I told you so.
Before 2005 ever started I predicted that there was no way I'd forecast as well as I'd done in 2004, and the magnitude of my miscalculations backed me up.
Of course it was a tough act to follow. Correctly foretelling Phil Mickelson to end his major-less drought at the Masters Tournament, the Red Sox to reverse an 86-year-old curse and Steve Spurrier to take over a longtime listless South Carolina football program was the trifecta of a lifetime. A market correction was inevitable.
And what a correction it was ... or should I say in-correction.
For every accurate prediction such as the fate of the SEC East coming down to South Carolina's home date against Spurrier's old Gators, there were numerous gaffes such as saying Lance Armstrong would NOT win the Tour de France.
While nailing the no-brainers such as the Patriots to win the Super Bowl and Braves winning a 14th consecutive division title, there were brainless guesses such as the U.S. teams getting "pummeled" on home turf in the Presidents and Solheim Cups.
It could have all been brushed off had only Tiger Woods done his job an swept the Grand Slam that was so easily within his reach. Really, who ranks dead last in the field in putting and still finishes runner-up at the U.S. Open?
Well, 2005 is over now and the only thing that matters is the year ahead. So with a lowered bar, here is one man's fearless forecast for 2006:
- Mack Brown's overrated head will swell to the size of Texas after his Longhorns defense makes the difference in a Rose Bowl victory over Southern Cal.
- While my gut tells me the Pittsburgh Steelers will face the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl XL, my heart hopes that the favored Indianapolis Colts get the job done for heartbroken head coach Tony Dungy. If that happens, Dungy will retire and spend more time with his family.
- The Pro Football Hall of Fame will finally come to the same realization as its collegiate counterpart and induct Thomson's Ray Guy as the most famous punter in NFL history.
- For the 16th consecutive year, the Masters Tournament winner will come out of the final pairing on Sunday. That might not seem a very daring choice, but predicting the last twosome to be comprised of Fred Couples and Angel Cabrera is.
- A European male golfer will win a major for the first time since 1999. In fact, two will - Sergio Garcia at either the U.S. Open or PGA and Luke Donald at the British.
- Tiger Woods' major tally will go to 11 with a win at whichever U.S. venue Garcia doesn't win - Winged Foot or Medinah.
- With newfound confidence and chemistry, the U.S. Ryder Cup team will win in Ireland over a European squad that is actually favored for the first time.
- Rookie Morgan Pressel will win more LPGA tournaments (and majors) this season than Michelle Wie and Paula Creamer combined.
- First the Red Sox in 2004. Then the White Sox in 2005. Could this be the Cubs' year? Why not?
- Other 2006 champions: Detroit Pistons (NBA); Ottawa Senators (NHL); Duke Blue Devils (NCAA men and women); Carl Edwards (NASCAR).
- Reigning Sugar Bowl champion Georgia will start three different quarterbacks, lose three games yet still win 10 for the fifth consecutive year.
- Every one of our big four schools - Georgia, Georgia Tech, South Carolina and Clemson - will win at least nine football games.
- Auburn will beat Florida to win the Southeastern Conference. Miami will beat Clemson to win the Atlantic Coast Conference.
- Larry Campbell will lead Lincoln County to a perfect 15-0 record, repeat as Class A state champions and retire with a record 404 career coaching victories as the target for Washington County's Rick Tomberlin to chase.
- Despite an easier schedule, the Falcons will rue releasing Warrick Dunn and fail to make the playoffs for the second consecutive year. Jim Mora will blame the media when he's fired.
If nothing else proves right, here's hoping everyone has a happy New Year. Cheers.
Reach Scott Michaux at (706) 823-3219 or scott.michaux@augustachronicle.com.
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