Reality in preseason assessments

We know our own teams better than we know others. That tends to make our predictions lopsided - one way or the other. Most fans tend to be optimistic, I think, because it is more enjoyable and it makes us feel better. But the other factor is that we know how well our players can play on a given day, and we hope against hope that they will play at their capability all season long. Occasionally it happens, but not very often. But it makes us shoot high with our home team. Occasionally (though not often) familiarity breeds contempt, however, and we shoot too low.