University Challenge Grand Final 2022 Preview

 We have to do it, Dearly Beloved. We have t look forward to tomorrow's grand final and make a prediction. Come on, you know you want to. 

Here’s Imperial’s path to the final –

R 1	Imperial	210	155	St. John’s Cambridge
R 2	Imperial	205	70	Exeter
QF1	Imperial	235	50	Kings
QF2	Imperial	225	120	Reading
SF	Imperial	170	65	Emmanuel,Cambridge

Putting that into perspective, that means that Imperial have an average of 209, with an average of 92 points conceded per match. Let’s do the same for Reading:-

R 1	Reading	175	110	Strathclyde
R 2	Reading	245	50	Dundee
QF 1	Reading	170	135	Birmingham
QF 2	Reading	120	225	Imperial
QF 3	Reading	145	70	St. Johns
SF	Reading	145	115	Edinburgh

This gives Reading an average score per match of 166.6, with an average of 117.5 points conceded per match.

Let’s not forget that quarter final match, either. Both teams won their first quarter final and met in their second quarter final match. Imperial ran out comfortable winners then. Let’s be honest, things are rarely as clear cut in the form book as they seem to be for this final. Imperial just have to turn up to become champions, don’t they? 

Well, no, it isn’t as simple as that. 

If we go back to basic principles, in a straight fight between two teams EITHER team can win given the right set of circumstances. Ah yes, you might well say, but isn’t it much more likely that Imperial will find the right set of circumstance than that Reading will? It certainly looks like it. They have never had a winning margin less than 100 points. They have one of the series’ outstanding buzzers in Max Zeng, another in Michael Mays, and great support from Fatima Sheriff and Gilbert Jackson. They haven’t shown very much in the way of areas of weakness. They showed resilience in the semi final against Emmanuel, when they didn’t get off to the best start, and only started to pull away just before the 20 minute mark.

Let’s not underestimate Reading, though. They were in the lead at the 10 minute mark in that fateful quarter final. In some ways, it was a foreshadowing of what happened in Imperial’s semi final against Emmanuel. Once Imperial found their mark it was had for Reading to even buy a starter. However, the fact is that their opening 12 minutes showed that they can outbuzz Imperial for periods of time. Michael Hutchinson is the top buzzer of the series so far with a massive 40. Margaret Ounsley has consistently provided good starters as well, often those starters which cause everyone else to furrow their brows. Sylvian Jesudoss and Kira Bishop also played their part in victories over St. John's and Edinburgh.

At the end of the day, I have to make a prediction, and I’m not going to bottle it. I have to plump for Imperial – apologies for that, Imperial. I hope I’ve made it clear that Reading can win, but I feel that the most likely outcome is Imperial lifting the trophy. Here’s hoping for another quality match, whatever else happens.