the field may be 304 with their great auto, 1923 who always seems to come to play late in the season, rookie 5113, the barely-in-the-field 1712 which is a great defensive and low-goal machine, and 1403 who was mentioned on the FRCTop25 show.

Good luck to 433, 1218, 2590, and the other District Chairman's winners. These teams could seriously contend for the national award.