(note: i am remaking this market because i used the wrong question type previously)

i am part of a dance group comprised of undergraduate and graduate students. the group is audition-only and we have around thirty members. there is an annual dance competition held at my university where more than a dozen dance groups compete.

during my first year, we won first place. during my second year, we got fourth place, and didn't get crowd favorite. how will we place this year?

additional info:

our style of dance is modern/comtemporary. the group who is our biggest rival does more hip-hop and jazz funk styles.

the rivals got 2nd place, and then 1st place.

first year

directors were extremely strict, and talented choreographers. we added a lot of extra rehearsal time before the competition

second year

a lot of internal group drama. member held a lot of resentment towards the two co-directors. directors were not good choreographers, and not very good at teaching.

the group who won the competition is widely considered to have "stepped up their game" that year

third year (this year)

co-directors are talented choreographers, but there is building animosity from members towards them (because of unwillingness to take feedback, and playing favorites)

directors have voiced their intent for us to win (after embarassing performance last year)

directors plan to add a lot of tricks (e.g. difficult turns, jumps, flips, etc.)

our "rival group" is also "going hard" this year