Last week, my colleague Glenn “Phen” Kasses introduced me as the “non-sports entry” on the 2001 Forecasters slate. While a quick study of our waistlines may suggest that designation is just as fitting for the three gentleman seated to the right as it is for me, I don’t mind the outsider tag one bit.
I’ve been the Jew in Kentucky. The Kentuckian in Chicago. The cartoonist on edit board. I’m used to being out of place, and I don’t expect a little feat — like, say, demolishing these expert-texpert fellows in one try — to change any of that.
But why complain? I mean, would you want to be “included” if it meant being associated with Leo “The Golden Hurricane” Ebersole and his Aggies-over-Irish prediction? Last week, this guy said the Domers were a touchdown better than Michigan State. Now he says they’ll fall apart against the team that floundered against another MSU — McNeese State. Should have stuck to your guns, Leo.
And what about Glenn, who thinks the Vols are going to walk all over LSU?
With both teams coming off three-week breaks, this’ll be closer than first cousins at the state fair. Look for the Tigers to shake off the rust first and geaux home with a W.
I’m not even worried about Rittenberg, for whom kinship may best be found in a mental institution. That’s the only place I can think of where folks could see the logic in picking the unproven Beavers over the surging Bruins. And even then only if it’s Thorazine night on the ward.
Lastly, a big hello to my fellow rank outsider for the week. Too bad you’re not gonna be here next Friday, Jeff — I think we’d get along just fine. Picking the Wolfpack over Julius Peppers and the Seminole-smashing Tar Heels shows you have the right disregard for reality it takes to fit in around here.
So yeah, I’m the non-sports non-expert Forecaster and proud of it. Let these goyeshe Medilldo Yankees have their fun writing headlines and sucking down Gardettos like Ashcroft just banned vending machines. Ten wins and a cloud of dust says life’s still better on the outside.
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