It was with a wry smile that I reacted to the recent news of changes to this year’s WSP, World Series of Prediction.
The organization that rules said premier of postseason events, CPPPPOCE (College Postseason Prediction Playoff Oligarchical Council of Elders) has in their wisdom decided to stay in lockstep with the CFP, expanding from 4 contenders to a dozen.
Why I greeted the news thusly should be obvious. Another 4-1 weekend — Pitt, Texas, IU, U of L right, UK wrong) propels me to 43-12 on the campaign.
Glossy.
In former years, with that record I’d easily be in the Final Four (for the first time I feel compelled to share), competing with only three others. Now there shall be twelve of us, and as it has been said, on any given weekend . . .
Given that I’ve just about lapped the field in the SM-NM Region (South Middle-North Midwest), known among us as the Big Mid, I’m pretty much assured a first round bye.
Absent some meltdown of Seminolian proportions, of course.
But, it’s still early.
Maybe baby come back next week, and I’ll be on a losing streak.
This week’s winners:
Pittsburgh @ Southern Methodist. Before the season, when we know sumthin’ but not as much as we really think we do, the Cardinal/ Clemson matchup woulda been the most important gridiron encounter in the A&PCC this weekend. Then, of course, games get played, won and lost. The Panthers and Mustangs still have unblemished records in the league. So, yeah, it’s trick or treat time in DTown. Winner will still be in play for the crown. Conference rookies are favorites between these two evenly matched squads, because it’s on their home turf. Pitt’s undefeated. At least they will be until this one’s over. SMU.
Ohio State @ Pennsylvania State. James Franklin’s Nittany Lions have been on the periphery of the edge of the cusp of breaking on through to a Big Eighteen title pretty much more or less since the coach moved up from the banks of the Cumberland. But he’s never quite been able to grab that brass ring. This week’s battle in State College allows him a HUGE opportunity to break on through to the other side. I am as skeptical of his counterpart Ryan Day as all those yahoos on the Buckeye call in shows, calling for his head on a spike. There’s just something amiss with that $20 million gang. Penn State.
Mississippi @ Arkansas. Why on earth would I weigh in on a contest featuring two schools who have coaches I loathe? One head guy, one OC. And, I might add, schools that have head hoops mentors I wish would go away. Because . . . because . . . because . . . I don’t know why because. But here I am, torn in choosing who shall be victorious. But this is the life I’ve chosen. Since Sam Pittman seems like a decent fella, old schoolish, and there’ll be plenty o’ whooo pig sooey in the Fayetteville stands, Razorbacks.
Indiana @ Michigan State. Anybody who has been paying the least attention to my pigskin musings this autumn knows of my man crush on Curt Cignetti and what he’s accomplished in Bloomington. I haven’t the slightest inkling about Sparty. Haven’t seen a play of the Green all season. I won’t let that get in the way. Love clouds the mind. CG’s my main man. It’s too late to stop now. Crimson & Cream.
Kentucky @ Tennessee. When in full meltdown, visiting Knoxville on a November Saturday night is not optimal. Such is the Cats lot. Rocky Top.
Louisville @ Clemson. Oh I wish. Oh how very very much I wish. But the Curse of James Quick remains alive and well still. I can hear myself screaming, “Cut inside, dude, cut inside.” Sigh. U of L is ofer Clemson in eight attempts. Loathe as I am to admit it, and project it — and as much as I hope I err — mark it 9, Donny.
— c d kaplan
I was in the Clemson stadium that night shouting that same cry to James Quick, just go to your right and you’ll be THERE. Apparently, I was drowned out by the 79,800 Clemson fans. Ranks up there with the 3 overtime defeat at West Virginia on the Heartbreaker Scale