Number one ranking does not mean he will finish #1, only that he has more past credentials than anyone else entering this season. I hope he ends up on top of the podium, I just don't see it happening and also happen to be really stoked for Cass to take over (and think he could already outperform Stoll actually).
Thankfully you're consistently wrong on every forum you're a part of and called out for it on a routine basis. I have made posts supporting every single Hawk with the exception of Stoll (who I do want to do well, though I find him just as boring as I did Tony Nelson) and DeSanto (bc of obv past issues). And Downey I guess, if he's to be considered a Hawk (he shouldn't be).