Benster and D Pick Your Games -- Big Game Edition

Old dude, the Badgers may be playing the most important game in their history this weekend against Michigan.

I can think of at least six Rose Bowls I've seen in the last 25 years that might have been a smidge more important, but as for regular season games, this is a biggie.

And if one Harbaugh is bad enough, Jim's less annoying brother is going to be in Green Bay this weekend as well. Will their brother-in-law Tom Crean come to Wisconsin to coach AAU ball this weekend so we have the full Harbaugh coaching experience in Wisconsin?

I hope not. I would think air quality warnings are already in effect.

All I know is, this weekend is going to be interesting. I get to come back to Minnesota to make sure that the HYYYYYYYPPPEEE! levels in the state return to normal for a bit.

It will be good to have you back. P. J. Fleck can't handle the job alone, you know.

It is going to be fun, and time to watch me work!

Minnesota Golden Elite Rowers of the Boating (+7.5) vs. Northwestern Wildcats. The Gophers still have a chance to do some things to give Gopher Nation some hope, but they better not look ahead to next weekend too early. Northwestern is a tough minded outfit that gives good teams fits, and are always well-coached. P.J. Fleck may sound like Billy Mays trying to convince you to take an elite rowing class on a bad infomercial, but the guy can coach. I think the Gophers pull the upset on the road to secure a bowl game and then they can focus on rowing. Row Row Row Your Boat Elitely 24, Wildcats 9.

Northwestern has played quite well lately, so I'm not so sure about this. If the Wildcats keep winning, an outside shot at a New Year's Day bowl is not out of the question, so I suspect they'll keep their eyes on the prize. Northwestern 27, Gophers 20.

Michigan Wolverines (+7.5) vs. Beloved Wisconsin Badgers. This might be the biggest game that Camp Randall has ever hosted in the 100 years that football has been played here. The Badgers got through Iowa, but Michigan offers another test. The Wolverines have been a thorn in the Badgers' side for many years, and the Khaki Man can coach his guys up. The Badgers will not be caught looking ahead since they have no margin for error, especially with the national media giving them a whole lot of love, with College Gameday in Madison, and Fox airing the game live on network television from coast to coast. The Badger defense will be the key, but I feel it is time that Alex Hornibrook proves the doubters wrong. He needs to take care of the ball and make enough plays so that the Badgers get another huge win against a ranked team, and a win here would set things up nicely for next week's game in Minneapolis and two weeks from now in Indianpolis against that one school located in Columbus. Badgers 17, Wolverines 8.

You like low scoring football? You may love this one. The Wolverines will bring the best defense the Badgers have faced this season to Madison, but the performance the Badgers gave last week was otherworldly good. Michigan will get on the board, but not much. And the Badgers will wear them down. Badgers 21, Michigan 10.

Los Angeles Rams (+2) vs. Minnesota Vikings. The Vikings continue to stay the course, and before this week would have liked getting the Rams at home. It turns out that the Rams are very good, and the Vikings are doing something I do not like. What I don't like is why are they talking about bringing back Teddy Bridgewater. Look, I get that Teddy should get a look, and that Vikings fans would love to see him pick up where he let off, but Case Keenum is playing very well this year, and has done nothing to warrant losing his place. You do not want to tempt fate by making a switch, especially because the Lions and the Packers still have to play the Vikings head to head a second time. Stick with Keenum, and stay the course. I do think that the Vikings are due for a loss, and they better hope that the Ravens win because if the Packers keep it close, then Aaron returns. You do not want Aaron back if you are a Vikings fan. Rams 45, Vikings 19.

This is a tough one. The Rams have been outstanding as of late, but I'm still not convinced they are a great team. I like the Vikings at home, but it's going to be a tough one. The Vikings may worry about Aaron Rodgers down the line, but if they're smart they'll worry about Aaron Donald now. Vikings 27, Rams 21.

Baltimore Ravens (-2) vs. Glorious Green Bay Packers. Speaking of the Packers, they finally won last week, and Brett Hundley demonstrated that he can make you pay throwing down the field, which may have turned the tide. The Ravens are a team that either looks really good, or looks flat out terrible. Jamaal Williams is going to have to step up and carry the load at running back, but he looked very competent against the Bears, and I expect the Packers get another big win and stay within striking distance to allow Aaron Rodgers to come back and make Vikings and LOLions fans nervous again. Packers 27, Ravens 20.

Most important game of the season, because this game is the hinge of the season. If the Packers win, they could reasonably expect to be 8-6 going into the Christmas game with the Vikings. If not, forget it. Ravens aren't great and if the Packers keep Terrell Suggs out of the backfield, they'll be fine. Packers 24, Ravens 17.

That is it, because there are no other games we deemed worthy of consideration. Enjoy the football this weekend and stay out of trouble. Ben out!