While we wait for i55 group stages to start, I thought I would post a short analysis of a poll I made earlier this week to gather the community's view of the top teams at i55.

[img]https://i.imgur.com/05fQmgB.png[/img]

Thoughts:

1. Froyotech or Reason were (combined) the pick for #1 in about 85% of responses. Reason got pushed back to #3 in far more responses, which nudged their ranking above 2.
2. Dogs.tf had a huge standard deviation in their rank; most ranked them at #6, but many ranked them at #1 (thanks for taking this seriously, guys).
3. Ascent slid comfortably into third; they were often ranked below nerdRage, but in many others (NA fanboys) were ranked #2 behind only Froyotech.
4. It's pretty clear that expectations for nerdRage are extremely mixed with several EU fans ranking them at #2 or #3. But more often than not, they're ranked at #4 or #5 behind even TLR.
5. TLR were usually ranked at #5, but many have high hopes for the first top intercontinental team at an Insomnia LAN. Their second most common ranking was #4, usually ahead of nerdRage.

If there's a consensus to be gained from the results of the poll: [u]it's that Froyotech and Reason look to be a step ahead of the competition...[/u] B4nny and Knoxxx have been part of the top echelon of NA and EU TF2, respectively, for a looong time. But their perennial challengers, Ascent and nerdRage, both have real potential to make the finals or at least be the top team from their region. As for TLR and Dogs: they have a lot to prove, but they could surprise everyone.

[b]One thing's for sure: we're about to see some amazing TF2. So tune into twitch.tv/teamfortresstv and enjoy the ride![/b]