Predictions Week 2: Offside

[Chris is me]

I think you're missing a lot of the depth of WPI. By my completely subjective count, I'm going to say there will be ~8 machines at the event that perform at a very competitive rate. Doesn't sound like a lot until you remember there are 28 teams. That's 30% of the competition being awesome, comparable to a weak Atlanta field, but much smaller. This means that there will be anywhere from 12 to 15 qualification matches, and every team will interact with every other before eliminations. The top 8 here should be one of the "truest" top 8s of any FIRST event.

Such a tiny event with just the right number of good machines will make the serpentine VERY interesting. Who falls back to the 24th pick will determine how well the normally favored #1 alliance plays, and it's looking more and more like a low seed will take the event.

To add to what you have, 20 has been diligent with tuning and iteration over the past week, and I do think they will improve a lot between events, especially their swerve code.

Speaking of s...oh, I guess I shouldn't. 228's got a great kicker and drivetrain that should turn heads. Their wonderfully machined bot will do well depending on their partners, like every team at this really unique event.

You're right about 230 though. Shining at their scrimmage, the mecanum striker has the potential to blaze through eliminations if they get their hands on a respectable feeder robot. Are their scouts up to the task?

190's made some tough choices and unique design decisions this year. Expect their robots to turn heads, and whatever makes it on the field to be optimal for 2010 after a careful week 1 analysis.

2791 is run by a bunch of idiots who have no idea how to build a robot. I'd be surprised if it even moves.

(i was going to post this in the WPI thread but hey, why not here)


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Though I'm a little confused as to why you think a robot that did badly at a district event will make it to the Wisconsin finals. I mean, 141's certainly got the drive to improve, but there are more than 2 other good teams to challenge them!