Football wager may mean new wardrobe

It's a good thing that I don't gamble. I'd be broke, flat broke. Not that I'm rolling in the dough right now, but the way I predict games and take some of the most random selections, if I were to put money where my mouth is then I'd lose everything.

Take away the fact that I went 10-0 last week (I shouldn't brag just yet) and the fact that I predicted a Tennessee loss to UGA (predicted score: 42-20 Georgia, actual score: 26-14 Georgia), aside from my last few picks I admit, I've been awful.

Following a solid week, it looked as if my luck was turning around, but yesterday I filled up on a big bowl of stupid-o's and took out a pretty hefty bet with my father. Brace yourselves, this is a big one. If you have a heart condition, I suggest you get your nitro tabs out just in case.

The bet: I predicted an Ole Miss upset of Alabama on Saturday, then a win by Tennessee over Bama the following week. Ole Miss has already played spoiler once this year defeating Florida in the Swamp, and I think it's very doable for the Rebels to come out on top in Alabama. The Tennessee victory is just a nice little dream. So, look forward to my future column photo of me donning a University of Alabama hat. I may also be in tears in the portrait. Dad's defeat is wearing my nice orange Vols shirt and hat for a week. It's a good thing his Crimson Tide hat fits me well.

Now, as for all of the trash talk I've been receiving around the area for not wearing Mizzou gear, how about those Cowboys? That one cut deep. Oklahoma State played up and it appeared that the Tigers were looking toward the Texas game a week too early. I sure would hate to play the Longhorns right now wouldn't you? That could've been Missouri's No. 1 spot, but instead they're playing to get back into the top 10. Just for informational purposes only, a few others at the newspaper are predicting four losses for the Tigers before season's end.. Speak Out lines are open.

I'm loving some Boston right now. Really what I'm loving is how BAD 'the Nation' is against the Rays. The young Tampa Bay squad is rolling with momentum and appear to be heading towards their first ever World Series.

As to whom they will be competing against, it's not looking good for Hollywood. The Dodgers have their backs against the wall against the Phillies (which I also dislike) as they prepare to play in game five tonight in LA. The talent is there for the Dodgers, but they'll have to go through Cole Hamels tonight as they face elimination down three games to one. I'm still pulling for Los Angeles, but it's getting tense.

On the local scene, the Bulldogs pulled off the 'upset' some say, and defeated Kennett handedly (understatement) without their starting quarterback, Charlie Bohannon. This week it's on the road again, as Willie Nelson would say, to West Plains. It'll be a tough one this Friday evening.

The Lady Bulldogs pulled within one game of the district championship on the diamond and put together quite an amazing season with a young squad. They'll be exciting in 2009 coming back with quite a bit more experience.

On the soccer field, Dude Long has seen his Bulldogs putting up recent victories and he's now one win shy of his 100th victory. Kennett will be in town Thursday evening for his attempt on the century mark.

In other local news, Kelly softball has once again wrapped up a district title (22 in 23 years) as well as a sectional victory yesterday against Twin Rivers. Oran is on the road today to Norwood to attempt a sectional win of their own.

Stay tuned for the NL Championship Series this evening on FOX, and keep your eyes glued to the Wednesday editions of the Standard Democrat to see if the Tennessee hat is out. See you next week.