2014 Texas Power Rankings Week 7

Texas Power Rankings Week 7 - PreChampionship 2014

I learned many things this year while mentoring three different teams. First off, I have absolutely no time in my life for other things that I love such as sports analysis. Now that all of my teams have finished competing in their respective regionals, I find myself with an overwhelming amount of time on my hands. After going to all four Texas regionals, I feel highly qualified in my assessment of the state of Texas. I had a mid semester post about the Texas teams but never had time to finish so the change in rankings will reflect those.

I feel that every robot in the Texas top 15 deserves to go to Champs, but sometimes that is not the case and this year is no exception. So instead of saying "this team deserves champs" over and over again I decided I'd make a blanket statement prior to the rankings. 

Also, the way I define the term "Texas Powerhouse" is a team that fields an impressive robot year in and year out. This team must not only be one of the best robots at each regional they attend, but must also have the ability to represent Texas well at World Championship. I will talk about this more in a different post.

And lastly, thanks to whomever commented on last year's prechamps rankings. It reminded me that my blog actually existed and that I should probably post. So even though the comment was pretty troll( and probably came from 118, 148, or 1817), I have to thank you for reminding me that I have a blog at all. Anyway on to the list

This is my take on the Texas teams after 6 weeks of regional play in Aerial Assist. 

Power Rankings 
1. 118- Robonauts (-).

Winners of 3 regionals which extends the streak to 7 in a row. Teh Robnots have had a strong showing in Aerial Assist against the other teams from Texas, having only lost 3 games during their Texas regionals. With their powerful shooter, smooth intake, forceful drivetrain, and hot goal auto, 118 has everything in their tool belt to make an Einstein appearance. For the third straight year, 118 is probably Texas' best chance of capturing a World Championship Banner. All aboard the 118 Hype Train.

2. 148- Robowranglers (+1)

With an Impressive showing at Lone Star Regional (LSR), the Robowranglers jump 624 to take the number 2 spot in the rankings. In fact, since 2009, every time 148 has graced LSR with their dominant presence, they've won. After solving their ball control issues, 148 has shown us why we all should join the dark side this season. The only other slight hiccup is that their autonomous is not hot and sometimes misses, but other than that I feel that they have everything they need to make a run at an Einstein appearance. Look for these dark Jedi to show that the circle is indeed complete, and that they are the masters of their own destiny. 

3. 624- CRyptonite (-1)

After an excellent showing at Alamo and Orlando's DQ, CRyptonite had an excellent showing at LSR. Teaming up with long time friend 1477, 624 looked to take down the juggernaut alliance of 148 and 118 and fell just shot in the finals. My only problem with 624 is that their intake speed is horrid, taking two or more seconds to pick up a ball. Don't get me wrong. I love 624 with their innovative drivetrain and double hot goal auto. This could easily be their best chance at their first Divison Finals appearance. Something Something Inspection Something Something Dead Batteries.

4. 1477- Texas Torque (+4)

Silencing anyone who doubted that the reigning world champs were out of form, Texas Torque put on a great display at LSR. With their dual intake and three ball auto, 1477 is a force to be reckoned with at Championship. Their issues lie in their shooter with only 58% accuracy and their ability to control the ball. However, with the amount of improvements they made to their robot, look for them to have a strong showing at Champs and to at least make a Division Finalist appearance. Oh and did I forget to say World Champions?

5. 2468- Appreciate (-)

I think that 2468 has the makings to become the next powerhouse team in Texas. With two finalist and one regional win, Appreciate has had a marvelous season. With their simplistic design and excellent high goal scoring, 2468 looks likely to get picked up at champs and make at least a quarterfinals appearance. Coach Norm should be very proud of his team's accomplishments both on and off the field. 

6. 1817- Llano Estacado RoboRaiders (-2)

After finishing in last place at Hub City last year, the RoboRaiders finished as the 1st seed and won. With their four-bar intake and fast reload, these agile raiders look to make their first ever eliminations appearance at championship. One problem 1817 has is their inability to place against strong defense. They have definitely improved since last year though and will hope to have a strong showing at champs.

7. 3310- Black Hawk Robotics (+6)

Another season and 3310 continues to impress. After a decent Dallas showing, 3310 took home the gold in Colorado this past weekend. With what is most likely the most powerful shooter in all of Texas, the Black Hawks continue to state their case as the next powerhouse team in Texas. Look for them to make at least a quarterfinals appearance at Championship.

8. 2848- All Sparks (-2)

Authoritative. That's the one word I would use to describe the impressive All Sparks. Making Championship for the first time in three years, 2848 has been impressive. With their powerful drivetrain (flipping over 624) and mighty shooter, look for them to dial into the high goal in St. Louis. and make an elimination appearance. Their only problem is the signals. Why on earth do they telegraph to the other alliance what they are going to do? Other than that simple fix and actually dialing into the high goal, 2848 has a fantastic machine. 

9. 3847- Spectrum (-)

Not another chairmans team! Oh wait! Four out of the top ten robots in Texas are chairmans teams. Quality teams come with quality robots? Go figure. Anyway Spectrum came close to upsetting the Wranglernauts, but fell short in the semis. With a great ability to intake and excellent strategy, 3847 will look to make their first ever quaterfinals appearance at world championship. I have great expectation for Spectrum at Worlds and have re-boarded the Spectrum Hype Train. 

10. 2158- AusTIN CANs (-3)

They look exactly like 2468, except they tend to have less of a field presence and inaccuracy in autonomous. With an excellent showing at Dallas this team will definitely not just be another E.I. team at championship. They have a smooth floor pickup and good shot accuracy in the high goal. Their only problems are that they have trouble with defense on them as well as their inconsistent autonomous. However, look for this team to make improvements and possibly have a quarterfinals appearance in their division. With each division fielding an extra 8 teams in the eliminations, I expect the TIN CANs to be picked up in the 3rd or 4th round. 
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11. 4587- Jersey Voltage (+3)

I had such a hard time not putting this second year team into the top ten because they have every quality of a top ten robot. But when there is parity at the top someone has to be shoved out and as such 4587 was left on the outside looking in.

12. 3005- Robochargers(-2)

It's like 1817 without the four-bar, but has hot goal detection. Driver and Coach inexperience were probably the biggest killers for this team. Honestly, if they had attended another regional, I would've expected them to take home the gold.

13. 231- High Voltage (-2)

Even though 231 was the 3rd Alliance captain at LSR, they still showed me why they belong outside of the top ten with missed shots with no defense against them, average mobility, and just a poor on field presence. However, with their truss shot, passing ability, and auto they earn the thirteenth spot. 

14. 3481- Broncbots (+3)

The Broncbots showed excellent improvement throughout each regional. From an excellent drive base to a high goal scorer, 3481 has shown that they have the capabilities of making an excellent machine.

15. 4063- TriKzR4Kidz (-3)

If anyone asks, I love the Bunnies! Anyone looking to do mecanum drive could learn a thing or two from these guys. They have made constant improvements to their machine throughout the season (including the CRyptonite Churro) and they definitely deserve their slot at Champs. 

16. 2587- Discobots (-)

If you haven't noticed it already, the Discobots have a certain trend to their seasons. Every other season seems like an off year for them and this year was no exception. But hey top 16 isn't too bad of an off year and maybe it is a sign of things to come.

17. 3103- Iron Plaid(-2)

Let me just say this these Skirt Clad ladies know how to seed with a robot that almost only scores in the low goal. With full assist cycling and a decent autonomous they climbed the seeds and my rankings as well to seed at number 16.

18. 2881- Lady Cans(+2)

Truss shots. Autonomous High goals. Dual pickup. They have it all except a powerful driver train.

19. 457- Grease Monkeys(-1)

One of the best robots available in the second round with their decent truss shooting and excellent defense and in bounding.  

20. 3335- Cy-Borgs(NR)

Pick up, truss shot, etc. Was picked a little too high at LSR, but still a good team.

21. 1296- Full Metal Jackets(+4)

I took another look at the OKC performance and decided that I rated them too low. Good job FMJ.

22. 3741- Core G IX(-3)

As much as I enjoy watching Bucket bot for their creativity, but their effectiveness is reduced to almost 0 when the ball falls out of their robot due to their inability to pick up off the ground or heard them well. They were definitely one of the bigger surprises of the year though.

23. 2585- Bellaire Robotics(NR)

Personally, this team looked like the garage version of 254. I enjoyed watching them inbound for the 1st seed as they won LSR. 

24. 3997- Screaming Chickens(+1) 

Pretty good inbouding and defense makes this team an excellent pick up on the back end of the draft. They were also finalist at LSR. 

25. 3999- Shade Tree(NR)

Shade Tree is decent at inbounding, has an okay truss shot, and can floor load making them a good contributor to their alliance. 

Others who barely missed the cut: 1429, 2582, 418, 704, 1801, 2789, 3735, 2396, 57