Well the nature of the game this year is quite different from the past. Someone mentioned before that this game favors rookies but I'm not too sure on that. Some of the most impressive bots I have seen this year, are from teams that no one expected anyone spectacular out of this year (basing their judgements off of previous years) but they pulled through this year with some amazing bots.
This is my forth year of doing this program, and I will admit I was horrible when it came to judging other teams/knowing what other teams were REALLY capable of. Someone mentioned the 'big boys' of FIRST, and those bots are going to go very far. I have no doubts that those teams will do very well in their divisions.
However, scouting will also be a very integral part of this year's game. Those who do not do scouting well, will suffer if the time for them to pick an alliance comes. In fact, I think that scouting this year will play an even bigger role than in previous years, but thats my own 2 cents.
However, following the ideal of FIRST and gracious professionalism,
everyone will win at this competition. As a personal note, this is by far the most fun I've had working with this program. It made me feel like a rookie again and I can honestly say I haven't enjoyed a FIRST competition this much since my rookie year on 250 in 2000.
I merely hope that everyone will enjoy nationals and that the winners will put on an exciting show in the finals.
P.S. I may know who the 'big boys' are, but I'm still not placing any bets yet
