From reading the various posts on the forum, I think it's really interesting that the Cavaliers have largely been counted out on account of their design and more importantly, their hornline.
As far as design goes, I feel the concept is a hard sell.
Without offending other fans or corps, a theatrical show has a lot of obvious effects and a flow that is almost pre-integrated into the production. The hard part there is to sell the music enough to appeal to a fan base who is very familiar with the music and storylines.
This year's Cavalier show is different in that it's harder to sell the depiction of athleticism in conquering mountains, or painting the picture of the American west (without using Copland as an ol' standby). The challenge for the Cavaliers is to communicate a clear message as to what their program means to Joe the Drum Corps Fan (close relation to Joe the Plumber).
On point with the hornline, I believe the Cavaliers hornline to be the most educationally solid and most consistent (say, since 2001/2002) sound in world class. That is certainly an audacious statement, but in researching their techniques and beliefs versus the techniques and beliefs of other corps, as well as the progression to the "finished product", I feel their hornline is by far the strongest. There is an exceptional clarity that is associated with the Cavaliers hornline, from well-defined articulations to an incredible aptitude to matching sound from player to player. While the dynamic level of the corps is often a point of controversy, I feel their trade-off for ensemble development over "loud" is an educational stand that is worthwhile, and I hope it continues (and perhaps someday will afford the recognition it deserves).
So, to answer the question quoted above, I feel the Cavaliers certainly have a chance to take another championship, if they can sell the show. For me, a hornline fan, it will be hard to top the sound that the Cavaliers' hornline produces this year.