Your post got me to thinking about the origin of the word "bellwether." (No a, btw). Here's the definition:
A bellwether is an individual who either leads or indicates trends; a trendsetter. The term derives from the Middle English bellewether and refers to the practice of placing a bell around the neck of a castrated ram (a wether) leading the flock of sheep.
A castrated ram, now if that isn't a great omen for this Sunday I don't know what is.