Benster and D Pick Your Games----Gophers Getting No Respect Edition

 So the Gophers are 3-0, and not a member of the Top 25. That doesn't make a lot of sense.

No respect. No respect at all.

I realize that the Gophers haven't played a tough schedule, and you want to reward teams who have better wins. If the Gophers were ranked outside the top 10, then that would be a fair ranking in my opinion. But the Gophers have beaten what's in front of them, and that's all you can ask. 

This is true. They get their opportunity to demonstrate their prowess this week.

I am feeling the HYYYYYPPPEEEEE!, and think that the Badgers have a better than average chance.

Well, that's how you roll. Can't wait to see your, ahem, analysis.

Wait no longer, Geritol Fan! It's time to pick some games. Watch me work.

Minnesota Golden Elite Rowers Of The Boat (-3) vs. Michigan State Sparty The Spartans So the Gophers want to be a ranked team? Well, getting a win on the road in Big Ten play is a great way to make their case stronger. Michigan State is coming off a bad loss on the road against Washington up in Seattle. Meanwhile, the Gophers kicked the crap out of Colorado. Spartan Stadium is a difficult place to play, and the Gophers will need to play well. Mel Tucker is probably the most overpaid coach in the Big Ten, because he hasn't done a whole lot to elevate the Spartans based on the available evidence. Despite my personal views on Fleck which I won't rehash here, Fleck has at least been worth the money. But will it be enough? Sparty 27, Row Row Row Your Boat Elitely 21.

I think Tucker is doing well. The previous administration was, at the end, a big of a dumpster fire, and he's cleaned it up nicely. Having said that, I'm not sure what to make of this one. The Gophers will miss Chris Autman-Bell and the Spartans can fill up the scoreboard. I expect a fun one. Gophers 30, Spartans 28.

Beloved Wisconsin Badgers (+19) vs. A School In Columbus. This is going to be a tough game, regardless of my personal views on both these teams. We all know that Ohio State is a very tough out. But what Buckeye fans know deep down but don't want to admit is that the idea that Ryan Day was born on third base and thinks he hit a triple isn't 100 percent false. Look, I do think Day is a good coach. But the Buckeye program by and large can run itself. He didn't take over a team that was down, and he still gets grief due to an entitled fanbase that consists of plenty of smart Buckeyes fans drowned out by people that can't handle losing at all and lack perspective. Wisconsin has zero pressure and can't lose. Don't forget, Notre Dame played the Buckeyes tough, and Wisconsin has done about as well as could have been asked for in previous years against the Buckeyes. Look for the Badgers to pull a huge upset. Wisconsin 21, Ohio State Was Born On Third And Thinks They Hit A Triple 14.

Uh, no. Badgers will play them tough, but the talent gap is huge and growing. And the Buckeyes have something to prove. It will be a typical matchup in the series, in which the Buckeyes eventually wear them down. Ohio State 38, Wisconsin 23.

Detroit LOLions (+6) vs. Minnesota Vikings Well, the Vikings Super Bowl parade plans were put on hold after the Eagles were able to move the ball at will last week. While it isn't quite Kirktober yet, the Vikings love playing against the Lions, though they have struggled the last two times they have played them. I think the Vikings are going to get back on track. A big day from Kirk and Dalvin would be much appreciated by this fantasy football owner. This game might be closer, but the Vikings will win. Vikings 35, LOLions Gonna LOLions 31.

You like shootouts? This will be a shootout. Vikings have just a few more bullets. Vikings 38, Lions 30.

Glorious Green Bay Packers (+1) vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers The Packers were able to calm down some of the worriers with a great win against Da Bearz. Gisele's husband and his merry band of men who are all somehow able to fit under the salary cap are going to be shorthanded, but the Packers are also facing some injury problems. The Packers have also struggled to play well in Florida recently, but this game is personal. You want this one badly to make sure that a potential rematch happens someplace a lot colder. If the Packers can control the clock and get some inside pressure on Gisele's husband, then good things will happen. Packers 25, Investigate The Bucs for Salary Cap Violations 16.

Good grief. Really? Oh well. I want to pick the Packers, but I don't know. Hate picking against them, but... Tampa Bay 20, Green Bay 17.

Hopefully Gisele's husband can join the Fox booth next year. Enjoy your football this weekend. Ben out.