Predictions Week 5: Full Moon

[EricH]

Originally Posted by Looking Forward

LAS VEGAS:

They have a low scores of just 18 and 24. 254 is an explosive team, but also capable of being locked up and pinned (as is just about every team). They're the favorite to notch up another gold, but if they encounter two strong scoring machines with a smart defensive partner, and lack a top notch #2 option themselves, they could be in trouble.

Well, it wasn't 2 strong scoring machines and one defender, it was just a strong scorer that could play defense. Try doing a moving pin...Maybe they should have picked a different team.

987 has probably the most potential for improvement of any team at the event. [...]If they have the right partners and continue to improve, they could earn a medal here for the fifth time (in the fifth year of the regional).

They did.

The Beachbots are another team with big potential here in Vegas. This isn't the 330 of the past two seasons though, but they should still be a major player. They'll be more than capable of beating anybody with the right partners, but having the right alliance in the eliminations will be critical.

Pretty good, LF. They took out the Poofs with a moving pin, but couldn't do the same to 987. They beat 254 and 987 in quals, too.

The Holy Cows are 254-lite. 1538 has many of the same attributes as the Poofs, but none are quite as refined. They've given their drivers plenty of practice time since being shut down in the finals in San Diego, so they should be sharp, but they'll need a partner with consistent scoring who can help lighten defensive pressure. Another finals appearance is not out of the question for the Cows, especially if they pair with someone like 987, 973, or 330.

Allied with 254, they were pinned most of QF1-1, and then lost in SF1.

The Greybots were the undisputed star of their alliance in LA. 207 added reliable scoring, but the focal point was 973. Their power dumper was highly effective and should be one of the top few bots in Vegas. They'll be asked to join one of the top three or four alliances, and it will take another elite team to knock them out of the eliminations.

Not asked to the top few, they were on #5 and had the misfortune of facing off against 330 in the quarterfinals. Two losses later, they were bound for home.

2543 helped prove the value of defensive specialists by shutting down RAWC and the Holy Cows in week 2. They'll need to be on an alliance with two strong scoring machines and have proper strategy if they want to have any success in the eliminations.

Very good, LF. But their #8 alliance couldn't get 254 pinned by 2543 for long enough and lost in 3 matches.