Though their past gaffes haven’t faded away, those fearless pro forecasters, heading into a new decade, have no hestitation in putting a . . . : Finger on Fate : Great Concept, but . . .

“I’ve had some really lousy predictions,” admitted Vic “The Brick” Jacobs, KCOP-TV’s colorful, outspoken sportscaster.

“And, then, of course, the crystal ball has been very clear. For the year, roughly, I missed every other one. Don’t go to Vegas with me--I’m dangerous.”

Asked to name his best call in ‘89, Jacobs said: “My best prediction of the year--which didn’t pan out, but the concept was totally on the money--was when I predicted the Kings in seven (games) over Calgary in the (National Hockey League) playoffs. Of course, they got swept away (Calgary beat L.A., 4-0) in a sea of Zamboni (the ice-making machine used by the NHL).”

His worst?

“The concept of the USC-UCLA game. I didn’t really call it, but I called the flow really well. Of course there was a tie, and I had said USC would escape with a victory.”

Jacobs, who was known as “The Brazen Raisin” when he worked at KMPH-TV in Fresno before coming to L.A. in August, 1988, prefers to think of himself as “just a sports guy.”

For the Super Bowl, he predicts the Rams will win with a flourish:

“I say the Rams will rise from the dead. And they will be the champions in New Orleans. They will be partying. They will be eating gumbo until it comes out of their helmets. Gumbo will squish out of their helmets on Bourbon Street.”