[JJG13]

The problem with predicting is that no one has seen all the robots in action and robots improve as time progresses. Nevertheless, here are my predictions (mostly based on my observations at the Florida and Palmetto Regionals followed by what videos I've seen):

Archimedes - The 233 alliance wins. They are likely to be the first seed but if they are not, the first seed will pick them. I exect 1902 to be the highest ranked dumper bot.

Curie - Don't expect 1114 to be the top seed I know they will do very well but because there are several other very good offensive robots in Curie and everyone will know to play desperate defense against them, I think they will probably not be able to attain the record required to reach first seed. Also, 1114 will not pick 1680 if they are leading an alliance. I do not know who will win Curie (too close to call) but I will go out on a limb and say if an alliance led by top notch team (in my opionion: 1114, 469, 175, 70, or any team that ranks as high or higher) manages to grab 710 as a second pick, that alliance will win Curie. I have a lot of respect for 710 this year as a defensive bot and think that they can shut down a number of good shooters.

Galileo - I think the 365 alliance wins Galileo. This prediction is based entirely on one picture I saw of their robot - it looks a winner. The only really good robot in Galileo I am familiar with is 86. Even though they are an amazing shooter I predict they will be knocked out in either the quarter or semi-finals because they are too easily pushed around (or tipped) by opposing robots.

Newton - Just as I predicted 1114 would not be the first seed in Curie, I don't think 25 will be the first seed for similiar reasons. Newton has even more great offensive robots than Curie and I think other teams will take advantage of the fact that 25 is a low shooter. Just as I said 1114 would not pick 1680, 254 will not pick 968. Team 11 will be the big suprise at Newton. At the Palmetto Regional they started sinking 10 balls in autonomous during eliminations. Expect them to be in the top eight. My prediction for 71 is similiar my prediction for 86 in Galileo. Even though they are a great shooter, they are too easily pushed around. Plus Newton is so tough I wouldn't be suprised if they didn't make the top eight after qualifying rounds. 322 will the top ranked dumper in this division. I don't know who will win Newton I think the winning alliance will have a robot with a high-shooter(exception: 25), camera-aimed turret allied with a top of the ramp shooter. That is 25, 11, or 987 (edit: or 111 how could I forget) with 254 or 968.

I don't know which division plays which in eliminations so I'll give who I think will win in each possible matchup. I think Galileo will be beaten by any of the other three divisions. Newton or Curie can beat Archimedes. I do not know ho would win in a Curie-Newton matchup. Newton has more top notch robots (but only two will be in an alliance) but Curie has much better second round robots in my opinion. However, If there is any obvious "under-dog upset" in Curie, that alliance will lose to Newton.