Just like I promised last time, we will discuss the future today. So let me gaze into my crystal ball to see what will happen in basketball, football, baseball and a variety of other things having to do with sports.

Baseball season is in full swing, so let’s start there. My magic crystal ball is unclear, but patterns are emerging.

Yes, it is clearing up.

The San Francisco Giants will win the world series, beating the Seattle Mariners in seven games. The Giants will beat the New York Mets for the pennant.

The Braves miss the playoffs by falling behind both the Mets and the Marlins in the NL East.

The Mariners will beat the Yankees who eliminate the early favorite Baltimore Orioles. Wait! My crystal ball is telling me the Cubbies will win the ’98 series in four games after running all over the Major Leagues.

College football is next. Chronologically, Iowa State is primed for its biggest season ever. Still, Colorado and not the Cyclones will win the Northern Division of the Big 12.

Iowa State’s 7-4 record, third in the division, will be very respectable.

The ‘Clones are going to make a bowl game for the first time in ages.

So be primed to party in early 1998. (Also, ISU will beat Iowa for the first time in my life.)

Pro football isn’t half as exciting to me, but it’s fun nonetheless. Carolina will win the Super Bowl as the super-hyped Niners will fall by the wayside.

Denver will go 16-0 in the regular season but will get beaten in its first playoff game. The Dolphins will win the AFC.

The New Orleans Saints, led by Rookie-of-the-Year Troy Davis will finish second in the NFC.

Basketball next.

Once again I must pay homage to the god of basketball gods, Michael Jordan. (Naysayers be damned!)

He, in his capacity as the greatest player ever, in tandem with Scottie Pippen, will lead the Bulls to their sixth championship in eight years.

The Minnesota Timberwolves and the Portland Trailblazers will issue a strong challenge in the west to the fast-rising Los Angeles Lakers.

In the east, the slowly sinking Knicks will fall again to the Heat.

Atlanta is another solid team in the east who could make some playoff noise.

College basketball is next. Iowa State will become the Arizona of 97-98. Martin Rancik, Jerry Curry, Lee Love, Marcus Fizer and, of course, Stevie Johnson will lead the ‘Clones to the NCAA title in much the same way as Mike Bibby, A.J.Bramlett and Miles Simon did for the Wildcats.

The Cyclones will defeat the North Carolina Tar Heels for the title.

The women’s team will win the Big 12, led by Janel Grimm and Jayme Olson.

Now it’s time for tennis. Pete Sampras will continue his domination of the game by winning the U.S. Open. The only challenger on the horizon would be Mark Philippousis of Australia.

Though the pundits are claiming tennis is dying, it will enjoy a resurgence soon.

All in all, it’s going to be a super season for all sports; Cyclone sports in particular.

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Jayadev Athreya is a sophomore in math from Ames.