iwannabeinbandplease!!!

I'm new to Area/State band competitions. I'm wondering why so many people in their State Finals predictions list Westlake ahead of or in lieu of the bands that finished ahead of them at Area (Johnson, Anderson, sometimes Reagan). Is State judged differently than Area? Is there something about Westlake's program that will play better at State than it did at Area? I've seen Westlake's show 3 times and it just doesn't seem as strong to me as the other three bands I listed. Thanks!