Chicago Sports Then and Now

The Zultan finished the regular season with a big performance.

After toying with his loyal followers throughout the entire season, the Sports Then and Now Zultan showed his true power in the final week of the “Top The Zultan” regular season.

Recognizing that Les Miles was due for an implosion, he correctly predicted that Mississippi would upset the LSU Tigers. He also bested most challengers by correctly predicting victory for Purdue, Oregon and BYU when many thought otherwise.

For the first time since the opening week of the contest, not a single contestant could beat the 7-3 mark of the Zultan.

After finishing the regular season with a success rate of 72 percent (80 of 111), the Zultan is enjoying a much deserved rest as he prepares for the challenge of the upcoming Bowl season.

Throughout the season, there were a few souls who did manage to “Top the Zultan” at least once.

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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 abandoned his natural inscrutable psychic forces and went with science last weekend, to his detriment.

The bumps on his head should have led the all-seeing phrenologist to realize that the Huskers were shucked unable to stand against the full force of a Cyclone. It should have revealed that a Horned Frog was more resilient against first-down evolution than a Cougar. Finally, Zultan should have sensed that the Nittany Lion was in command against the lowly Wolverine.

Once again the mighty Zultan was 7-for-10, or 70 percent—on the season, the magnificent one stands at 54-of-71, or 76 percent.

Zultan dismisses silly science for the board this week. It is the season of sunset for foolish football fanatics…

Last week, 13 rank amateurs conspired to make Zultan look bad by outguessing him. Tireless Zultan does all the work and these interlopers sap his well-earned glory. This week Zultan lives to make them all rue the day they dared to disagree with the mighty one.

Care to test your puny predicting powers against Zultan—Big Ten Seer for the Ages? Only the great one has mastered the movements of the football forecasting fool-proof Ouija board…beware of the Zultan…

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What do a Buckeye, a Sooner and a Hokie have in common? They all lost last weekend and ruined Zultan’s life! The mighty seer expected so much more – like a victory! Now the mighty one lives in torment as nine bested the exalted soothsayer, leaving him shrouded in shame.

Last week Zultan was 7 for 10 or 70 percent – do you get this percentage stuff yet? On the season – the all-seeing one climbs to 47 of 61 or 77 percent to date.

Phooey on amateurs is all Zultan says as he readies his magnificent mind for the impossible week ahead. This is where we separate the men from the boys, the bad from the ugly – the dazed from the confused. Get ready to rumble because Zultan is charged, firing on all mental cylinders.

Do you feel favored enough to pit your puny predicting powers against Zultan – Big 10 Seer for the ages? Time to take your turn at the big wheel…
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Zultan promises to lay off the grain alcohol after tanking last week, scoring only six out of 10 or 60 percent.

Overall, Zultan comes in at 77 percent, 24 of 31.  Miami and the Cal Bears cost Zultan mightily while the Iowa win pleased him even though Zultan chickened out and picked favored Penn State.  Northwestern also sorely disappointed the soggy seer whose rain-soaked teams seemed to lay down and drown.

This week Zultan finds the road difficult.  Home wins are favored. To keep the magic number at 10,  Zultan has added four contests outside the Big 10.  Join in the fun – pit your puny predicting powers against Zultan—Big 10 Seer for the ages…

(1) Arkansas State @ Iowa
This no-brainer is just what Zultan needs after last week.  Iowa will win this one at home after drying out the gold and black uniforms and practicing hanging onto those Ricky Stanzi passes.  After upsetting Penn State 21-10 last week on the road, the Hawkeyes will need to cement their new ranking with a solid win at home.  The Iowa faithful will welcome the guys home in grand style and watch the Hawkeyes win their fifth in a row.

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Can You Top The Big Ten Zultan?

Do You Know More About the Big Ten than Sports Then and Now’s “Zultan of the Big Ten” JA Allen?

Each week JA will share her predictions for all Big Ten games.  Click Here to Enter Your Picks and Try to Top The Zultan.

Everyone who beats the Zultan’s record will be recognized in the next column and registered to win a $50 Best Buy Gift Certificate, which will be awarded to one winner in a drawing at the end of the season.

Big 10 Fearless Predictions -  Week #3

I enjoyed an almost perfect “Fearless” Week #2, going 10 for 11 or 91 percent – missing only the Michigan State upset by Central Michigan. Otherwise I was  perfect on prognostication.  I am ready to tackle the unenviable task of predicting the Big 10 contests for the upcoming Saturday on September 19, 2009.

#1 California Golden Bears @ Minnesota

The California Golden Bears ranked number 7 or 8 depending on your poll of choice will put a damper on the Gopher’s celebration of their new stadium and their hard-fought victory over  Air Force last week. The Bears have scored over 50 points in their first two contests – both described as blowouts.  Minnesota, even with their well-seasoned defense will not be able to stop the Bears.  Sorry Gophers.

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