University Challenge 2023-24: First Round Review

OK, so, the first first round of the Amol Rajan era has ended, and what a first round it has been. The highest scoring one for years too, and, at the end of it, we have, IMO, the strongest second round line-up in some time; I honestly wouldn't be surprised if any of the fourteen first round winners or the four highest scoring runners-up reach the second round. Our fourteen first round winners, plus their winning scores and margins of victory, are:

• Manchester (175, won on tie-breaker)
• Aberdeen (190, 65)
• Birkbeck (220, 15)
• Christ Church Oxford (180, 25)
• Emmanuel Cambridge (240, 180)
• U.C.L. (190, 45)
• UEA (235, 110)
• Hertford Oxford (230, 75)
• Imperial (285, 140)
• Sheffield (290, 175)
• Warwick (265, 125)
• Edinburgh (320, 170)
• Lincoln Oxford (225, 160)
• York (190, 70)

 So, those are, as ever, the raw figures of a very strong field indeed; so, who are the favourites?

Well, Edinburgh's 320 is the highest of the lot, followed by Sheffield's 290, Imperial's 285 and Warwick's 265. All four scores were also achieved against opponent who scored well in their own right, so, provided they avoid each other, those four would probably be the most favoured to go through.

Then there's the cluster of five teams whose scores are within 20 points of each other. Ironically, it might be the lowest scoring of those five, Birkbeck, who would be the most fancied to progress given their opponents also scored 200+. Plus, at least one of these five is definitely not going to make it, and possibly more than one given the very strong field.

And the final five, all of whose scores are, again, very close together, are all quite capable teams, especially Manchester given, again, the high quality of opponent they faced.

I honestly cannot say any match-up between any of these fourteen teams would be a foregone conclusion either way. While some teams, especially those four, would probably be fancied more than others, all are good in their own right and would be worthy quarter-finalists.

And that's before we even consider the teams that could come through the play-offs; those four teams are:

• Oxford Brookes (205, 15)
• Trinity Cambridge (175, lost on tie-breaker)
• Southampton (155, 25)
• Open (155, 75)

And the draw pits Trinity against Southampton this coming Monday, and Oxford Brookes against Open the week after.

Again, Trinity and Oxford Brookes would probably start as favourites, but Southampton and Open are both capable teams who can definitely not be ruled out.

In short, I cannot call who our quarter-finalists will be at all. This is the most even second round line-up for a while and, if the high standard of the contests in the first round is kept up, the second round really will be one to watch!

As for the host, I honestly think AR has been pretty good so far, apart from maybe overdoing the 'still plenty of time' remarks. In many ways, he's exactly what I was hoping Paxo's successor would be: like Paxo in enough ways we're familiar with, but still different enough to be his own. And I believe he has promised on the site formerly known as Twitter to take viewers' thoughts on board so as to improve, so he'll only improve as he does it more.

So, here's hoping the second round lives up to the impressive standards of the first; best of (retrospective) luck to all involved!

Back on Monday with my usual blog; see you then I guess...