There’s one reason and one reason only why this post, this predictions exist.
Joey the Vig.
Real name: John Wagner. May He Rest in Peace.
It was his annual bowl pool which I’d banter about yearly. And enter with some success and way more failure.
Until it ended a few years back after his way too early, way too young, and therefore untimely demise.
He was just a good damn guy, a former HS math teacher who loved spread sheets and being an interlocutor for various wagering endeavors among his ever increasing cadre of guys and gals who loved some action. Bowl pools. Baseball pools. In season football pools.
John would take a minimal slice off the top for his efforts. What he loved more was the interaction of his acolytes. The keeping track.
And he loved that somebody a few states south of his Michigan home had turned him into a fictional mythical icon.
So, John, with tears in my eyes, I advise these picks, as silly as they may be, are for you, my man.
This weekend’s Round Uno winners:
Indiana @ Notre Dame. This is the only one where I’ll really be rooting like a fan that I am. Anybody who has checked in here before knows I gotta fan boy crush on Curt Cignetti. There’s just somethin’ about the guy which fascinates me. That confidence that roars right up to cusp of bracing cockiness, but doesn’t cross the line. It’s obvious he can coach. As he is more than willing to advise. Winning in South Bend while not impossible is improbable. Funny things happen to visitors in big games there. A strange ref’s call. A slip and fumble. An invocation by the spirit of Ronald Reagan. I’d love to pick the Hoosiers, and hope I’m wrong, but . . . Irish.
Southern Methodist @ Pennsylvania State. I’ve really only paid attention to the Nittany Lions once during the regular season. During their L to the Buckeyes. What struck me was how mundane and generally ineffective their offense looked. Despite the presence of first round TE Tyler Warren. They backed into the Big Eighteen title game. But were representative against the Quack, losing by only a TD +2. They are somewhat modest favorites over “upstart” SMU. How good the Mustang’s are is hard to tell. Playing in the not so good A&PCC. Then getting “upset” by Clemson title week. I’m just not convinced about State. And, the first Mustang A-A was Doak Walker, who later played six seasons for my Detroit Lions. So, hey, here we go with Upset #1. SMU.
Clemson @ Texas. This will not be the first championship round meeting of Cade Klubnik and Quinn Ewers. They’re a couple of Friday Night Lights dudes. Their HS teams met in ’21 for the Lone Star State’s 6A championship. Tis a big thing in a state where everything is hugely rendered. Klubnik’s Westlake got the best of Ewers’ Carroll that night. In a 52-34 defensive struggle. The Dabos have been on this stage in not so distant times. The Longhorns obviously but it’s been awhile, since, oh, Mack Brown could actually coach. Can Cade do it again? Uh, no. The Texas is Back momentum continues.
Tennessee @ Ohio State. Those wags who have been talking incessantly about this newfangled playdown — a few of whom know what they are talking about, most of whom do not — have been honing in on one issue regarding this matchup. Actually a couple. Both concerning Ryan Day. He coaches the Buckeyes. At least for now. He is rather notably 66-10 as HC in Columbus. But as the O-H-I-O crowd will ever mention only 1-4 against that school up north. So, it is being posited by many that he be gone despite that success should he not win the natty. Maybe even if he does. Plus, it is being opined if the scarlet and gray don’t get off to a fast start the chilly nighttime crowd in the horseshoe may turn on their team. At least, their coach. The Vols are one of those teams that have been sort of under the radar. Two Ls. Both on the road in conference. Taking a flyer here. Rocky Top
— c d kaplan