Benster and D Pick Your Games -- Packers Beat The Bears Edition

So Old Dude, last night was a good night for the Packers. I bet Gino is probably not happy at his team right now, and he is not feeling the HYYYYYYYYYPPPPPEEE!

HYYYYYYYYPPPPPPEEE! is not Gino's thing. But it's yours.

Last night also confirmed one of the few enduring truths in this world. The Bears still suck, and they always will. Not that I have strong views on that.

No, you seem remarkably objective about it, actually.

With Packers fans able to relax and enjoy the rest of the weekend, it is time to pick some games. Watch me work!

Maryland Terps (+13) vs. Minnesota Golden Elite Boat Rowers. The Gophers start the P.J. Fleck Elite Boat Rowing Experience in conference play this week against a Maryland team who look like they are improving. The Gophers are a younger team this year, and I do not expect them to be a huge factor in the Big Ten West this year, but are certainly a solid outfit. Yes, Maryland beat Texas in a true road game, and I think the game might be a bit closer, this is the type of home game that the Gophers should paddle through, before tougher rapids emerge down the river. Gophers 24, Terps 14.

Maryland is on its fourth quarterback, apparently, as the first three are all out for the season with injuries. You get down to your fourth quarterback and it's not going to go well. Terps will hang around for a while, but will wear down at the end. Gophers 27, Maryland 17.

Northwestern Wildcats (+16) vs. Beloved Wisconsin Badgers. I think that the Badgers have not really played a complete football game. Utah State and FAU both gave the Badgers a bit of a scare, and BYU was a bit of a letdown compared to what I was expecting. The Badgers have a legit shot at having a very special season, but Northwestern is the type of well coached team that the Badgers can struggle with. This game should be closer than what the Vegas folks think it is, but the Badgers should gut out a win. Badgers 35, Wildcats 29.

It's an odd series, but the talent level is now starting to widen. I'm not sure why beating BYU 40-6 in Provo is not meeting expectations; to me, it sure is. I think the Badgers will wear the Wildcats down early and cruise. Badgers 34, NU 17.

Knox College Prairie Fire (NL) vs. St. Norbert Green Knights. My beloved Fire is 3-0, and looked pretty good last weekend. However, St. Norbert is the Alabama of the Midwest Conference, always very good and can make even strong teams cry. However, I never pick against Knox because I go to school here, and because I know some guys on the team, and they are men of action and hard workers. Fire 50, Green Knights 0.

I don't doubt for a minute they are men of action and hard workers. But they aren't gonna beat St. Norbert, especially in DePere. St. Norbert 44, Knox 21.

Detroit LOLions (+2) vs. Minnesota Vikings. This game will determine who is tied atop the standings with the Packers in the division, but the Vikings are going to have to make due without Sam Bradford yet again. Lions fans got close against Atlanta last week, but have no right to complain when you do not bother to throw inside the end zone instead of risking coming up short with no timeouts. What makes that sequence even more amusing is that Golden Tate caught that pass -- I think that was justice for what happened in a game 5 years ago last Sunday, for his former employers, that ended with him getting away with something he should not have gotten away with. Even though the Vikings have looked good in the past few weeks, they will have it all to do, especially if they lead after three quarters. LOLions 49, Vikings 39.

Have the Lions scored 49 points all season? I think the Vikings will prevail in The People's Stadium, but if the Vikings offensive line starts to spring a leak, look out. Vikings 27, Lions 24.

We would pick another pro game, but in light of doing a special edition for the Thursday Night Football game  I think we are good. Enjoy your football this weekend, and please pray and donate for the victims of natural disasters. Ben out!