Prognosticators bounce back from worst overall week with best
The comeback kid is at it again! In this up-and-down season of picking football games, the Recorder’s Matt Sarr has seen plenty of down, but during the past three weeks he has seen some upside also. After going 8-2 in week six, Matt slipped to 3-7 during week seven. But last week he was on his game again and led the pack of Prognosticators with a 9-1 record.
Matt went with Arizona State to upset Stanford last week, but other than that he was perfect. When asked what has made the difference from week to week, Matt quickly said, “I have no idea.” I am sure his fellow pickers would have the same answer. Matt is now 38-40-2 for the season and is tied for third place.
Coming in second for week eight and now in first place overall for the season is David Horowitz. David took time out of his busy days at Horowitz Jewelry last week to share with me his super secret strategy for picking games each week.
It went something like this: “I study each game carefully each week. I check the players and team stats for each game. I study the scores from each of their previous games. Then I check to see what color uniforms each team is wearing. Once I have all of that info, I guess.” Sounds like a well thought out system to me.
Only kidding, David. We all know you know your sports teams. If you are into sports, whatever sport that may be, you should stop by David’s store and see all the sports memorabilia he has. I love to go in and look around.
David went 8-2 last week and moved up in the rankings to first place. At 41-37-2, he is leading the pack for the first time this season. Way to go David. That was some good guessing.
Out of first place for the first time in several weeks is former Recorder classified advisor, Judy Hall. Judy had a 6-4 week and now has a season total of 40-38-2. I am sure Judy is just taking a little break and getting ready for the big push at the end of the season.
Also at 6-4 for the week is Porterville Mayor Milt Stowe. Milt has stayed around the middle of the pack all season and is just waiting for the dust to settle from all the upsets to make his move to the top. Currently at 3840-2 for the year, Milt is tied with Matt for third place.
Former front runner Gary Gostanian went 6-4 for the week. Gary had a strong start to the season, but has cooled off the past few weeks. Gary has used that time to prepare for the final few weeks of the picking panel, so we expect to see him back toward the top very soon. Gary is only five games out of first place at 36-42-2 for the year.
Combined, the Prognosticators went 3515 for week eight. After having their worst showing of the season in week seven, they had their best in week eight. With only five games separating first and last, it is still anyone’s championship to win. Should make for a very exciting stretch run.
As I have said before, this is the closest competition I have ever seen in the various panels of Prognosticators over the past 30 plus years. Goes to show you how good the panel is, how many upsets there have been this year and how difficult the games they pick are each week.
We appreciate each of the Prognosticators taking time out of their busy schedules each week to provide our readers some fun. I appreciate their allowing me to poke some good-natured fun at them weekly. If you see them on the street or in their place of business, please let them know how much you enjoy reading about them each Friday.
Until next week, keep cheering for your favorite Prognosticator. They can use your help, so if you have any tips, make sure you let them know. I hope you have a blessed week and thank you for allowing us to be your hometown newspaper.