I wish I had a dollar for every time I've heard the question: "Who's gonna win?"
You hear it during Super Bowl week, maybe leading up to the World Series, or, back when boxing mattered, in the days leading up to a title fight.
This past week, that question has been targeted on the national championship game between Florida and Oklahoma.
"Who ya like?"
"Whaddaya think?"
I guess it's a natural reaction when you run into a guy whose job -- in theory -- involves having an idea of who's going to win a certain game.
My favorite natural reaction involves the weather. How many times have you witnessed a sudden downpour and heard some variation of the following phrase: "Well, we sure could use it."
I always feel like saying, "Geez, I just poured a concrete porch; I sure can't use it."
Honestly, except in the worst of monsoon seasons, have you ever come in out of rainstorm and not heard someone mention how much we needed it? Well, the past week, I don't think I've run into anyone who didn't want to know who's gonna win the Gators-Sooners game. As if anyone really knows. At least with rain, you have Ol' Man Doppler for guidance. Who's gonna help us with the football game -- Lee Corso?
So, unless you're totally out of conversational ideas, move on to another topic.
And, by the way, Florida by about 12.


I'm a 6 year(former)resident of the Ormond-Daytona area.Your columns wer4e required reading daily. I moved back to PA due to health problems & our kids. As I recall, your football predicting was about average.Your race coverage was impeccable.I don't have any money on the game but, I like your pick. I will continue reading your columns on line. A true fan of Willie G.R.Cooper
Not bad for an old man.