The OFFICIAL 2012 Prediction Thread

[Crown Phan]

You think that Bluecoats are capable of winning an Ott this year? Even though virtually all of their brass staff went to SCV? I personally think its a big stretch, even though their brass was superb last year, no doubt, but it will be difficult to push back into that higher territory immediately after their 4 placement drop and loss of much of their best staff. I'm not familiar with most of the staff for this year, so I'm curious to hear your reasoning behind it.

If you heard them play this early you would agree. They are playing extremely well for being so early in the season. I was watching early rehearsals at the camps and some staff members who have been involved with championship corps made comments stating this is the best they've heard a corps in January. They kept a Brass Co-Caption head, their Brass supervisor and arranger have been there forever, same tuba guy. The hornline really picked up where they left off from last year. The Coats first impact in Akron will turn heads and no one will look away.

[blazek]

If you heard them play this early you would agree. They are playing extremely well for being so early in the season. I was watching early rehearsals at the camps and some staff members who have been involved with championship corps made comments stating this is the best they've heard a corps in January. They kept a Brass Co-Caption head, their Brass supervisor and arranger have been there forever, same tuba guy. The hornline really picked up where they left off from last year. The Coats first impact in Akron will turn heads and no one will look away.

That's great and reassuring to hear, I've been a Coats fan for awhile now, and I'm sure that they will still have a phenomenal hornline. But, there are many other factors besides just impacts in the off season. I personally feel like the Coats' drill last year brought down an otherwise exceptional hornline, so if they can play on the move better this year with a more accessible drill design, they will be better set up to succeed. Also, technical difficulty seems to be another important factor, made apparent by the most recent winners of the Ott (and I can guarantee that they will have the most difficult book again this year). I'm not saying it isn't possible, but there are dozens of other factors that play into who comes out on top. Best luck to the organization regardless, looking forward to seeing them!

[CQuinn]

That's great and reassuring to hear, I've been a Coats fan for awhile now, and I'm sure that they will still have a phenomenal hornline. But, there are many other factors besides just impacts in the off season. I personally feel like the Coats' drill last year brought down an otherwise exceptional hornline, so if they can play on the move better this year with a more accessible drill design, they will be better set up to succeed. Also, technical difficulty seems to be another important factor, made apparent by the most recent winners of the Ott (and I can guarantee that they will have the most difficult book again this year). I'm not saying it isn't possible, but there are dozens of other factors that play into who comes out on top. Best luck to the organization regardless, looking forward to seeing them!

It is my understanding that they are planning to work on that very issue this season. I can't wait to see what they have in store for us!

[MotorCityMusician]

If you heard them play this early you would agree. They are playing extremely well for being so early in the season. I was watching early rehearsals at the camps and some staff members who have been involved with championship corps made comments stating this is the best they've heard a corps in January. They kept a Brass Co-Caption head, their Brass supervisor and arranger have been there forever, same tuba guy. The hornline really picked up where they left off from last year. The Coats first impact in Akron will turn heads and no one will look away.

If i had a dollar for everytime ive heard that id be one rich guy and could afford to march

[hornandsoccer]

If you heard them play this early you would agree. They are playing extremely well for being so early in the season. I was watching early rehearsals at the camps and some staff members who have been involved with championship corps made comments stating this is the best they've heard a corps in January. They kept a Brass Co-Caption head, their Brass supervisor and arranger have been there forever, same tuba guy. The hornline really picked up where they left off from last year. The Coats first impact in Akron will turn heads and no one will look away.

Incorrect.

[azul]

If i had a dollar for everytime ive heard that id be one rich guy and could afford to march

I think the scouts have benefited from having a staff from championship corps the past couple of years. This statement is more true than false the majority of the time anyways.

[azul]

If you heard them play this early you would agree. They are playing extremely well for being so early in the season. I was watching early rehearsals at the camps and some staff members who have been involved with championship corps made comments stating this is the best they've heard a corps in January. They kept a Brass Co-Caption head, their Brass supervisor and arranger have been there forever, same tuba guy. The hornline really picked up where they left off from last year. The Coats first impact in Akron will turn heads and no one will look away.

Bob Higgins is definitely not there anymore. In fact, I think both tuba techs from my days (09-10) are at SCV.

But now to what this thread is about. I'll do top 25. For the top 7, I'll just do groupings.

1-4

Blue Devils-One word, CONSISTANCY!. Though I haven't loved the shows between 05-10, they are always performing at the top of their game. They know how to play the game and the last time they didn't come out with some bling was definitely a blink. Wouldn't be surprised to see them 5 peat the guard trophy.

Crown-Though they have had some big changes, the sound and teaching techniques of the hornline is going to always be there. Would definitely love to see them do a dark show from top to bottom. 09 was close if it wasn't for the happy ballad and closer.

Bluecoats-There's a fire that started when the brass staff took off. A large vet return, the show is awesome (sorry, won't reveal it), and I know that the drill improvement will definitely help. Doug will have a great book for them, battery will be top notch, and the guard will be back to 2010 quality.

SCV-With Paul solidified there the battery will live up to it's hype from the previous season. That brass staff they have can do amazing things and I'm sure will get them back up to par.

5-7

Cavaliers-After noting that Academy's issues of not making finals being visually oriented, I feel Cavaliers might slip this season. Won't say that they'll be bad but everyone else will be better.

Cadets-A notable trend with these guys for almost a decade now is medal, not medal so I think this will happen again. Pretty sure no one saw them falling to 5th after 2005 but it happened.

Phantom-I don't see them dropping out of the top 7 but I feel their drill design will hold them back if they get high school level drill again.

8. Madison- They will get their break and will start making their way back towards the top half of the finalists. Really enjoyed their show last season.

9. Blue Stars-Will make an attempt to get back into the dog fight they were in with the top 7 in 2010.

10. BK-They will stay on the entertainment track but won't be enough to move up against Madison and Blue Stars.

11. BAC-I know they won't drop from finals so I'm putting them here. Now that I think about it, I just want the placements to be like this but I have a feeling this "Titans" show will prove me wrong.

12. Academy-Their new brass caption head and percussion caption head will do wonders for this group and get them into their first finalist finish. Been waiting to see them Saturday night for a while. This will be close and will come to the music and GE scores.

13. Spirit-Still awesome, still intense and still Saturday night quality. But only 12 corps perform Saturday.

14. Troopers-I don't see them rising or dropping. Love this corps though.

15. Crossmen-Seems about time for them to move up.

16. Glassmen-Again, wishing luck to some corps a bit more than others.

17. PC-They have to get moving if they want to make their 20 year anniversary as epic as their 10 year (03 was their first time in div. 1 and they made semis).

18. Colts- I see them as a vulnerable after last season.

19. OC-Dat brass man. Dat corps has a sweet brass.

20. Cascades-been hearing great things from my friends teaching there.

21. BDB-great gourp and definitely a force to be reckoned with.

22. Jersey Surf-This should be a fun show for everyone. Should help boost placement.

23. Mandarins-they'll be there friday night.

24. Teal-The staff changes might make things a bit shaky their first year. Hope this doesn't happen because I have liked this corps shows the past couple of years.

25. Pioneer-They'll get into semis this year. I can feel it in my bones. Or it's just an early onset of arthritis...

Edited February 22, 2012 by azul

[1977Kingsmen]

They are known for coming out of the gate on fire. They have beat BD early in the season thats for sure.

[Jeff Ream]

i still say whoeverscores highest wins

[craiga]

Bob Higgins is definitely not there anymore. In fact, I think both tuba techs from my days (09-10) are at SCV.

But now to what this thread is about. I'll do top 25. For the top 7, I'll just do groupings.

1-4

Blue Devils-One word, CONSISTANCY!. Though I haven't loved the shows between 05-10, they are always performing at the top of their game. They know how to play the game and the last time they didn't come out with some bling was definitely a blink. Wouldn't be surprised to see them 5 peat the guard trophy.

Crown-Though they have had some big changes, the sound and teaching techniques of the hornline is going to always be there. Would definitely love to see them do a dark show from top to bottom. 09 was close if it wasn't for the happy ballad and closer.

Bluecoats-There's a fire that started when the brass staff took off. A large vet return, the show is awesome (sorry, won't reveal it), and I know that the drill improvement will definitely help. Doug will have a great book for them, battery will be top notch, and the guard will be back to 2010 quality.

SCV-With Paul solidified there the battery will live up to it's hype from the previous season. That brass staff they have can do amazing things and I'm sure will get them back up to par.

5-7

Cavaliers-After noting that Academy's issues of not making finals being visually oriented, I feel Cavaliers might slip this season. Won't say that they'll be bad but everyone else will be better.

Cadets-A notable trend with these guys for almost a decade now is medal, not medal so I think this will happen again. Pretty sure no one saw them falling to 5th after 2005 but it happened.

Phantom-I don't see them dropping out of the top 7 but I feel their drill design will hold them back if they get high school level drill again.

8. Madison- They will get their break and will start making their way back towards the top half of the finalists. Really enjoyed their show last season.

9. Blue Stars-Will make an attempt to get back into the dog fight they were in with the top 7 in 2010.

10. BK-They will stay on the entertainment track but won't be enough to move up against Madison and Blue Stars.

11. BAC-I know they won't drop from finals so I'm putting them here. Now that I think about it, I just want the placements to be like this but I have a feeling this "Titans" show will prove me wrong.

12. Academy-Their new brass caption head and percussion caption head will do wonders for this group and get them into their first finalist finish. Been waiting to see them Saturday night for a while. This will be close and will come to the music and GE scores.

13. Spirit-Still awesome, still intense and still Saturday night quality. But only 12 corps perform Saturday.

14. Troopers-I don't see them rising or dropping. Love this corps though.

15. Crossmen-Seems about time for them to move up.

16. Glassmen-Again, wishing luck to some corps a bit more than others.

17. PC-They have to get moving if they want to make their 20 year anniversary as epic as their 10 year (03 was their first time in div. 1 and they made semis).

18. Colts- I see them as a vulnerable after last season.

19. OC-Dat brass man. Dat corps has a sweet brass.

20. Cascades-been hearing great things from my friends teaching there.

21. BDB-great gourp and definitely a force to be reckoned with.

22. Jersey Surf-This should be a fun show for everyone. Should help boost placement.

23. Mandarins-they'll be there friday night.

24. Teal-The staff changes might make things a bit shaky their first year. Hope this doesn't happen because I have liked this corps shows the past couple of years.

25. Pioneer-They'll get into semis this year. I can feel it in my bones. Or it's just an early onset of arthritis...

hmm...this would be Boston's lowest placement in 13 years (1998)....this would also be a surprise....