Pre-Season Predictions

I would like to take this opportunity to share my own predictions from the preseason. They are especially relevant because they involve another member of our illustrious group, but to protect his identity, we'll call him Collin Scotts.

I traveled to Boston on August 17, 2007 with Collin to meet up with Nick "Giggles" Van Blaricome and take in a game at Fenway. During the course of the weekend, the three of us weighed in on the upcoming collegiate and professional football seasons. I remember predicting Illinois to go at least 6-6, maybe even 7-5 and get a bowl. Collin and Nick seemed to agree, but were not overly optimistic. I also said the Bears would be lucky to go 10-6, a pontification to which Collin and Nick were aghast.

Well, my bowl prediction came true, but to an end that I would never have dreamed. Unfortunately, after yet another garbage-fest last night, the Bears are not nearly as fortunate as Juice and the Gang. But with roses on my mind, I couldn't care less about them right now.

In an unrelated story, I talked to one of my aunt's the other night (whom I rarely talk with) and she told me that her daughter, my cousin (with whom I also rarely talk), was in the Marching Illini back in 1983 for just long enough to realize how much she hated bandoes. Shortly after she quit, the Illini went to the Rose Bowl - without her. Thus, my journey will be one of familial revenge, claimed against all Bandoes, in the name of O'Brien.