So the Badgers actually can win comfortably at Ryan Field? Wonders never cease.
Well, Northwestern is terrible, so....
Meanwhile, the Packers need to actually figure their crap out and have some things to answer for.
I didn't see a moment of the game last week. I'm happy with that, actually.
I am feeling the HYYYYYPPEEEEE that Jim Leonhard might actually be the answer.
First week was good. This week is a better test. We'll see.
It's time to pick some games. Watch me work.
Minnesota Golden Elite Rowers of the Boat (-7) vs. Illinois Fighting Illini Well, the Gophers got some good news over the bye week as Mohammed Ibrahim will be coming back after getting hurt a couple weeks ago. PJ knows that the waters are getting choppy for his boat as Illinois is probably the favorite to win after pulling out an ugly victory last week over Iowa, and next week the Gophers will have to survive the Whiteout in Beaver Stadium. Memorial Stadium will be rocking once again, and the Gophers will have to play a lot better than their stinker of a game against Purdue two weeks ago. This game could go either way, but the warning for both of these teams is that objects in your rearview mirror are closer than they appear. Gophers 24, Cheating Illini 17.
Give Illinois credit -- they have an excellent defense, including a couple of linemen who may be able to play on Sundays. But they aren't a great team overall. I think the Gophers are better, but it will be a test down in Chambana. If the Gophers are able to block, they win. If not... Illini 24, Gophers 20.
Beloved Wisconsin Badgers (-7.5) vs. Michigan State Sparty The Spartans I don't know if Northwestern is flat out terrible or the Badgers just played a lot better, but last week was very positive. There was a ton of energy for the Badgers, the offensive line was able to block a lot better, the play calling was more creative and timely, and Graham Mertz had his best game since he became the starter. Sparty is going to be a much more difficult matchup, and they are smarting from getting their clocked cleaned by the Buckeyes. Mel Tucker might be the most overpaid coach in the history of the Big Ten in regards to his contract. The guy had one good year, and got handed a huge contract that is at national title winning coach money. If that doesn't tell you about how stupid some of the money is, I have oceanfront property in Wyoming to sell you. Sparty this year is down, but they are a better team than Northwestern, and this game will be a tough one to dig out in a hostile Spartan Stadium. But if Jim Leonhard and company can keep it up, delusional homers like myself will believe that a miracle can happen. Badgers 35, Sparty 21.
I don't know what to say about the Badgers. I think they are better than they have shown, but they aren't great. I think they win this week, because Michigan State does not look particularly impressive, but it's not going to be easy. Badgers 24, Spartans 20.
Tottenham Hotspur (NL) vs. Everton Football Club How about a little Premier League action? Since I am an Everton supporter and the Old Dude supports Spurs, it makes sense to pick this game. Tottenham managed to avoid a disaster in the Champions League with a 3-2 win against Frankfurt and put themselves in a good position to top their group. We lost against Manchester United last week, but with no midweek action should have all of our guys ready to go. Look, a win is going to be difficult at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, but Frank Lampard has really figured out what Everton's best team is. All I ask is that Richy doesn't score against us. But knowing that Everton finds new and exciting ways to let me down, that is a distinct possibility. See losing 4-0 to Minnesota United with me in attendance this summer. But the good news is that Spurs also can bottle it at times. Everton 3, Tottenham 1.
Uh, no. Spurs are the far superior side. And they will demonstrate it. Spurs 3, Everton 0.
Minnesota Vikings (-3.5) vs. Miami Tuna Net Victims The Vikings will catch a bit of a break with it only being 84 degrees and rain in the forecast, and I'm sure that they have prepared to play a warm game in Florida at midday in the Eastern Time Zone. The thing that most Vikings fans won't admit is that they have dodged major bullets the last few weeks in games that they should have won comfortably. The Dolphins may not have their two top quarterbacks going, but Mike McDaniel has been a Coach of the Year frontrunner for my money. I think the Vikings can win, but the Vikings can't keep living this dangerously for long in this league. Vikings 31, Sorry Charlie 10.
Not sure who is going to be the quarterback for the Dolphins this week, but they will play the Vikings tough. Kirk better bring his A game. Vikings 24, Dolphins 20.
New York J-E-T-S JETS JETS JETS (+7.5) vs. Glorious Green Bay Packers Last week reminded me of the Niner implosion, and that's concerning that these issues keep coming up. I think Aaron's thumb will be fine, but he needs to stop trying to go for the downs like he did in the second half and trust the game plan. As for LaFleur, while I think he's still doing a great job, his refusal to stick with the running game in the second half was baffling and was rightly called out. The problem that the Packers have is that they need to recognize that Aaron Jones and Quadfather are more than capable of carrying this offense, and we need to commit to this. The Jets are looking better, and Robert Saleh has been a tough matchup for us. I think that the Packers can win, but there are major issues that this team has to get fixed. What is it with this team and getting involved in turmoil? Packers 42, Jets 0.
I love the Packers, but they are overrated. They will have a fight on their hands. I think they win, but it won't be easy. Packers 24, Jets 20.
Uh, old dude?
Yes?
Did you pick every game with the same score?
Seemed right to me.
You're a strange old man. You know that?
I learned from the best:
Did not know you worked for Dudley Moore! Maybe there's hope for you yet. Enjoy your football this weekend. Ben out!
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