[Jon Jack]

I really don't see the benefit of going 1-8,8-1 in alliance selections. Is there data showing that this drafting method helps lower seeded teams? How many regional winners were 1-4 seeds in 2005 vs 2006?

What would be an interesting twist is not allowing an alliance captain to pick another alliance captain. This is probably a better way of 'leveling' the field for the finals. I would imagine that many alliances that win regionals consist of 2 top 8 teams.