Thursday, October 09, 2008

Fearless Dilettante Football Predictions - Bread and Circuses Edition



It's easy to fall prey to despair with the unceasing torrent of bad news - I think my 401(k) is now a -401(k), or perhaps Fahrenheit 451, but I'm not certain. But the games go on. Bread and circuses for everybody!





Xavier Hawks 31, Fox Valley Lutheran Foxes 17. Ah, it's the ancient intra-city rivalry between my beloved Hawks and the Other. FVL is a WELS school and historically they aren't especially fond of Catholic boys, which goes a long ways toward explaining the animosity in this series. The X and the Lutherans have been playing for well over 40 years now and it's always interesting. This year my boys are better. We'll leave the theological component aside.

ACTUAL RESULT: FVL 28, XAVIER 14. It would appear that my faith in this matter had no justification.





Irondale Knights 51, St. Francis Saints 0. Catholics know that St. Jude is the patron saint of lost causes and that St. Francis of Assisi is the patron saint of animals. The Saints are the dregs of the North Suburban and either they ought to be praying to St. Jude or they may just accept the fact that the Knights will likely give them the rented mule treatment. Next week it gets much tougher for the Knights.

ACTUAL RESULT: IRONDALE 53, ST. FRANCIS 7. The halftime score and the final score were the same, which should tell you everything you need to know. Next week the Knights get Hopkins, which is a significant step up in class.

Mounds View Mustangs 34, Forest Lake Rangers 16. The Rangers are a middling team in the Suburban East and have historically played the Mustangs tough, especially on their home field. This game is at Mounds View, though, and it won't be close. Irondale and Mounds View continue on their collision course in the playoffs.

ACTUAL RESULT: MOUNDS VIEW 40, FOREST LAKE 9. A dominating performance for the Mustangs. Next week it's mighty Cretin-Derham Hall.





Ripon Red Hawks 42, Beloit Bucs 20. The mighty Buccos are improving and I'm happy for Chris Brann and his staff. Beloit once went 28 years between victories against Ripon (1959-1987). Things have equalized somewhat since then, but lately the Red Hawks have been dominating the series. Won't change on Saturday.

ACTUAL RESULT: RIPON 30, BELOIT 0. Next!



Penn State Nittany Lions 27, Wisconsin Badgers 26. Heartbreaking losses are becoming this Badger squad's forte. Maybe the band's return will make a difference, but from this corner it looks like Penn State is better than the Ohio State team that beat the Badgers last week. Too bad - this season looked like it would be a good one, but I'm sure El Paso or Shreveport or somesuch will be lovely around Christmastime.

ACTUAL RESULT: PENN STATE 48, WISCONSIN 7. Well, at least it wasn't a heartbreaking loss. There is that. This is Don Morton stuff, though. Certainly the worst lost the Badgers have had since those dark days. Lotta work to be done.


Illinois Fighting Obamas 41, Minnesota Golden Frankens 24. All hail our new socialist overlords!

ACTUAL RESULT: MINNESOTA 27, ILLINOIS 20. On the other hand, this is a very impressive victory. Good for the Gophers, who continue to improve each week under Tim Brewster and are only a victory or two away from a fairly decent bowl.


Green Bay Packers 24, Seattle Walrus Nation 17. Usually the Seabags are really tough to beat at home, but their entire team is on the injured reserve list this year. I believe that Dave Krieg and Brian Bosworth will be suiting up for Mike "Why Didn't I Retire When I Had the Chance" Holmgren.

ACTUAL RESULT: GREEN BAY 27, SEATTLE 17. That was pretty close. Charlie Frye is chicken soup. Next week against the Colts will be tougher.


Purple Helmeted Love Warriors 31, Motor City Kitties 10. It should go well for the Vikings this week so long as Chris Kluwe doesn't see the field. Fortunately for the Vikings, he won't.

ACTUAL RESULT: MINNESOTA ZEBRA BENEFICIARIES 12, LIONS 10. Wow. The last time an official missed a call that badly on Minnesota soil in an NFL game, he got hit in the head with a whiskey bottle. Chilly continues to demonstrate that it's better to be lucky than good.

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