Janie BoschmaThroughout the semester sports section co-editors Frank Pellegrino and Nick Gourdoux will be competing head-to-head in their own version of ESPN’s “Streak for the Cash” competition. The competition is based off the simple idea of predicting anything and everything that has to do with sports. From specific stats like what will happen in Manny Ramirez’s second plate appearance? (a) hit or walk (b) any other result, to simple predictions like who will win a matchup between (a) Boston Red Sox (b) Tampa Bay Rays. The goal is to be able to streak together as many correct predictions as possible, or to at least put together a good prediction percentage. Anyone who gets 30 consecutive predictions will have the chance to win a million dollars. We thought it might be interesting if we put a twist on it and related things more to UW-Eau Claire, predicting the outcomes of our school’s events. For each column we’ll predict what will happen during four school events and one national one from the ESPN web site. Usually each week we’ll start with a recap of how the prior week went and then go into our latest predictions for the week ahead. However since there is nothing to recap in the first column, we’re each going to start out with our semester goals.
Semester Goals
Frank: Having experience with the “Streak for the Cash” competition before, I am relatively optimistic about my predicting skills for the semester. I am hoping to put together a streak of 15 consecutive correct predictions, and to have at least 70% of them correct. I like the number 15 because it’s halfway to winning the million, and I like 70% because it seems like a lot. My final, and most important goal, is to make sure that both my highest streak and percentage correct are both higher than my co-editors. There is no way I can ever let him beat me at anything. Ever.
Nick: This is my first time playing this prediction game, so I may be at a slight disadvantage. I like to think that an accurate prediction percentage of 66 percent or higher is a reasonable expectation and I like to believe I could get a streak of 10 consecutive weeks of at least one accurate prediction. My main goal, however, is to beat my co-editor Frank in every possible way. Since we are probably the two most sports knowledgeable people on staff, this is probably the best way to determine bragging rights. I think the biggest advantage I will have will be my two previous semesters as sport editor of The Spectator. I feel I am pretty well versed in my UW-Eau Claire athletics and am willing to defend my self-bestowed crown of Spectator Sports Tsar. The one problem I foresee, however, is the fact that my two semesters as sports editor came during spring semesters.
Football – What will the total score be? (A) More than 35 points (B) Less than 35 points
Frank: Last year Eau Claire’s offense was pretty successful and was able to average 20.8 points per game. On the other hand their defense was also relatively successful but on average still gave up a modest 15.3 points per game. Adding those two stats together, you reach just barely over 35 points. On top of that, when the two teams met last year the score was a very low 11-6. My vote goes to less than 35 points.
Nick: My first guess would have been B since the Blugolds only scored more than 20 points in a game three times last year, and, with the exception of the games against perennial power house UW-Whitewater, the team regularly held opponents under 10 points a game. However, a little more research changed my mind. The Blugolds actually averaged 20.8 points per game, while allowing 15.3 – bringing the average score total to 36.1 point per game. With the dramatic roster changes that are forced onto college teams every year, it’s impossible to know whether or not that average would shift dramatically in either direction, so I needed further reason to switch my prediction, which is why I decided to look up Bethel College’s points per game averages. Last season, Bethel scored an average of 25.5 points per game while allowing 20.9, which comes to a total of 46.4 points per game. That coupled with Eau Claire’s points per game averages is the reason why I am going to pick A) 35 or more points.
Women’s Soccer – Who will score first? (A)UW-Eau Claire (B) St. Benedict or neither team
Frank: After covering the soccer team last season I found out the team has a high-powered offense and they almost always get on the board first. Although St. Benedict had a rather successful campaign last season (13-5), they struggled to put up goals at times. The Blugolds scored first in their season opener and I look for them to do more of the same. My vote: UW-Eau Claire
Nick: Heading into this prediction, I thought it would be tough. Soccer is not one of my areas of expertise, so I figured I would have no way of creating reason behind a pick either way. Then I found it – A stat that practically answered the question for me. Since this season is too young still, I once again went back to last year’s statistics page, where I found that the Blugolds outscored their opponents 43-7 in the first period last season. My prediction? A) UW-Eau Claire will score first.
Women’s Volleyball – How many games will they win this weekend when they host the UWEC Labor Day Classic? (A) More than 6 (B) Less than 6
Frank: UWEC’s volleyball team is always very competitive, proven by their early 3-0 and 3-1 victories this season. With four matches in the tournament, I see no reason why the Blugolds can’t continue their impressive start to the season. I look for them to win between eight and 10 games. My vote: More than 6.
Nick: Since Frank chose the last question about the team he covers, I figured I would counter that by coming up with a question about the team I cover regularly. The volleyball team is scheduled to play in four matches, each of which is a best of five, which means the maximum number of games the Blugolds can win will be 12. Some quick research revealed that the Blugolds are a combined 82-35 against their opponents. Against the first two opponents, St Scholastica (Minn.) and UW-Stout, the Blugolds are a combined 75-31. Eau Claire has never played their third scheduled opponent, Judson University (Ill.), so it will be tough to predict how that match will end. Still, the overall record Eau Claire has against their opponents is enough to convince me to predict that they will A) win at least six or more games at the tournament.
All Athletics – How many Blugolds sports teams will come away victorious this weekend? (A) More than 3 (B) 3 or less
Frank: With eight UWEC teams in action this weekend I find it hard to imagine that at least half of those teams won’t come away with a victory this weekend. I have the soccer and volleyball teams winning for sure and assume that at least two of the other six can pick up a win. My vote: More than 3
Nick: This is a tough one. UW-Eau Claire has a busy athletics week as five of its sports teams – football, soccer, volleyball, women’s tennis, and women’s golf – take action between today and Wednesday, September 9, with the soccer team playing twice. I already predicted the volleyball team will walk away with winning percentage at least above .500, and I think the football team can beat Bethel on Saturday. The women’s tennis team beat St. Norbert, their opponent this week, 8-1 last year and is returning many of their key contributors. The tough ones to predict will be the soccer and the women’s golf teams. With women’s golf, it’s hard to expect them to finish first overall when competing against several opponents at the same time, but on the other hand they are playing on their home course at Mill Run Golf Course. The soccer team, on the other hand, lost only two games last year, and was one of the school’s most successful athletics team, but lost their season opener against St. Thomas (Minn.) 2-1. Because of the uncertainty that comes with the latter two team, I’m going to have to go with choice B) Three or fewer UW-Eau Claire teams will come away victorious.
National Event – Who will win this matchup? (A) Oregon Ducks at (B) Boise State Broncos
Frank: College football is always hard to predict at the beginning of the year with so many players leaving and coming. On top of that, these teams are both very evenly matched. Although I love the Ducks’ uniforms, I have to give the slight edge to the home team. My vote: Boise State Broncos.
Nick: College football is another one of my weak spots. I do not know nearly as much about the sport as I should, especially since I am the sports editor of a college newspaper. The two teams seem evenly matched, so I’m simply going to choose B) Boise State, because they are the home team.
