Benster and D Pick Your Games----Cosmic Revenge Edition

 Old dude, it looks like Kevin Warren messed with the football gods. Can you feel it?

It's cosmic!

The Big Ten is turning into a dumpster fire as we speak. How much do you wanna bet that Harbaugh sandbags the Buckeyes?

I hope he doesn't, but frankly, I wouldn't put it past him.

Yeah, I don't want to do a Very Special Comment. I think everyone knows my feelings on the Big Ten leadership. When I agree with Clay Travis, Paul Finebaum, and praise the SEC, you know that is screwed up.

Not my favorite group of commenters, to be sure. But for all the annoying triumphalism about, the Big Ten does not appear to be a great league this year. And while as a fan of the Badgers I enjoy seeing Michigan and Penn State down, it's not good for the league as a whole. So yeah, not good. But we still have the NFL, even if the Broncos are playing a practice squad WR as their quarterback.

I am feeling the HYYYYYYYYYYPPPPEEE! and can't wait to discuss some NFL. Watch me work.

Carolina Panthers (+3) vs. Minnesota Vikings Full disclosure, I was watching the Packers game and didn't get to see the Vikings. Boy, all the angry KFAN callers were coming back out of hiding, and somehow didn't bash Kirk Cousins. The Vikings are in a desperate situation and are going to need to win out to get a playoff berth. What will help them is that the NFC West teams will beat up on each other, and the Packers and Bears tangle twice. The Panthers are a team that has a bad record, but they play really hard. Matt Rhule is my vote for Coach of the Year, as he has done wonders. The interesting subplot is going to be the return of Teddy Bridgewater. It's just one game, but this will be a chance to see if Kirk Cousins was the right decision for the Vikings. Can the Vikings win? Yes, but this game could go the other way. Vikings 24, Panthers 17.

We get the Good Vikings some weeks. Last week we didn't. It will come down to the Vikings defense. Carolina is tricky and they have some weapons. Teddy would love to win here. But I think the Vikings are a marginally better team. Vikings 21, Panthers 20.

Bear Down Chicago Da Bearz Still Suck (+9) vs. Glorious Green Bay Packers The Packers had a disaster of a game last week. The morons of our fanbase who blamed MVS for the fumble are as dumb as the Vikings fans who blame Kirk for everything. What really cost the Packers was the offense bogging down, and the coaching staff seemingly playing not to lose instead of winning. But that was last week. It's Bear week, and people are betting on the Bears to cover. The Bears made a change at QB, and are going back to Trubisky. Who would have thought that after every Bears fan told me that Nick Foles was the savior? Maybe BDN loses his powers outside of Philly? What the Packers need to do is to keep playing aggressive, and make Trubisky beat you. Oh, and the Bears blew a 20-0 lead less than a half after knocking Aaron out of the game on a cart. Oh, and Da Bearz don't run this division anymore. Packers 24, Da Bearz Still Suck 9.

The Bears haven't run the division for about 15 years now. They barely run their mouths any more. Akiem Hicks and Khalil Mack are always frightening, but no one on the offense scares me much. I will be curious to see how Trubisky plays, but I think the Packers are the better team right now. Packers 28, Bears 14.

Enjoy your weekend. Ben out. 

Coming attractions

Cook! Where's my hassenpfeffer?

It does boggle my mind – we almost certainly will be installing a senile corruptocrat as president in less than two months. It’s easy to believe the Democratic Party engaged in massive voter fraud to put Joe Biden over the top. It’s awfully difficult to prove, though, especially when those who sit in judgment are desirous of the result that’s coming and might be implicated themselves were fraud demonstrated and word of that fraud reached the populace.

Having said that, our overlords have grown tired of dissent. We communicate with technology online, on platforms that are easy to manipulate; the proprietors of these platforms have shown they are more than willing to silence dissenters. Today, I can post such observations. Tomorrow, perhaps not.

We are in a dangerous place. 

Benster and D Pick Your Games---Enough With Friday Gopher Games Edition

Seriously, why are the Golden Elite Rowers of the Boat still playing on Friday nights? It's like the Big Ten wants to have PJ row that boat early.

Fair question. Night time boat rides for the Gophers are often like this:

Robert Mitchum with his knife isn't that much different than Kirk Ferentz, I suppose.

I knew you'd have a great non-sequitur movie reference, old dude! That one is even older than your usual silliness. But still, the state government did cancel youth sports so the Gophers won't compete against high school football. I'll stop right there as I don't have a desire to turn this into a political Very Special Comment.

All your comments are special, Benster. 

Well, yeah. We shall see how the Badgers and Packers do against good opponents. I am feeling the HYYYYYPPPEEEE! and it is time to watch me work.

Purdon't Spoilermakers (-3) vs. Minnesota Golden Elite Rowers of the Boat PJ Fleck can keep on coming up with new sayings and motivational tactics that involve reading odd kid books, but it can't hide the fact that the Gophers have been struggling. Purdue has looked fairly good, and it sounds like Rondale Moore might be making a return. Yeah, things are not going to end well. PJ might want to row the boat before it gets rowed for him. Timeout, Iowa! Timeout, Iowa, Timeout, Iowa! I'm sorry, Kirk Ferentz was interrupting me. The Gophers are going to get lit up. Spoilermakers 35, Row Row Row Your Boat Elitely 0.

Purdue is pretty good. I think the Gophers will play better this week; not sure they could be any worse. But it won't be enough. Purdue 27, Minnesota 17.

Beloved Wisconsin Badgers (-7.5) vs. Northwestern Wildcats This game is going to have massive implications as to who will be going to Indy. Let's get one thing perfectly clear. Saturday is my birthday, and I would love a win as a birthday present. The Badgers looked great against Michigan in the Big House, and will be getting more guys back from Kevin Warren's dumb rules. But this line is too high in favor of the Badgers. Northwestern always plays the Badgers tough, they are incredibly well coached, and the Badgers struggle every time they play at Ryan Field. But this is a weird year, and this Badger team is on a mission. Badgers 31, Wildcats 23.

So the line is too high, but you're picking the Badgers to beat it? Interesting. Trips to Evanston are the football equivalent of a root canal. Badgers are more talented. It will be a struggle. Badgers 28, Northwestern 24.

Indiana Hoosiers (+20.5) vs. A School In Columbus The other big game in the Big Ten this week that will determine who will be going to Indy. A School In Columbus being involved in this game is no surprise at all. Indiana being involved is a surprise. Tom Allen has built up the program into a team, and they are legitimate threats to the Buckeyes. This line is really disrespectful to the Hooisers. It will take everything they have to beat the Buckeyes, but I would love to see the fanbase have a meltdown in Columbus. Windiana 31, A School in Columbus 0.

Obligatory:

Indiana has really improved. I think they're an excellent team. But Ohio State is at another level. Not yet, Hoosiers. Ohio State 34, Indiana 20.

Dallas How Bout Them Cowboahs (+7) vs. Minnesota Vikings The Cowboys have been an absolute dumpster fire this year even before they lost Dak. They only beat the Falcons because of terrible special teams play on an onside kick, and beat the Giants because NFC East. Why does this division get a home playoff game is beyond me, and needs to be looked at. The Vikings have suddenly gotten hot, and Packers fans have to root for the Cowboys in order to stay ahead in the NFC North. I really hate the Cowboys, and it is because of the ridiculous fanbase and the media cheerleading. I will do so with a strong need to take a shower and wearing a hazmat suit. I hate to do this, but I might have to even agree with Skip Bayless. How Bout Them Cowboahs 35, Vikings 14.

Cowboys are terrible. Vikings are not. Vikings 31, Cowboys 13.

Glorious Green Bay Packers (+2) vs. Indianapolis Colts Fox really screwed over those Packers fans in Minnesota and the western part of Wisconsin when they flexed the game to the late window. Because the NFL can't have the Cowboys play at noon, I have to find alternative measures to watch the Packers, and listen to Troy Aikman ruin yet another Packer game with his "color commentary" and hatred of Aaron Rodgers. Thanks a bunch, Fox. Why couldn't you have sent them to the Vikings game? Now that I am done ranting about NFL flex scheduling, we can talk about the game. The Packers played horribly against the Jags, but this time are in a dome and could get some of their injured back. The Colts are going to be a challenge. They have played well, and are leading the AFC South. The key is to get some pressure on Phillip Rivers and to get off to a better start. Plus, the Packers have played their best games in domed stadiums. This will be difficult, but doable. Packers 28, Colts 20.

Aaron Rodgers has played beautifully in domes this year. The Colts can play defense, but I think the Good Packers show up this time. Packers 31, Colts 24.

Enjoy your football this weekend. Ben out. 

Benster and D Pick Your Games---Better Than Election Counters Edition

 Old dude, I think that I am going to not magically stop and start counting when compared to certain elections in certain parts of the country. 

Will it help our predictions?

Probably not, but who does the counting makes all the difference.

I've known that for years thanks to this guy:

Ahh aaa aaa!

Yeah, there will be some people who are angry. But not as angry as A School In Columbus fans who want Kevin Warren fired. Could you imagine the reaction if they can't play two more games?

Ohio State will go ballistic. As would the NCAA. And the networks, among others.

Yeah. No doubt. In other news, the Badgers are finally back. Thank the Lord for that. I am feeling the HYYYYYYPPPEEE!, and it is time to watch me work.

Iowa Hawkeyes (-3.5) vs. Minnesota Golden Elite Rowers of the Boat This game should not be on a Friday night, as it is not traditional. PJ Fleck can keep on dropping his sayings and branded merchandise all he wants, but he has never beaten Iowa. That has to change as I'm getting the sense that some Gopher fans are starting to leave the Boat. Iowa is a tough matchup, and their running game should give the Gophers problems. PJ can't live off one win against Penn State forever. Iowa 24, Row Row Row Your Boat Elitely 0.

I continue to be confused by what I see from the B1G this year. Difficult to tell what side is up. Game is in Minneapolis and I think that is the difference. Gophers 28, Iowa 20.

Beloved Wisconsin Badgers (-4.5) vs. Michigan Wolverines Thank the lord that I can finally talk about the Badgers again. They are still eligible to defend the West, and this game is going to be interesting. The big question is who will be lining up under center in Ann Arbor. If Graham Mertz is freed from the clutches of Kevin Warren's policies, then I feel great. If not, then the team will have to rely on being hungry like the Chase Wolf. As for Michigan, this game is going to be a defining one for the coaching staff. Jim Harbaugh has been a disaster, and it honestly cracks me up. I remember back in the day when people called out Lloyd Carr for not being good enough. Well, funny how things change. Ann Arbor is a tough place to win, but I think the Badgers can get it done. Badgers 31, Michigan 10.

Ol' Lloyd looks pretty good in retrospect. I have no idea what the Badgers are going to look like, but I don't think a trip to Ann Arbor is going to be pleasant. Having said that. . . Badgers 24, Michigan 20.

Minnesota Vikings (-2.5) vs. Bear Down Chicago Da Bearz Still Suck So it turns out that Da Bearz could actually be frauds. It just warms my heart. The Vikings have looked good, and could still somehow get into the playoffs. Dalvin Cook is a great weapon to have in cold weather, and the weather is getting colder. Get ready for the announcers to mention how Kirk Cousins has a terrible record in primetime games and on Monday Night Football multiple times. As for Da Bearz, their offense is really bland and predictable under the direction of Big Dick Nick. I hope the Vikings win to help us in the division. But if the Vikings lose, pray for Corey Cove and Ron Johnson. Vikings 24, Da Bearz Still Suck 10.

Lotta history for the Vikings in Chicago and almost all of it is bad. Dalvin Cook is great, but he's injury-prone. If he holds up the rest of the year, the Vikings are dangerous. Bears 21, Vikings 18.

Jacksonville Jaguars (+13) vs. Glorious Green Bay Packers So last week went pretty well for the Packers. Despite what morons like Terry Bradshaw and Howie Long had to say about the team, they got it done against the 49ers and should be healthier. Jacksonville has talent, and certainly will be up for this game. This game will not be played in the heat of Florida, but will be in Lambeau in the cold. Packers should roll comfortably. Packers 45, Jags 17.

I don't see a lot of success in the offing for the Jags. The talent gap is pretty big. The point spread seems a bit high to me, but I think the Pack wins. Packers 34, Jaguars 20.

Enjoy your football this weekend. Ben out. 

Confident in their victory

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Too many voters

Watch the turnout figures ‒ they can be a big giveaway.

You never get a 98% or 99% turnout in an honest election. You just don't.

Voting is compulsory in Gabon, but it is not enforced; even in Australia where it is enforced, where you can vote by post or online and can be fined for not voting, turnout only reaches 90-95%.

The main reason that a full turnout is practically impossible is that electoral registers, even if they are recently compiled, can rarely be 100% up-to-date.

Even if no-one gets sick or has to travel, people still die. And when a register is updated, new voters are keen to add themselves to the list.

No-one, however, has any great enthusiasm for removing the names of those who have died, and over time the number of these non-existent voters increases.

I once reported on an election in the Niger Delta where some areas had a turnout of more than 120%.

"They're very healthy people round here, and very civic-minded," a local official assured me.

But a turnout of more than 100%, in an area or an individual polling station, is a major red flag and a reason to cancel the result and re-run the election.

And there's this:

A high turnout in specific areas

Even where the turnout is within the bounds of possibility, if the figure is wildly different from the turnout elsewhere, it serves as a warning.

Why would one particular area, or one individual polling station, have a 90% turnout, while most other areas register less than 70%?

Something strange is almost certainly going on, especially if the high turnout is an area which favours one particular candidate or party over another.

Looking at you, Milwaukee. More, a lot more, at the link. Read it now while you can. 

This won't end well, part three

 Ann Althouse asks a great question:

They want a gracious concession — after the counting and litigation — but they never mention how ungracious the Democrats were when Trump won in 2016. Did they ever concede that Trump won and stand back and acknowledge that he legitimately held the power of the presidency? 

We all know the answer to that question. A few observations and a suggested to-do list:

• The Democrats are almost certainly going to get by with everything they've done for the last four years. Trump has never, not for even one day, had complete control of the executive branch. He still doesn't. John Durham is Godot, to name one example.
• Still, sunlight is the best disinfectant and at this point the best sunlight will leave a scorched earth. If I were Trump, I would continue to exhaust all my legal options until there are none left. 
• He needs to tell the world everything his team has found. It will be ignored or ridiculed, but it needs to be part of the public record. AOC has called for a Truth and Reconciliation Commission, so let's begin the process now. Name names and expose the fraud for what it is.
• Following that, Trump should dump the entire investigative pile from Durham and everyone else on the country. Every move that Strzok and Page and Comey and the rest of the cabal made needs to be put out there. There will be no prosecutions now, so they might as well release all the evidence against everyone who was involved. I don't give a good god damn about "national security" or "sources and methods" -- that was always code for ass covering. The MSM will ignore it, of course, but people need to know precisely what happened. And the information needs to be part of the historical record. If Barr and Durham won't cooperate, Trump should can their well-padded asses. Trump owes them nothing. And more importantly, by doing so it will complicate Biden's efforts to get the band back together. I've read multiple reports that Sally Yates is in line to run DOJ. Blow her up. Same with the corrupt cabal of McGenerals -- everything they've done should be catalogued and exposed to the world.
• While he's at it, Trump needs to fire FBI director Christopher Wray and CIA chief Gina Haspel, who have been stonewalling him for the last four years. Trump can put Rick Grenell in charge of either agency for the last two months and he can make things happen. Biden will have to put new people in position anyway, but make Biden have to get his people past Cocaine Mitch first.
• Trump needs to pardon Michael Flynn post-haste. And then Flynn needs to tell his tale. Again, no one in the MSM will cover it, but the tale needs to be told.
• In addition, Trump should ensure that Hunter Biden is indicted for his crimes. He can make his father issue a pardon. And if Trump has anything on Biden himself, dump that. People need to know that Biden is more than a set of chattering teeth -- he's a set of chattering teeth with the stench of a half-century of corruption and self-dealing. 
• Bottom line -- Trump can count on Biden and the rest of the Dems to go after him with everything they have once he leaves office, so he might as well rub their noses in it for as long as he can. The Dems are not going to show Trump any quarter, so he might as well use the power he retains to make their sins known to the widest possible audience.

This won't end well, part two

 It's clear how all this is going to end. As always, William Butler Yeats has the right description of the next Leader of the Free World:

An aged man is but a paltry thing,

A tattered coat upon a stick

It's always been a con, a bait and switch. Joe Biden will get his name in the history books and his elevation should ensure his son won't end up in prison. That's good. But the goal has always been to get rid of the Bad Orange Man By Any Means Necessary.

Mission accomplished, I guess.

It's not going to go down smoothly, though. Even if you think Donald Trump has only built a cult of personality (and with a lousy personality to boot), it's a fundamental misreading of the man and his movement. He had four years to fight the Swamp, but the Swamp won. His acolytes will find another champion. I don't know who it will be yet, but I have a few guesses. And they will be back.

Some people are wondering why the professional Republicans aren't standing up for Trump. It's no surprise -- once you get to Washington, you get rich. Everyone in town is in on the graft in one way or another. Trump's greatest sin was not his bluster or his behavior in office. His greatest sin was that he told the truth about Washington. And for that, and his limited efforts to bring about reform, he needed to be destroyed. 

Back to Yeats -- the poem I quoted is "Sailing to Byzantium." It opens with this famous line:

That is no country for old men. 

Soon enough, that will become evident.

Benster and D Pick Your Games--Politics Free Zone Edition

 Old dude, the good news is that we won't be sued by the Trump/Biden campaigns over what we do this week. Plus, there are other things going on in the world.

Yeah, you probably don't want Rudy Giuliani in your breakfast nook.

No, that would be bad. I am feeling the HYYYYYPPPEEE! over a couple of games, and can't wait to see if certain things go as planned. It is time to watch me work.

Minnesota Golden Elite Rowers of the Boat (+7) vs. Illinois Fighting Illini PJ Fleck may continue to keep rolling with his brand, but he needs to focus on his day job. Blowing a 17 point lead on the road to the Terps was inexcusable. Look, I know that the kicking position was a wasteland. Sure, Maryland deserves all the credit in the world for fighting back. But at the end of the day it is about executing. The Gophers seemed to keep running the ball over and over, and here is something that PJ might not want to admit with the Gophers. Last year was their chance. This year they are young, and now PJ has to rely on his own recruits. That senior heavy team from last year was filled with guys that the current staff inherited. That Iowa game from last year will haunt the Gophers more than the 2003 Michigan game did for Glen Mason. Illinois is a bit of an enigma to me. Yes, they have some talent. But they did not defend the pass against Wisconsin, and Lovie made the mistake of cutting off his beard. The Gophers should win, but I am not sold on this team doing anything this year. Row Row Row Your Boat Elitely 17, Cheating Illini 10.

The beard was so good. That was a shame. I think the Gophers will win, but Illinois won't make it easy. They are a pretty good run defense and the Gophers are struggling in the air, Rashod Bateman notwithstanding. Gophers 24, Illinois 20.

Detroit LOLions (NL) vs. Minnesota Vikings Some say that Dalvin Cook is still outrunning the Packer defense. No, I'm not salty that he put up a 50 burger against me in fantasy football. The Vikings somehow pulled out a gutty victory at Lambeau, and have a lot easier job against the LOLions. Matthew Stafford may not play because of the virus, and the Vikings will be sky high after what happened last week. The good news for the Vikings is that as bad as they have looked in the past, the LOLions have been horrible this year. The Vikings should cruise comfortably and look ahead to other challenges. Vikings 45, LOLions 0.

Actually, I beg to differ about the Lions. They really haven't been terrible; they've won more games than the Purple and are still on the outer fringes of the playoff hunt. Dalvin Cook is the key to this game. If he goes off again, the Vikings win. Vikings 24, Lions 23.

Glorious Green Bay Packers (-7) vs. San Francisco 49ers I have no idea how this game is going to go, or even if this game is going to be played. The Packers looked like crap last week, and will be scraping the bottom of the running back barrel. The Niners are somehow in worse shape, and half of the guys they might play I don't know who they are. Keep in mind, I have been watching football for years. They will not have Jimmy G, Kittle, pretty much most of their wideouts, and a bunch of guys on defense. This road trip was the one that worried me coming into the year because it is a West Coast trip on a short week. Thanks a lot for that, Fox. Good luck trying to play some of these guys in fantasy football. The Packers should win because they could get healthier, and plus this is a revenge game for the team. Call me a delusional Packers homer all you want for this pick. Packers 31, Niners 10.

It's not delusional at all. I have no idea who is going to be running the ball for the 49ers, but Raheem Mostert won't be. The 49ers are also far less stout on defense without Nick Bosa and DeForest Buckner. The Packers should have time to throw and if it's a shootout, they may have more bullets. Packers 34, Niners 31.

Enjoy your football this weekend. #FreeMertz, and that Packer game is going to be a complete trainwreck. Ben out. 

This won’t end well

The only thing we can be certain of is this — half the country will not accept the result. I think we are headed for a very dangerous few weeks. More soon.