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Unread 21-03-2009, 20:02
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Re: Predictions Week 4: One Giant Leap

Quote:
Originally Posted by Looking Forward View Post
CHESAPEAKE:
Also known as DC/BAE/FLR/NJ part two, more than half the field competed at one of those four events in week 1 and 2. This regional has been dominated by New Jersey teams recently, with five of the past six winners coming for NJ (and none from Maryland). Like several other events this weekend, there is going to be a lot of parity towards the top, and most of the elimination teams will be pretty close in ability. A few teams look poised to try and distance themselves from the pack, and it is possible (under ideal conditions) for a powerhouse alliance to form, but very hard to guarantee.

After being picked, then "unpicked," in the BAE alliance selection fiasco, 467 wants redemption. The Duck Tape bandits can score quickly and efficiently, and it would take a major scouting breakdown for them to be left out of the eliminations again. It is unlikely they'll be able to take down any powerhouses though, and anything past the quarterfinals would be gravy.

Teams like 1511, 768, 1727, 339, 229, and 134 will make up much of "the pack" of scorers. Each should figure into the eliminations somehow, but none looks poised to lift an alliance on their shoulders and carry them into the finals. If the top tier teams are broken up, one of these teams could leave with gold.

2377 almost went undefeated in qualifications at DC, losing in the very last match of Saturday morning. They have skilled drivers, a tiny, yet incredibly accurate human player, and a knack for avoid being scored on. Yet, they'll have to dramatically increase their scoring speed if they want to be a major factor again in Annapolis.

The Robolions captained an alliance to the semi-finals in DC, and 2199 wants to get further this time. They have a great human player, and a robot that can score mid-sized payloads very quickly. If they can maintain a high level of play, they'll be one of the top three or four machines and could reach the finals.

Gompei slipped to the 4th selection in Beantown, but proved they were the real deal by winning. 190 has a crabbing, high-scoring, power dumping machine that should be a top tier team in Chesapeake. A semi-final appearance is all but guaranteed, and if they can get the kind of support scoring that 61 was able to provide, they could notch another banner to their resume.

40 couldn't top the Rhode Warriors and Buzz in the finals in New Hampshire, but their swerve-driven, dual-screw machine is a definite threat in Maryland. They're very hard to pin and score on, and has a large capacity, so they're very dangerous in any match. If they can drive smart and improve upon their weaknesses, they'll have the best odds at taking home gold.
Whoever predicted 1195 to win Chesapeake--here's your $100 billion! Who would have thought, based on their history, that New Age Chaos had a SHOT to win Chesapeake? But they remained one of the top teams throughout the entire weekend and held on.

Let's hope somebody gives 2199 and 40 spots in the Championship in the same division so they could hook up again! Those are two VERY dangerous together! Only 45 and 234, or 1114/148/217 last year.
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