Q: Why do people pay attention to sports? A: Because there is always an element of the unknown attached to competition. Participants as well as spectators can never predict positively, unalterably, absolutely and beyond a shadow of a doubt what the result of an individual clash, a two-team series, or even the eventual outcome of a whole season will be.

Despite this natural law, you and I are still subjected to mere mortals who suggest that they can see into the future and divine the impending results of sporting events to such minute fractions as 3 to 5, 2 1/2 points, or maybe two field goals.

Q: Why do otherwise credible and rational people keep trying to forecast the future with their Monday-morning crystal balls?

A: Because, if a sportswriter or any other omniscient source could unravel the mystery of predicting sports scores, look what he could gain: 1) the Cassandra Cup: awarded to individuals with a knack for predictions since 862 B.C., and 2) a seat next to Jayne Kennedy every Sunday afternoon from September until January.

However, this year I will not fall into the category of disillusioned sportswriters whose meager attempts at ESP crumble when conflicting results are recorded. Yes, this year no one will scoff at my inspirations. In fact, I'll stake my last Dunster Dollar on the flawlessness of my insight.

So here they are--10 predicitons that you can bet your Ec 10 final on. I predict...

1. The final Ivy League football standings will not be

1. Columbia

2. Cornell

3. Princeton

4. Penn

5. Harvard

6. Dartmouth

7. Brown

8. Yale