FRC Top 25- Preseason Ranking

[joshsmithers]

Each week, there are top 25 rankings for sports. In the AP Poll, highly qualified sports addicts and writers vote on who they think the top 25 teams are for each sport. This poll is similar, where highly qualified FIRST addicts vote on who they think the top 25 teams are for FRC. Voters picked teams based on success shown at competitions in the past, consistency of the team, and robot design and function. This week, six of the voters submitted complete lists, and the results are based solely on those lists. I will leave it up to the voters to make themselves known or not, but I will say that they are all knowledgeable, reputable members of ChiefDelphi. Please enjoy analyzing this Pre-season Top 25 Ranking. The next ranking will follow the build season and precede the regional competition season.


1. 1114- The number one pick for this list and reigning world champions, it is very likely that Simbotics will return to Einstein this year and continue the dynasty.

2. 217- One of two teams to win more than one Championship. Their robot designs seem truly flawless.

3. 233- Still looking for their first world championship, Pink has been stopped short of it a couple times. However, they show no signs of stopping.

4. 254- The Poofs consistently dominate regionals, not to mention their well-deserved Chairman’s in 04.

5. 67- How do you improve on a Championship and a Championship Chairman’s Award in the same year? Nevertheless, do not put another Championship win past them. Don’t believe it? Go watch some IRI tapes. This team is on a HOT streak.

6. 330- Recent IRI Champs and 05 Champions, this team Keeps It Stupidly Simple.

7. 71- A legend. Never bet against Beatty.

8. 968- RAWC has a reputation for victory and nice robots, but so does 254…

9. 111- The other big name in programming and design; a true powerhouse.

10. 148- This championship team designs consistent, amazing drivetrains and well-build robots.

11. 1024- Kil-a-bytes got what they came for last year. Top-notch programming and a simple design carried this team to regional championships and a spot on Einstein last year, and we’ll all hope they only do better next year.

12. 365- This Chairman’s Award winning team literally stands out at competitions.

13. 16- When I first got sucked into FIRST they were a good team with a great past. It looks like they’re making a comeback, so watch for the Bomb Squad.

14. 987- The High Rollers rounded out the IRI winning alliance. They had a great year, and they’ll hopefully do just as well this year.

15. 25- Undefeated in 06 and tough as heck to beat otherwise, contribute it to a beast drive system every year and consistent design.

16. 2056- Another Canadian powerhouse. Let’s hope the keep it up.

17. 103- Cybersonics teamed up with 25 to win NJ, and later won Monty Madness. They also took home some other trophies; they make a good, profitable pick for FF.

18. 27- RUSH had a so-so year this year, but are consistent each year and build good robots.

19. 45- Technokats made this list for obvious reasons. When have they not built innovative, award winning robots? This team truly represents the phrase “Oldies but Goodies.”

20. 1902- Way to go in 2007. Their previous year was only slightly disappointing, but certainly nothing to cry over. Watch for them!

21. 842- Of course the 2008 Chairman’s Award winners made this list! Be sure to watch for their Chairman’s Award Video!

22. 33- Killer Bees consistently built beautiful robots that win, although last year wasn’t their best.

23. 1625- Winnovation. Not only does the name sound cool, it is also the truth. Finalists at IRI and beasts at Colorado, their innovative robot from last year brought them back into the spotlight.

24. 39- 39th Aero. If you remember the Gila Monsters(I lost my 64 button ), you understand who they are and why they’re so great.

25. 177- Bobcat Robotics is a strong team, but not quite at “powerhouse” status. But hey, 25th is nothing to complain about.

[Akash Rastogi]

Umm....I'd fight for 1126 to get any of those spots. Especially looking at the 25th team. (Eventhough 1126 would be waayy above that) Not to mention 1124. Uberbots pwn.

And arguable are the spots given to 842...you forgot team 47 as well. Also if ur going by consistancy I don't think 1902 should be up there. Where are 343, 342, and 1251 at?

You def overlooked a lot of teams.

+$0.02

[joshsmithers]

Originally Posted by lilstogi11

Umm....I'd fight for 1126 to get any of those spots. Especially looking at the 25th team. (Eventhough 1126 would be waayy above that) Not to mention 1124. Uberbots pwn.

1124 actually just missed the list. I completely cut off any other teams that recieved votes if they weren't in the top 25. There were 51 teams that recieved votes, so 26 teams didn't make this list.

[hillale]

WHOO! TOP 25!! this is a cool idea guys. thanks for the recognition, i'm just anxious to find out what we're building!

[Justin Montois]

Originally Posted by joshsmithers

1124 actually just missed the list. I completely cut off any other teams that recieved votes if they weren't in the top 25. There were 51 teams that recieved votes, so 26 teams didn't make this list.

Who did the voting? I agree with most of the teams but what is the list supposed to represent? Robot consistency? Award Consistency?

I'm not knocking the list I'm just wondering how we're ranking these teams. And I ask how the voting was done cause I'd like to vote next time.

[Tetraman]

Every team starts at a level of 0 and works their way to the top. While I whole-heartedly agree that there are teams with vast advantages and previous performance does usually mean an equal chance of continuing those those advantages, I think the reasoning for the teams you have above is not the correct reasoning for a list of this kind.

I suggest next time displaying more data and information.

[Andrew Bates]

Is this really a good idea? What rookie teams going to think when they see a list of the top 25 teams? I can see some teams getting discouraged because everyone has already decided who they think will win even before the season starts.

[hillale]

Originally Posted by corpralchee

Is this really a good idea? What rookie teams going to think when they see a list of the top 25 teams? I can see some teams getting discouraged because everyone has already decided who they think will win even before the season starts.

Exactly! Who a select few THINKS will win. It's up to everyone else to prove them wrong! Don't let this list discourage you, let it motivate you to become the best (or try your hardest in the attempt).

[Vikesrock]

Originally Posted by corpralchee

Is this really a good idea? What rookie teams going to think when they see a list of the top 25 teams? I can see some teams getting discouraged because everyone has already decided who they think will win even before the season starts.

The same thing that the 316 NCAA Division I College Basketball teams that don't make the Top 25 think? These teams, just like the preseason Top 25 in College Basketball t is mostly based on past performance and this list will likely look very different by the end of the season. As Alec said, who people THINK will win has no bearing on who will actually win.

Originally Posted by Tetraman

Every team starts at a level of 0 and works their way to the top. While I whole-heartedly agree that there are teams with vast advantages and previous performance does usually mean an equal chance of continuing those those advantages, I think the reasoning for the teams you have above is not the correct reasoning for a list of this kind.

I suggest next time displaying more data and information.

Just like the Top 25 for College Basketball and Football these lists may be based on slightly different things for each different voter. You just get the rankings as decided by the voters, there isn't really any other data other than vote totals.

Originally Posted by Daniel_LaFleur

Popularity

TBH, the teams on this list are all great role models, but I'll wager some Krispy Kremes that by the end of the season (post season ranking?) less than 1/2 of these teams will still be on this list.

Exactly, this is the same way the preseason college polls work. By the end of the year it will likely look very different.

[Jeff Waegelin]

I would say this poll is just like the preseason NCAA football poll... subject to change greatly by the end of the season At least we won't be using this poll to try and crown our champion...

[Cory]

Originally Posted by Jeff Waegelin

I would say this poll is just like the preseason NCAA football poll... subject to change greatly by the end of the season At least we won't be using this poll to try and crown our champion...

I would go a step farther and say this is like the preseason NCAA football poll...useless

Both are just popularity contests and have nothing to do with on the field performance.

[Akash Rastogi]

Post up the other 26 please. If you can.

[Ian Curtis]

I'm surprised BUZZ (175) isn't on the list. While they fly under the radar pretty well (unless you're competing against them) it seems like they always build a high quality machine that performs really well in Atlanta. They've got the consistent credentials too, with at least 1 regional win every year since 2000. Not to mention, they were Divisional champions in 2003, 2004, AND 2005! While perhaps not quite Beatty or Poofs, that's still "knock-your-socks-off" impressive!

[ATannahill]

Originally Posted by Vikesrock

The same thing that the 316 NCAA Division I College Basketball teams that don't make the Top 25 think? These teams, just like the preseason Top 25 in College Basketball t is mostly based on past performance and this list will likely look very different by the end of the season. As Alec said, who people THINK will win has no bearing on who will actually win.

This is against the objective of FIRST, if you see me posting you will notice that it is weird that I capitalized every letter there. It is because I want to mention what it stands for "For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology" from now on I will be typing it differently to remind people that it is not an organization, but a pledge made by Dean Kamen, Woodie Flowers and all the other people that make it great. This is not inspiring any rookie or new teams. This is not recognizing the majority of the hard workers of the F.I.R.S.T.* teams. I ask who are you to say these teams are best? Who are your six voters to chose what makes a great team? Who are you to say that only these six have a say in who is the best team? All teams are great for participating and doing their best. I am proud of my team for what we have done, and I think we are great for going out and doing what we love. This does not support the message of F.I.R.S.T.* I would not be this way If you put up a thread "Who is your favorite team?" But to hear from seven people that I am not within the top 25 teams of F.I.R.S.T.* is downright degrading, and I do not want anyone to look at this thread and quit robotics, engineering or doing what they love. This is not a sport, Dean Kamen wanted to pull away from the "we only take the best" persona. He started F.R.I.S.T.* to welcome everyone to the world of engineering.

I hereby issue my recognition to every member, be it a student, mentor, teacher, parent or sponsor, of F.I.R.S.T.* as a great person who has worked hard and is great because of what they have done.

*For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology

Originally Posted by Daniel_LaFleur

Popularity

Originally Posted by Cory

I would go a step farther and say this is like the preseason NCAA football poll...useless

Both are just popularity contests and have nothing to do with on the field performance.

This.