The parable of the beaver.

Kari Chisholm

Entering this year's contest, all the smart people were convinced it would be a blowout. Surely, the scrappy underdog didn't have enough fight to take on the strong favorite.

After all, the favorite was used to winning, had more money and more power, and the well-known national talent. To be sure, the favorite had taken some hits along the way, but they'd always managed to make the right adjustments at the right time to confound their opponents.

And while the commentators acknowledged the theoretical possibilities, they smugly smirked, knowing the underdog just wouldn't be able to compete the whole way. The favorite was just bigger, better funded, and had a long history of winning.

Even the fans of the underdog weren't sure they could win. They'd enjoy the contest, cheer loudly, and celebrate minor victories, but never admit that they, too, shared the skepticism of the smart set.

But on the field of play, the underdog wouldn't be denied. Fighting hard and fighting smart, they executed their game plan with just enough creativity and grit and determination to flummox the favorite.

Scrambling left and scrambling right, the champ was confused about which way to turn. Nothing seemed to work. No matter what they tried, the underdog was there to outmaneuver, outwork, and outperform.

Yes, it's true, the underdog can win. Even when no one believes they can.

If the game plan is smart and everyone does their job, even the champ can lose to the underdog.

By Kari Chisholm Sept. 26, 2008