Every group of forecasters has an optimist. But there’s a difference between optimism and blind faith in the abilities of the home team. (Sorry, Cubs fans.)
Last week I had the courage to pick Notre Dame over the University of Washington, even as I secretly hoped that my Huskies would prove me wrong. They didn’t, but that’s college football for ya.
Sports editor David Sterrett — that goofy looking guy in the middle of the pack — not only picked the Wildcats to defeat the mighty Golden Gophers but he went 2-10 overall. Ouch.
Now, I’ve worked with David for the past three years, but I didn’t expect such a dismal showing from the guy who I entrusted to lead The Daily’s sports desk for the past two quarters.
So to get an insight into the psychology of this week’s big loser, I talked to an expert: David’s longtime girlfriend, Sonia Wengerhoff.
Sonia provided more than enough stories to explain David’s psychosis.
He spends much of his free time — no surprise here — watching sports, Sonia said. His current sports obsession — which borders on a sick fascination — is Tennessee quarterback Erik Ainge.
“David loves that guy,” Sonia said. “He always watches him on TV and says he’s cute.”
David also is shamelessly devoted to NU football, to the point of having an entire NU fantasy team, including players he wishes would transfer here, mapped out in his head.
But sometimes the lines of fantasy and reality seem to blur.
“I have to pretend I know what’s going on,” Sonia said. “It’s like real life to him.”
Still, that’s not too strange for an enthusiastic fan, I thought. Then Sonia dropped the bombshell.
“David cries every time he watches the movie ‘Miracle,'” she said. “He’s like, ‘Oh, I just have dust in my eye.'”
Aww. Now I get it. He’s just a hopelessly sentimental guy. Beyond all that tough talk, David just really wants the little guy to win.
It’s almost enough to make me root for him this week. Almost. But now we know his weakness.
Join me in pounding the heck out of him and the rest of our hapless panel this week. It’s just too easy.
E-mail Fearless Forecasters at [email protected] by Friday at midnight with your picks!
