While watching Friday’s Cal-Arizona State game, I am doubting myself. Not because I refuse to walk away from a close game I couldn’t care less about, but because of how much I really watch sports TV. It’s a borderline addiction. As soon as the idiot box clicks on, ESPN perks up. But watching the sports TV isn’t why I’ve become a self-doubter. It’s that I actually listen to the Dilfers, Schefters, Herbstreits and Matiches filling the half-hour time slots.
They’re ex-players, coaches and scouts. They know the sport. They’ve felt the pressure. They can describe the big game. Turns out, though, that every last one of ‘em is full of shit. How many times has Lee Corso’s mascot session been wrong? The World Cup octopus has a better lifetime record, I’m sure.
If the folks who claim to know the game best can’t pick the winner every time, then I can sleep easy knowing I got blown out (yet again) in fantasy football. But let’s not allow these yappers all the recognition without consequence.
Right here, right now, I’m starting a tally. I want to remind everyone midseason that, back in August, Dan Patrick (non-ESPN, but whatever) said the Bengals may not win a game all year, and, more importantly, let’s remind everyone which August prognosticator foresaw the 49ers as stronger than the Eagles (got nothing for you on that one).
Check back from time to time, let’s give credit where it’s due and swiftly strip it away from anyone who shouts loudest without a real clue (looking at you Keyshawn). I’m thinking of calling this “Hindsight.” Toss me some feedback or predictions a few days before games are played, and I’ll try to get it out in the open in an organized, snarky fashion.
‘Til next time.
Note: I would tackle college football, but we’re past the point of craziness I think. The last two weekends have overflowed with devastation. However, I will say that the preseason AP poll had my UF Gators ranked ahead of Auburn, West Virginia, USC and Houston. But they also had the ‘Noles at No.6, ahead of nearly everyone, especially Wake Forest, Clemson and Virginia (all of which were not ranked.)
