I think XSET is underrated
maybe a little bit, but 100T's last matches against Faze and Guard were unbelievably good, if they keep that form up i seriously believe they can do it.
Optic didn't look as good in Copenhagen, and their playstyle seems to have begun to become figured out. They also seem to have staled a bit, at least in my eyes, in terms of strats and comps. Just my take anyway.
We've seen this in the past, the teams that don't come from LCQ or do good in the event prior to champs will do good. I can see XSET being very good just because of the fact nobody has vods on them atm and the fact Cryo and Zekkan are great on LAN. I think 100T will do good also, they have the best coaching staff in the tournament and they are going against strat heavy teams(I see 100t qualifying through LB). Optic is a wild card but if they can reinvent themselves in the 2 weeks Bootcamp(Using new comps and changing tendencies) they will be good because they have the fragging for it.
realistic expectations for each team
XSET: 5-8th: their group is the weakest in the tournament, and depending on their first round matchups they could win a game or two, if they get grouped it will be an embarrasment on NA valorant's name
100T: 12-9th: they have an incredibly tough group, and while it could be argued they have the skill to match up with DRX and FNATIC, they clearly don't have the experience, with the only one even having gone to a LAN on the level of champs being Asuna. making it to playoffs will be an overperformance for this team, especially with the roster turmoil after challengers 1
Optic: Top 4: if Optic don't at least make top 4 it will be a flop tournament. They are the masters 1 champions and masters 2 3rd place finishers, and the potential of this team should be a championship favorite.