As a Chicago-based sports data analyst raised on Midwestern pragmatism and Northwestern stats rigor, I’ve spent years decoding the hidden patterns in what seems like nonsense—until the numbers speak. Foden’s form, Chirkin’s edge cases, Bob’s comeback season—they’re not just names. They’re variables in a larger model. This isn’t folklore. It’s forecasting. And if you’re still sitting on the bench? You’re not just watching—you’re missing the next big shift.