Beating the Bears is reward enough most years, but yeah, if this doesn't happen, it's probably a lost season. Which we aren't particularly used to.
Maybe they should try and sign Matt Saracen, or else go back to some retread of the 1980's which you tell me were not exactly Hall of Fame worthy players.
A fictional high school quarterback might be better than Randy Wright was. It's difficult to explain how bad they really were in those days. You needed to see it, but fortunately for you you weren't born yet.
Youth has its advantages, Geritol Fan!
That's true. You never saw Paul Ott Carruth play.
I'm glad for it. It is time to feel they HYYYYYYYYPPPPPEE!, and watch me work!
Nebraska Cornhuskers (+2.5) vs. Minnesota Golden Elite Rowers of Boating. For the Cornhuskers, they have an important decision to make in the offseason, which is what they should do with Mike Riley. If I were Nebraska, I would fire him and replace him with either Dan Mullen or Bret "My Chart Said Go for 2 up 25" Bielema. My reasoning is that Dan Mullen has done wonders at a Mississippi State program that is not known for winning, and Bielema is a proven winner in the Big Ten conference who would bring back the old school power running game that I feel Nebraska has gotten away from. I like the Gophers in this game, because even though P.J. Fleck has not gotten as good results as I would have thought, he will start to get his guys in the program, and beating Nebraska at home would be a good start. Row Row Your Boat Elitely 25, Nebraska 9.
Bielema in Lincoln? Heh. That would be amusing. These two teams are both pretty disappointing. I guess you pick the home team, but with little enthusiasm. Gophers 24, Nebraska 20.
Iowa Hawkeyes (+12.5) vs. Beloved Wisconsin Badgers. This game all of a sudden became a very important game nationally after Iowa beat up on Ohio State like this:
That was a very nice win for Iowa, and because of that win it now means the Badgers finally get to play a ranked team. The issue I am seeing for Iowa is that they looked very impressive against Ohio State. That was last week and this time they are facing one of the 5 best defenses in the country, and will not have the aid of a very loud home crowd. All the Badgers have to do is stay the course, and the so called experts will continue to eat crow. Also, if the Badgers win again do you think that the Big Ten office is going to start lobbying for the Badgers? I doubt it, but winning close games is all the Badgers can do. Wisconsin 27, Iowa 20.
This will be a good game. I think Wisconsin can exploit the Iowa defense and they have enough defensive backs to stop Iowa from getting plays down the field. It's going to go down the 4th quarter and I suspect the Badger offensive line will wear the Hawkeyes down. Wisconsin 26, Iowa 23.
Lawrence University Vikings (NL) vs. Knox College Prairie Fire. It's Championship Week in the Midwest Conference, which means that schools play a crossover game against a school from the other division. The Vikings come down to the Knosher Bowl, and they are normally pretty decent in football. I am going to pick Knox, because that is what I do, and I am biased in their favor. Knox 45, Larrys 9.
I have no idea. I just hope my beloved Beloit Bucs can get off the schneid and beat woeful Grinnell. Knox 31, Lawrence 27.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish (-3.5) vs. The U (Otherwise Known as the Miami Hurricanes). We normally do not talk much about the Irish or the Hurricanes for two reasons; neither program has been nationally relevant in recent years, and the Old Dude does not like Notre Dame football that much. But, this game has important significance for both the Badgers and the playoff scenario, since the loser is going to be in danger and the winner could be competing with the Badgers for the last playoff spot. Miami has quietly been having a great year under their second year coach Mark Richt. Notre Dame also has a strong argument to being for the top 4 as they have won all their games but for losing at home to a very good Georgia team. In the interest of the Badgers, you would like to see The U knock out the Irish. The U 30, Irish 9.
I'm all about Notre Dame losing. It should be a good game. I don't like the team, but I think the Irish are the better squad. Notre Dame 31, Miami 30.
Minnesota Vikings (-1.5) vs. Washington Gridlocks. The Vikings suddenly have taken control of the NFC North, and Teddy Bridgewater is going to be dressing for the first time in over a year. Things are looking up for the Vikings, and already the local media, especially the Vikings approved commentators on KFAN like Paul Allen and the guys on Bumper to Bumper are dreaming of the Vikings making history. These are the Vikings though, a team that has struggled to get over the hump. Washington is going to be a tough out in Landover, as Kirk Cousins is an underrated quarterback, and the Vikings are due for a letdown. Gridlocks 24, Vikings 10.
I see it the same way. Based on my observations, the best team in the division is (gulp) the Lions. I think the wheels are going to start coming off the wagon for the Vikings on Sunday. This is not a great team. Redskins 31, Vikings 24.
Glorious Green Bay Packers (+6) vs. Bear Down Chicago Da Bearz. Last Monday night was about as bad as I have seen the Packers play in the last couple of years. There was no passion, a very disappointing defensive effort, and a horrible lack of execution. However, they do get to play the Bears, who are not exactly lighting things up in Chicago as desperate homers like Hub Arkush convince themselves that Mitch Trubisky will be the long awaited elite quarterback, just like they did with Smokin' Jay, Kyle Orton, Sexy Rexy, Craig Krenzel, Cade McNown, and so many others. All the Packers need is one win, and I think they get it, making this year a good year no matter what. Call me a delusional and desperate homer, but the Bears will lose, and that is always a good thing to beat the Bears twice. Packers 24, da Bearz Still Suck 0.
I'm more concerned about the defense than the offense. I suspect Brett Hundley will play a little better this week, but the defense needs to get better. Trubisky has a chance to be decent, but he's not there yet. It's down to the defense to carry the team for a change. At least this week, I think they can. Packers 20, Bears 17.
Enjoy your football this weekend and thank a veteran for their service. Ben out!
2 comments:
this is the first time since 2008 that the Bears are the odds makers favorite to beat the packers.
with a head coach who's afraid to score points, i dont know how well the offense will do. Bears spent the bye week preparing a new WR, and working a few others... doesnt mean they will throw the ball much though.
Bears DEF is primed to exploit a not-very-good Hundley, and his weakened O-Line. I dont expect to see many points put up by the Packers, and I dont expect to see very many put up by the Bears either.
i see a close Defensive game, and theses could often times be decided by a bad ball bounce... or a shitty kicker like the Bears have.
this is a must win game for John Fox and company, or they will be replaced. they might be replaced, anyway.
i'm keeping hope alive.
The Lions looked scary good against the Packers on Monday, but that was quite possibly a factor of the Packers defense being scary bad. But, the Lions couldn't run the ball, even against that defense that couldn't get off the field on 3rd down. No running game, no winning season.
I think John Gruden has become a parody of himself as an announcer, but he sure seemed to drive it home that Jim-Bob had an answer for every blitz that Capers called, and I think I saw a graphic that Matthews had only one tackle in the game. How does that even happen? The Packers were inexcusably flat coming in after a bye.
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