Chicago Sports Then and Now

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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Can You Top The Zultan?

Last week Zultan was 8 for 10 or 80% in predicting winners in Big 10 football contests on Saturday, September 19th.  The misses were Northern Illinois’ upset of Purdue and Indiana’s road win over Akron. Otherwise Zultan was perfect again…total tallies of 18 for 21 or 86 percent for the last two weeks.

In the first week of the “Top The Zultan” contest, no contestant was able to beat my record, but there were two contestants that came close as they tied with me at 8-2. Click here if you think you can top my picks for this week.

As the Big 10 season opens this weekend, the number of contests decreases and the complexity of selection increases.  In order to keep the minimum number of picks at 10, Zultan has added some other football games of interest to fans and prognosticators.
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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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