Now that everyone has spent the last two weeks pondering the most important question left on planet earth (Is Terrell Owens really playing?), the Super Bowl is right around the corner.
Due to this momentous occasion, it is also time to revisit your favorite section in the Tribune: The Gridiron Guru.
Remember the times we had? The laughter, the tears, my embarrassingly corny metaphors and OK, maybe you're saying, "This guy is an idiot! I could do so much better!"
Well, my friends, one such person has earned the right to do so, because he is the official winner of the Gridiron Guru for 2004-'05.
This lucky winner is none other than James Pokrywczynski, associate professor of advertising and media relations. Not only did he win several weeks during the season, but he also showed immense talent by being chosen in the random drawing out of a cowboy hat by members in the Tribune office.
I asked "Pok the Pontificator" (no, I didn't come up with that myself) what his secret was in picking so many games correctly.
"It's skill, my friend," he told me. "I start with giving favoritism to the home team. I check the injury reports and the team records with their conference. I'm also a daily reader of the sports page to keep up on everything."
Hearing this, I almost decided to throw away my lucky quarter I use to pick teams, but instead I just decided to put the money towards the Craig Krenzel bobble-head doll I'm saving up for.
Naturally, our discussion eventually got to 'The Big Game' this weekend. I asked the reigning champion his thoughts on the contest.
"It should be fun," he said. "I was disappointed in the conference championship games, they're usually the best.
"I like the Eagles in the Super Bowl, it's the year of the terminally losing. They've gone through their share of problems like the Red Sox did. I also follow Donovan McNabb because he grew up on the south side of Chicago like me."
Just for the record, this Guru is picking the Patriots to win. In all seriousness, I think they are probably the most underrated 16-2 team to come down the pipeline in sometime.
Even if T.O. plays, the only thing he'll really be able to do is trip a couple defenders up with his crutches, "spiritually healing" be damned.
Finally, I asked the Pontificator how he got his catchy moniker (because I ask the tough questions).
"I wrote a paper in college for journalism," he said. "I got it back and the teacher said there was too much 'editorializing' in it. He called me 'Pok the Pontificator' and the name has stuck ever since."
Well fans, it's been a nice run. I look forward to next season.
This article appeared in The Marquette Tribune on Feb. 3 2005.