Predictions: The Big Show -- Achimedes

[Joe Johnson]

There are just too many teams to pick from. Really. I have managed to whittle my tips & locks down to a manageable list of 12 Teams per Division.

Tips: A team to watch. Should have a pretty good run after lunch on Saturday.

Lock: This is a team that I feel has a better than 50% chance of making it to the finals of their division.

Here we go...

TIPS:
Team Rush (#27). They are going for the Chairman's Award again this year but they also have a great robot. A nice big shallow ramp that lifts in a hurry at the end of the match. Plus a serviceable arm that is not much of a threat but can't be left alone either. They will surprise a lot of teams.

Beatty (#71). They haven't had great runs in either outings this year, but Beatty always peaks at the Championships. It should help them be on their game that they are competing for the Chairman's Award too. Good teams often do well both on and off the field. They should be a tough team in Atlanta.

Swamp Thing had a pretty good run in Florida. Look for good things from #179 at the Championships.

Despite being 8-11-1 in seeding matches this season, Lake Orion Dragons (#302) have been finalists twice. Keep your eye on them. They will hurt you with a ton of tube quick if you don't.

They were Finalist in up state in Rochester. They followed that up with a win in New York City. They can really get the job done. Look for the G House Pirates (#354) to raise the Jolly Roger in the Dome.

I don't know how they do it but the Martians just keep on keeping on. Piling up the wins. They were finalist in Ypsilanti and Champs in Grand Rapids. Team #494... ...always in the right place with the right move.

They have an impressive 14-3-1 seeding record. They were finalist in OR and Champs in Davis Sacramento where they seeded #2 and were drafted by the #1 seed. All this points to a huge coming out party for the Spartan Robotics team (#997) out of Corvallis, OR.

Champs in both the Big Apple & New Jersey. Team #1302's über tüber is going to be racking up the points in the Dome.


LOCKS:
With a seeding record of 15-1-0 and a huge win in week 5 at Davis Sacramento, Team #100 is peaking at the right time. They are certain to do well. Book it.

Buzz (#175) won big back in Week 1 in NH. They had a tougher time in MD, but I suppose that what doesn't kill them only make them stronger. Team #175 is always tough in Atlanta. They have been divisional champs more than most teams can even dream about. They'll be the divisional finals at least -- a good bet for Einstein.

Cheesy Poofs (#254). FIRST doesn't get any better than the these guys. They ONLY won 2 of 3 regionals this year. Folks are thinking some of the cheesy may be flaking off the poofs since they didn't make their magic happen in San Jose again this year. But those folks are just plain wrong. The Poofs have had enough regional success for a lifetime. It is Championship Gold they are aiming at. This is the year for them. They are Einstein bound. The bigger question for me is who are they going to bring with them to take on the rest of the FIRST world and will it be enough?


Joe J.