In previous years, some teams have looked up for the cup - only to inevitably meet one of the big four en route to Wembley and seeing their dreams die.
Everton bucked this trend last year when beating (an admittedly under-strength) Manchester United on penalties at Wembley in the semi-finals but they were no match for Chelsea in the final, despite taking an early lead.
2010 is different. The big four have all shown their vulnerability and Liverpool may be jostled out of the elite quartet by Manchester City.
But it's not just that.
Liverpool, United and Arsenal are, of course, already out of the FA Cup.
This should give renewed hope to the likes of Aston Villa, Birmingham, Stoke, Man City and Fulham. Everybody will be thinking if we can avoid a trip to Stamford Bridge, we have an outstanding opportunity.
And clearly Tottenham and Harry Redknapp has gone the distance and won the trophy before.
Bolton will be energetic under Owen Coyle but new boys Jack Wilshere and Vladimir Weiss are ineligible and Gary Cahill's blood clot is a huge blow.
Spurs have been, well, Spurs recently.
Just when they look like making a statement in the league, they blow up. Losing both games to Wolves is nothing short of criminal.
But the North Londoners love the FA Cup - they always have done.
And Harry will be scenting the smell of hot dogs and a trip to the showpiece stadium in May.
So gobble up some of that 11/10 about Spurs winning at The Reebok.
It might be said it's lucky for Spurs when the year ends in one but perhaps Redknapp has got them 12 months ahead of schedule.
