Predictions Championship: Galileo

[Looking Forward]

The spectacular astronomer and physicist spent many of his years under house arrest by the Inquisition, and the division hasn't been able to break free to spread heliocentric science either. Despite often reaching the Einstein finals and having many of FIRST's finest in Mr. Galilei's division, it has yet to win a FIRST Championship.
Galileo is once against loaded in 2008. It has more regional champions, regional victories than any other division, and is tied for the most double-winners (with Newton) and triple winners (with Archimedes). Even teams with two regional victories may find themselves watching the elimination rounds from the side-lines.
This division is also loaded with history. Many old friends and rivals are re-united. Fresh chapters in the 48 vs. 1114, 25 vs. 176, 254 vs. 8, 84 vs. 103 and many others will be penned. Old friends and allies such as 25 and 103, 494 and 70, 25 and 1089, 217 and 469, 1114 and 1503, and others will have the ability to play together once more. 148, 217, and 1114 all share a sponsor and have mentors who are close friends. All of this will mean some intense and exhilarating matches, and the only way to find out who wins (aside of waiting until friday) is by reading the PREDICTIONS:

TIPS:
1717 might be the most underrated of the double-champs in this division. They were instrumental in taking down 987 and 330 in San Diego and are one of the most consistent scorers in FIRST. They have a lightning quick elevator and roller pick-up and a quick drive base. They would be a favorite and a lock in just about any other division, but they'll need the kind of support they had in their regionals (968 in SD, 330 in LA) if they want to reach the finals here.
Trinity broke their curse, and hard. 40 won NH and Boston, their first two ever regional victories. They'll be a major player on Galileo as well, and put up quite a few hurdles. They aren't on par with the elite though, and will have a hard time making it deep in the eliminations.
25 was stopped short of the regional finals for the first time since 2005 in Hawaii. Raider Robotix has a great hybrid that makes them a very dangerous opponent, but their pick-up and tele-operated scoring is too lack-luster to put them on par with the elite, especially once defense is applied. There may even be some matches where they're the third best scoring machine on their alliance. They'll likely join the 6th, 7th, or 8th alliance, but will need some very significant support if they want to avoid a QF loss on Galileo for the second consecutive year.
469 was very good in Detroit, and when they changed how they hurdled in GLR they got even better (especially as their drivers got used to their new role). Las Guerillas could do some serious damage with the right partners, but it will be very difficult for them to top a pair of the locks if they face them.
The Cybersonics were among the most proficient scorers in the country this year when they were left alone. When 103 was defended it got much more interesting. When they had a strong partner who could either divert the defense or put up huge numbers on their own if often didn't matter though. That is, unless the opposing alliance could counter with tons of offense (such as what happened in the Philly finals). 103 has tons of potential to be deadly, and can put up six hurdles when left alone, but their defensive woes and the loaded Galileo field may keep them out of the top 8. If they can't align with one of the very top teams, they will likely be unable to keep up when they face them if they're defended. And being outside the top 8 will make it much harder for them to dictate who their partners are...
148 is the most interesting team on Galileo, and may make the biggest impact out of all of them aside of 1114. Tumbleweed is easily the highest profile lap-bot, and I can guarantee will be the first non-hurdling machine taken in the draft. They are an amazing "X-factor" with their sweet hybrid, quick laps, and skilled defense (their small size actually has helped with their defense too, as they can actually fit comfortably inside some grippers, making it next to impossible for their opponents to pick up new trackballs). They'll be in some trouble when their alliances are clearly outgunned hurdling though, which may mean some losses in qualification. If they can find their way into the top 8, they'll throw a massive monkey wrench into the draft. If they're on the outside, they'll be a second round pick, and picked by the first alliance to opt to only have 2 hurdling machines. They could be the difference between two very evenly matched hurdling alliances.

DARK HORSE:
1629 generated some buzz during build, but seems to have been lost among the shuffle of great hurdling machines. Their quick machine could be a great component for an alliance as either a hurdler or a lap-runner, and that flexibility may attract more than one captain into being very interested in them. They'll likely be an early second round selection, and with the right partners they may be able to take down virtually any alliance.

SLEEPER:
Sparky has always done well at VCU, but rarely translated that into success at the Championship event. 384 could be a solid second-round selection for an alliance on Galileo, especially one looking for another hurdler. They'll need to improve their hyrbid, which often didn't score any points, but they have lots of potential.

LOCKS:
Every year the Beachbots have a simple design that blows everyone away. 330 are the masters of the single-jointed arm, and bring a new one to the table in again in 2008 hoping for their third trip to Einstein in four years. They've had the same driver each of those four years too, and he's one of the most polished and effective in FIRST. Their throwing-arm design will help them contend for a top spot, and they'll be playing late into Saturday afternoon.
217 has arguably their best bot ever, and is primed to have a huge event in Atlanta. The ThunderChickens are one of the few teams capable of scoring through defense and carrying an alliance in 2008, but even they couldn't overcome the tough competition, defense, (and technical issues) they encountered in Ypsilanti. They've never seeded high, and it might spell disaster for them if they end up in a situation similar to what they did at GLR. Everyone is drooling over the possibility that they might pair with 1114, but that has it's downsides. For that it would essentially require one of the pair to seed 1st (possibly 2nd if the cards fall right), which means in this intense field they might fall against an alliance with a stronger 3rd partner and at least 2 very capable hurdlers. 217 has a strong shot of appearing on Einstein for the third time since 2005 as well.
The Cheesy Poof are the most successful team to never win a Championship (1114 is hot on their heels), but they look to amend that in 2008. 254 has another spectacular bot, and after struggling a bit at SVR, they were amazing in Hawaii. They're on the upswing, which makes them very dangerous. They will have a further improved hybrid and even more driver practice under their belt, and with their improved pick-up they'll be able to grab the ball before a defender can get to it in many cases. They may need the aid of an elite partner, but their chances to reach Einstein again are strong.
For three consecutive years, the Simbots have been many people's favorites to win the Championship. 1114 has produced their strongest effort yet in 2008, but that might not mean they get to change their fate. Tiger Woods just finished 2nd at the Masters (and had knee surgery afterwards), Federer hasn't won a title in 2008, and the Patriots lost the Super Bowl. Few question that 1114 has been the most impressive team this season, winning all three of their events in dominating fashion. They have a stunning 18-1 elimination record, and haven't finished lower than 3rd seed at any of their events. They will be invited into the #1 alliance, and will likely seed high enough to chose whether or not they want to join it. They will have the largest impact on this division, regardless of whether or not they win it. They are the favorite, and have a much higher chance than any other team to take gold. But even Tiger Woods loses...