This is going to be a very odd year for drafting. Excellent robots may not be able to cary their own. Paired up with two robots who barely move (or even one), even a robot of 254 caliber may be unable to carry the alliance. Meanwhile Joe-Schmoe team may luck their way into the top spot. I'd bet a cookie (or a donut) that a smaller percentage of #1 seeds win regionals this year than last year.
I think week 1 regionals will be dominated by teams who finished early and got time to practice. I'd go with IKE that dumpers will lead the way. Shooters won't be able to keep up with the volume, and their control loops probably won't be able to handle a quickly moving robot.
Teams will quickly figure out that stopping is death. You must keep moving, even in autonomous. We might see some pile ups on Thursday and Friday, but by Saturday we'll see six robots pirouetting in their separate corners of the field, or six robots sliding all over the field.
Empty Cells. Some people will refuse to recognize their importance. Some people will put too much importance on them.
We've already made a fool of ourselves guessing scores early on. I think for once the average guess will be about on the money.