Hubdub’s Hot Predictions this week, as decided on by Hubdub Super Users, are selected based on their newsworthiness for the coming week. These stories are bound to be big news this week - and we have forecasts on how they’re likely to turn out.

From the Presidential Debates to Saturday Night Live - take a look at our forecasts and click on the graphs to make your prediction count.

Presidential Debates

The first Presidential debate of the election season kicks off on Friday, September 26th at 8PM CDT. Most Americans use the debates as real gauges of who they will vote for. With such a polarized electorate there’s a very good chance the first debate will be the most widely viewed yet and indeed Hubdubbers are forecasting more that 50% chance that there will be over 70 million viewers. We haven’t seen those sort of viewing figures since 1980 (where the audience was 80m) and in 2004 it was only 62.5m.

How many viewers will be reported to have watched the 1st debate?

John McCain has been in the press recently for using his POW experiences to deflect criticisms about his multiple-houses gaffe. While nobody can deny that what McCain endured was character building, is it relevant enough to today’s voters to warrent being mentioned in the first debate? Currently, Hubdubbers reckon there’s a 70% chance of it happening.

1st Presidential Debate - 9/26 - Will John McCain refer to his time as a POW?

Economic Crisis

How bad will it get, are we through the worst of it? One indicator will be the unemployment rate for September. August’s was 6.1% but economic woes, bail outs and bank closures have made September a dismal month at best. (This market has been created by Reuters, a Hubdub partner).

Will the U.S. unemployment rate rise in September from August’s 6.1 percent?

Sports - Major League Baseball

The MLB regular season ends this September, and soon enough we’ll be into the playoffs. Although some teams are close to winning 100 or more games this season, there aren’t many and right now it only looks as if one team will make the grade. Some think the Angels are the only ones with a chance, but if the Angels lose many of their remaining games, this year might turn into one in which no team passes the 100 mark.

How many teams in the MLB will win 100 or more games this regular season?

Sports - Formula One

We’re now into the final four races of the 2008 Formula 1 season. Our next stop is Singapore, but the latest fray and the FIA International Court’s ruling regarding Lewis Hamilton, have made the Singapore race even more important than before. For now Hamilton leads the driver standings by one point over his rival Massa. Singapore will be another test of Hamilton, and if he fails it’s likely he won’t be first in the standings. At least the environment will be nice though, the race takes place at night in the Singapore metropolis.

Formula 1: Who will win the Singapore GP in Singapore on September 28th?

Our Crazy Weather!

Florida has always been seen as a hotspot for Hurricane landfall but from the current season you wouldn’t get that impression. In the 08 season a Hurricane force storm has yet to make landfall in Florida. Despite the lack of landfall Florida has been pounded by outerbands and tropical storms. The next possible hurricane is developing close to Florida as this is written, but will lady luck again show Florida mercy?

Will Florida be hit by a hurricane in 2008?

Odd Stuff

How much is a £1,000,000 banknote worth? Apparently not £1,000,000. In October a British £1,000,000 note goes on auction. It’s approximately 60% likely that it will garner less than £65,000 because it’s not actually legal tender anymore. The note was created for the Marshall reconstruction plan in Europe and not for everyday use. How much will it go for?

How much will a £1,000,000 note fetch at the Oct. 08 auction?

World News

India’s had a rough couple of weeks. Delhi’s Chief inspector was killed during raids on terrorist hideouts and bombings in India maimed many civilians. The masterminds behind the attacks wrote in emails to the media “Stop us if you can. We strike with message of death. We are terrorizing for your sins.” In the closing week of September rumors still abound that new attacks are a possibility, but with the market trading downwards quickly, hopefully these will prove to be just that, rumours.

Will there be additional terrorist bombings in India in September?

Television

Everyone has noticed the remarkable resemblance between former SNL regular Tina Fey and McCain’s choice as a running mate, Sarah Palin of Alaska. Will Palin make an appearance with Tina Fey on an episode of SNL prior to the November election? Hillary appeared with Amy Poelher earlier this year. And who can forget the stunning performance Tina made recently depicting Sarah Palin on SNL? Seems like a natural choice…but Hubdubbers reckon there’s only a 45% chance of it happening…come on Sarah, you’re not scared are you?!

Will Tina Fey and Sarah Palin make a joint appearance on SNL prior to the November election?

Academy Awards

We’ve had the Emmy’s, but in a few months time we’ll have something even better the Academy Awards! This year though, besides the gossip on who will be nominated for what and who will win what, the question is who will play the host. Some rumors have pointed to Justin Timberlake as host, while other have suggested that some Oscar veterans such as Jon Stewart or Billy Crystal might take up the job. Currently, Hubdubbers are forecasting that it will likely be someone else altogether.

Who will host the 2009 Academy Awards?

Popularity: 3% [?]