Always a stirring vision, I would imagine, as they return to Galesburg to relive past glories.
Well, I don't know how many glories there are, Geritol Fan. But they seem happy. And why wouldn't they be happy. I'm sure they can sense the growing levels of HYYYYYYYPPPPPPPPE!!!
It must be quite a sight.
I even saw a member of the Class of '50 with Knox pennants attached to his portable oxygen tank! And you know what he told me?
That he enjoyed the Lincoln/Douglas debate?
No, Geritol Fan. He wasn't a member of the Class of 1850. Goodness, did they teach you anything at Beloit? You might want to up the dosage on your Carter's Little Liver Pills, there, sport. Now watch me work!
Nebraska Cornhuskers (-1.5) vs. Minnesota Golden Gophers. Nebraska has been a team who has been finding new and more cringeworthy ways to lose. Wisconsin did not play well last week in Lincoln, but they took advantage of some questionable decisions late in the game by the Nebraska coaching staff and broke Nebraska's heart yet again. The Gophers were picked by many to be a factor in the Big Ten West, but they have struggled in recent weeks and look really shaky. The coaching staff at Nebraska needs to win in order to keep the locker room, because those players are putting a lot of time and effort in and just can't break through. If Nebraska loses, I look for Big Red Nation, a great and knowledgeable set of football fans not known for their patience, to be wishing that they had kept the most angry coach in America. Nebraska 25, Gophers 9.
Where have you gone, Bo Pelini? We'd even take Faux Pelini, who helped to invent this great new tradition in collegiate athletics:
It's the $5-Bits-of-Broken-Chair-Trophy! I could explain, but what's the point, really? Anyway, Nebraska has to win this game. Can they, though? Not so sure. Gophers 17, Nebraska 16.
Purdon't Boilermakers (+20.5) vs. Beloved Wisconsin Badgers. At the time of asking, Wisconsin was able to get a huge win in Lincoln, and that may be the turning point for the season. Wisconsin is not out of the Big Ten West race at all, because in the past they have been able to come back and regain control of their division. Joel Stave looked somewhat better in the second half, and he certainly is a leader. The problem is that the offensive line looks shaky and the run game has been struggling. Still, Purdue is a speed bump that has offered very little resistance in recent years. Badgers 35, Purdue 10.
To quote Sir Charles, Purdue is turrible. Bucky will roll. Badgers 42, Purdue 13.
Cornell College Rams (NL) vs. Knox College Prairie Fire. It is Homecoming Weekend down here, and Knox looks to get back to .500 against Cornell. The team has struggled in the last two games, getting blown out both times. However, remember that the Benster could be in attendance with all the alums, and that will help. Has Cornell been on national television for a great play? The answer is no, and Cornell should go back to Mount Vernon with no victory. Prairie Fire 45, One Loss At A Time 0.
Knox is getting better, but they haven't beaten Cornell since 1988 and your beloved Prairie Fire sport a sprightly 19-55-3 all time record against the Rams. Maybe that changes this year, but I wouldn't get your hopes up, young fella. Cornell 31, Knox 24.
Kansas City Chiefs (+3.5) vs. Minnesota Vikings. The Vikings come off the bye week rested and ready to play a very winnable home game. Kansas City choked last week against the Bears and lost Jamaal Charles to an ACL, so now they need to break out their secret weapon, the immortal Charcandrick West. Let's see how that works out. The Vikings may not win the division this year, but if they take care of business at home, then they have an excellent chance of getting to .500, and it's easy to envision them in the playoffs. Vikings 28, Chiefs 11.
It's too bad that Jack Harry retired -- I would have enjoyed hearing him try to pronounce Charcandrick. This is a good setup for the Vikings. I expect them to win easily. Vikings 31, Chiefs 17.
San Diego Chargers (+10.5) vs. Glorious Green Bay Packers. The Packers did not play well at times against St. Louis, but they managed to keep alive their home winning streak. San Diego comes in off a tough loss to Pittsburgh and has a short week to prepare. I do think San Diego is going to be a tough out, because San Diego has weapons offensively, and can keep up in a track meet, as Packer games at home often are. Packers 45, San Diego 38.
I saw the Monday night game and it looked like Phillip Rivers was running for his life. That's not a good scenario against the Packers, who have found their pass rush this year. Short week, long road trip, superior opponent? Sorry, San Diego. Packers roll. Packers 42, Chargers 17.
Bear Down Chicago da Bearz (+3.0) vs. Detroit Auto Accident. I'm not sure that Fox Sports will even find a an announcing team willing to do this game. Let's be honest and not mince words here -- both of these teams kinda suck this year, and it is like watching an accident in slow motion. Matthew Stafford has been an absolute embarrassment, and possibly might be off many fantasy rosters, including, well, mine, if he doesn't pick it up. Chicago did win in Kansas City last week and should get Alshon Jeffery back, which will help Jay "Pick 6" Cutler out. I'm not seeing this as a top-notch entertainment, if you get my drift. da Bearz 3, Auto Accident 2.
I see improvement in Chicago. John Fox knows what he's doing, but they have to do some rebuilding. The Lions are mystifying, actually. They have defensive problems, but this team should score points. They aren't even doing that. I'm picking the Lions for one reason -- if they don't win this game, I'm not sure if they can beat anyone. Lions 21, Bears 17.
That's all for this week, as I continue my dominance at picking football. Ben out!
3 comments:
i'm really enjoying watching the Bears this year. what they've been able to accomplish with such a dire lack of talent is kind of amazing. we are watching good coaching and game preparedness in action like we havent seen in a long time... that, and having something like 53 dudes out injured and starting rookies and practice squad guys who are doing well enough because they are properly lead... its cool shit. i'm enjoying it, and i was totally expecting a season with less than 4 Ws (maybe even 0-16).
that said, this uber sucky Bear team that held super bowl favorite Green Bay to 8 points are currently 2-3, facing a Lions that are 0-5. two plays called differently for each team, and the W/L records are reversed. (even better still, two blown calls may have made the difference with the Bears beating Green Bay in week one. we'll never know on that one. what we DO know: is that the refs wear edible cheese panties with the #12 on them).
I've already won 3 sixers of cheap beer from the guys at work (without having to pay any out)... and looking forward to the 4th this week. totally enjoying this season as it stands right now.
(even better still, two blown calls may have made the difference with the Bears beating Green Bay in week one. we'll never know on that one. what we DO know: is that the refs wear edible cheese panties with the #12 on them)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMC0ix8IW54
Sorry, Gino. Had to rib ya. :-D
In all seriousness, the Bears have the right coach to move forward. John Fox took over a Carolina team that finished 1-15 in 2001 and had them in the Super Bowl 2 years later. He also led the Broncos to the Super Bowl in his third season, though one could make a case that was more attributable to Peyton Manning throwing 55 TDs that year.
The problem is the Bears ignored the defense for so long that it's going to take a few drafts to build it back up. Ultimately I still don't believe Cutler has what it takes to lead this team to the Promised Land but he's got a better shot under Fox as opposed to Lovie Smith or Marc Trestman.
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