Predictions Week 3: Fighting for Position

[=Martin=Taylor=]

Originally Posted by Looking Forward

SILICON VALLEY:
After last year, this is no longer just the Poof's playground. 48 teams, including many seasoned vets come out swinging in San Jose this weekend. There's also many a young-gun, and so we should see some huge blow-outs from time to time.
The Cheesy Poofs won the first EIGHT Silicon Valley Regionals, but that streak ended in the quarter-finals last year. 254 won't back down this year though. Their collaborative partner, 968, went out and won San Diego last week, and it's time to see if the Poofs can use the same design just as well. These guys will reclaim their SVR crown without a doubt.

1280 was statistically one of the top hurdling machines in Portland, but somehow fell all the way to the very last pick. That won't happen again to the Raging C-Biscuits in San Jose. These guys should be a first round selection, but I don't know if they can add another banner to their collection.
190 was awful in Manchester, and unless they can re-invent themselves before the qualification matches, I don't see them doing much better at SVR. Gompei will have a hard time even making the eliminations to defend their SVR crown.
Ballfrog was one of the best hurdling machines in PNW, and 100 doesn't want to relent going into week 3. If they can add a hybrid to their arsenal, they will be one of the top teams in SVR as well. If 100 doesn't end up on the same alliance as 254, they'll be able to give them a challenge.

That's a little harsh on 192. Their 2007 bot certianly wasn't spectatcuar, but they have a history of success and I've seen them do some pretty impressive stuff. Their 2006 robot was pretty good. And I'm betting they'll be a major contender at SVR.

Other Teams:

Team 8 - I'm still rooting for these guys. The bot had definite problems in Oregon, but by the end of Friday it was working well and it was clear that this thing was a serious contender. It combines all the pick-up speed of a roller grabber with the hurdling speed of a catapult.

Team 973 - They don't have a strong history of success, but their robots have always been reliable and solid. From the looks of it, this years robot might also be a high scorer. If what Adam says about it is true it should be a good ball catcher and arm-bot.

Team 581 - Because of programming problems this robot didn't compete in many matches in Portland. It had the pitiful record of 1-7 and came in last place. But be warned. This robot is the spitting image of 368. From what I saw of it on the practice field it should be an effective hurdler.

Team 2035 - Very impressive showing for a rookie last year. I wouldn't be surprised to see another "rock'n" bot

Team 1351 - They're virtually unknown outside of the Bay Area, but they have been serious contenders every year. They have a catapult.

BTW: Who else is entering the CA in SVR?