By John Spargo
The 2022 football season is finally here, and while it’s exciting to look ahead at the new season, let’s take a look back at the 2021 season and the exciting finish we had in the Fearless Football Forecasters (FFF).
Eddie O’Neal caught the leader in week six and then again in week eight, before he finally pulled ahead for good to win the 2021 crown by two games over Kevin Panter. John Spargo finished four games behind O’Neal, while Andy Whitener and Suzianne Pass finished tied for fourth place, seven games behind the leader. Rounding out the crew was Jeff Grimes, Scott Ramsey and Brandon Holloway.
O’Neal was more than happy about his championship, but he’s also looking to repeat and stay in the penthouse as long as he can. “I love the view from the top so much, I think I’ll just stay up here for a while. Plus, Panter and Ramsey look much smaller from up here when I’m looking down on them.”
Panter is already looking forward to the new season, and as usual, thinks he is a shoe-in to win in 2022. “Winning this season will be as easy as getting a stimulus check. I’m still trying to decide if Tennessee might upset Vanderbilt this year. Rumor has it that Andy Whitener and John Spargo are teaming up, practicing doing a TikTok video for their season opening predictions. I hope Suzanne Pass realizes her time has passed. Brandon Holloway and Eddie O’Neal have offered to buy me lunch, I think they’re trying to see what my preseason picks are. Surely by now Scott Ramsey will realize Elvis is dead and Nick Saban is not the king. My Dawgs in Athens are going to be dominant again this year behind our fourth string quarterback! Go Dawgs! Going to be a fun season.”
Whitener, who held the lead for much of the 2021 season, is also ready to get the new season of FFF going. “After a disappointing 2021 season, I look to rebound from the start to end this season and keep myself in the hunt for a FFF championship season. Go dawgs!”
Spargo, who came on strong at the end of the season last year, is hoping to finally win the title, much like his buddy O’Neal did last year. “I was happy for Eddie when he won it, but all good things must come to an end, because I’m ready to get rolling and see if I can win the championship. My Vols will hopefully improve in ‘22, and get going in the right direction too.”
Ramsey, who is a previous FFF champion, cannot wait to get the new season started either, as he looks to get back to the top of the leaderboard. “Everyone has an off year, and last year was mine, but that’s something that happens every 40 years or so, kind of like, you know who, winning a National Championship. So I hope Kevin and Eddie enjoyed last year. It will be a long time before we see it again. I would like to see John do well this year. Anyone who pulls for Tennessee needs something good to happen for them.”
Jeff Grimes is also excited for the new season, especially after Michigan whipped Ohio State in 2021 and made the college football playoff. “Wow! Football season has come to us faster than a UGA booster to a five star recruit with a bag of “pay for play,” I mean NIL money! I’m looking forward to Saban’s whiney press conferences, Lane Liffin ducking golf balls, Ohio State’s defense ducking Michigan’s offense, the Vols joining the top 25 party, and some great high school action! (PS- Ohio State hasn’t beaten Michigan football in 997 days).”
Pass is eager to get after it again, and taking a little shot at a coworker in the meantime, “I hope Ramsey has enjoyed his offseason because we know his picks will still be off this season just like last year.”
The 2022 Fearless Football Forecasters season, along with the annual football contest starts with games September 2. We look forward to everyone joining in the fun and picking games with our panelists all season long.