Going into Election Night 1976, what were the general predictions?

[sg0508]

This race also seems to get glossed over in modern presidential election history.  Perhaps because it was in the middle of GOP domination at the Presidential level, or deteriorating economic conditions (stagflation), or that it was post-Watergate.

It's odd that it doesn't seem to get much attention given that it did end up tight after Jimmy Carter had a 62-29 lead following the DNC, and Ford chipped away throughout the summer, with the only blip being the debate error about Eastern Europe/Soviet control.

If I'm not mistaken, the final poll taken was the only one that actually had Ford ahead (although within the margin of error).  Carter won the popular vote by 1.7M votes and by 2 points.  He won the Electoral College with narrow wins in OH, WI, MS, TX and HI.

There was Youtube material up for a while from ABC and Carter dominated much of the east, with pretty much control of the Electoral College all night (Ford closing the gap after Carter got the last states to put him over).

Obviously, the coverage then isn't what it is now, but what was the general consensus heading into Election Day? Was Ford going to complete the comeback, or did the media seem to give Carter the edge?