I know I’m late getting to this, alright? I’ve been a, comparatively speaking by my standards, lazy piece of shit to start 2022. Nonetheless, it’s an annual tradition of mine to hold myself accountable for my bad takes in the form of reposting them on the internet for the world to see. You can laugh at me, chide me….do what you will. I wish more analysts did this because, in a weird way, it’s actually kind of fun to look back at. Nonetheless, here are the very few predictions I got right and the many predictions I got wrong during this college football season.
What I Got Right
Georgia – My biggest win was actually successfully predicting the National Champions in the preseason. I haven’t done that since saying Florida State was going to run the table in 2013. All these years as an “analyst,” and this is only the second time I’ve gotten it right. WTF? Who keeps paying me to do this?
Kentucky – The take I’m most proud of this year – I was confident in saying the Wildcats could surprise as the runner-up in the SEC East because of the changes they had made to their offense, the talent coming back, and hypotenusing that the SEC East would have a bit of a surprising down year. I felt like a lunatic sticking my neck out there for this one, but I got it, so I’m just going to forget the horrible
Ole Miss – I don’t know how big of a reach it is to have said Ole Miss was going to contend for a top 10 spot given all the talent they had, but since they weren’t even ranked in the preseason poll, I’m going to take it. I need every victory I can get this season.
Western Kentucky – When Western Kentucky was sitting there at 1-4, averaging 35.8 points per game losing to Army, Indiana, Michigan State, and UTSA, I distinctly remember saying “watch out for this offense once they start C-USA play.” They ended up damn near winning C-USA and posting 10 wins.
Florida and LSU – I thought both programs were being vastly overrated before the season started. The Gators nearly made me eat crow the way they played Alabama, but in the end, it all came crumbling down for Cousin Eddie (Dan Mullen).
What I Got Wrong
Alabama – Whoa, buddy I got a lot wrong this year. Let’s start with the defending champs. I am guilty of saying this was going to be a rebuilding year for the Tide. I am guilty of saying their season was over after Texas A&M. I am guilty of saying their season was over after the Iron Bowl. At least I got it right when I said their season was over after the National Championship.
Iowa State – Yeah, I bit on all the senior talent and a perceived “weak” Big 12. I thought they’d surprise not only in the conference but in the College Football Playoff too.
Arizona State – I called them a dark horse playoff contender. That’s how much I believed in Jayden Daniels, and how little I believed in the Pac-12 to start the season.
North Carolina – I said they had the best shot at dethroning Clemson in the ACC and that Sam Howell would be a dark horse Heisman contender.
South Carolina and/or Vanderbilt – Oof…..this one hurts because of just how bad Vanderbilt ended up being. I almost left this one out because it stings so bad to relive. But, in the name of transparency….shit….I said I thought there was a good chance that South Carolina would be the worst team in the SEC this season.
Miami – Manny Diaz is the guy!
UCLA – I’m bringing UCLA up because of how stupid my overreaction to their win over LSU was. I didn’t think they’d be much of anything in the preseason, but once they upset LSU, I started calling them a contender in the Pac-12 DESPITE GOING ON OUR PODCAST AND WRITING ABOUT HOW OVERRATED I THOUGHT LSU WAS. My fucking brain….
Arkansas – “If all goes well, they would be fortunate to contend for a bowl game” or something like it…
Louisiana – I said something along the lines of “mid-majors don’t replicate special seasons very often.” The Ragin’ Cajuns lost just one game for the second year in a row.
Tulane – How dumb….I talked for like a month straight about how they were building a quality program down there at Tulane only for them to go 2-10. As it turned out, Oklahoma just sucked.
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Listen to “2021, Ep. 18: The Biggest Surprises and Disappointments of the Season” on Spreaker.Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network, and a Dogs Playing Poker on velvet connoisseur. He is a strong supporter of Team GSD, #BeBetter, and ‘Minds right, asses tight.’ “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, Nashville, Yankee Candle, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley
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