CRYSTAL BALL

Every year about this time (the end of college football season), I think about the lunacy of anyone's attempting to predict the future. As I look at the Sports Illustrated preseason picks for the top 20 and compare it to the actual rankings at present, my skepticism is rewarded. (you can see this preseason ranking and many more at www.collegefootballpoll.com)

One would think that there is no reason to even play the season's games since so much confidence in placed in these preseason polls. Well, THE POLLS WERE WRONG! VERY WRONG! For your perusal here is the SI preseason list and after tonight ( 1-8-09) the BCS Championship Bowl will have been played and either Florida, Oklahoma or maybe Texas will be crowned champion.

1. UGA
2. Ohio State
3. USC
4. Missouri
5. Florida
6. Oklahoma
7. Auburn (what a disaster)
8. Texas Tech
9. LSU
10. Wisconsin
11. Clemson
12. Tennessee (ha! ha!)
13. Texas
14. West Virginia
15. Kansas
16. Arizona State
17. BYU
18. Ohio State
19. Pittsburgh
20. Oregon

In addition, almost every day I read about a stock that I should buy because it is going to rise to a certain price by a certain time in the year.

When the stock market was in the 13,000 range, I heard an analyst on FOX TV predict that there would be a correction in the market in 2008. The worst case scenario was that the market would correct as far down at 12,000. He was partially correct!

As of today, the hot news is the battle between Israel and Hamas in Palestine. Almost every newscaster has a prediction of what is going to happen.

Yesterday was predicted to be a nice day! Even the weather man with all of his satellites and stuff was WRONG!

Here's a suggestion for the new year... just enjoy you life. If you have a good day ... be thankful! If you find tomorrow that Israel and the Arabs have kissed and made up ... be thankful! If the stock market makes it to 10,000 in 2009 (as predicted) be thankful! If your favorite college football team defies all odds and wins most of their games ... again, be thankful!

Today I read in the paper that Matthew Stafford and Knowshon Moreno have decided to enter this years NFL draft.

I predict that UGA fans will be disappointed.

UPDATE: HERE ARE THE ACTUAL POSTSEASON RANKINGS

AP TOP 25
1. FLORIDA
2. UTAH
3. USC
4. TEXAS
5. OKLAHOMA
6. ALABAMA
7. TCU
8. PENN STATE
9. OHIO STATE
10. OREGON
11. BOISE STATE
12. TEXAS TECH
13. GEORGIA
14. MISSISSIPPI
15.VIRGINIA TECH
16. OKLAHOMA STATE
17. CINCINNATI
18. OREGON STATE
19. MISSOURI
20. IOWA
21. FLORIDA STATE
22. GEORGIA TECH
23. WEST VIRGINIA
24. MICHIGAN STATE
25. BRIGHAM YOUNG

THERE YOU HAVE IT!