20 Set-in-Stone Sports Predictions for 2015

Predicting sports is tough business.

Hell, anyone who has ever gambled on sports knows that, as fans spend millions of dollars each year collectively on the biggest games.

Yet, as difficult as it is to actually be right, it sure is a lot of fun. That's why I'm looking into my crystal ball and giving you my 20 locked-in sports predictions for 2015.

I may not get all of them right, but hopefully a few of them end up working out for me.

Josh Gordon Will Play for the Dallas Cowboys Next Season

Bob Leverone/Associated Press

There's no denying the talent that wide receiver Josh Gordon has while wearing a helmet and pads, but when it comes to off-the-field decision-making, Gordon flops.

After being suspended for the first 10 games of the 2014 season, Gordon didn't provide the impact many thought he would once he returned to the Cleveland Browns, failing to kick-start a stagnant offense in their quest for the postseason.

With the front office growing tired of him, per ESPN.com's Pat McManamon, I just see the Texas native making his way back to his home state—with Jerry Jones and the Dallas Cowboys taking a chance on the mercurial talent.

It will take some effort to maneuver such a deal, but it's something that just seems right, with Gordon getting leadership from a veteran team and a playing partner in Dez Bryant who can help him mature on and off the field.

Confidence Percentage: 82 percent

An NBA Team Seeded 6 Through 8 Will Win a Playoff Series

Andrew D. Bernstein/Getty Images

Have you looked at the standings in both NBA conferences lately?

Teams who were expected to compete for top seeds have surprisingly dropped toward the bottom of the playoff picture, with upstart squads like the Atlanta Hawks and Golden State Warriors making serious pushes to show that they're for real.

While positioning will undoubtedly change over the course of the season, some of those teams may not overcome such a hole, leading to them with a seed that's all too unkind.

For that reason, look for a sixth seed or lower to knock off one of those top teams in its conference, proving that it's still for real.

Teams like the Los Angeles Clippers, Cleveland Cavaliers and San Antonio Spurs have all the talent to win a title this year and, should they continue to hover around a lower seed going into the postseason, would be a scary matchup for any opponent.

Confidence Percentage: 84 percent

Chicago Cubs Earn a Wild-Card Spot

M. Spencer Green/Associated Press

Thanks to the hiring of former Tampa Bay Rays manager Joe Maddon, optimism is high in the North Side of Chicago, with fans getting a breath of fresh air as the successful Maddon was introduced.

Even though the Chicago Cubs finished dead last in the NL Central with just 73 wins, Maddon has a track record of turning trinkets into treasures, transforming the Rays into a consistent contender in his nine years at the helm.

With general manager Theo Epstein already focusing on the postseason in 2015, I'm buying into the belief, thinking the Cubbies can earn a wild-card berth at least.

Confidence Percentage: 72 percent

Roger Federer Retires After US Open

Manish Swarup/Associated Press

Based off the numbers, Roger Federer is arguably the best men's tennis player to ever step foot on the court.

With a men's-record 17 Grand Slam titles on his resume, Federer has dominated his sport for years, doing so with grace and skill that is unmatched by his peers.

Still, like all athletes, Father Time always wins.

Failing to win a Grand Slam since Wimbledon in 2012, Fed has reached just one final in a major tournament since—2014 Wimbledon, where he lost to Novak Djokovic—showing that the seemingly untouchable superstar isn't immune to decline.

Turning 34 years old a few weeks prior to this year's U.S. Open, look for him to shock the sporting world by announcing his retirement.

Confidence Percentage: 70 percent

Atlanta Hawks Make the Eastern Conference Finals

GREG WAHL-STEPHENS/Associated Press

Like other bold predictions on this list, maybe I'm buying into the way-too-early success of the Atlanta Hawks so far this season.

Sitting atop the Eastern Conference, the Hawks have straight balled, showing great balance on both ends of the floor that has quietly transformed them into a serious threat in the East.

While it might just be January and there's a lot of hoops left to be played, I think the Hawks can make a Indiana Pacers-like leap from two years ago and find themselves in the Eastern Conference Finals this season.

With the supposed top teams showing major flaws, the Hawks have a chance to join the conversation as the best team in the East—even if they aren't quite title contenders yet.

Confidence Percentage: 76 percent

Jaromir Jagr Passes Gordie Howe for 3rd on All-Time Points List

New Jersey Devils right winger Jaromir Jagr may be 42 years old and incapable of putting up big-time numbers like he has in the past, but he is still a stud.

After recently becoming the oldest player to record a hat trick in NHL history, Jagr has shown that he can still be a master among the younger kids skating around with him.

Sitting in fifth place on the NHL's all-time points list, look for Jagr to somehow find a way to record the 71 necessary points to bypass the legendary Gordie Howe for third on the list.

It's going to take a strong finish to this season and a strong start to the 2015-16 year to get there, but I see it happening for the future Hall of Famer.

Confidence Percentage: 75 percent

Trevone Boykin Wins the Heisman Trophy

David Goldman/Associated Press

Coming off a 2014 season in which he led his TCU Horned Frogs to 12 wins, a Peach Bowl victory and a Top 5 ranking, quarterback Trevone Boykin has all the momentum to carry himself to the Heisman Trophy victory in 2015.

With a TCU schedule that has games where the 6'2" signal-caller should have the infamous "Heisman moment," look for Boykin to improve on his over 4,600 total yards and 41 combined touchdowns.

Boykin isn't quite the player Cam Newton was in 2010 or Marcus Mariota has been in 2014, but he orchestrates the offense he plays in to perfection. And for that reason the stiff-armed statue is his to lose in 2015.

Confidence Percentage: 82 percent

Boxing Fans Finally See Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Manny Pacquiao

Alastair Grant/Associated Press

I know, I know, the rumors swirling around a megafight between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. have been going on for years, but 2015 will be the year it finally happens.

With both fighters taking aim at one another through different interviews and such, along with their respective ages, now is the time to make this thing happen—and everyone knows it.

Add in the monster payout that both boxers would get if it comes to fruition, and the opportunity to knock gloves and throw jabs in the ring is too good to pass up.

Mark my words, when it happens, it will be the most anticipated sporting event of 2015.

Confidence Percentage: 90 percent

Boston Red Sox Go from Worst to 1st

Patrick Semansky/Associated Press

Some habits can be bad. But for the Boston Red Sox and their fans, going from worst to first is one that they would happily take in 2015.

Finding themselves in the basement of the AL East standings in 2012, the Sox bounced back with a World Series title in 2013—and after another last-place finish in 2014, I believe they'll be atop the East in 2015.

Adding key components both in their rotation and in the lineup, Boston has the goods to make another championship run and should get the chance as it wins its division.

Confidence Percentage: 82 percent

Ndamukong Suh Signs Biggest Defensive Contract Ever

Tony Gutierrez/Associated Press

After his tearful press conference following the Detroit Lions' loss to the Dallas Cowboys in the Wild Card Game, it seems like defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh thinks he has played his last game in Motown.

With the team having to pull some strings and restructure other high-paid guys like Matthew Stafford and Calvin Johnson, Suh is probably right.

But, those tears should subside when he sees just how much cash another team will throw at him to play football.

A perennial All-Pro selection, Suh has proved to be the best defensive tackle in the game, and because of that, he will get paid lots of money as he enters the prime of his career.

How much? I think more than the largest contract a defender has ever gotten—who was J.J. Watt in 2014—which should help ease the pain of leaving the only NFL team he has known.

Confidence Percentage: 75 percent

Marcus Mariota Ends Up with Philadelphia Eagles

Doug Benc/Associated Press

This one almost seemed too obvious to even put on this list. But after talking to a fellow sports fan on a flight the other day, he convinced me that the Philadelphia Eagles will make a strong push to acquire Heisman Trophy winner Marcus Mariota.

Sure, the Eagles only have the 20th pick in this year's draft—which probably isn't too attractive to a team like the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who hold the top selection—but I have a strong feeling that head coach Chip Kelly will sell the farm to get his guy.

With Mariota and Kelly having a relationship from their days with the Oregon Ducks and Kelly just being promoted to make the key decisions in the front office, he'll go and get Mariota to make the Eagles offense lethal.

Confidence Percentage: 78 percent

The Detroit Pistons Make the Playoffs

Jason DeCrow/Associated Press

I might still be drunk from New Year's, because declaring that the 11-win Detroit Pistons will make the postseason is probably insane.

But, since releasing forward Josh Smith a few weeks ago, the Pistons have run off six wins in a row, proving that they have some talent who can compete with other NBA teams—especially in the weak Eastern Conference.

No, I don't think they'll keep up such good fortune or, should they prove me right by making the playoffs, make much noise. But I do think that they'll get there.

Confidence Percentage: 70 percent

NFL Team Will Announce Relocation to Los Angeles

Joe Mahoney/Associated Press

While the Oakland Raiders are probably the safest bet for an NFL team to relocate to Los Angeles, with the recent news that St. Louis Rams owner Stan Kroenke is apparently ready to build a new stadium in the sunny city, the odds just got a lot better.

For years, football fans have wondered when or if L.A. would get an NFL team.

With a bunch of rumors constantly circulating, it seems that the time might be sooner rather than later, as the two aforementioned franchises could change zip codes soon.

The physical move might not be able to occur until 2016, but the announcement to do so can—and, in my opinion, will—happen before 2015 ends. There's just too much evidence to ignore it happening.

Confidence Percentage: 90 percent

Carmelo Anthony Will Be Traded

Winslow Townson/Associated Press

I know that the New York Knicks just invested $130 million to supposed superstar Carmelo Anthony this past offseason. But for all those who have ignored the Knicks all season, have you seen how pathetic they have been?

With just five wins—tied for the least in the league—the Knicks are in serious turmoil, with fans even chanting for first-year head coach Derek Fisher to get canned.

While Fisher's job security is probably safe—Phil Jackson wouldn't do that, right?—the Knicks are a long way from actually competing.

For that reason, don't be surprised to see Carmelo waive his no-trade clause at some point before the end of the calendar year. It may not come until another pathetic start to the 2015-16 season, but I think it will happen—which might just be the best decision the team could make.

Confidence Percentage: 80 percent

Ohio State Will End 2015 with a 25-Game Win Streak

Bill Haber/Associated Press

Currently riding a 12-game winning streak—the longest in the nation—the Ohio State Buckeyes football team has a chance to earn its first national title since 2002 with a win over the Oregon Ducks.

Not only do I think the Bucks will do so, but in an even bolder prediction, I see OSU entering its 2016 bowl game undefeated too, meaning it'll be on a 25-gamer by the end of 2015.

That might sound ridiculous, knowing how much parity college football has and, well, the fact that Oregon is the higher-ranked team heading into this season's national title game.

But with depth, another high recruiting class and, most importantly, Urban Meyer at the helm, the Bucks are building a team that is tops in the nation.

Confidence Percentage: 85 percent

Tiger Woods Wins a Major

Willie J. Allen/Associated Press

It seems like I've been saying that 14-time major winner Tiger Woods will add to his collection for the past few years now, but for some odd reason, 2015 seems to be the perfect opportunity for him to actually do it.

Why am I so certain?

In all honesty, it's because the field has gotten better.

That might be contradictory, but Tiger thrives off pressure. So now that he has been written off for newcomers like Rory McIlroy, Bubba Watson and others, I think Woods is ready to put in the necessary work to get back to that killer instinct that scared opponents for so many years, hoping to silence the doubters.

On top of that, he's getting healthier—even if he is getting older too—and still just 39, he has the game and experience to win on the biggest stages.

Confidence Percentage: 85 percent

The Cleveland Cavs Will Still Win 50-Plus Games

Jason Miller/Getty Images

As a native Northeastern Ohioan, trust me that I'm well-aware of all the drama and shortcomings of the Cleveland Cavaliers thus far this season.

Still, even with injuries piling up—LeBron James and Kyrie Irving have missed time, and starting center Anderson Varejao is done for the year—along with the struggles of first-year head coach David Blatt, the team is currently on pace for 45 wins.

So, while 50 wins might not be what fans expected when James' new Big Three joined forces and the season hasn't gone as planned so far, there's no denying that this team will get things together and win over 50 games.

In fact, with the returned health of James and Irving, along with the bold trade the team just made in acquiring a much-needed wing defender in Iman Shumpert, don't be surprised if the Cavs win closer to 55 games—something that people may be laughing at now but could be very true by the time April rolls around.

Confidence Percentage: 90 percent

Seattle Seahawks Will Repeat as Super Bowl Champs

Following back-to-back losses in the state of Missouri earlier in the season, were the Seattle Seahawks the trendy choice to repeat as Super Bowl champions? Probably not.

Since their last loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, though, the 'Hawks have been the team everyone believed they would be—dominant—putting together a balanced attack in all three phases of the game and using a suffocating defense to end the season on a six-game winning streak.

With home-field advantage throughout the playoffs, the road to Super Bowl XLIX once again goes through the 12th Man in the Pacific Northwest—where the team is 14-2 in the last two seasons—making the Seahawks my pick to reach and then win their second straight championship.

Confidence Percentage: 94 percent

UK Men's Basketball Will Go Undefeated

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

The debate has raged on ever since the Kentucky men's basketball team finished with the top recruiting class in the nation, once again bringing the top talent from the high school ranks to Lexington.

Sure, the 'Cats had a scare in their first SEC matchup against Ole Miss, surviving in overtime in a game that probably shouldn't have been that close. But with a rare blend of veterans and youngsters, the 'Cats are prime to at least give the 1978 Indiana Hoosiers—the last team to go unflawed in a men's college hoops season—a run for their money.

With a ton of depth and the big boys off its schedule as it enters conference play, I firmly believe this group has what it takes to finish with a doughnut in the loss column.

Confidence Percentage: 88 percent

Alex Rodriguez Plays Less Than 75 Games

Israel Leal/Associated Press

Once the most dangerous player in the sport, the New York Yankees' Alex Rodriguez has certainly fallen on tough times in recent years.

With his last, true A-Rod-like season coming back in 2010—where he extended a streak of 13 straight seasons of 30-plus homers and 100-plus RBI—Rodriguez has been a shell of himself since battling injuries and off-the-field distractions.

After missing the 2014 season due to suspension, Rodriguez enters his 21st season looking for redemption—even though he'll turn 40 in July. I don't think it's going to happen, as he'll struggle at the plate, continue being a headcase and ultimately suffer some sort of injury that will prevent him from playing half of his team's games—even if the Yanks only limit him to a designated hitter.

Confidence Percentage: 98 percent