Predictions Week 4: Playing in Traffic

[Doug G]

Originally Posted by Hachiban VIII

You're right about 692. They have a very good robot this year. According to our scouting it was one of the top hurdlers at SVR. And believe me... Their team will make plenty of noise.... If there is one thing the Fembots are good at it is making noise

Team 701 They should also be a major contender. They did pretty well in San Diego, and they've been finalists the last two years in Davis. Perhaps this year they'll get the gold.

Thanks for the props. We've been close so many years. Also let's not forget 1388 - Arroyo Grande. At San Diego they hurdled most matches and one that left field by 20 feet. How can you go wrong with a bot that literally "boots" the ball over the overpass?

[Woody1458]

We had a Govener Davis, but Sacramento is our capitol

[Madison]

Originally Posted by Woody1458

We had a Govener Davis, but Sacramento is our capitol

It's actually your capital.

Your capitol is a building.

[EricH]

Now why is it that you mention 980 for San Diego, but not for L.A.? Without 968 to contend with, they might be able to boost their game.

[Racer26]

I always liked how we seem to be the forgotten Canadian team... We've done historically ok... (2003 CAN Regional Finalists in our rookie year, 2004 Wonderland Invitational Champions, been in the eliminations i think to the semifinals in 2004, 2006, seeded well at the 2007 Brunswick Eruption, and Kettering Kickoff)

I think this might have something to do with that until tomorrow morning nobody has seen our 2008 offering.

I also think its largely because we seem to do better at off-seasons once we've figured out everything we screwed up in the official season. Watch for us to make some waves at Waterloo this weekend though, and maybe get ourselves on the radar for next week at GTR. Also, theres a rookie team that was at the Kettering rookie competition (2609 i think) thats going to be at Waterloo tomorrow too. They won the Kettering competition. Watch for them to make waves too.

[Akash Rastogi]

Originally Posted by 1075guy

I always liked how we seem to be the forgotten Canadian team... We've done historically ok... (2003 CAN Regional Finalists in our rookie year, 2004 Wonderland Invitational Champions, been in the eliminations i think to the semifinals in 2004, 2006, seeded well at the 2007 Brunswick Eruption, and Kettering Kickoff)

I think this might have something to do with that until tomorrow morning nobody has seen our 2008 offering.

I also think its largely because we seem to do better at off-seasons once we've figured out everything we screwed up in the official season. Watch for us to make some waves at Waterloo this weekend though, and maybe get ourselves on the radar for next week at GTR. Also, theres a rookie team that was at the Kettering rookie competition (2609 i think) thats going to be at Waterloo tomorrow too. They won the Kettering competition. Watch for them to make waves too.

Although a team's history can play into predictions, you should never base your main point off of it. You probably weren't mentioned because like you said, you haven't made your 2008 showing,

[MrForbes]

Originally Posted by EricH

Now why is it that you mention 980 for San Diego, but not for L.A.? Without 968 to contend with, they might be able to boost their game.

980 is in the pits next to us, they completely changed their robot design today. Should be fun to see how the new herder works, it's very ingenious.

Nice meeting you at last, Eric!

[Looking Forward]

Friday Night Update: Part 1 (may or may not get around to doing the western happenings in part 2, i apologize if I can't find the time)
As shocking as it sounds, there's more going on at Waterloo than Karthik and Paul joking around with Gameday!
Canada's first event of the year has been solid so far, but it's not quite on par with last year. There have been seven scores of 90 or higher, but 1114 has been involved in eight of them (the other had 2056, 68, and 1006). Other teams, such as 188, 1565, and 68, are doing well, but the decline of 854 and 1305 (as well as the lack of 1503, 610, and 1592) is being felt.
1114 is also sporting the top spot, at 7-1 right now, but there are enough matches tomorrow and enough teams within striking distance for that to change. Q50, which features 1114 against 2056, will likely have a significant impact on the final rankings. 1114 is still the hands down favorite, but it's possible that they might have some trouble if they fall from the #1 spot and a less capable teams climbs in. Duke pulled out a 1 point miracle yesterday, 1114 might have to do the same at some point.

Buckeye is shaping up to be very interesting during the elimination rounds. Any number of teams are easily within range to take the top spot. 94 is 7-0 and currently holding it, but 1024 still hasn't lost and has played one less match (5-0-1). 1629 is 6-1 and has a 5 RS lead on 94, so if they can pick up a match on them tomorrow they could pounce into the #1 spot from their current two position.
1731 has done very well again, although they've already landed 3 losses, all but removing them from contention to become an alliance captain. Their last two losses of the day were heart-breaking though, 10 points to 1024 and 4 points to 1629 (in which 1731 got stuck on the wall for about 25 seconds). They might not be able to land on the #1 alliance like in VCU, but they'll land high.
The eliminations will be tough to call, with at least a few alliance likely to land strong scoring machines. If 1629 can acquire either 1024 or 1731 to help them get balls from the overpass (both teams have done well at it, and are very strong hurdling machines) that alliance could be very dangerous. 1126 and 191 aren't slouching much either and could make a big impact.

West Michigan is also wide open. 2171 has a whopping 56 RS, and is still undefeated (although they're currently #2 because 1504 has played 1 more match), so if they can continue winning they're in prime position to take the #1 spot. While no team is clearly the best, 71 seems to be the strongest so far. With the new rollers added to their pick-up device they've improved on their biggest flaw of week 1. This field is still anyone's game, but if I had to pick a favorite it would be 71.

[fredliu168]

I would be willing to bet the waterloo FRC winners will be
1114, 2056, and X

X = 771, 1281, 2361, or basically any other team

[T3_1565]

I have seen less of a interaction with 1114 and 2056 this year than last year. Like I was watching them a lot (they are the two favourites) while I'm not working on our robot (we are one lane away from them in the pits) and they don't seem as friendly with one another than I thought they would be, or were last year.

I would not be surprised if they are not on the same team in the elims, and I'm glad we are "doing well" in others opionion, we finally got our auto back into driving striaght, so, we finally got our four lines again.

I am quite shocked on how few people can get 3 lines in hybrid, so far in waterloo. This is our first year doing any sort of auto mode, and we are roughly the third best at it (some people can get roughly the same consistently as us). 1114 is by far the best here though, and hopefully tomorrow will be as fun as today though, and maybe we get some better luck and things will work out our way!!

Look for us to be better tomorrow!!

[Elgin Clock]

Originally Posted by M. Krass

It's actually your capital.

Your capitol is a building.

Cory started it... Look at post #2. lol
I was going to say something... but don't need to anymore I guess.

[Jonathan Norris]

Originally Posted by Looking Forward

WATERLOO:
Last year this event surprised just about everyone when it was one of the strongest offensive, highly competitive, most entertaining regionals to watch. This year the quality has decreased dramatically, so the chances of blistering offensive gameplay and awesome matches decreases with it. The field of 30 lacks 610, 1503, and 1592, who were all significant presences last year. There are still enough decent teams that Waterloo should have some good competition, but defense will be common and only a few alliances will be able to unify enough force to have a legitimate shot.
1114 is back in action week 4, after winning their bajillionth regional earlier this season in Chicago. While they are still often cited at the best hurdling machine in FIRST so far, their three losses prove that they are mortal and defense can hamper them. Picking them here is like picking Roger Federer against the field, they're just so good that it's really hard not to. 1114 will have a couple hick-ups along the way, but the chances of them capturing another gold (or two) this weekend are very very strong, and they are the easy favorite.
The next one from a tipster:

These "rookie sensations" made a ton of noise last year when they won two regionals and IRI. 2056 was paired with 1114 though at all three events they won, and struggled when they were the primary defensive target. But that's 2007, this is 2008. They should be back with a vengeance, and if they keep their design simple and effective (as they did last year), they should be a top contender. 1114 does have a strong history of picking (or being picked on occasion) by their NiagaraFIRST mentees, so its quite possible they could re-unite with the Simbots.
1565 is showing off an unique and innovative linkage based drive train that has made some noise. It will be interesting to see how it fairs in it's first competition, and how well the manipulators on top can work with it. I expect them in the eliminations, but I don't see them emerging as an elite team.

2166's massive gripper is certainly interesting, but they seem fairly simple and intuitive enough to do fairly well. It will take a solid drive team and a favorable alliance, but they could penetrate far into the elims as well.

Waterloo may not have 1503, or 610 this year. But how about the third best Canadian team last year??? yes 854... don't remember them? look them up on TBA and see how good they were last year. They were regional finalist in Both Waterloo and GTR, and the team that was with them both times... how about 1305? last year's CA award winner in Waterloo. Add to that 68, 772, 781, 1006, 1334 Waterloo will still be a very interesting regional I'm excited to be going.

[ZakuAce]

Gah I wish we could have gone to WMR this year. I'd have just liked to go to take in the great teams who will be there, maybe learn a lot. Certainly will be a treat.

[EricH]

I'll give a L.A. update.

330 and 1717 were neck-and-neck for the top spot. Two 100-point scores so far, and both involved one or both. (Yes, they paired up in one match. 100-something much smaller win.) But 1717 lost one match and tied one and fell to 5th.

2102 is running laps like crazy and doing well.

The two shooter bots at the regional--1726 and 842--seem to be struggling a bit. I haven't been able to watch them much, but neither has gotten off many hurdles. Of the two, 1726 is the more active at shooting.

Other notables at the event: 980 and their herder are doing well. 702 has come out of nowhere and are my dark horse favorite. Running laps and the occasional herd are standing both teams in good stead, as 702 was third for a while before slipping.

Current rank of the favorites:
330, 7-0-0, 1st
1717, 5-1-1, 5th
2102, 4-2-1, 12th
842, 1-5-1, 44th
1726, 3-3-0, 33th
980, 3-3-1, 22nd

Dark horses:
1515, 7-0-0, 2nd
702, 4-3-0, 17th

[chaoticprout]

Eric has a nice post. I agree watch out for 702, but on top of that, an even darker horse (?) is 2659. They're a rookie team out of Alemany who I've had the pleasure of spending time with. They have an awesome speed racer and are averaging the most laps around. I'm highly impressed by that team the more and more I see them.