Can a 8th seed knock off a 1st seed at champs?

[dtengineering]

While it is always difficult for a #8 seed to knock off the #1 seed (it is, after all, meant to be that way...), I'd argue that it is MORE likely to happen at Championships than in a regional due to the depth of outstanding teams.

If there are only a half-dozen 'powerhouse' teams at a regional, they're all gone by the time the fourth or fifth alliance gets to choose their first pick, but if you've got a couple dozen awesome machines in a division, then the #8 captain will have plenty to choose from.

I'll repeat however... not easy. Just, perhaps, easier.

Jason

[Peter Matteson]

Originally Posted by alephzer0

I bet this isn't the only example of an 8 seed that not only won its division, but also on Einstein.

Originally Posted by ratdude747

Shoot, if you go back further, the 2007 winners started as the #8 alliance on their field.

It can/has happened

With 8 divisions and the #1 seed getting to pick their back up first I'm not sure that the depth of championship divisions is what it was in years past, or the 8th alliance can pick a strong enough team from that position.

I think the best chance is a team that people don't want to play with seeding #1.

[CalTran]

Originally Posted by Peter Matteson

I think the best chance is a team that people don't want to play with seeding #1.

Do I smell something burning?

[Peter Matteson]

Originally Posted by CalTran

Do I smell something burning?

It happens every few years.

[Jacob Paikoff]

Originally Posted by Kevin Leonard

Take 254, for example. I'd bet my money that they'll be on one of the top 3 alliances in their division at worst. .

254 was the number 1 seed in their Division last year, how'd that work out for them.

It happened last year, see above, 2014, 2012, 2009*, and 2007* twice.

With 8 divisions and 8 #1 seeds I would say the odds are pretty good it happens again.

*Fun fact, 79 upset #1 seeds twice while I was a student on the team, 2007 and 2009.

[PayneTrain]

Originally Posted by Jacob Paikoff

254 was the number 1 seed in their Division last year, how'd that work out for them.

It happened last year, see above, 2014, 2012, 2009*, and 2007* twice.

With 8 divisions and 8 #1 seeds I would say the odds are pretty good it happens again.

*Fun fact, 79 upset #1 seeds twice while I was a student on the team, 2007 and 2009.

Do you have a death wish?

[CalTran]

Originally Posted by Jacob Paikoff

254 was the number 1 seed in their Division last year, how'd that work out for them.

The Poofs definitely had every single right to be the #1 seed last year, and were more knocked out by incredibly ill timed visits from Murphy than anything.

[Michael Corsetto]

Originally Posted by Jacob Paikoff

254 was the number 1 seed in their Division last year, how'd that work out for them.

Worked out pretty well for them in 2014...

[Jacob Paikoff]

Originally Posted by CalTran

The Poofs definitely had every single right to be the #1 seed last year, and were more knocked out by incredibly ill timed visits from Murphy than anything.

Totally agree, didn't saw they didn't deserve to be there, in fact I would say they were far and away the best team in that division last year.

Just citing it as a good example that regardless of seed anything can happen at champs.

[Caleb Sykes]

Originally Posted by CalTran

The Poofs definitely had every single right to be the #1 seed last year, and were more knocked out by incredibly ill timed visits from Murphy than anything.

It wasn't Murphy, it was the Carson curse.

[llamadon]

In regards to the op, I can see this being valid, the 8th seed gets a more level distribution of robot ability available to them, and having solid picks for all the members of an alliance makes a difference. Depending on the depth of the division, and the luck of the eighth seed it certainly is possible. An example of this that I enjoy is 2012 Galileo quarters.

8 takes 1 in three matches.

http://www.thebluealliance.com/match/2012gal_qf1m1
http://www.thebluealliance.com/match/2012gal_qf1m2
http://www.thebluealliance.com/match/2012gal_qf1m3

Teams that scout effectively at champs are going to have a huge upper hand. There are going to be a lot of robots that go under the radar, and in this year more than others I believe there will be upsets at champs.

[jajabinx124]

Originally Posted by CalTran

Do I smell something burning?

I think I smell it too.. some scorched earth

[Nuwanda]

If the 16th alliance can knock out the 1st alliance at the FIM District Championship, anything can happen. This game is one that a single robot cannot win by itself. The entire alliance needs to be working together to do well. If you put together the most well rounded alliance, upsets won't be uncommon.

[GaryVoshol]

Originally Posted by Nuwanda

If the 16th alliance can knock out the 1st alliance at the FIM District Championship ...

During my meeting with alliance captains, I use an example to explain how red/blue bumpers move through the brackets. If Alliance 8 (16 at MSC) should happen to beat Alliance 1, the upset winners "inherit" the red bumper color. I swear, I was not being prophetic!

[the_godfaubel]

Originally Posted by the_godfaubel

I'm going to go out on a limb and say it will happen (#BoldPredictions).

*Mic drop*

Also made it to Einstein