Before Week Seven, I predicted...

...that all seven of my Magnificent Seven programs would make the playoffs. But, going into Week Eight, I'm beginning to have my doubts.

First of all, Buffalo Grove (6-1) and Hersey (6-1), above, are still sure things, and Glenbrook South (5-2) is about as sure as you can get without being metaphysically sure. After that, however, things start to get a little dicey.

My remaining four teams, Thornton (4-3), LaSalle-Peru (4-3), Crystal Lake Central (4-3) and Stagg (4-3) all lost last Friday, making my generous prognostication of the previous week look positively Panglossian.

To be honest, six of my Mag 7 schools went down over the weekend. (It could have been all seven if Hersey hadn't played Buffalo Grove.) What, are you guys trying to make a liar out of me or something? I'm on your side!

This week Glenbrook South is at Evanston (4-3), Thornton hosts Bolingbrook (6-1), LaSalle-Peru travels to Rochelle (4-3), Crystal Lake Central is at home against Dundee-Crown (1-6) and Stagg is at Lincoln-Way West (5-2).

I'll say GBS beats the Wildkits, I like L-P's chances against Rochelle and CLC is an almost certain winner over Dundee-Crown. But the Raiders should be heavy favorites over Thornton as will Lincoln-Way West against Stagg.

So where will that leave us after Week Eight? Glenbrook South should improve to 6-2, while LaSalle-Peru and Crystal Lake Central could both be 5-3. That would make the Titans a lock for the playoffs and make the scenario look awfully rosy for the Cavaliers and the Tigers. But Thornton and Stagg could both drop to 4-4 making Week Nine a must-win for both. The Wildcats will host Lincoln-Way Central (6-1) in the season finale while Stagg is on the road at Moline (5-2). The Chargers of Palos Hills could still pull a rabbit out of its hat, but I'm having a hard time seeing a path to the playoffs for Thornton. That would turn my Magnificent Seven into a merely Oceanic Six, or a Secret Six, or a Sinister Six. (What else could I call them, the High-Achieving Half Dozen? The High-Class Half Dozen? The Heavenly Half Dozen? I don't like any of those either.)

Come on, Thornton! Don't force me into using a lesser Notable Numeral.