Sports Then and Now

Don’t be sad. It had to happen.

Zultan faces the inevitable end of the season. Soon you will not have the all—seeing one to kick around anymore, to paraphrase the often hilarious Richard Nixon! This is Zultan’s last regular fearless prediction column of 2009. Hibernation mercifully awaits.

Last week the seer went 6 of 10, missing wins by Northwestern at Illinois, Michigan State at Purdue, Ohio State over Iowa (sigh), and Stanford’s annihilation of USC—whoa! Year to date, Zultan clings to 72 percent [73 of 101].

This is your last chance to enter the drawing for a $50 Best Buy Gift card by clicking here to enter your own predictions. If you outguess the mighty Zultan your name will be placed in the draw along with all those who surpassed Zultan on the season. The winner will be announced on November 24 in a special feature on Sports Now and Then.

Zultan may consider forecasting bowl winners if the hue and outcry for his return is great enough. You may let me know in your own inimitable style.

In the meantime…there are upcoming games to predict with much still at stake in the Big 10 and the rest of college football.

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The Zultan is ready to banish the entire state of Michigan.

Zultan was betrayed by the entire State of Michigan last Saturday. The mighty seer would have been perfect on the day had it not been for this lowly state. Zultan has requested that Canada annex Michigan as a new province because both Michigan and Michigan State are now banished from Zultan’s kingdom. Maybe the Wolverine State needs a Big Blues Clue! Let them flounder in the Northern Regions.

This week, despite the record number of challengers who sensed the mighty one was vulnerable, only two surpassed the peerless Zultan, going 9 of 10. Zultan, because of Michigan and Michigan State stood at 8 for 10 or 80 percent. On the season, Zultan simmers at 77 percent picking 62 of 81 through October 31st.

The most inscrutable contest on Saturday in the Big 10 takes place in Beaver Stadium where Ohio State comes calling in a place only the locals think of as “happy.” Another impossible call presents itself when LSU arrives in Tuscaloosa to play Alabama. These are just two of the many difficult challenges ahead for the all-seeing seer of seers.

Is this the week when you are finally going to stand up and be counted among Zultan’s peers? The challenge is yours – the question remains – do you feel lucky? Because keep in mind that Zultan has more than luck on his side – a warning for the faint at heart…
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Zultan was a whisker away from being perfect this past Saturday; but the football gods conspired against the surly seer banishing his chance for glory by making players drop and fumble the ball and generally hand victory over to the opposition. Zultan has made certain there is no repeat of those hideous errors this week. He will reveal his secret only to those who are worthy.

Zultan correctly picked 7 out of 10 or 70% for you math-challenged souls. Overall the all-seeing one is 31 of 41 or 76% for the season. Because they sorely disappointed Zultan, the seer cast a spell on Minnesota, Purdue and Georgia – they shall rue the day they disappointed an unforgiving Zultan.

This week Zultan finds the crystal ball murky – the future remains obscured. He is troubled that a handful of lucky guessers outdid the mighty one this past week. Zultan is humbled by their pitiful picks – wondering how many others will pit their puny predicting powers against groggy – Zultan – Big 10 Seer for the ages…

Miami of Ohio at Northwestern

Zultan sees the Red Hawks soaring but falling short at Northwestern this Saturday. The Miami of Ohio team has lost their last five games and even though their coach says they are improving, Zultan must wonder – at what? Northwestern should accept this gift and prepare for far worse company in the near future.

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