What a start!

So I was all pumped up to write my 2008 Crystal Ball Report, probably as excited as I've been yet, then Tony Temple and the Tigers gave me something else to write about. So, tomorrow afternoon I'll write my ode to Tony and his career at Mizzou, for now I'll stick to fearless prognostication...my specialty. Notice I didn't say on-target prognostication was my specialty. Without further ado, my 2008 Crystal Ball...

• The Jayhawks fall 19-17 in a very tight battle with the Hokies, but it's the last time this month the Jayhawks will have anything to be sad about. That's right, the basketball Hawks go 8-0 in January getting a great head start to the Big 12 season. The Jayhawks sit at 13-0 now and I predict they'll end up with 3 or less losses, a number one seed, and a Final Four appearance. Contrary to popular opinion, Mark Mangino will not eat the Orange Bowl mascot at halftime.
  
• January won't be as kind to the Tigers who start with a gimme against UMKC but will struggle in Big 12 play this year. As I've said over and over this year, don't expect Mike Anderson to turn this team into something it's not. I predict 9-7 for the Tigers this season with a nice run in the NIT.
• Despite an embarrassing loss to Xavier yesterday, I think K-State basketball finishes 10-6 and sneaks into the tourney on only because everyone wants to see if Michael Beasley can pull a Carmelo Anthony. He can't, but I bet the Wildcats make a Sweet 16 run.
• One final college not for the Spring, the Tigers make a return appearance in the College Word Series after winning the Big 12.
• Jose Guillen "Guillen" makes Dayton look smart again, breaking Bye Bye Balboni's home run record with 38 in 140 games.
• Gil "Monster" Meche, "Wacky" Zack Greinke and Brian Bannister "Mall" combine for 42 wins and a sub 4.00 era.
• The Royals win 84 games and finish in 3rd in the best division in baseball. (Disclaimer: These predictions are subject to change once the Kool Aid Drinker takes over in March, sometimes he's a little more optimistic.)
• Michael Beasley and Bill Walker leave KSU early, Beasley looks smart and goes top 5 while Walker falls to the second round behind Brandon Rush and Darrel Arthur.
  
• Albert Pujols suffers a major injury, retires and admits that he's really 43.
  
• The Chiefs pick up Chad Pennington and Laverneus Coles as King Carl tries to convince us that adding two turds to a bowl of turds makes it stop stinking.
• The Chiefs 1st round pick holds out until the third preseason game and then doesn't start more than 3 games all season.
  
• Kevin Ross leads the Brigade to the AFL Championship game, falling one win shy of the title.
  
• Brodie Croyle starts the season as the Chiefs quarterback and proves to everyone for once and for all that he is not an NFL caliber QB.
• Herm Edwards has a Hal McRae-like breakdown in a press conference.
• KU/MU at Arrowhead is once again a battle of ranked teams vying for the North title. This time Mizzou is undefeated, and this time the Jayhawks win.
• Neither Kansas or Missouri makes a BCS game, and the Wildcats miss out on the bowls all together again. Ron Prince finds himself squarely on the hot seat.
• The Chiefs miss the playoffs again at 5-11 as Carl and Herm end their reign of terror in Kansas City.
• Missouri and Kansas both start off 10-2, with Kansas State starting 7-6, losing at least three embarrassing games. Bob Huggins continues to receive hate mail from Manhatten.

As I said before, the Kool Aid Drinker will have more in depth Royals predictions this spring.