This is an update on everybody's "Predictions and Opinion" results so far. Most of our predictions do center around football so, this will just be a "whet your appetite" post for the main event next year. If you're not familiar with this or not sure what this is exactly, you may click here for a refresher.
Since the first post, I have figured out a system that I think will work for this. The "Horowitz Season" will begin two weeks after the National Championship Game in Basketball. At that time, your scores from the previous year will be wiped clean and we will all start fresh.
The "Horowitz" Standings will be updated three times a year. The first update each year (this one) will happen at the beginning of fall camp. The second update will happen after Football Season in January. The third and final update will happen in April after Basketball Season where "The 2015-16 Horowitz Award for Accuracy" will be doled out to the poster or writer with the highest score.
With this being the first update, it encompasses only baseball predictions, NFL Draft predictions, and any other prediction that matured between April and August.
But first, I must bestow the proper homage to Mr. Barry Horowitz.
"Horowitz Award for Accurate Posting"
"The Horowitz Award" is the polar opposite of the "Nobel Peace Prize," and yet, it measures almost equally in prestige. As Buddha so wisely once said, "You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love & affection." Yes, self-love is the most necessary of all loves (love for football is a close 2nd) . We here at "Shakin the Southland" proudly celebrate self-love by paying tribute to a man who successfully made a career out of it, Barry Horowitz.
Barry Horowitz was a professional wrestler who was known as the "King of the Jobbers" in some circles. A "jobber" is a wrestler that is paid to make another wrestler "look good" and takes the loss 99% of the time. Barry Horowtiz was no loser though. Throughout his career, nothing could put a dent in Horowtiz's self-image and nothing could stop him from rubbing it in the face of his opposition.
Here at STS, we strive to continue the legacy of Mr. Horowitz. For it's not good enough to just tell yourself how wonderful you are, the world needs to accept this fact as well. Let that inner Horowitz out! Free yourself from the false timidness that tells you you're not supposed to wallow in your own greatness. You get that running start and cannonball right into the pool of your own superiority. And when you come up to the surface for air, you look around at all the people you just soaked with your splash and shout, "I told you so!" "I. Told. You. So!"
I'll pause while you wipe off that single tear...........................................
Ok, here is the scoring system for our pseudo-serious competition.
The Scoring System
Correct Predictions
Each prediction stands alone. So, if you have a post with three different predictions, each one is treated individually.
Level of Difficulty - Judged on a scale of 1-5 based on how small that limb is that you venture out on. 1 point being lower level of difficulty (ex. Clemson will finish in the top 3 in the Atlantic Division) and 5 points being a higher level of difficulty to predict (ex. Clemson will finish last in the Atlantic Division).
Level of Detail- Judged on a scale of 0-3 where 3 is eerily precise detail, 2 is above and beyond level of detail, 1 is more detail than normal, and 0 for normal amount of detail.
Were you first? - The first person to make a particular prediction gets 2 bonus points. You do not get the bonus if you are "piggy backing" a prediction from someone else (this includes other websites writers), even if your prediction is slightly more detailed.
Incorrect Predictions
Missed Predictions - you lose 1-5 points for completely missed predictions based on level of difficulty. The higher the level of difficulty, the lower the number of points you lose.
Partly Missed Predictions - You lose 1-2 points for predictions that are partly missed, the intent of the prediction was missed, or it was incorrect on a technicality.
So without further adieu, here are the predictions that have come to pass since the last post.
I think Tavaris Barnes gets drafted but Corey Crawford doesn't |
by PenthouseTiger on Apr 30, 2015 | 8:17 PM reply rec flag action |
Partly Missed, -2. Neither was drafted. Barnes signed on as an undrafted free-agent with the Saints and Crawford with the Redskins.
I've got one for you Kraken |
Jack Leggett will coach Clemson in 2016, regardless of the outcome of this season. |
If this season ends badly then next season will be announced as his final before he retires, |
If this season goes well, he may stick around a couple more years |
by PenthouseTiger on Mar 27, 2015 | 2:22 PM reply rec flag actions |
Missed Prediction, -4. Leggett was fired and Monty Lee was hired as Clemson's next baseball coach.
Clemson fails to make the |
NCAA's and finishes at or below.500 on the year. |
Kraken, mark it. |
And as PenthouseTiger predicted, Jack is back for 2016. |
by CU 1993 on Mar 30, 2015 | 1:12 PM reply rec flag actions |
Missed Prediction, -4. Clemson made the NCAA, finished above .500, and Jack Legget was fired anyway.
Prediction Time: |
Clemson finishes with at least 25 losses, gets swept by Louisville and Florida State, |
by Maverick4 on Mar 30, 2015 | 2:48 PM reply rec (1) flag actions |
Clemson finished the baseball season with 29 losses which is correct, +6 points.
However, Clemson swept Florida State and took one game from Louisville, -4 points.
Jack was fired instead of retiring but technically will likely still retire from coaching, -2 points.
I think it's a mute point considering |
the construction of upgrades , paying off Jacks contract and |
by 5knklshfl on Mar 31, 2015 | 11:26 AM reply rec flag actions |
Missed Prediction, -4. Jack was fired after the season.
If I wanted to be the grammar police I'd throw out another "miss", but the point is probably moot.:)
Can't say I disagree |
I'm more just so fed up with Jack that I would rather know he is gone then have to wait till the offseason |
It wouldn't be the most prudent course of action but it would send a message. |
by QuackingTiger on Apr 2, 2015 | 7:05 PM up rec (1) flag actions |
Correct, +4. DRad did pull the trigger on Jack's career.
I believe by the end of the season the answer will be |
In theory he could guide his team on a nice run, but I don't think it'll happen. I dont' think we host a regional. |
by Ryan Kantor on Apr 7, 2015 | 6:45 PM up rec flag actions |
Correct, +4. Jack was fired.
Correct, +1. We did not host a regional.
Missed Prediction, -2. We did make a regional.
Xavier Kelly (6'4, 260) from Wichita, Kansas is going to be our future at DE. He can play the Strongside or the Weakside and will be a serious pass |
We will beat out the others in his top eight--Georgia, Alabama, Florida State, Michigan, TCU, Kansas State and Oregon for his commitment. |
QuackingTiger, July 23, 2015 |
Correct, +4. Xavier Kelly did commit and QT had the prediction a week earlier on Twitter before he committed to the coaches.
"Horowitz Award" Standings, 4 months in.
QuackingTiger: 8
Ryan Kantor: 3
Maverick4: 0
5knklshfl: -4
CU1993: -4
PenthouseTiger: -6
As you can see, QuackingTiger has burst out into the early lead. I'll now request a speech by QT in the comment section in reference to his position in the standings.
We actually have a prediction on record, by redduppen, that QT is going to win the "Horowitz." So, if redduppen is in second place and that correct prediction vaults him into first place then his prediction would be incorrect vaulting QT back into first place making redduppen's prediction correct again and vaulting him back into first place....and on and on.
We are far from done though. This is just the appetizer. Someone who hasn't even made a prediction yet can win this award. That's because, a season with much greater interest is on the horizon.
At Clemson, our sport is football and that's where the vast majority of our predictions and opinions lie. There were already 35 different predictions on the books for football season by the end of July. I'm sure the closer we get to the first game, the more predictions we will get.
As always, I will reply with "noted" or "got it" when you make a prediction. Ask me to "Mark That Down (MTD)" to make sure though.
Final Thoughts:
You know, people say that football rivalries are too serious in the south for levity, and that well, we southerners just can't get along with our opposition. I say hogwash. You'll find more class in the south than in the entire rest of the nation combined. That's why I have chosen to extend the olive branch and name this award after the greatest athlete in Florida State school history, Barry Horowitz.
In all seriousness, I am a fan of Horowitz, and as a pro wrestling fan and historian, I respect his in-ring work. He was "over" at one time and deserved a "push" but he never got one because Vince McMahon thought people were more entertained by cartoonish garbage like "Typhoon," "The Repo Man," and "I. Yankem D.D.S."