Predictions Week 2: Offside

[M. Mellott]

Nothing for the Pittsburgh Regional? I know it's small, but I was hoping to get a little insight into the other teams.

[darkember]

Originally Posted by
LookingForward
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375[/b] has lost one of their main mentors this season, but they have always been a key player in New York and this year will be no different. With a bot that can go under the tunnel, The Robotic Plague should be one of the hardest to defend robots at the competition, and coupled with their ability to kick and score, they will be on the field late into Saturday. It would be hard to imagine 375 not making the finals and anything short of the semis would be a surprise.

Even though our robot's name implies it, we can't go under the tunnel. Fortunately we have couple of other things that you will find interesting.
You're just gonna have to wait till NY to see it.

[Travis Hoffman]

Originally Posted by M. Mellott

Nothing for the Pittsburgh Regional? I know it's small, but I was hoping to get a little insight into the other teams.

1114's debut should be a big enough reason for a mention.

1503 and 2809 adding to the Canadian flair, bringing along what should be very competitive robots.

222 vs. 1114 - great matchup from last year revisited.

1038 is back - they'll make a lot of noise as usual. Dan will take lots of great action shot pictures - if you're competing, make sure you get his attention when you're on the field. I'm hoping Bob Jadloski from 48 shows up so they can have a photographer battle.

In addition to Team 3193, look out for rookie Team 3138, Innovators Robotics, from Dayton. They moved up from FTC this year, and they've got a highly-motivated group of students and mentors down there. Like 3193, this will be their tuneup debut ahead of the Buckeye Regional.

Someone from down yonder will have to clue us in to any details on the Pittsburgh teams - all I know is that 1743 will be pink - that's about it.

[thefro526]

Seriously, who's the new LookingForward? They quoted me..... Lol.

Predictions look decent, New LF, you missed a couple of teams though... I'd suggest you be more open to tipsters like the original Looking Forward was.

[thefro526]

I noticed that this new-LF didn't do an predictions for Pittsburg...

So here are mine:

I've heard of Pittsburgh refereed to as the Forgotten Pennsylvania Regional. While it may not be as big or as well known as the Philadelphia Regional, strong teams are always present here.

1114 - Some say 1114 redefined dominance in 2008 with their World Championship Winning machine. But then last year they weren't so hot. They still managed to take home one Blue Banner, though it was after they had an embarrassing Quarter Final Lose at Midwest. If any team here has the potential to Dominate, it Could be 1114, I say could, because even one of my "tipsters" who is close to their team hasn't even seen the robot. Do they have something to hide? We'll find out in Pittsburgh.

222 - The Tigertrons had a Stellar year in 2009, taking home One Regional Win and One Division Win and Historically, they also do well at Pittsburgh making it to the finals in 2 out of their last 3 visits. Based on what I've seen thus far, the Tigertrons are fielding a capable machine, as long as they can work the kinks out. I expect big things from 222 here.

1503 - Spartonics was one of the Niagara First "Triplets" back in the day. Though they split and began separate machines from 1114 in 2007, the Collaboration with 1680 remained alive that year. Since then 1503 has proven themselves to be one of the Canadian Powerhouses, making the Eliminations in every event they've been to since 2007. I expect nothing different here, you'll see 1503 playing Saturday afternoon at least Twice.

1279 - Cold Fusion is one of the Four teams going to Pittsburgh that has already competed and they are arguably the best of the four. 1279 put up a strong showing in Jersey, and had both of their Partners on the Number 7 Alliance not broken, they probably would be Finalists or Winners now. Expect 1279 to make a couple of tweaks to their machine and put up a strong showing.

2809 - K-Botics is the only Canadian Team going to Pittsburgh that has revealed their robot, and it's impressive for a Second year team. It's low and strong, with the capability to hang, and appears to have a Ball Possessor and Kicker to back it all up. 2809 will probably make it to the semis at least, and given the help of one of the Big Guns playing here, they could go all the way.

Pittsburgh's level of play will probably be slightly above that of a Week One Regional. Only Four Teams have competed in breakaway before, and only one of these four teams made it to Eliminations...