I mean, last year it predicted that UTEP would win at least six games and that the Dallas Cowboys would make the playoffs — and it all happened. Just about every other swami in El Paso had predicted the opposite.
Of course, my crystal ball bragged and beat its chest and pointed out the results. It always does that when it’s right and makes excuses when it’s wrong.
I HATED to take it out of its drawer again but with the Miners opening the season next Saturday at University of Arkansas I had no choice. “Why are you so #&%&# late?” it growled. “Don’t you know my fans have been clamoring for my picks?”
I said, “Yeah, all two of them? Never mind that. For a change let’s just get to the point. How do you see the Miners doing in football this season?”
“Ha!” it answered. “You wish you had as many fans as I do. But okay, here’s how the Miners will do:
“AS USUAL, the Miners have two sure losses on the schedule, Arkansas and Texas Tech. But I don’t see why they can’t win at least six of the other 10 games. I have much faith in coach Sean Kugler, who has worked with some great college and professional programs. He’s a genius when it comes to offensive and defensive lines. And he has a great back in Aaron Jones.
“My biggest worry is at quarterback. Yeah, yeah, Mack Leftwich and Garrett Simpson have been looking good in practice, but they’re both green as starters and you can’t tell what a quarterback will do in real game situations.
“Maybe one of them will turn out to be a Billy Stevens, who shook the football world back in the 1960s in his first outing, but more likely they’ll need game experience.
“Still with Kugler at the helm I say the Miners will go to a bowl again.”
I GULPED and pressed on. “Okay,” I said, “and how about the Dallas Cowboys?”
The crystal ball lit up like a lamp post
“Man, I see nothing but great things ahead for them,” he said. “Jerry Jones did the right thing by making Dez Bryant its franchise player. The man is an animal, and I mean that in the most complimentary way. Quarterback Tony Romo needs him badly not only to catch passes but to disrupt opposing defenses.
“Besides, the Cowboys have a great offensive line and if Darren McFadden doesn’t work as the No. 1 running back Joseph Randle or Lance Dunbar can take over. Heck, Randle often looked as good as departed DeMarco Murray last year, averaging over six yards a carry.
“There’s no doubt the Cowboys will be back in the playoffs.”
I said “Thank you” and gently put it back in its drawer. I can only stand so much of its babble.
TRIVIA QUESTION: UCLA won the NCAA basketball championship nine times in 10 years and our Texas Western College Miners were the only team to interrupt the streak. Can you name when those 10 years occurred? Answer at end of column.
CORRECTION: In last week’s column I stated that Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino was going to build new elevators directly to the Turf Club for racing fans. I was wrong.
I misinterpreted the announcement. Actually, the announcement was pointing out that Turf Club members can use the elevators that were installed earlier this year to the left of the Turf Club.
The elevators will be, as the announcement stated, “beneficial and make your experience as a Turf Club member much more enjoyable and accommodating.”
The live horse racing season will open on Dec. 18.
ANSWER to trivia question: From 1964 through 1973.