Every year in college football expert analysts in the national print media , on TV network sports shows , on sports-talk radio shows , and on blogs all over the World Wide Web come out with predictions on which teams will soar like an eagle and which teams will fall flat.Predictions, of course, are like the weather. They change frequently. So fans of the sport, in particular of specific teams sometimes tend to get caught up in the words theyve read or heard that came from someone who may or may not know more than they themselves know.And yet, when someone labels himself an expert, the label tends to stick , at least for a period of time.

The fact is, so-called experts who provide predictions about college football teams are really handicappers. Most often, the predictions are based on events that occurred the previous season. Perhaps the Arkansas Razorbacks won their last three games after losing early in the season. That late season success is used by an expert to predict future success, in an upcoming season. Of course, the factors that contributed to the wins may no longer be present. No matter. Arkansas, based on its previous performance, will probably be listed as a team to watch.Sometimes, predictions occur during a season.

For example, lets say the Princeton Tigers have just lost four games in a row, a three out of conference. A prediction for them is likely to be that theyre in a funk and likely to lose their next game even if that next game will be played against an inferior in-conference opponent.Fans, and those who bet on college football, have to know which predictions to take seriously and which to overlook. Its not always easy. But, if youre someone who pays close attention to the sport, and to what is happening around your team, you should be able to separate reality from fiction.Gamblers, in particular, need to recognize a prediction that marks a real trend, something to be heeded, and a prediction that is based on, well, nothing. Its important, of course, because there will be money on the line.

Every bet is serious and should only be made when the person making the bet has all the facts at his/her disposal.Again, predictions are exactly what the word implies , a guess on what may or may not happen. As such, the chance that the prediction will be right is no greater than the chance that it will be wrong. A late season winning streak the previous year is no guarantee of success in the upcoming year. Yet, predictions may suggest otherwise.A current winning streak against inferior competition may lead to a misleading and potentially costly prediction as well. Keep these thoughts in mind , or even if youre just a rabid fan of college football.