OT - Predictions for 2004

[QuikSand]

So, we're a few days in already... but not too late to offer up your predictions.

Open-ended (within the standards ofthe forum, of course) -- predictions for FOF, for Solecismic Software, sports text sims, football, sports in general, life, the universe, and everything.

What will we look back on as big events from 2004?

[Poli]

42

[VPI97]

I predict that another season of baseball will pass without the Cubs or the Red Sox experiencing anything but grief.


Edit - Yeah, I know...I'm going out on a HUGE limb here...

[fantastic flying froggies]

I predict that this year will be very very exceptionnal : it will last 366 days instead of the usual 365...

[QuikSand]

This is going well.

[albionmoonlight]

I predict that the presidential election will go poorly again. There will be another controversy surrounding it (perhaps not as dramatic and drawn out as the first time). There will be cries from the rooftops for reform and, in the end, nothing will be done.

When you take into account how much the Bush lovers love Bush and how much the Bush haters hate Bush (btw, I am glad that QOTM is gone)--and how close the last election was, and how people have only gotten more polarized over the last four year. . . I just have a sense that this election will be remembered as a very bad one for one reason or another.

[albionmoonlight]

Dola--

The Cowboys will come back to earth (more of a testament to how much Parcells got them to overachive in 2003).

Dan Snyder will name himself GM and Deion as Head Coach of the Redskins (hey, a guy can dream can't he? This would push UIC to new heights).

Armed with a very good QB, 1500 yard rusher, big play receiver, and underrated coach, the Houston Texans will make the playoffs.

Texas Hold 'Em will lose its current high level of popularity, and the schools of fish that currently make the low level games so profitable for those who know what they are doing will become harder to find.

The New Orleans Saints will continue to underachive.

Neither USC, nor OU, nor LSU will be competing for a national championship at the end of the year.

[Hands to the Face]

The most significant events of 2004 will be the capture of Osama Bin Ladin and the discovery of incontrovertible evidence that life once existed on Mars.

[revrew]

Well, duh. The answer is 2/3.

[Samdari]

After admitting to SkyDog that "he" was really SWMBO in disguise, HornsManiac is reinstated.

[cthomer5000]

There will be 1,700 entrants to the World Series of Poker (i'm talking specifically about the $10,000 buy-in no-limit tourney). For reference there were about 850 last year.
Rutgers football team will play in a bowl game (thanks to both an improving squad and a weakened Big East)
The Red Sox and Yankees will again meet in the ALCS
Solecismic will release it's first non-football game (my sub-guess would be baseball)
The New York Jets will miss the playoffs again.
The Atlanta Falcons will miss the playoffs again.
At most, 2 successful FOF2004 multiplayer leagues will come out of FOFC

[Suicane75]

I predict that a very bad thing will happen in the United States this year, worse than 9/11, but I hope I'm wrong.

I predict that the NHL as we know it will cease to be.

I predict that the Afoci and I will become lovers.

I predict that a Seinfeld reunion episode will be conifrmed by the end of the year.

I predict that Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey will have a sex tape of theirs drop into the wrong hands.

I predict that Paris Hilton will fade into Bolivion.

I predict that Mike Tyson will shock the world by first beating some schmoe for a share of the World Heavyweight Title and then Beating Lennox Lewis the weekend before Christmas to unify the belts, he will become the feel good story of the late part of 2004.

I predict that a major athlete will come out of the closet.

I believe that Al Gore will run as an independant and win the presidential election in a landslide, he will then put Hillary over his knee and spank her repeatedly.

I predict that Philadelphia will win 3 Sports Championships in the calender year, with a team from California winning the other.

I predict that a player will actually serve a suspension as a result of a ludicrous end zone celebration in football.

I predict that 400 Studios will fold.

I predict that Jims next game will be FOF5 and will include much customization and graphics.

I predict that Scott Levy & Paul Heyman will be the head writers for the WWE by the end of the year.

I predict a pregnancy for Britney Spears.

I predict that the following people will pass on,
Alan Alda, Andy Rooney, Peter Jennings, Al Davis, George Steinbrenner, 1 of the Kids In The Hall, Richard Geere, 1 of the cast of Blossom, the father from Silver Spoons, 2 of the remaining members of the 1972 Dolphins.

I predict that the following people will be born,
The Cy Young Award winners for 2028, 2031, 2033, 2035, 2038.
The winner of the Presidential Election in 2064.

I predict that Jackie Martling will rejoin the Howard Stern show near the end of the year.

I predict that 2 major Hollywood Actresses will announce their lesbian relationship, only to have it broken up by Collin Ferrel.

I predict that David Spade will win critical acclaim for a role he takes on.

I predict that Kevin Spacey will announce he has cancer.

I predict that Samuel L Jackson will be the front runner for the 2005 Best Actor Oscar as 2004 ends.

I predict that a major Television Network will start it's own sports league, probably near the end of the year.

I predict a Kansas City Royal win the AL Cy Young.
I predict an Oakland Athletic will win the AL MVP.
I predict the NL Rookie Of The Year will also strike out over 200 hitters.
I predict the AL Rookie of the year will strike out over 100 times.

I predict the NBA Finals will be such an afterthought that at least 1 of the games is televised on TNT.

I predict a highly touted NBA youngster will have a career altering injury.

I predict Bill Parcells will resign before the end of the year due to health issues, I predict Jimmy Johnson will take over for him.

I predict that the 2008 NFL Coach Of The Year is currently on an NFL roster.

I predict that Pete Rose will not be allowed back into baseball and in fact will spend most of the year in a war of words with Bud Selig that will probably end in a court battle.

I predict I'm done for now.

[Franklinnoble]

Don't eat the cake.

[NOISE]

I predict 2-pt conversions and onside kicks will be included in TPF2.

[Suicane75]

Originally posted by NOISE
I predict 2-pt conversions and onside kicks will be included in TPF2.

I predict that first downs will not.

[NOISE]

Originally posted by Suicane75
I predict that first downs will not.

...Leading Jason K. to remind us how the game is only a 2nd generation game.

[Blade6119]

Originally posted by Suicane75
I predict that a very bad thing will happen in the United States this year, worse than 9/11, but I hope I'm wrong.

I predict that the NHL as we know it will cease to be.

I predict that the Afoci and I will become lovers.

I predict that a Seinfeld reunion episode will be conifrmed by the end of the year.

I predict that Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey will have a sex tape of theirs drop into the wrong hands.

I predict that Paris Hilton will fade into Bolivion.

I predict that Mike Tyson will shock the world by first beating some schmoe for a share of the World Heavyweight Title and then Beating Lennox Lewis the weekend before Christmas to unify the belts, he will become the feel good story of the late part of 2004.

I predict that a major athlete will come out of the closet.

I believe that Al Gore will run as an independant and win the presidential election in a landslide, he will then put Hillary over his knee and spank her repeatedly.

I predict that Philadelphia will win 3 Sports Championships in the calender year, with a team from California winning the other.

I predict that a player will actually serve a suspension as a result of a ludicrous end zone celebration in football.

I predict that 400 Studios will fold.

I predict that Jims next game will be FOF5 and will include much customization and graphics.

I predict that Scott Levy & Paul Heyman will be the head writers for the WWE by the end of the year.

I predict a pregnancy for Britney Spears.

I predict that the following people will pass on,
Alan Alda, Andy Rooney, Peter Jennings, Al Davis, George Steinbrenner, 1 of the Kids In The Hall, Richard Geere, 1 of the cast of Blossom, the father from Silver Spoons, 2 of the remaining members of the 1972 Dolphins.

I predict that the following people will be born,
The Cy Young Award winners for 2028, 2031, 2033, 2035, 2038.
The winner of the Presidential Election in 2064.

I predict that Jackie Martling will rejoin the Howard Stern show near the end of the year.

I predict that 2 major Hollywood Actresses will announce their lesbian relationship, only to have it broken up by Collin Ferrel.

I predict that David Spade will win critical acclaim for a role he takes on.

I predict that Kevin Spacey will announce he has cancer.

I predict that Samuel L Jackson will be the front runner for the 2005 Best Actor Oscar as 2004 ends.

I predict that a major Television Network will start it's own sports league, probably near the end of the year.

I predict a Kansas City Royal win the AL Cy Young.
I predict an Oakland Athletic will win the AL MVP.
I predict the NL Rookie Of The Year will also strike out over 200 hitters.
I predict the AL Rookie of the year will strike out over 100 times.

I predict the NBA Finals will be such an afterthought that at least 1 of the games is televised on TNT.

I predict a highly touted NBA youngster will have a career altering injury.

I predict Bill Parcells will resign before the end of the year due to health issues, I predict Jimmy Johnson will take over for him.

I predict that the 2008 NFL Coach Of The Year is currently on an NFL roster.

I predict that Pete Rose will not be allowed back into baseball and in fact will spend most of the year in a war of words with Bud Selig that will probably end in a court battle.

I predict I'm done for now.

I predict that this guy will eventually get a life;)

[illinifan999]

I predict Mizzou might come close to beating Illinois in basketball. ;)

[Honolulu Blue]

Fearless predictions:

* Jim's next masterpiece will be TCY2, incorporating many of the changes and improvements made since FOF 2001. The game will be well received.

* Total Pro Football will continue to be patched but will still play second fiddle to FOF. There won't be a new version in 2004, but the price will be reduced sometime during baseball season.

* There will be a new version of TDCB released.

* Soccer...er, football, fans everywhere will be confused by the release of Eidos' Championship Manager, and SI Games' soccer text sim.

* There will be an auto racing owner career text sim released.

[NOISE]

There will be an auto racing owner career text sim released.

A game like that would have so much potential it's ridiculous. Such a huge fan base (I mean c'mon the South), no competition, possibility of mods and personalities: it's a game just dying to be made. I'm not even a NASCAR fan and I would buy the game.

[Suicane75]

Originally posted by Blade6119
I predict that this guy will eventually get a life;)

Hey, i havn't posted in the ass wipeing thread yet, gimme some credit :)

[QuikSand]

How about this:


Roger Clemens will make the NL all-star team.

Terrell Owens signs with Denver

The Washington Redskins make the NFL playoffs

A major advancement in treatment of Alzheimer's disease is announced

Scientists confirm the first human clones, which actually have already happened

Another SARS outbreak eclipses the first, though public health officials are better prepared

Mercury-related fears about seafood continue to mount and warnings are raised about health effects for all people

Colin Powell resigns from the Bush cabinet, just after Bush wins re-election

Tom Ridge is swept out of office as HS Chief, amidst controversy and/or disgrace

Ivory-billed Woodpeckers are found in Cuba

An effort to revive "The X-Files" takes hold of lesser TV networks

Mel Gibson's weird Jesus movie receives modest critical acclaim, and more people see it because of the controversy

[Bonegavel]

The Firefly tv series DVD sells so well that another network picks up the show (but not scifi chan)

Goldie and Kurt break up

Dean wins the nomination but is crushed by Bush in the election

Skydog relents and unbans everyone but Happy29

Mars is found to be completely void of life

A Sasquatch will be captured alive

A major breakthrough in HIV research will happen

Tachyon particles will be detected for the first time

Yassar Arafat will be killed

A major announcement regarding Super Conductors will occur in February

[HornedFrog Purple]

Peter Jackson gets a huge multi-film deal to make another classical epic trilogy/duology etc.

The Human Genome Project announces a discovery that will change human life as we know it.

Some group somewhere has successfully cloned a human being and has documented proof.

The Rangers continue to suck. Tom Hicks sells the team to Mark Cuban.

Richard C. Hoagland is proven right as NASA discloses what could be a former civilization on Mars.

The Cowboys somehow manage to trade up and grab Auburn RB Carnell Williams who declares early for the NFL draft.

Willis McGahee wins NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year as the NFL decides his first season didn't count.

MLB announces Pete Rose will be inducted into the Hall of Fame but only after he passes.

[nilodor]

Originally posted by Honolulu Blue
* There will be an auto racing owner career text sim released.

I am hoping this will be the long awaited release of F1 Championship Manager. This game has so much promise but it has been forever in developing.
http://www.f1cm.co.uk/

Formula one, next to soccer is the world's second most viewed sport and a manager game is long overdue. The last one was EA's ill fated F1 Manager.

[Huckleberry]

Mack Brown will be told to either fire his coordinators or resign as head coach of the University of Texas. He will make the decision in the second week of January. Either way, Carl Reese, Greg Davis, Duane Akina, and one other member of the staff will no longer be coaching the Longhorns next season.

Wild rumors will spin out of control that week ranging from Chris Petersen coming to Texas as OC and Jerry Gray as DC to Mack deciding to resign. I will be interested to see the resolution of these rumors.

I predict that I will not make a prediction on that resolution.

[Bonegavel]

Originally posted by HornedFrog Purple
Richard C. Hoagland is proven right as NASA discloses what could be a former civilization on Mars.

My whole issue with this one is that, given NASA's budget problems, they would have trumpeted this possibility the loudest if they even suspected it, IMHO.

[Kodos]

I predict that the IU football Hoosiers will win 5 games in 2004. Maybe 6.

[JeeberD]

* (QS stole my thunder on this one...) Roger Clemens will come out of retirement to play for the Astros.

* Despite Clemens' and Andy Pettite's presence on the Astros roster, they will still finish second to the Cubs in the NL Central. They will, however, win the NL Wildcard.

* The Edmonton Oilers franchise will either fold or be forced to move to Houston.

* The Cowboys will have their pickof the litter as free agents line up at the chance to play for Bill Parcells.

* Keyshaun Johnson and Corey Dillon will become Cowboys.

* Troy Hambrick will be released not so much because of his lack of talent, but to shut up his incessant whining about being benched..

* With Quincy Carter at their helm, the Cowboys will once again make the playoffs and make it to the NFC Championship game before breaking my heart with a loss to the Rams.

* The Rockets will trade Steve Francis for someone who more resembles a pure PG and can get the ball to Yao Ming.

* UTEP football, with new coach Mike Price, will win six games and be competitive in the WAC.

*UTEP basketball will make the NCAA tournament and surprise a couple of teams while making it to the Sweet Sixteen.

* UTEP will be invited to join Conference USA when TCU bolts to the MWC.

[illinifan999]

I predict Illinois football will be able to win 2 games in 2004. Probably not. If only they had a defense.....

[HornedFrog Purple]

Originally posted by Huckleberry
Mack Brown will be told to either fire his coordinators or resign as head coach of the University of Texas. He will make the decision in the second week of January. Either way, Carl Reese, Greg Davis, Duane Akina, and one other member of the staff will no longer be coaching the Longhorns next season.

Wild rumors will spin out of control that week ranging from Chris Petersen coming to Texas as OC and Jerry Gray as DC to Mack deciding to resign. I will be interested to see the resolution of these rumors.

I predict that I will not make a prediction on that resolution.

If that happens, they should give Mike Schultz a call for OC. Seriously he would mould the perfect offense for a guy like Vince Young.

[cthomer5000]

Kurt Warner signs with the Dolphins.

[rkmsuf]

Originally posted by cthomer5000
Kurt Warner signs with the Dolphins.

How is that going to happen when he is not a free agent?

[cthomer5000]

Originally posted by rkmsuf
How is that going to happen when he is not a free agent?

he will be released.

who are you to question my predictions!

:cool:

[rkmsuf]

Originally posted by cthomer5000
he will be released.

who are you to question my predictions!

:cool:

I was just hoping you'd make another prediction...which you did!!!

[Kodos]

I like that prediction, cthomer!

[Radii]

The Chicago Cubs will win the 2004 World Series.

[Noop]

I predict the election will not be fair...
I predict a major event that changes the way we all live...
I predict a rapper will get shot
I predict a rapper will die because of another rapper death
I predict that someone in Congress will say something racist and be forced to resign
I predict Jims next game to be TCY and FOF5 all in one game so he can start a new genre
I predict next seasons college football year will be the best in a long time
I predict Reggie Bush to make a run at the heisman
I predict USC will make it back
I predict we will have another split title
I predict Glenn Sharpe will finally overcome his injuries and start and Miami
I predict all major Florida school go on probation for giving money to players with Zook getting it the worst
I predict Quiksand will turn into the fun guy I use enjoy reading about his Dynasties(Come back youa class act)
I predict Kobe will not be guilty
I predict The Afoci and I will trade porn pics ;)
I predict someone will lose their girlfriend and tell everyone about it
I predict Skydog's wife will have a kid(All that practice will pay off Ben)
I predict Florida State will lose to Miami again( Check Sig for reasons)
I predict Bobby Bowden will be fired or forced to go
I predict a NFL coach as the next coach for the Seminoles

:)

noop

[MrBug708]

Originally posted by Radii
The Chicago Cubs will win the 2004 World Series.

Maybe in a fantasy league


Dodgers will bring home the trophy in 2004 after they sign Pudge and Vlade

[TLK]

[list=1]
The Lions will add a big name running back who will not see 1,000 yards
However, the Lions will win a road game. At least two, maybe as many as four.....
Owens, Sapp, Warner, K. Johnson, and Dillon will all be on new teams. Warner will have the most success
The Indy 500 will be won by a foreign driver
As the year goes on I will grow to hate Tony George even more
The Cleveland Flats of the CFL will struggle to win 4 games
[/list=1]

[JeeberD]

Originally posted by HornedFrog Purple
Peter Jackson gets a huge multi-film deal to make another classical epic trilogy/duology etc.

Stephen King's Dark Tower series? Please???

[SplitPersonality1]

The Boston Red Sox will once again make it to game 7 of the ALCS and lose.

2004 will be Brett Favre’s final season.

Bush will win re-election by a six point margin in the popular vote.

A career horse-racing sim will be announced for release in early 2005.

The Houston Texans will win a playoff game.

A “honeymoon” videotape of Britney Spears will make its rounds on the internet.

QOTM will return to FOFC, but only briefly due to juvenile submissions.

Solecismic Software will release a non-football game. It will not be Front Office Curling.

Dean will win the Democratic nomination. Al Sharpton will finish far behind, but will run as an independent and get 4% of the popular vote.

Quiksand will become the first poster in FOFC history to cross the 10k post mark…twice

[BucDawg40]

Originally posted by JeeberD
Stephen King's Dark Tower series? Please???

I hope they don't destroy it by making it into a movie.

[JeeberD]

I know it would be difficult to do, but if anyone could it would be Jackson...

*SPOILER ALERT!*
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*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
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*
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Hopefully King hasn't already ruined it by writing himself into the book. The end of Wolves has me kinda worried...

[Wasabiak]

1.) The Minnesota Vikings will go 0-16 next season.
2.) Ryan Newman will win the Nextel Cup
3.) The Kansas City Chiefs will win the Superbowl
4.) There will be a devistating earthquake somewhere in the US
5.) Someone famous will clone themselves this year
6.) At some point this year, i will crap my pants by mistake
7.) Something in MLB will be uncovered that will bring the league to an end
8.) Someone here at FOFC will win a lottery
9.) My motorcycle will get new pipes this year
10.) Michael Jackson will be the newest addition to the San Diego Zoo

[Cringer]

Stephen Kings Dark Tower series has to be WAY to big to make into a trilogy. Parts of that series even cross over into other "stand alone" books, like Hearts In Atlantis and Black House. But if it was done as well as ROTR then i would be for it. I am still waiting for a good, serious version of The Stand.


My Packer predictions for 2004-

WR Poole of AZ becomes a Packer

Begining in training camp we are slammed with endless speculation if THIS will be Favre's last season, as the media apperently has nothing better to do then try to force Favre from the NFL just so they have a story. Bastards!!

[Ksyrup]

Originally posted by Wasabiak
6.) At some point this year, i will crap my pants by mistake

Quit trying to pass off events that have already occurred this year as predictions...

[The Afoci]

Originally posted by Suicane75
I predict that the Afoci and I will become lovers.

Unless you have an undying love for all things Jif, nope.

[rkmsuf]

Originally posted by Ksyrup
Quit trying to pass off events that have already occurred this year as predictions...

When you really like a movie you inevitably go see the sequel...

[JeeberD]

Originally posted by Cringer
Stephen Kings Dark Tower series has to be WAY to big to make into a trilogy.

Well, I never said that it had to be a trilogy. They could do the Harry Potter thing and make all seven... :)

Oh, and they ruined the Heart's in Atlantis movie by taking out the Dark Tower references. Sure, non-DT readers who viewed the movie would have been confused as hell, but the movie would have at least made some sense...

[Suicane75]

Originally posted by The Afoci
Unless you have an undying love for all things Jif, nope.

Do you know the joy of a warm piece of toasted bread slathered in peanut butter at 3:30am while you sit at the computer in your underwear and simultaneously pick crumbs off of your chest and lick peanut butter out of your moustache? I do, oh yes I do.

[WussGawd]

Originally posted by Radii
The Chicago Cubs will win the 2004 World Series.

and the Earth shall tremble, and there shall be a rain of toads, and the seas will turn to blood.

[finkenst]

Originally posted by Radii
The Chicago Cubs will win the 2004 World Series.



the seas will boil and the moon will turn to blood...

and the place where i work will be a deserted wasteland if this shall come to pass. ..

oh wait, that means a vacation day at work.k

[EagleFan]

- Clemons will sign with the Astros, but soon realize what a mistake it was the first time he has to step up to the plate himself.

- 2 Philly teams will make the finals of their sport, one will win and end the city's drought.

- Based on this year's controversy, the BCS will slightly alter it's formula only to find that the changes end up causing another controversy that they discover wouldn;t have happened witht he prior formula. This will lead to the possibility of a playoff format by 2008.

- Sapp will come out and say something stupid, just to get his face back on television as he sees his popularity slipping.

- A quarterback who currently plays west of the Mississippi and who shares the last name of a dead musician will come out of the closet to the surprise of... no-one.

- Rush will announce that the media wants to see that QB succeed because of his recent announcement. This causes ESPN to rehire Rush, just to fire him.

- Dan Snyder will again interfere witht he daily operations of the Redskins and continue to show the world how he has no clue.

- Bill Parcells will publicly consider quitting when Jerry Jones begins dwelling in the team after a relatively hands-off season this past year.

- Quincy Carter will still be Quincy Carter and prove that he can take a team nowhere.

- A behind the scenes tape of Britney and Madonna will circulate over the internet, showing them practicing moer than just kissing.

- A lawsuit will be filed against the producers of Fear Factor after a contestant dies during the taping of a stunt.

- SkyDog will put himself in the penalty box.

- The board will be filled with many threads of debate around the time of the election. All of those threads will degenerate into name calling and will lead to 5 suspensions.

- Last but not least, happy will return more powerful than ever.

[Suicane75]

Originally posted by EagleFan
A behind the scenes tape of Britney and Madonna will circulate over the internet, showing them practicing moer than just kissing.

Thank you, I needed some "inspiration" to get me to sleep.

[Bad-example]

The Dodgers will again fail to field a lineup featuring more than 3 major league quality hitters.

Skydog will unban mrs kippy...twice.

People will lose more posts.

[MIJB#19]

Predictions for 2004?

NFL
- Marc Bulger gets injured and Kurt Warner passes the Rams to Super Bowl victory, beating the Tennessee Titans in a rematch of Super Bowl XXXIV
- Jerry Rice retires
- Corey Dillon moves to the Oakland Raiders in a trade of 1st round picks with the Bengals
- In the 2004 season, the Seattle Seahawks keep improving and go 12-4; the Detroit Lions surprise with a 9-7 record, but miss the playoffs;
NFL Europe
- The Amsterdam Admirals win the World Bowl due to some refereeing "mistakes" in the regular season, as the league needs a non-German team to do well to survive.
NBA
- In the 2004/2005 season, 3 Dutch players are on an NBA team as backup center
Soccer
- Euro2004 is won by Sweden, beating France in the final
- Latvia surprises Europe with a win over Germany, yet miss the quarterfinals
- "Holland" loses in the semi's once again, though not on penalties this time
- The UEFA Champions' League is won by Real Madrid, beating VfB Stuttgart by 5-1
- Euro2004's top 5 players of the tournament are in random order: Verpakovskis (Latvia), Robben (Netherlands), Ljungberg (Sweden), Nedved (Czech Republic) and Henry (France), who takes the top goalscorers title
- Manchester United almost trades Ruud van Nistelrooij and Rio Ferdinand for Real Madrid's Ronaldo and Luis Figo, all leading to Alex Ferguson's forced retirement as manager
Tennis
- Anna Kournikova returns on court for a few more tournament and finally end the tournament winless streak on the WTA Tour
- Martina Navratilova retires once again after winning the Olympic Gold together with Venus Williams due to absence of "injured" Serena, who is caught filming a movie during the Olympic Games
Cycling
- Lance Armstrong fails to win his 6th Tour de France, yet announced to return in 2005; Roberto Heras leaves Le Tour in the second week; Jan Ullrich, Tyler Hamilton and Sylvain Chavanel are the top 3 riders
Olympic Games
- The Dutch 4x100 relay team wins a bronze medal as the USA and UK miss the final over dropped sticks; Japan takes silver and Nigeria gold
- Baseball is dropped from the Olympic program in favor of golf
- Greece returns as a sporting nation, taking 5th place on the medals table behind the USA, Germany, the UK and Australia; China, Japan, The Netherlands, Russia and France complete the top 10 in no particular order
Politics
- Key element in the President Elections in the USA will be the legalisation of gay marriage, an invasion of North Korea and another Niagra Falls Power Outlet Incident
- Saddam Hussain dies over suspicious circumstances; Slobodan Milosevic does too
- Tony Blair will resign from his duties over new facts in the war on Iraq
- The Dutch goverment falls once again, this time over another scandal in the Royal Family; the elections are shoved back to 2005
- Weapons of Mass Destruction are found in Iraq

Music
- World Idol Kurt Nilsson scores a #1 hit across the world in a duet with Christina Aguilera in a remix of "I Am Beatiful"

Personal
- MIJB will not graduate from college
- MIJB will re-promote to the first volleyball team of the local volleyball club; MIJB will not run for president of the club, despite being jokingly asked for the fourth time in 12 months

[Eaglesfan27]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by MIJB#19
[B]Predictions for 2004?


Music
- World Idol Kurt Nilsson scores a #1 hit across the world in a duet with Christina Aguilera in a remix of "I Am Beatiful"

QUOTE]

ROFL!

[Karim]

- New England wins the SuperBowl

- New Jersey wins the Stanley Cup

- US wins World Cup of Hockey

- NHL lockout is not resolved by Dec. 31st, 2004

- Peter Jackson wins best director but ROTK does not win best picture

- Osama Bin Laden, dead or alive, is still not found

- EHM:FE has the same problems as the initial release of CM4; after several patches and the work of the paying beta team, EHM:FE 04/05 is the game we were waiting for

[SplitPersonality1]

Originally posted by albionmoonlight
Texas Hold 'Em will lose its current high level of popularity, and the schools of fish that currently make the low level games so profitable for those who know what they are doing will become harder to find.

I really hope you are wrong about this one. I am constantly amazed at the great number of very poor players that frequent online poker rooms. Where are these people getting all of this money that they can just throw away?

Last night, I watched a player make poor decision after poor decision but somehow he got on a hot streak and won over $80 in a very short amount of time. Then reality struck, he lost a big pot, went on tilt and lost over $150 during the next hour or so. It was rather sad really.

[The Afoci]

Originally posted by Suicane75
Do you know the joy of a warm piece of toasted bread slathered in peanut butter at 3:30am while you sit at the computer in your underwear and simultaneously pick crumbs off of your chest and lick peanut butter out of your moustache? I do, oh yes I do.

The time of the morning is set aside for monk wrestling.

[cthomer5000]

The 10,000 buy-in for the World Series of Poker was reportedly capped at 2,400. That's one of my predictions that has more than come true (my estimate was 1,700).

This could be the golden age of poker.

[QuikSand]

How about this:

Roger Clemens will make the NL all-star team.


Not a bad start. Would have been ballsier to predict that he'd start, but at that point he was retired... so this seemed far-fetched enough to me.

[MIJB#19]

Predictions for 2004?

---
SNIP
---

Soccer
- Latvia surprises Europe with a win over Germany, yet miss the quarterfinals
- "Holland" loses in the semi's once again, though not on penalties this time
- Euro2004's top 5 players of the tournament are in random order: Verpakovskis (Latvia), Robben (Netherlands), Ljungberg (Sweden), Nedved (Czech Republic) and Henry (France), who takes the top goalscorers title

---
SNAP
---
Well, not a bad prediction for my national team in soccer, was it?
Plus, I predicted that Robben would shine at Euro2004, pretty far-fetched, especially knowing he was still injured at the start of the tournament.
Nedved did very well, Ljungberg was concidered a top20 player, Verpakovskis was underrated and Henry had only 1 good game out of 4.
Latvia upset Germany with a 0-0 draw, but didn't win, sadly.

All the other predictions I made (and the outcome is already known) were way off, especially those not quoted, but this one jumps out.

[cthomer5000]

Not a bad start. Would have been ballsier to predict that he'd start, but at that point he was retired... so this seemed far-fetched enough to me.
A pretty quality prediction, really.

I nailed the WSOP predicition, and was blown away by just how many entrants there ended up being - not many people really that doubling the entries was reasonable, and i think it ended up being over 4 times the 2003 number.

I would say I'm wrong about no more than 2 successful multiplayer leagues coming out of FOF. I think there are a legit 4, at least. As soon as everyone finishes a 2nd season I would say they are for real.

Other than that my confidence remains high on the rest of my predicitions.

[JeeberD]

* (QS stole my thunder on this one...) Roger Clemens will come out of retirement to play for the Astros.
Yup, we were right about this one, Quik. :D



* Despite Clemens' and Andy Pettite's presence on the Astros roster, they will still finish second to the Cubs in the NL Central. They will, however, win the NL Wildcard.
Not enough data, though at this point it's not looking good for the Astros... :(



* The Edmonton Oilers franchise will either fold or be forced to move to Houston.
I don't know where the hell I got that idea from...



* The Cowboys will have their pickof the litter as free agents line up at the chance to play for Bill Parcells.
Sadly, I was dead wrong... :(



* Keyshaun Johnson and Corey Dillon will become Cowboys.
Half right...



* Troy Hambrick will be released not so much because of his lack of talent, but to shut up his incessant whining about being benched..
Ding ding ding! Enjoy T-Ham, Raiders! :D



* With Quincy Carter at their helm, the Cowboys will once again make the playoffs and make it to the NFC Championship game before breaking my heart with a loss to the Rams.
Hmmm...no looking good at this point, though anything can happen in the NFL.



* The Rockets will trade Steve Francis for someone who more resembles a pure PG and can get the ball to Yao Ming.
Half right. But instead of a PG to get the ball to Yao we got one of the best scorers in the league.



* UTEP football, with new coach Mike Price, will win six games and be competitive in the WAC.
Not enough data, though I have revised my prediction to a mere four wins after looking at the schedule...



*UTEP basketball will make the NCAA tournament and surprise a couple of teams while making it to the Sweet Sixteen.
Half right, or maybe even two thirds right. Made The Dance and I think we surprised Maryland with our play. I'm still pissed at the reffing in that game... :mad:



* UTEP will be invited to join Conference USA when TCU bolts to the MWC.
Right on the money! :)

[TLK]

The Lions will add a big name running back who will not see 1,000 yards
However, the Lions will win a road game. At least two, maybe as many as four.....
Owens, Sapp, Warner, K. Johnson, and Dillon will all be on new teams. Warner will have the most success
The Indy 500 will be won by a foreign driver
As the year goes on I will grow to hate Tony George even more
The Cleveland Flats of the CFL will struggle to win 4 games
1. Jones will not reach 1,000 yards
2. A lock (at least two)
3. Nice..... go Kurt
4. So, who the hell won the 500 anyways?
5. A lock
6. I WAS WRONG

[QuikSand]

Well, with several people (as I recall) making predictions about cabinet secretaries and the election, I thought this might be worth another look.

[QuikSand]

I predict that another season of baseball will pass without the Cubs or the Red Sox experiencing anything but grief.


Edit - Yeah, I know...I'm going out on a HUGE limb here...

That's kinda funny... talk about a bridge-jumper prediction. Hope he didn't plunge with the nest egg and take the 1-100 odds on it...

[albionmoonlight]

#1 I predict that the presidential election will go poorly again. There will be another controversy surrounding it (perhaps not as dramatic and drawn out as the first time). There will be cries from the rooftops for reform and, in the end, nothing will be done.

When you take into account how much the Bush lovers love Bush and how much the Bush haters hate Bush (btw, I am glad that QOTM is gone)--and how close the last election was, and how people have only gotten more polarized over the last four year. . . I just have a sense that this election will be remembered as a very bad one for one reason or another.

#2 The Cowboys will come back to earth (more of a testament to how much Parcells got them to overachive in 2003).

#3 Dan Snyder will name himself GM and Deion as Head Coach of the Redskins (hey, a guy can dream can't he? This would push UIC to new heights).

#4 Armed with a very good QB, 1500 yard rusher, big play receiver, and underrated coach, the Houston Texans will make the playoffs.

#5 Texas Hold 'Em will lose its current high level of popularity, and the schools of fish that currently make the low level games so profitable for those who know what they are doing will become harder to find.

#6 The New Orleans Saints will continue to underachive.

#7 Neither USC, nor OU, nor LSU will be competing for a national championship at the end of the year.<!-- / message -->
#1--not quite. I had the right idea, but I expected more of a clusterfuck than we got (thankfully).

#2 Nailed it.

#3 Didn't really expect that, but is bad to say that the Skins record would not be much different if he had?

#4 Jury Still Out. I'm rooting for them.

#5 Wrong.

#6 Easiest one of the bunch to nail.

#7 Wrong (depending on how you define "end of the year"). At least LSU didn't let me down.

[rkmsuf]

That's kinda funny... talk about a bridge-jumper prediction. Hope he didn't plunge with the nest egg and take the 1-100 odds on it...

It's even funnier considering whe the Sox were down 0-3 he probably starting spending the money.

[Noop]

I predict the election will not be fair...
I predict a major event that changes the way we all live...
I predict a rapper will get shot
I predict a rapper will die because of another rapper death
I predict that someone in Congress will say something racist and be forced to resign
I predict Jims next game to be TCY and FOF5 all in one game so he can start a new genre
I predict next seasons college football year will be the best in a long time
I predict Reggie Bush to make a run at the heisman
I predict USC will make it back
I predict we will have another split title
I predict Glenn Sharpe will finally overcome his injuries and start and Miami
I predict all major Florida school go on probation for giving money to players with Zook getting it the worst
I predict Quiksand will turn into the fun guy I use enjoy reading about his Dynasties(Come back youa class act)
I predict Kobe will not be guilty
I predict The Afoci and I will trade porn pics ;)
I predict someone will lose their girlfriend and tell everyone about it
I predict Skydog's wife will have a kid(All that practice will pay off Ben)
I predict Florida State will lose to Miami again( Check Sig for reasons)
I predict Bobby Bowden will be fired or forced to go
I predict a NFL coach as the next coach for the Seminoles

:)

noop
Well far as the rappers go I was right.
Kobe I was right.
Pretty right on most of these although i admit they were pretty much easy to guess next year I will predict something no one saw coming.

[JeeberD]

* UTEP football, with new coach Mike Price, will win six games and be competitive in the WAC.

Wrong, but for all the best reasons... :)

[fantastic flying froggies]

I predict that this year will be very very exceptionnal : it will last 366 days instead of the usual 365...
So far so good... :p

[MIJB#19]

Wow, my predictions all sucked.

Go Detroit Lions, go not make the playoffs at 9-7 (as if that combo is possible in their division :)).

The best one was where I jokingly said I'd re-promote to the first team of the volleyball club, because I really didn't expect that to happen.

[Honolulu Blue]

Reviewing my own predictions from last year:


* Jim's next masterpiece will be TCY2, incorporating many of the changes and improvements made since FOF 2001. The game will be well received.

* Total Pro Football will continue to be patched but will still play second fiddle to FOF. There won't be a new version in 2004, but the price will be reduced sometime during baseball season.

* There will be a new version of TDCB released.

* Soccer...er, football, fans everywhere will be confused by the release of Eidos' Championship Manager, and SI Games' soccer text sim.

* There will be an auto racing owner career text sim released.

1. Jim did not, of course, release a new game last year, preferring to offer significant upgrades for his two flagship games for free. I still say TCY2 is a slam dunk as the next game.

2. Three out of four on the TPF predictions. It seems that few consider it equal or superior to FOF, despite the patches. No new version last year, but they didn't reduce the price. I don't know why.

3. TDCB was on the missing list this year and the consensus seems to be that it has been passed by FBCB.

4. I wildly overestimated the confusion caused by the Eidos/SI Games split, perhaps because I haven't heard a thing about Eidos' new game.

5. No auto racing career text sims yet. Maybe this year?

---------------------------------------

Predictions for the coming year (clip & save):

Lions:

* Will draft a QB AND sign a veteran free agent QB. Harrington will respond to the challenge by having his best year (OK, so it wouldn't take much :p ). McMahon is offered a spot on the practice squad or signs as a clip carrier with some other team. The crystal ball goes cloudy on that subject (i.e. I don't care).
* Will continue to improve their record and should win 7-9 games next year.
* Rogers and Williams will combine for at least 80 catches.

Other football:

* Peyton Manning will not throw 49 touchdown passes, or indeed lead the NFL in TD passes.
* Ben will struggle in his sophomore season.
* The NCAA will slap sanctions on Ohio State short of the Death Penalty. The team will not reach 7 wins, partially because of all the turmoil.
* Some team will be foolish enough to draft Clarett. He'll have less than 200 yards in the coming NFL season.

Poker:

* To the sadness of Annie Duke & Jennifer Harmon fans everywhere, there will be no women at the WSOP final table.
* There will be at least four non-pros at the final table of the WSOP, including at least one that won an online super satellite.
* There will be more hours devoted to poker at the WSOP on ESPN than last year.
* "Tilt" won't be renewed; however, EOE will announce a made-for-TV movie about some poker player (I'd nominate Stu Ungar, but they're far more likely to go for either or both of the Lederers).

Horse Racing:

* No Triple Crown this year.
* The Kentucky Derby winner will have been bought for less than $200,000 or more than $1 million.
* The Derby winner will not win the Preakness, but might win the Belmont.
* FUNNY CIDE will still be plugging along. He'll win at least two grades stakes races.

Other:

* Another major drug from a major manufacturer will be suddenly pulled from the market, pummeling that company's stock.
* The prime rate will rise at least 1% (100 basis points for you b-school geeks) this year.
* We'll slowly pull our forces out of Iraq to fight other fires elsewhere. The U.S. will still have a major presence there this year - and next year, and the year after that...

[cthomer5000]

There will be 1,700 entrants to the World Series of Poker (i'm talking specifically about the $10,000 buy-in no-limit tourney). For reference there were about 850 last year.
Rutgers football team will play in a bowl game (thanks to both an improving squad and a weakened Big East)
The Red Sox and Yankees will again meet in the ALCS
Solecismic will release it's first non-football game (my sub-guess would be baseball)
The New York Jets will miss the playoffs again.
The Atlanta Falcons will miss the playoffs again.
At most, 2 successful FOF2004 multiplayer leagues will come out of FOFC

-yes
-no
-yes
-no
-no
-no
-no

Not so hot predictions from yours truly.

[SplitPersonality1]

The Boston Red Sox will once again make it to game 7 of the ALCS and lose.

2004 will be Brett Favre’s final season.

Bush will win re-election by a six point margin in the popular vote.

A career horse-racing sim will be announced for release in early 2005.

The Houston Texans will win a playoff game.

A “honeymoon” videotape of Britney Spears will make its rounds on the internet.

QOTM will return to FOFC, but only briefly due to juvenile submissions.

Solecismic Software will release a non-football game. It will not be Front Office Curling.

Dean will win the Democratic nomination. Al Sharpton will finish far behind, but will run as an independent and get 4% of the popular vote.

Quiksand will become the first poster in FOFC history to cross the 10k post mark…twice

0 for 10 - ouch

[QuikSand]

How about this:


Roger Clemens will make the NL all-star team.

Terrell Owens signs with Denver

The Washington Redskins make the NFL playoffs

A major advancement in treatment of Alzheimer's disease is announced

Scientists confirm the first human clones, which actually have already happened

Another SARS outbreak eclipses the first, though public health officials are better prepared

Mercury-related fears about seafood continue to mount and warnings are raised about health effects for all people

Colin Powell resigns from the Bush cabinet, just after Bush wins re-election

Tom Ridge is swept out of office as HS Chief, amidst controversy and/or disgrace

Ivory-billed Woodpeckers are found in Cuba

An effort to revive "The X-Files" takes hold of lesser TV networks

Mel Gibson's weird Jesus movie receives modest critical acclaim, and more people see it because of the controversy


Only a few here get high marks -- Clemens (which was brewing, but still a nice hit), Powell (not that hard to see coming), and I guess Gibson (also not too tough, as the unspecific prediction wasn't hard to nail).

[EagleFan]

- Clemens will sign with the Astros, but soon realize what a mistake it was the first time he has to step up to the plate himself.

half credit?

- 2 Philly teams will make the finals of their sport, one will win and end the city's drought.

ouch, 2 in the finals for their conference but now winner.

- Based on this year's controversy, the BCS will slightly alter it's formula only to find that the changes end up causing another controversy that they discover wouldn't have happened witht he prior formula. This will lead to the possibility of a playoff format by 2008.

still more BCS questions with multiple unbeaten teams remaining.

- Sapp will come out and say something stupid, just to get his face back on television as he sees his popularity slipping.

I don't know if he actually said anything stupid this year, at least that made it to the press.

- A quarterback who currently plays west of the Mississippi and who shares the last name of a dead musician will come out of the closet to the surprise of... no-one.

An exteam-mate tried to out him but he's still in denial.

- Rush will announce that the media wants to see that QB succeed because of his recent announcement. This causes ESPN to rehire Rush, just to fire him.

The first part never happened ;).

- Dan Snyder will again interfere witht he daily operations of the Redskins and continue to show the world how he has no clue.

He still has no clue, no matter what.

- Bill Parcells will publicly consider quitting when Jerry Jones begins dwelling in the team after a relatively hands-off season this past year.

Me thinks I was a year early on this one.

- Quincy Carter will still be Quincy Carter and prove that he can take a team nowhere.

That sort of happened.

- A behind the scenes tape of Britney and Madonna will circulate over the internet, showing them practicing more than just kissing.

Still waiting for that tape. Not sure why though as they both get on my nerves. Give me Jennifer Garner and Angelina Jolie and I'll be happy.;)

- A lawsuit will be filed against the producers of Fear Factor after a contestant dies during the taping of a stunt.

Surprised this hasn't happened yet.

- SkyDog will put himself in the penalty box.

I thought this was a slam dunk. :D

- The board will be filled with many threads of debate around the time of the election. All of those threads will degenerate into name calling and will lead to 5 suspensions.

I had to be close on this one.

- Last but not least, happy will return more powerful than ever.

Not sure if some of the recent troll aliases could be traced back to him but who would be too surprised.

[Honolulu Blue]

Reviewing my predictions from last year:


Lions:

* Will draft a QB AND sign a veteran free agent QB. Harrington will respond to the challenge by having his best year (OK, so it wouldn't take much :p ). McMahon is offered a spot on the practice squad or signs as a clip carrier with some other team. The crystal ball goes cloudy on that subject (i.e. I don't care).
* Will continue to improve their record and should win 7-9 games next year.
* Rogers and Williams will combine for at least 80 catches.

1) Correct on part a. Incorrect on part b (last year was better). McMahon actually got to put down the clipboard and start for Philadelphia. They were desperate.
2) They'd need another two months to get to 7 wins.
3) R. Williams 45 + Rogers 14 is not greater than 80.


Other football:

* Peyton Manning will not throw 49 touchdown passes, or indeed lead the NFL in TD passes.
* Ben will struggle in his sophomore season.
* The NCAA will slap sanctions on Ohio State short of the Death Penalty. The team will not reach 7 wins, partially because of all the turmoil.
* Some team will be foolish enough to draft Clarett. He'll have less than 200 yards in the coming NFL season.

1) Correct. Peyton threw 28; Carson led the league with 32.
2) Hard to say. He got hurt and had a few bad games, but overall he was about as effective this year as last. I'll call this one a miss.
3) Incorrect.
4) Dead on. The Broncos were the fools, in the 3rd round yet. He had exactly zero yards.


Poker:

* To the sadness of Annie Duke & Jennifer Harmon fans everywhere, there will be no women at the WSOP final table.
* There will be at least four non-pros at the final table of the WSOP, including at least one that won an online super satellite.
* There will be more hours devoted to poker at the WSOP on ESPN than last year.
* "Tilt" won't be renewed; however, EOE will announce a made-for-TV movie about some poker player (I'd nominate Stu Ungar, but they're far more likely to go for either or both of the Lederers).

1) Correct. Tiffany's clock struck midnight just before the final nine were determined.
2) It depends on how you define "pro", I guess. There was only one generally recognized pro at the final table. I'll pat myself on the back.
3) Correct, though this wasn't exactly a leap of faith.
4) Correct on "Tilt", incorrect on the movie.


Horse Racing:

* No Triple Crown this year.
* The Kentucky Derby winner will have been bought for less than $200,000 or more than $1 million.
* The Derby winner will not win the Preakness, but might win the Belmont.
* FUNNY CIDE will still be plugging along. He'll win at least two grades stakes races.

1) Correct.
2) GIACOMO was bred (I think), so incorrect.
3) Correct, as far as it went.
4) Uh, no.


Other:

* Another major drug from a major manufacturer will be suddenly pulled from the market, pummeling that company's stock.
* The prime rate will rise at least 1% (100 basis points for you b-school geeks) this year.
* We'll slowly pull our forces out of Iraq to fight other fires elsewhere. The U.S. will still have a major presence there this year - and next year, and the year after that...

1) Probably happened, but so much stuff happened during the year, I can't provide you any details.
2) Correct, of course.
3) If it hasn't happened yet, the gradual pullout will start soon. We'll still have troops there for a long time to come.

Random, and very brief predictions for 2006:

* No Triple Crown this year either
* This is the year the poker boom peaks
* 6000-8000 at this year's WSOP Main Event
* Millen will survive this offseason
* No idea how bad the Lions will be this year; I don't expect much
* Jim's next game will be TCY2