Predictions Championship: Newton

[Looking Forward]

It's hard to top inventing calculus, discovering the laws of motion, and writing the law of universal gravitation. Newton's Principia Mathematica is often accredited with being the most important book of science ever created. The division to his name shares this remarkable success. The 2007 Champs came from Newton, and the division hasn't been stopped before the Einstein finals since 2004.
This division is loaded with top notch hurdlers, and has an astounding amount of depth beyond that. 20, 39, 233, 440, 1806, and 2056 each won two regionals. 111, 341, 968, 1086, 1574, 1625, 1806, 2056, 2122, and 2483 were each the captain of a regional winning alliance. This will be a very intense field, and plenty of great scoring machines and regional winners will be left out of the eliminations. It's entirely possible that no team goes undefeated in this division, but the #1 seed will have to work their butt off and have a fair bit of luck to reach the top.
PREDICTIONS:

TIPS:
Chief Delphi struggled a bit the last couple years, but seems to have regained their stride in 2008. 47 was on the #2 alliance in both Detroit and GLR, making the finals in Detroit. They have a solid hurdling machine and should be able to contend with just about anyone. They'll end up on the 5-8th alliance.
1625 won Colorado after falling during the semis at each of the earlier regionals due to technical malfunctions. When fully operational they are very dangerous and can make just about any match interesting. If they can keep the mechanical gremlins away they'll be a top 6 pick, but how long they're playing after lunch will be hinged greatly on their partners. They've been very good during the qualification matches this year too, and they stand a strong chance of being in a picking position to grab themselves a potent alliance.
Florida is sending it's finest to compete on Newton. 79, 179, and 1251 are all in the same division. All three have a strong chance to find their way into the eliminations (one could even be a captain), but no more than one will advance past the quarters.
Wildstang is easily the most storied team in Newton. This former champ will be a first-round selection, and will likely guide their alliance into the semi-finals. 111 is always a threat, and given that they improved in between Chicago and Purdue, they could be quite scary in Atlanta.
2056 has yet to lose a regional competition, but they lost in the semi-finals on Galileo last year. They paired with 1114 in Waterloo and Toronto this year to take gold, and have produced another machine capable of putting up big numbers when they have a partner that can shift defense away from them. They'll be a significant scoring presence if they can find a partner to take the pressure away in the elimination rounds, and will be a definite factor.
20 picked up victories in Rochester and Boston this year. Boston was a cake-walk after they paired up with their biggest competitor, 40, but they had to top 67, 365, 1126 and others to win at FLR. They have a smooth pick-up and are proficient hurdlers. They'll likely either be a captain or a first-round selection.

DARK HORSE:
They went to Einstein three years in a row, but it's been two years since they graced the big stage. 175 won Connecticut with 1124, and have a terrific hurdling machine. It's quick roller-based acquisition make them very difficult to defend, and they are more than capable of putting up massive scores. Buzz was a hair away from being a lock, and if they align with another massive threat they could very well return to Einstein. They likely don't have what it takes to carry an alliance past a pair of dominant hurdlers though.

SLEEPER:
440 was the 16th pick at both of their events (Detroit and Bayou). They then went on to win both events. Their bot can put up some serious laps, and will be one of the best racecars in the division. If they are selected by another pair of excellent hurdlers, they might be the tipping point for their alliance to go very deep.

LOCKS:
39 won both of their events in convincing fashion. They have a 28-3 record on the season, with one of those losses coming against 987. They've hurdles seven times in a match. They were the only hurdling machine on their alliance in Arizona that ripped through the eliminations. The only way they'll go down before the finals is either a massive technical failure or if they meet a combination of 233, 968, and/or 175.
RAWC has quickly established themselves as a West Coast and FIRST powerhouse. 968 won Newton last time they went to Championship two years ago. Their quick and deadly elevator/shooter combo machine will be a top contender again, and will at least be invited into one of the top three alliances. If they can pair with 233, 39, or 175 they'll be a massive force to be reckoned with, and if the top few are kept apart they could take the division anyway.
233 came within a breath of winning their first championship last year, and they might be even better this year. Already with two regional championships under their belt, they look more impressive than they have since 2005 (last time they won two regionals), but their regional success hasn't always translated into Championship success. In 2005 they were stopped in the SFs, in 2006 (1 regional victory) they made the div finals, and in 2007 (no regional victories) they made the Einstein finals. Regardless, 233 is very dangerous and will only get better. They are consistent and dominating, and will be a top 4 seed in the division. If they can pair with 968 or 38 they will not only win the division, but have another great chance at taking Einstein. If the big teams are kept apart their consistency should help them reach the divisional finals at least.

[IbleedPink233]

Thank you for this excellent analysis again (not just for the complements).
The new and improved 233 is stoked to be a part of this divsion.

[chaoticprout]

Pink Rawcs.

[Grant Cox]

Yeahh 440! They are extremely good friends of ours, and in the finals at Detroit did 9 laps every single match (and averaged 8+ in qualifiers). That's almost 20 points added to your score. Their driver is very skilled with their fast bot and knows how to navigate.

[BornaE]

Thank you for the comments
We'll try our best to keep up to the expectations.

[Peter Matteson]

Originally Posted by Looking Forward

DARK HORSE:
They went to Einstein three years in a row, but it's been two years since they graced the big stage. 175 won Connecticut with 1124, and have a terrific hurdling machine. It's quick roller-based acquisition make them very difficult to defend, and they are more than capable of putting up massive scores. Buzz was a hair away from being a lock, and if they align with another massive threat they could very well return to Einstein. They likely don't have what it takes to carry an alliance past a pair of dominant hurdlers though.

Not sure if this is what your referncing but Buzz's 3 Einstein appearances in a row was 2002, 2003, & 2004, so it's been more than a "couple" years.

Can't really say anything about as we tie with them at 3 for second most Einstein appearances. Beatty of course stands alone at 4. (Their 1st championship in 97 was before divisions for all the younger folks)

[Lil' Lavery]

Originally Posted by Peter Matteson

Not sure if this is what your referncing but Buzz's 3 Einstein appearances in a row was 2002, 2003, & 2004, so it's been more than a "couple" years.

Can't really say anything about as we tie with them at 3 for second most Einstein appearances. Beatty of course stands alone at 4. (Their 1st championship in 97 was before divisions for all the younger folks)

It was actually 2003, 2004, and 2005.
Source:https://my.usfirst.org/myarea/index....event_type=FRC
(and my memory after watching 33, 175, and 108 win Curie in 2005 )

[Peter Matteson]

Originally Posted by Lil' Lavery

It was actually 2003, 2004, and 2005.
Source:https://my.usfirst.org/myarea/index....event_type=FRC
(and my memory after watching 33, 175, and 108 win Curie in 2005 )

My mistake. I was going on memory of some one saying "Is that Buzz? That's three years in a row!" Since I didn't attend in 05 I figured it was 04.

[Tottanka]

A few notes about the Israeli teams.

Israel has it's best bot here in Newton - 1574.
With 4 in a row regional wins, 1574 is another team, but 2056 who never lost a regional event it attended. Now you guys think, well, it's Israel. But trust me - they have a very good robot.
They didn't go lower then 4 hurdles per game in Israel, and they were always heavily defended. They have a very fast drivetrain, a very good roller claw and are good in hybrid. They always had 3 lines, sometimes 4, and now also have the ability to knock down balls.

2214 and 2630 paired in the Israeli regional to get to the semis.
2214 has a good 217ish design, it's definitely worth taking a look at, and considered to be picked. they always get 1 ball and 2 lines in Hybrid.

2630 was the only shooting robot in Israel. They have a shooting arm, able to both place balls on the overpass, and shoot them over it. They are a very fast bot, and a good 3rd alliance partner for anyone. Fast drive system. Lack of hybrid though, unless they fix it by time for the games.

[coldfusion1279]

I have a feeling that with such a deep division, the number 8 alliance is almost as likely to win as the number one. My reasoning is: With so many strong teams and 2 picks back to back. Chances are they will have a good second bot and a third bot that is well above average.

The question is how overwhelming will that #1 alliance be?

even if the number 1 alliance looks like a dominating team, i.e. 233+2056+third, the next several alliances will be just as strong.

Looking forward to some really high scoring matches.

[Joe Matt]

No real mention of 1086... odd...

[ks_mumupsi]

Great Analysis, I think most of us agree with this. I like the fact that we have a few good lap robots in our division. should provide for some good matchups and some matchups that were unexpected.

C ya guys on the field tmrw.

[ALIBI]

I was a little suprised by some of the teams that were left out of the Predictions. Not that the highlighted teams do not deserve attention. What I realized after looking at my own list is that while this division may not be loaded with the most shining stars, while it has its' share, it is definitely loaded with the best second and third picks of any division this year. Scouting for that second and third pick is going to play more of a role on this field than in any other division. It is going to be difficult for any team to come out of Qualifications without a loss.

[Dan Richardson]

Originally Posted by Looking Forward

79, 179, and 1251 are all in the same division. All three have a strong chance to find their way into the eliminations (one could even be a captain), but no more than one will advance past the quarters.

I wouldn't be surprised at all if all 3 somehow made it to the semi's. I know its probably unlikely because there are a few top heavy teams, but 179 whooped up florida elims, knocking out teams like 103. 103 is ranted and raved about, but people seem to forget that 179 pretty convincingly beat them. 1251 won Florida and got the banebot bug in Palmetto, there is a good shot they will be seeded very highly in newton. 79 had a lot of trouble getting going in Bayou, but towards the end 5 hurdles for them was pretty common place, Ohh and they run 3 lines every time with some pretty sweet collision avoidance. I've watched A TON of matches this year, these three teams aren't 1114, but they sure are on par with many of the teams that are constantly mentioned as a top teer. The only thing all three of them lack is an extremely powerful auton ( 2 balls 4 lines type ) but in the game, they can keep up with most any team. Because it seems like these teams have been kind of "sleepers" I wouldn't be surprised if they fell to the second round ( how ? I don't know ) and if they did, whoever picked them up would have a darn good chance.

[techtiger1]

Thanks to Dan and everyone one in this thread for mentioning 1251. However as everyone knows Championships is a crap shoot at best, and the best robots don't always win. I've told everyone to take it one match at a time, concentrate on doing there individual jobs well and do their best. At this level it's a marathon more then a sprint you have to stay steady and find the energy to push when needed.

Just my two cents,
Drew