Not all Gazette pickers say Roll Tide over Buckeyes?

A bout with COVID-19 didn’t stop him from conquering two large pizzas and prime rib during quarantine.

The Gazette’s R.B. (Round Belly) Headley isn’t afraid to climb out on a limb — even if he fell into a mud pit while his pet beagle Spike ran off in embarrassment once.

He’s sick enough to root for the Minnesota Yike-ings Sunday after Sunday for better than 40 years now — something far worse than an entire day of swabs being stuck up your nostril.

So naturally, it takes this kind of courage to defy every powerful football mind across this area. Though he does like what Bison legend Jeff Gross picks for a dream national title game:

“How about Nebraska vs. Oklahoma?”

Ha, completely insane but wouldn’t that be fun...for Boomer Sooner at least.

Rancid Beef must stay in the present even if he’s thinking about a big sandwich for lunch.

R.B. believes with hot quarterback Justin Fields, unstoppable rusher Trey Sermon, great receivers and a suddenly relentless pass rush:

The Big Ten’s Buckeyes can beat No. 1 Alabama Monday night.

“Somehow, it seems appropriate for 2020-21 that a team only playing five regular-season games wins the national title,” Rumblin Bumblin proclaimed. “Just as I’m rooting for the Washington Football Team with Alex Smith meeting Kansas City in the Super Bowl. What better year for a losing team (7-9 record) from an insane city (Washington) to reach America’s best sporting event?”

Uh huh, whatever. R.B’s national title game pick:

Ohio State 38, Alabama 34.

Meanwhile, let’s see what other area sports gurus are anticipating for the college and pro season finales...provided we are all still on planet Earth by next week.

There are also questions about whether sports and life will be close to “normal” again starting 2022. The first five days of 2021...not a good sign.

Nick Umscheid, leader of McCook Junior High football and Bison wrestling:

“Sports and society will NEVER be the same again. The box has been open with government dictating too much of our own personal choices. Now that they see how easily people have folded, they will never relinquish that power.”

Uhh, national title game pick?

“Alabama 28, Ohio St. 14. Their defense doesn’t have many flaws. Defense still wins championships!”

If the referees allow any defense...

“My best title memory was when Atlanta blew a huge Super Bowl first-half lead to New England (28-3). Not that I am a Patriots fan, but Josh Jones is a huge Falcons fan and I like sticking it to him.”

Rude Buggar Headley certainly agrees as he recalls Dirty Birds dancing in the Metrodome around 1998 and a 15-1 Vikings team going home. But next year!

Jennifer Morgan, McCook Community College events coordinator and true Bison fan:

“The positive side me says a resounding YES!!” (to normalcy ).

National title game: “ALABAMA, decided by a field goal.”

Super Bowl?

“Going with CHIEFS for sure, but toss up on who else. Too many factors affect it.”

If only there was some crowd noise to rattle Packer playboy Aaron Rodgers....

Favorite memory?

“Some college fans and I rented a van (uh-oh) and drove to Florida to cheer on the Huskers at the 1994 Orange Bowl (vs. Florida State!). Painted our faces and lost our voices yelling, but best game ever!”

Greg Larson, Florida Gator with quite the historical perspective:

National title game: “Alabama 49, Ohio St. 38. Quesions for Bama: Can they stay focused with all the awards won this week (Devonta Smith Heisman, etc., etc.). Can they get to Fields? Ohio St. questions: Can they stop Bama? Are they healthy and is Fields 100 percent (good question)? I’m SEC living in Big Ten-Big 12 country.”

Super Bowl: “Bills vs. Saints. Sleepers are Steelers vs. Seahawks. Chiefs have a shot to repeat but not played well since Week 8.”

Memorable title game: “1996, 2006 and 2008 when Gators won. Go Gators!”

“Game before my time was 1930: Notre Dame 7, Army 6. Game was like an ice bowl, seven fumbles and 34 punts.”

Sounds like the Yike-ings’ Super Bowl total history.

Rundown of strong Bison radio voices:

Rich Barnett says: “Was going with Ohio State, but they are having COVID issues. Alabama 45, Ohio St. 28.”

Super Bowl pick: BILLS over Packers. Browns over Steelers is early upset special.

Obscure future champ: Let’s go with Rutgers football!!

Seth Baumert: I say Alabama most likely wins, but I suppose I better cheer for the Big Ten. Bama wins 42-28.”

Super Bowl: “Kansas City vs. Green Bay, though I wouldn’t mind seeing Pittsburgh for some reason. Ha!”

National title game: How about state title memory? DC-S going all the way (just last fall, which is really fun). I was too little to deeply remember the Husker football titles. So I’d love to see Nebraska or at least play in one.”

R.B. recalls them all: the best being Nebraska rallying past Warren “Fat Boy” Sapp’s Miami.

“The first is always the best. I remember just thinking wow, they and Tom (Osborne) are actually going to win it. I also remember all the defeats.”

Moving on..

Matt Williams says:

“Gosh I hope we see crowds (again), it was awesome to see 50 percent for McCook (Tuesday night). Fantastic to hear the Bison band and see a student section.”

National title game: “Can Ohio St. play like they did vs. Clemson? Most will have Alabama winning and I will go with that: Bama 42, Ohio St. 24.”

Super Bowl pick: “Die-hard K.C. fan here. Offensive line has been a hodge podge for weeks as they have had to mix n match guys in different spots for a while. I’s like to see Green Bay & KC. But if KC loses next weekend or in the AFC title game i wouldnt be surprised.”

Can’t forget Gazette G.O.A.T. Steve Towery and who said Round Belly was alone:

National title pick: “OHIO ST. shocks Alabama 48-42! Super Bowl: Green Bay vs. KC.

Bison basketball coach and football assistant Joe Imus says: “Alabama 45, Ohio St. 34. Favorite memory: Nebraska beating Miami.”

Joe Vetrovsky, McCook Football league and Bison coach:

“I pray that we can reach normal again sometime in the near future. “When that is, only time will tell, but I am optimistic.”National title game: “The team I want to win is Ohio State, but I see Alabama.”