Guts, Experts or Vegas?

Picking sports games seems like it's more of an art than a science.  Our modern day oracles fill the airwaves and cyberspace try to consistently predict the future for how each game will turn out using stats, insider access and who knows what else.  Given that this is the night of the official kickoff of the NFL season - I think it's fitting to use this as test for art v science.  The NFL is a league built on parity and equality like none other and I wonder if Paul could do as well in this league as European football when it comes to picking winners.  My goal is to track picks each week based on the following four methods:

• My own intuition and experience that has been honed from years of sports dedication
• ESPN Power Rankings for week one where I pick the higher ranked team according to the ESPN "experts"
• Vegas odds for week one games
• My wife's picks - based on her intuition and experience that has been honed from years of watching Law & Order, Gilmore Girls and yelling at Tony Romo

I'm hoping I can do better than the experts - but if Starr wins out this season - I'm taking her to Vegas.  As for week one - games with varying picks are highlighted below in blue.

Game	My Pick	Power Ranking	Odds	Starr
Ravens v Broncos	Broncos	Broncos	Broncos	Broncos
Patriots v Bills	Patriots	Patriots	Patriots	Patriots
Titans v Steelers	Steelers	Steelers	Steelers	Steelers
Falcons v Saints	Saints	Falcons	Saints	Saints
Buccaneers v Jets	Buccaneers	Buccaneers	Buccaneers	Jets
Chiefs v Jaguars	Chiefs	Chiefs	Chiefs	Chiefs
Seahawks v Panthers	Seahawks	Seahawks	Seahawks	Seahawks
Bengals v Bears	Bengals	Bengals	Bears	Bengals
Dolphins v Browns	Dolphins	Dolphins	Dolphins	Browns
Vikings v Lions	Lions	Vikings	Lions	Vikings
Raiders v Colts	Colts	Colts	Colts	Colts
Packers v 49ers	49ers	49ers	49ers	Packers
Cardinals v Rams	Rams	Rams	Rams	Rams
Giants v Cowboys	Cowboys	Giants	Cowboys	Giants
Eagles v Redskins	Redskins	Redskins	Redskins	Redskins
Texans v Chargers	Texans	Texas	Texans	Texans

Happy DuveDay to All

Some might think that this post is arrogant or self-absorbed.  I prefer to think of it as merely educational.  People that are against education are obviously not true patriots and are just helping the Chinese win more gold medals.  Why did I just mention the Olympics?  Because now I actually have a sports subject woven into this article and it becomes instantly relevant for the general purposes of this blog.  Now to business...

1:22 pm, 16 December 1982 has come to be known as DuveDay: The Beginning.  Adding 175 pounds, 55 more inches and 26 years from that point - The Doob is proudly celebrating "DuveDay: Change in 08" with the rest of the world.  The question is, does the public fully understand the cultural significance of DuveDay?  This is an event that has been celebrated across the world with all the glitz and glamour of an inauguration party, yet is down to earth and appeals directly to the common man.  I will take this opportunity to shed some light on the history and importance of DuveDay.

Quick Facts

- DuveDay really took its form at the University of Notre Dame, coincidentally enough right around "DuveDay: Dry No More" which was junior year at ND.

- Bernie Blozar holds the record for most number of DuveDay celebrations attended in the modern era.* (since 2000).

- DuveDay went international in 2006 with "DuveDay: Mission Accomplished" that involved multiple days of partying and a full band.

- There is only one DuveDay, do not be confused by imitators.  DuveDay is too grand of an event to come more than once a year.

- DuveDay has often been attributed to having DuveDay Miracles.  For example if someone that you find annoying suddenly doesn't show up for work on the 16th of December - that is considered a DuveDay Miracle.  Other DuveDay Miracles include throwing off the shackles of tyrannical and oppressive government rule.

Celebrating DuveDay

While grand, multi-day festivities have occurred in the past (commencing with DuveDay Eve) and have included air shows and celebrity celebrations, DuveDay remains a simple event that is eagerly anticipated by all, year in and year out.   It is a time of joy and excitement to put people in the holiday mood just a little over a week before Christmas.  It is considered polite that when passing even a complete stranger on the street on 16 December to wish them a "Happy DuveDay" to which the appropriate response is either, "thank you, same to you" or "Happy DuveDay to you too."

You might be asking yourself right now, "I really want to be apart of this great event, how can I celebrate DuveDay?"  It's simple really, celebrating DuveDay is a state of mind and a way of life and those that revel in DuveDay set an example for others on how to lead a joyful life.   Spread goodwill to your fellow man, wish them a Happy DuveDay.