WATERLOO:
Last year this event surprised just about everyone when it was one of the strongest offensive, highly competitive, most entertaining regionals to watch. This year the quality has decreased dramatically, so the chances of blistering offensive gameplay and awesome matches decreases with it. The field of 30 lacks 610, 1503, and 1592, who were all significant presences last year. There are still enough decent teams that Waterloo should have some good competition, but defense will be common and only a few alliances will be able to unify enough force to have a legitimate shot.
1114 is back in action week 4, after winning their bajillionth regional earlier this season in Chicago. While they are still often cited at the best hurdling machine in FIRST so far, their three losses prove that they are mortal and defense can hamper them. Picking them here is like picking
Roger Federer against the field, they're just so good that it's really hard not to. 1114 will have a couple hick-ups along the way, but the chances of them capturing another gold (or two) this weekend are very very strong, and they are the easy favorite.
The next one from a tipster:
These "rookie sensations" made a
ton of noise last year when they won two regionals and IRI.
2056 was paired with 1114 though at all three events they won, and struggled when they were the primary defensive target. But that's 2007, this is 2008. They should be back with a vengeance, and if they keep their design simple and effective (as they did last year), they should be a top contender. 1114 does have a strong history of picking (or being picked on occasion) by their NiagaraFIRST mentees, so its quite possible they could re-unite with the Simbots.
1565 is showing off an unique and innovative linkage based drive train that has made some noise. It will be interesting to see how it fairs in it's first competition, and how well the manipulators on top can work with it. I expect them in the eliminations, but I don't see them emerging as an elite team.
2166's massive gripper is certainly interesting, but they seem fairly simple and intuitive enough to do fairly well. It will take a solid drive team and a favorable alliance, but they could penetrate far into the elims as well.