One of our local university football players gave credit to God for the team's undefeated season. Surely, God blessed the team, right? I'm not so sure.

How does one know when something happens it's caused or influenced by the almighty? God is often thanked by a player or coach when said player or team does well, as if God had a direct hand in the outcome of the game, or in providing the team's success.

If so, then why does God hate Prairie View's football team? In the 10 years between 1989 and 1998, the Panthers lost every football game they played. 80 straight games.

Prairie View's losing streak was nearly double that of the nearest college team. In one year, 1991, they scored only 48 points the whole season, but gave up an average of 56 points per game.

If God has a hand in directing teams to win games, and helping players who perform well, what message is God trying to send to those teams and players that lose so miserably year after year?

There's no doubt about it. God gets it boths way, good and bad. He's vilified and questioned when things go wrong-- natural disasters, wars, tragedies, catastrophies. He's also given credit when things go right for some, and wrong for others.

Why does God apparently bless the New England Patriots and not the Miami Dolphins? Is God really so interested in humankind that he helps one team or player over another?

There is precedent. After all, God helped the Israelites time and again, his favored nation, while raining down fire and sulphur on the sodomites in Lot's day. Is it any wonder that He has favorite football teams, yet hates others?

Yes.