Jonathan

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We all know what the past year and change has been like. No need to go back into the slog that was 2020. The lockdowns, the unrest, the uncertainty, and that unshakable feeling of overwhelmedness. I am glad that it is mostly behind us for good. However, I can’t help but still feel that feeling. What is that feeling, you say? Dread? Claustrophobia?

It’s not the pandemic. Not even the political climate.

It’s Jonathan.

Jonathan has been like a rainstorm over a lake for the past FOUR seasons. Looming, unavoidable, at times terrifying, and just so full of liquid. Bro you pee so much.

Our back-to-back-to-back-to-back champion (jesus pls) has been literally all over the Continental United States since his graduation before Season 4. I thought he would be distracted. But no, he still waxed us like an angry spa attendant. It’s not like the rest of us didn’t try (*ahem* Sully), but Jonathan is exactly what his favorite coffee mug says. Better than you.

Season 5

Looking at Season 5, I can only feel like the beleaguered eldest brother who rides the bus, looks at the cards laid out in front of him and thinks, “I won’t get blackout AGAIN.”

Will someone dethrone Jonny this year? All signs point to No. However, hitting a jackpot, a meteor strike, and Jesus walking the earth have all at least happened once. So there’s hope.

Prediction

Moving to Colorado normally makes a person more laidback. For Jonny, I think it literally made him more insufferable.

Projected Overall Rank: 1
Projected Overall Earnings: $11.36
Odds to Win the League Title: 1/6

Benjamin

I know we started with a quote for Benjamin last year, but this one just really encapsulates his life lately.

I mean, what’s the difference between hitting the keys on a piano and hitting the keys on a phone or laptop? Benjamin knows how to make both type of keys sing so obviously his social media presence was destined to explode. And of course, Benj is a better singer than Drake.

A rising media personality, and the voice of a Broadway star (along with the sensitivity of one, am I right ladies and gentlemen). Benjamin is transforming into quite the Renaissance Man. Some are even saying he is the Lansing Area Drake. The only difference between he and Drake is…Trophies.

Season 5

I would like to toot my own horn really quickly. I predicted in last year’s MTL that Benj would finish 4th with $6.31. He ended 2020 in 4th with $6.56. Benjamin is nothing but predictable. Sorry, consistent. That’s a better word.

So, where will our multi-time 4th place finisher end in 2021? Well let’s go to the tape. He finished 4th in Season 1, Season 3, AND Season 4 (good lord, dude). He’s still super excited about the league. Still overly optimistic with Michigan football, and continues to confidently proclaim he will do terribly. With that kind of attitude, I have no other option than to place him where he belongs.

Prediction

A man of many talents, Benjamin has graced the league with levity, passion, and really weird Twitter takes. That’s his calling card though, so bring it on, Internet Piano Man.

Projected Overall Rank: 4
Projected Overall Earnings: $6.85
Odds to Win the League Title: 3/1

Christopher

Espionage takes a lot of very particular skills. It also takes a very specific type of person. If the movies are anything to go off, you need to be:

·       Blond

·       Tall (negotiable)

·       A fan of good alcohol

·       Handy with a camera

·       Talented at getting into dumb situations, but then recovering effortlessly.

Sound like anybody? No? Ok let’s continue.

We’ve received intelligence that the B1G is being intentionally sabotaged from the top-down. How do we save the conference of big dreams? Who better to record evidence that can help cut the head off of the snake, than our own inside man? Will our hero rise?

Big Stakes

Big Action

Big Ten

This Fall, Christopher Koval in, Warren Peace.

Season 5

Coming into last year Christopher’s position in the league was very much up in the air. The previous few seasons he showed incredible resiliency. He also showed his Tim Beck side. Just shooting himself in the foot multiple times. Now, Christopher may have finished dead last in the regular season and the tournament, but that’s in the past. Do we even remember last year? I certainly don’t. Remember what happened after Tim Beck left? Exactly. Settle down.

Christopher may benefit from a change of scenery this season. What does his future hold? Will he conquer the B1G HQ? Can he win the tournament again? Is he capable of getting over the new Ghost Bronco?

Prediction

Now that Christopher is part of the drag racing family (FAMILY), y’all better watch your rearview mirrors.

Projected Overall Rank: 4
Projected Overall Earnings: $5.82
Odds to Win the League Title: 7/2

Kevin

In Irish, the meaning of the name Kevin is “Of noble birth.” But the meaning in WTS Bettish is, “Of bad decisions.”

One such decision was moving to Indiana? Maybe not, that house is tremendous.

A colorful career both inside an outside the league, Kevin yearns for that sense of accomplishment. I see both of Kevin’s careers akin to the Space Race. His professional career is similar to Apollo 11. Humble beginnings, huge payoff, and an inspiration to those who watch him. His WTS Bets career is like a lot of USSR missions. Super weird, decisions don’t make sense, lots of drinking, and LOTS of explosions. Either way, Kevin is accomplishing something.

All of it is impressive, but that word contains multitudes.

Season 5

So, last season. Going from last to not last is improvement, and NASA had to start from nothing too. Not a moon landing, but he also didn’t explode on the runway so progress there (Christopher).

Like his favorite B1G team, Kevin is looking to build off of a rather educational season of 2020. So, how to improve? New strategy? Sure. New risk tolerance? Yeah ok why not. More swag? Yes, duh. Time to break back out those icy white helmets and time pieces, we got some peacocking to do. Will this eventually help? Who cares it’s cool. Style points are a thing too, and Kevin is a pro at racking those up.

Prediction

Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars.

.

.

.

Or hopelessly float through the nothingness of space.

Projected Overall Rank: 6
Projected Overall Earnings: $4.43
Odds to Win the League Title: 9/1

Kait

A Nittany Lion, according to science, is related to the unicorn, Bigfoot, and the yeti. That’s because they’re not real. They’re imaginary. Just like Kait’s chances to ever admit when she’s wrong. Fortunately for her, she hasn’t been wrong much since joining WTS in 2019.

Many people are scared of being wrong. Making a wrong choice, the wrong move. It can freeze us from listening to that sense of adventure that is inherent in all of us. But the only way we can move up the scoreboard is by listening to it.

While Kait is one the most homebody of homebodies I have ever encountered, she seems to go on a whole lot of adventures. Moving to New York. Making friends in a big city. Moving to and exploring Colorado. Taking a chance, betting on herself, and accepting a spot in Penn State’s Higher Education Master’s Program. Doesn’t seem like Kait is scared of a challenge, or failing. Even if said challenge is the futile effort of trying to convince Jonny that driving into the mountains during a record-breaking snowstorm is a bad idea.

The place had a hot tub Kait, come on.

Season 5

So far Kait has failed to fall any lower than 3rd in all of the seasons she has been a member of WTS Bets. What’s her secret? Is being the daughter of a high school head football coach an unfair advantage? I would say yes, but I have never seen Kait unnecessarily breakout a white board and scheme up a Cover 2 package.

Kait is fighting the 2 true B1G Boys of the league in her effort to move up the Standings. Is the right strategy joining the B1G herself? Can she summon the dark arts of Happy Valley and their White Out to upset an Ohio State member?  I’ll allow it if it takes away from her current school’s performance on the field.

Prediction

With her dogged determination, Season 5 is destined to be the dead snake and Kait is holding the shovel.

Projected Overall Rank: 2
Projected Overall Earnings: $10.22
Odds to Win the League Title: 2/3

Sully

A farmer’s boots. Aged steel girders. A man’s skin after putting in his long hours outside. Sully’s jersey on Sundays. All these things have one thing in common. They all represent hard, honest work. No bullshit, no excuses. Put in your time and build something special. Brick by brick.

Oh, right they also have another thing in common. They’re the color of perseverance. They’re…

B R O W N

Sully has also persevered over the past few years. A true prince of Cleveland. He’s worked hard, made good career progress, and stayed humble in his success. Like a kingdom in the distance, Sully’s presence is always felt, but rarely seen. Holed up in his stronghold within The Land, Sully is like a distant guardian. There to swoop in at just the right time to influence a week’s outcome. But like a lot of guardians (see: Guardian of the Galaxy), sometimes he forgets to contribute. Not to worry though, Chris normally still comes out on top.

Almost a myth at this point, will we see Chris’s return? Will he depart from his kingdom to join the league in our continuous adventures? Well like any good myth, appearances will happen when you least expect it.

Season 5

Another terrific year for our four-legged friend. Chris finished 2nd overall even though he missed multiple weeks all together. Was this calculated? Will he do it this season? To both questions I say, “most certainly.” But Chris will “apologize” and then all of a sudden be beating you again. Elephants don’t forget; Giraffes don’t need your forgiveness.

Prediction

Unlike his laptop keyboard, Chris doesn’t crack under pressure.

Projected Overall Rank: 3
Projected Overall Earnings: $9.87
Odds to Win the League Title: 3/1

Matthew

All you need to know about me can be found here:

Prediction

Here for a good time not a long time

Projected Overall Rank: 7
Projected Overall Earnings: $4.05
Odds to Win the League Title: 12/1