Predictions Week 1: First lap for Overdrive

[Kyle Fenton]

Originally Posted by Looking Forward

Looking Forward i

BAE NEW HAMPSHIRE:
2008 will offer a challenge to BAE's reputation of granite defense. A number of traditional New England powers will make their debut here as well, meaning for the possibility of some really exciting matches. This is also arguably the deepest field all the way through, with more than 50% of the teams under team #1000. We should see some very entertaining matches coming out of New Hampshire, and despite the reputation for hard defense and tiny scores, offense will likely be the deciding factor in both matches and the regional. Manchester may also be the most wide-open to take home the crown, with several teams seemingly about the same level, each with a decent shot at the title. The championship will definitely be won Saturday at noon, during alliance selection.

Nobody question's Buzz's ability to win. Even when you doubt their robots, they find a way to come out on top. 175 is unquestionably a winner.
This from a tipster sums it up pretty well:

Did we mention '96 was their rookie year? We don't know what Buzz is doing yet, only that it will likely still be competing late into Saturday afternoon.

Rhode Island's own Rhode Warriors return to BAE for the first time since they won it in 2005. The masters of the roller claw, 121, look to replicate that effort again here in 2008. They were the first to post a video of a roller claw in action this year, and likely inspired more than a few of the herd of roller claws that we see now. The question is how does it stack up against the other roller claws? The extra second to spin around to place and back around to reclaim the trackball is a minor disadvantage, but likely won't add up to much. They managed to make the finals in Suffield, so that's a promising start. 121 will be among the top few hurdlers, and is one of my favorites to bring back a banner.

Just to clarify:
* Buzz did release a picture of their robot on their robot
http://www.enfieldschools.org/our_sc...uzz/index.html
*My team (121) did not go to Suffield scrimmage. We went to the Quincy scrimmage instead