Prediction: Veterans take off the gloves in Week 3

[Tim Delles]

Ok so i've sat back and listned for a while. Now i guess its just come my time to put up my 2 cents.

Boilermaker:

45 - the debuted there robot in St. Louis and had a strong showing there. Look for them to make a bound forward and be a seeded team with a lot of influence on how each match they are in will turn out.
234 - This will be there first showing of the year (Long Island is next). Watch for this team to cap like the best.

Chesapeake

175 - They already have had one strong showing (holding the national high score of 318. yup a row of 8 and 2 ramps.) Look for this team to do it again.
341 - Always a great robot. Watch for this team to come out and push for a good finish fighting hard all the way.

Detroit

217 - need to decide if they are going to be a straigh arm bot or a hybrid. (if they go either they are dangerous) After a Finals appearance in St. Louis, coming o so close to that gold, they will be out for some revenge.
469 - This team only needs a few seconds to make you regret that you are playing them. if you don't double team them they will run rampant on you.

Greater Kansas City

16 - BBS will be out in full force. (only one that is a long veteran) but just because of that doesn't mean they aren't dangerous. They are just as lethal as everyone else already mentioned.

Midwest

501 - Already have one regional championship under their belt this year. (along with the national high score... 318) These guys know how to put up the big numbers.
111 - Who wouldn't pick these guys. Wildstang continously offers great competition so what would stop that now.
71 - Watch out for one of those magical 2001 seasons from beatty. But who knows what they have.

Silicon Valley

254 - 1 Regional Championship already. Who's going to stop them this year?? Can anyone?
190 - There robot is solid. Going to be hard to beat this hybrid.

UTC

To many vets to count here (this is just a breeding ground that any rookie would have to be crazy to jump into)

177 - Watch for this team to put up just as competitive of a robot as they had last year.
236 - Haven't seen something great out of this team in a while (maybe im just to lazy to look) but its about due to see something again.

NYC

354 - Already proved they are a decent team. look for them to go to the championship with a silver and a gold medal from this year (FLR - Finalist)
11 - puts up a good robot each year. watch out for this team or they may come out of no where to get you.


These are just some vets that i think could sway how an event will turn out. Just my opinions.

[Lil' Lavery]

Originally Posted by wilsonmw04

my understanding of the game is just fine, thank you. it's a combined score for BOTH alliances. that means 50-60 points for each side. with and average of 15-60 "bonus" points per game that means 2-5 ringers per side per match. That IS alot of Defense, when you stated that one scoring bot can place 5 rings through one defensive bot. A good alliance should have two bots that can score and a Defense/ramp bot. You are not going to see rings of 5-7 in a finals match. The teams are just to good. The Defense has too much of an advantage in this game.

you know what's great about predictions? in 4 days we will see who's right. Enjoy your weekend.

These matches (all regional finals) beg to differ.
http://www.thebluealliance.net/tbatv...hp?matchid=412
http://www.thebluealliance.net/tbatv...hp?matchid=413
http://www.thebluealliance.net/tbatv...p?matchid=1135 (video not available)
These are the 3 finals matches I know of with rows of 7+.

If you count quarter and semi final matches as well, the list grows even significantly more (the highest score, 316, so far was in a QF match).

There are multiple ways to configure a championship alliance, and some put more emphasis on scoring than others. Regardless, almost any configuration would appreciate the ability of one "big scorer" to aid in the alliance, and that's what most of these predictions are (although a few have been ramp bots). Just about any bot (with a good driver) can play some mean defense, so it would be much harder to look into the future and see which defensive bots will end up on an alliance that can win. Not every bot can score consistently and quickly, making these scoring bots more likely candidates to end up winning than any particular defensive bot.

[Kims Robot]

It will definitely be interesting to see what happens in the upcoming weeks... I know FLR week 2, Defense definitely changed a lot!! We were in a match with two of the big powerhouse teams (I think they were 1 & 2 at the time), and we all got shut down by good defense. It was amazing! Not to mention that I dont think anyone would have predicted the finals alliances... not one of the major teams that we all thought would be there! But it was great to see some of the underdogs rise to such awesome ranks!

[wilsonmw04]

Maybe we can split this into another thread. I feel like i'm highjacking it...

[The Lucas]

Originally Posted by Kims Robot

It will definitely be interesting to see what happens in the upcoming weeks... I know FLR week 2, Defense definitely changed a lot!! We were in a match with two of the big powerhouse teams (I think they were 1 & 2 at the time), and we all got shut down by good defense. It was amazing! Not to mention that I dont think anyone would have predicted the finals alliances... not one of the major teams that we all thought would be there! But it was great to see some of the underdogs rise to such awesome ranks!

Actually, it was a #1 v #2 match:
365, 73, 1511 v 1567, 191, 424
Score 8-16
X-Cats (#1 at the time, I think, and great tube bot on blue) played great D and left most of the scoring to 424 (another very good scorer).

FLR turned very defensive in the elims. The defense of the 250's alliance allowed them to win it all with little more than 30 bonus points per match, even against the strong 8th alliance of a very good double lifter (1518) and two good tube bots (340 & 354).

[Joe Johnson]

Originally Posted by wilsonmw04

Maybe we can split this into another thread. I feel like i'm highjacking it...

Yes, I concur. This thread is not about O vs. D or D vs. O. Take it to another thread.

Joe J.

[JESTER357]

guys what about the Bayou Regional that happened in week 2 and there was very good teams there

[George A.]

As far as the NY regional is concerned...there are a LOT of good teams there. 56 is coming off a good weekend as well as 375. 375 won NYC two years running, so they're going for a threepeat. That's not even counting the other teams in the running. I'll be there working the field in some facet, so I'm sure it'll be fun.

Your Silicon Valley predictions are great and all based on past experience, but it seems to be quite different. Here's how I think it will go down tommorow:

254: Amazing bot, looking really good. Driver needs practice, and it's a bit easy to defend against them. Expect to see them rank very very high (even though they lost two matches)

190: Wow. Enough said. Expect to see them on a finalist team as a key ramp and defense bot.

100: Hoooolycrapizzle. These guys have scoring down to a science. In their first match today, they put 4 up on the back side of the rack. Expect to see them in the finals.

114: (my team) A player out from left field. We've gone undefeated so far, with multiple matches having scored 6 to 7 tubes by ourself. We may not be that well known, but expect to see us in the finals.

668: Apes of Wrath, looking very solid as an alliance member. Their strength is augmenting whatever needs them. Look for them in the finals.

[Sgraff_SRHS06]

Originally Posted by Joe Johnson

Based on the results from weeks 1 & 2, there has been some discussion concerning veteran teams not having strong years [Note 1].

Well, rookie teams had better make sure their mouth gaurds are in place because this is the week that the veterans come out swinging hard.

Now to the predictions[Note 2]

Boilermaker Regional:

• I have to go with one of the Grand daddies of all of Veterans. Coming off their big win in St. Louis, the TechnoKats (Team #45) earn their second banner this season.
• I am also going with my heart rather than my head [Note 3] and picking Team #573, the MechWarriors, to repeat their winning ways from the Great Lakes Regional in Ypsilanti.

Chesapeake Regional:

• That noise coming out of Annapolis? It's the sound of the Buzz Robotics (Team #175) using their Dewalt XPR transmissions to win another regional this year.
• This time, my heart was really pulling for me to go with Mo & the rest of the great folks at TJ2 but I just couldn't do it. Look for Team #75 to have a good run, but they'll need luck at some key moments to take home the big trophy this week (they already won the Chairman's Award at NJ so they don't really need a win here to make their season).

Detroit Regional:

• In this case, my heart and my head agree. While I had almost no interaction with Chief Delphi this year, I did see a demo of Team #47's robot just before shipping. You heard it here first: The Mojo's back in Pontiac [Note 4]. Look for a lot of scoring and a killer ramp from the Mighty Chiefs.
• I saw The Killer Bees (Team #33) robot online and I was afraid, very afraid. I was surprized that they just couldn't get things done in Ypsilanti last weekend. I expect that things will be different this week. With a week of experience their drivers should be in better form plus Jim Zondag's will have another few fix-it-windows to do his programming magic (they can already score in automonous -- but I'd guess Jim has some extra coding tricks up his sleave), look for Team #33 to be in the hunt if not in the winner circle this weekend in Detroit.
• Team Rush (#27) is always a strong entry. This is their first week out of the shoot but they should be strong as usual.
• Thunder Chickens (Team #217) -- They had a great showing in St. Louis. But they have a tough choice to make: shift weight to make the arm more robust or put those gorgeous lifters back in service? It's hard to predict but I suppose the either way they go they will be a formidable presence on Saturday afternoon.
• Las Guerrillas (Team #469) had a bruising weekend in Ypsilanti. Rumor has it their robot was in pieces all day Thursday. By Saturday morning they had most of the machine together, but there were still bugs to be worked out and drivers to train. To my surprise they were drafted 3rd overall. They have a very large ramp and a serviceable arm. If they can get the last few bugs worked out and develop some of that driver skill that we've come to expect from Las Guerrillas, they have a good chance for a big win in Detroit.

Kansas City Regional:

• Three words: Baxter Bomb Squad (#16) The smart money has them playing a key role on the alliance that wins the KCR. I just took a peek at the Bomb Squad's robot from their website. Just as I expected, this year's robot is another funicular extravaganza. Nobody does cables as well as those Arkansas folk. Bottom line: Mountain Home gains yet another big trophy.

Midwest Regional:

• There's History, there's Mythology, and then there's Legendary. The Midwest has it all this weekend. Brains meets brawn. David meets Goliath. Beauty meets the Beast. Raul-the-Magnificent meets Mr. Bill. Wildstang (Team #111) meets Beatty (Team #71). I can't predict which will win or even if they'll somehow break the curse and get to play on the same alliance this year. But I can tell you this, I will be SHOCKED if the Midwest Regional Championship Alliance doesn't have one or both of these teams.

Peachtree Regional:

• I am afraid that I have to punt on punting this regional. I just don't have the data I need to make a sensible contribution to the body of knowledge. There are 47 teams competing with only 2 with numbers below 600. I am sure that there are some great teams in there somewhere but I am just going to wait to learn about them from someone else.

Silcon Valley Regional:

• Here is a tip for anyone making regional predictions: Bet on the Cheesy Poofs (Team #254). They won YET ANOTHER regional last week in LA. These guys are the Yankees of FIRST. They just keep on winning and winning and winning. FYI: They have won EVERY Silcon Valley Regional to date EVER. I don't expect that streak will end this year. Go Poofs!

UTC Regional:

• I am not quite ready to call Bristol-Myers Squibb (Team #25) the Cheesy Poofs of the East but I'm getting close. They look like they had another dominant weekend in NJ two weeks ago. With that big win under their belts I expect the UTC Championship to be well within their reach. But there are other veterans that they'll need to get through if they want another banner. If the 2006 Championships taught us anything it is that, while Team #25 is tough, they can't do it alone against three capable & strategically savy foes.
• There are a ton of veteran teams at UTC that should be called out including Aztechs (#157), Aces High (#176) and Int'l Fuel Cell (#177), but I am going to pass over all these and get right to the meat of the matter: Sight unseen, I am gong to predict that The Rage (#173) is going to have a monster weekend. This game plays to their strength. They should have a great year.
• Bottom line: The winning alliance will have Team #25 or Team #173. Run to your bookie and place your bets.

New York Regional:

• If I go with my head, I would have to pick Bound Brook (Team #56). Ethicon had a pretty good run down in Florida in Week 2. They need to build on that but having a regional under their belt will be a huge plus for them in NY where nearly every team is going to be ironing out their first regional bugs. ROBBE is not a lock by any stretch of the imagination but they are almost certain to be in the hunt for a high seed and will be a major force after lunch on Saturday.
• But my heart says that the RoboWizards (#522) will be in the mix in NY as well. I remember working with them in the pits at the very first NY City Regional. They have certainly come of age since then. On the plus side, they have a solid ramp design this year and they have a strong history of winning (especially at the NY Regional). On the minus side, they'll need to have help. If the robots in NY this weekend can't climb their ramp it is going to be a long weekend for the RoboWizards.

So those are my predictions and my veteran teams to watch this weekend.

This is all in the spirit of fun and sports. Please don't take anything too seriously.

Good luck to all teams.

Go Chiefs!

Picking Buzz to win it seems simple, but there are a whole bunch of teams complicating the picture right now.

This will be the year a First-BAA "sextuplet" will win. 768 and 1748 are looking to be extremely strong in the going. But Spike is running the table. It will be interesting who Spike picks, but they could win even with two other robots that do nothing other than drive and distract the other teams.

I have fits with the notion that this is a veteran's game at Chesapeake: 1894, 1748, and 2234 are all in the top 8 and look really strong. However, there is a huge cluster of strong veteran teams in the top 25 not necessarily in the top 8.

[Cody Carey]

Originally Posted by Lil' Lavery

...Just about any bot (with a good driver) can play some mean defense...

Your Idea of robots playing defense has ... evolved ... quite a bit since your first assumptions, hasn't it now Mr. Lavery...

[Lil' Lavery]

Originally Posted by Cody Carey

Your Idea of robots playing defense has ... evolved ... quite a bit since your first assumptions, hasn't it now Mr. Lavery...

No, even while playing mean defense, the top scorers can still put up a few. This game still has some offensive tricks to be revealed when all is said and done.

[Uberbots]

its funny that the UTC prediction said nothing about team 195...
or 1124...

yet more proof that these competitions almost never work out as expected.

[oberg]

Or 558. Hrmm maybe we should all listen to Tom Bot more often, I guess the practice bot paid off.

[sdcantrell56]

I would have to agree with Jester about the Bayou. Overall the teams there were incredibly strong. 118, 364, 701. I must say when we saw that 364 and 118 formed an alliance I thought the whole competition was over. That is until we played probably some of the best defense that I have ever seen us play on them. We were able to keep 364 from scoring at all and held 118 to scoring only 3 with half of our drivetrain. I would have to say 364 is the best scoring robot that I have witnessed in person or possibly on video too and we kept them from scoring at all. I believe 364 could score a ringer every 5 seconds if undefended just to show how efficient they were. Our alliance put together a great strategy and everyone played there role perfectly and we were able to go through eliminations without losing a single match. It just goes to show how important defense is when played well as well as the need for a ramp bot when trying to win by using defense. Also aginst many good scorers you need a strong drivetrain to effectively stop them because many of them like our team also have very strong drivetrains to resist defense. I believe that defense can win but only when the alliance follows a strategy perfectly.