Benster and D Pick Your Games----Packers Aren't Dead Yet Edition

 Old dude, I'm sensing a bit of nerves amongst the Vikings fans. They might be spouting their usual triumphalism over local Pravda outlet KFAN, but it's like they are worried about objects in their mirror.

Here comes the mirror, man. Think that was an old Human League song.

Eye shadow was easy to find in the 80s

This is a very different Packers team since September, and this time the Vikings will have to play on the road in the cold. 

The road is long, too.

I am feeling the HYYYYYYYYYPPEEEEEEE! and ready to pick some games. Watch me work.

TCU Horned Frogs (+7.5) vs. Michigan Wolverines, in Glendale I'm really glad that TCU didn't get punished for losing an extra game in overtime, and am always glad to see some new playoff blood get in. Michigan looked very impressive against Purdue, and hopefully this is the year that we can get someone outside of the usual suspects to win a title for the good of the sport. TCU is a legit team with a real life Matt Saracen in Max Duggan, Sonny Dykes has done the best coaching job in the nation this year, and it's great to have a team that took a long and difficult road since the Southwest Conference broke up to get to this stage by doing everything right and earning their way up to the big boy table. The problem is that this Michigan team is on a mission, and I feel like they have yet to peak. So while it wouldn't surprise me to see TCU win given their toughness and never say die attitude, I like Michigan to get a chance to bring the title back to Ann Arbor and remind the SEC that no matter their football success, the Big Ten started the concept of conferences, postseason play, and showed them the blueprint on how to build a conference that makes more money and has all of the top media markets in this conference. Michigan 35, TCU 17.

Coach Dad Pants definitely has it together. I am not sure what to expect, but my suspicion is that TCU is an underdog for a reason. They haven't played anyone with the overall brawn of the Wolverines and I see them getting worn down as the game progresses. I like the Wolverines in this one, too. Michigan 34, TCU 22.

A School in Columbus (+6) vs. Georgia Bulldogs, in Atlanta So the Buckeyes owe Utah a huge thank you for getting the last ticket to the ball, but the Buckeyes getting the ticket is a defensible move. The problem is that Georgia is really good, and gets to play a virtual home game in Atlanta where they have played in multiple games since Kirby Smart took the job at his alma mater. Now, this game is awkward for me. Longtime readers know that I despite both the Buckeyes and the SEC with every fiber of my body, for a ton of reasons. But the thing is, Ohio State has nothing to lose, and Ryan Day has a chance with the right results to get the chance to do something that would get him a statue outside the Horseshoe this month. I normally don't say this, but in the interest of the Big Ten, I have no choice. I want The Game in LA for all the marbles and will be rooting for the Buckeyes. Don't screw this up. A School in Columbus 21, Georgia 10.

Georgia convinced me when they destroyed Tennessee earlier this season. I don't see anyone being able to beat them. The one thing that makes me nervous is that Stetson Bennett is kinda frail and the Buckeyes have some really nasty defenders. But while I think this could be a classic, Georgia has what it takes. Georgia 38, Ohio State 30.

Minnesota Vikings (+3) vs. Glorious Green Bay Packers So all of a sudden the Packers are relevant, and there are a bunch of Packers fans getting back onboard. Last week was a struggle in South Beach, but the Packers were able to make a bunch of plays defensively and beat the Dolphins. As for the Vikings, they won after giving their fans another heart attack down the stretch. Unlike in September, the Packers will be at home, and the Vikings will be facing a hostile crowd, a team that believes in itself, and the ghosts of Lambeau past. This won't be easy, but the Packers seem to have discovered some magic. The Vikings are right to want to knock us out of the playoffs, because if the Packers and the Bucs make the playoffs, you would be a fool to bet against them. One last warning, Vikings fans. You know what happens when you get your hopes up for this team, despite me thinking this team could be the one to end your pain. Packers 56, Vikings 31.

Two things. Christian Watson won't drop the touchdown this time. And Jaire Alexander will regret mouthing off. The weather won't be too bad, so the cold won't be a factor. And that, unfortunately, is the difference. Vikings 31, Packers 27.

Enjoy your football this weekend, and have a great New Years. Ben out. 

Benster and D Pick Your Games----How Did the Vikings Win That Game Edition

 I wonder if Brad turned Vikings game off last week. If you told me at halftime that the Vikings would come back and beat the Colts, I would have called you crazy.

Brad probably stuck with it. I know someone else who did, too, but it wasn't me. But that was because I was running errands during the first half and missed the initial carnage.

As promised, I will have the report on what the assignment I did last week was, and let's just say that the assignment was crazy to experience. All will be revealed after the picks in what is not a Very Special Comment.

So it's mundane?

Judge for yourself, Old Dude! I am feeling the HYYYYYYYYYYYPPPEEEEEEEE!, and ready to pick some games. Watch me work.

Syracuse Orange (+10) vs. Minnesota Golden Elite Rowers of the Boat, in the Bronx A Minnesota sports team playing in the Bronx, what could possibly go wrong. Long time readers know that I am a Twins fan, and the Twins have a horrible record at Yankee Stadium. But this is football, and the Gophers have never lost a bowl game under PJ. Syracuse is a middling team, and while there will be a distinctive pro Orange bias in the crowd, I think that the Gophers should beat the Orange pretty comfortably. Row Row Row Your Boat Elitely 35, Orange 19.

I think most Syracuse fans are actually ESPN announcers, but your mileage may vary. Gophers are actually in a decent place and I think they win, too. Minnesota 24, Syracuse 13.

Beloved Wisconsin Badgers (-3.5) vs. Oklahoma State Cowboys, in Phoenix So, a lot has happened for the Badgers since the disappointment of the Axe game. Luke Fickell is in, and the early recruiting has been positive. While Nick Evers won't be in action, I can't wait to get a closer look at him in spring ball. Oklahoma State is a team that we don't talk about much, but I think will be one of the new power teams in the Big XII after the Red River schools decamp for the SEC. For whatever reason, the Cowboys are down this year, and will also be starting a backup QB. The Badgers should win this game, and will be motivated to send out the seniors and Jimmy as winners. While I am sad that Jimmy doesn't want to stick around, he still is a great Badger, and I will forever cherish his time in Madison. Mark Murphy, you know what to do. And, I have a video to share when talking about Mike Gundy. 

Badgers 35, Cowpokes 0.

I'm a man. Come at me. I'm older than 40, though. So be gentle. Badgers 24, Oklahoma State 21.

New York Football Giants (+4) vs. Minnesota Vikings So the Vikings won a game last week that will go down in history as the greatest comeback in NFL history, and clinched the North. Obviously, both teams are still in the playoff hunt, and this game will matter for playoff seeding at a minimum. The Giants are coming off a tough loss to the Gridlocks, and don't want to leave the door ajar for other teams to sneak in. What the Vikings need to do is to win a game comfortably for once. Look, I've been a critic of the Vikings, but after last week even I will admit that this might be their year. Vikings 42, Giants 21.

Can the Vikings handle prosperity? Maybe. Giants need this one. They won't get it. Vikings 31, Giants 24.

Glorious Green Bay Packers (+3) vs. Miami Tuna Net Victims The Packers won last week, though it wasn't super pretty against the Rams. The soft zone "defense" that the team has been running belongs on the Dairy Queen menu, and Tyreek Hill and Waddle will probably be licking their lips. To make matters worse, Raheem Mostert probably is remembering what happened in early 2020, which didn't go well for us. The good news is that compared to the utter hellish weather here, Miami will be decently warm. This won't be easy by any stretch, but the Packers can win this game. Packers 17, Sorry Charlie 10.

Yes, the Packers can win. Will they? Better play better defense. Not sure they will, though. Dolphins 31, Packers 28.

And now, for something that is not a Very Special Comment. You might be wondering what the assignment I was on last week was. Well, I actually took Mrs. D, aka Mom, to the Vikings-Colts game last weekend as a birthday gift to her. Seriously, I was there. I got a great deal on tickets in the Polaris Club, which meant that I got to see the game 8 rows up from the Colts sideline at about the 35 yard line. I was able to see the entire field, and both scoreboards easily. Plus, we had our own concession stands, own restrooms, plenty of tables in the lobby, a full bar, and free refills on soft drinks. Those are the best seats I have ever had to a sporting event, and the experience was great. Only complaints were that Minneapolis needs to clear the sidewalks off, and getting out of the parking garage was slow. Granted, those complaints are not on the Vikings, but a reality of the weather and 65,000 people attending a game in a small part of downtown. What I do want to ding the Vikings for is they needed to add more restrooms in the club level. If I'm paying a premium price, I expect there not to be a line for the men's room like at Wrigley and the Rose Bowl. US Bank Stadium is a modern stadium, and has zero excuses for not having enough restrooms in the club level.

That was the 4th NFL game I have attended, and the 2nd game to go into overtime after the 2017 Packers-Bucs game where Aaron Jones won on a rushing touchdown. Saturday was the best sporting event I have ever attended, and it was incredibly loud. I've given Vikings fans a ton of grief, but they were incredible in the second half after rightfully being upset with the terrible officiating and complete meltdown in the first half. When Dalvin scored the game tying score, you couldn't hear yourself think, and that is something that people forget about Minnesota sports. Sure, there hasn't been a lot of success in recent years, and no titles in the 4 main sports leagues since the 1991 Twins, but the passion is there. I couldn't help thinking to myself how loud and crazy it was, and had to scream to talk to Mom next to me by the end of the game. After Joseph won the game, everyone was just amazed, in shock, or probably both. I will never forget that game as long as I live, and Mom was overjoyed at the result, especially when the Vikings flashed a message saying that this was the biggest comeback in NFL history.

Have a great Christmas this weekend, and enjoy your football. And if you are at a Christmas gathering and your family gets into political arguments, watch some sports. Ben out. 

Benster and D Pick Your Games-----A Little Concern in the Twin Cities Edition

 This is going to be a pretty quick analysis of this week's games, as I am going to be on assignment this weekend, with the promise that said assignment will be reported on next week. And no, there won't be a rubric. 

Rubes never do well with rubrics anyway, Seabiscuit.

The Vikings can clinch the NFC North against the Colts, and thanks to the Niners winning on Thursday Night Football out in Seattle, all of a sudden things look more interesting for the Packers. 

Assumes facts not in evidence, but we'll see. Meanwhile, is there something you are feeling?

I am feeling the HYPPPPPPPPPPPPEEEEE!, and am ready to pick some games. Watch me work.

Indianapolis Colts (+3.5) vs. Minnesota Vikings Fun fact, this is the 1000th game in the history of the Vikings, which hasn't been getting a lot of play amongst the media types here outside of the Strib. The Vikes can clinch the NFC North this week after failing to clinch in a loss that was strange. It's not like the Vikings played horribly in Detroit, but the Lions really took advantage of some slippage in standards among the Vikings that I am going to circle back to in January. The Colts have been a complete dumpster fire, and they clearly have been unable to find the right fit at quarterback since Andrew Luck retired. This game will be another close one, and the Vikings will win after riding their luck in the second half. Vikings 31, Colts 27.

The Colts are indeed a dumpster fire. If the Vikings are going to assert dominance in any game this season, this would be a good place to start. Vikings 34, Colts 20.

The visitors come to U.S. Bank Stadium

Los Angeles Rams (+7) vs. Glorious Green Bay Packers The Packers are coming off their bye week with some of the injuries getting better. Despite all of the turmoil, the Packers are not dead in the water, and there is hope among more than the delusional homers like myself among the Packers fanbase. The Rams have been a dumpster fire, too, as it turns out that the front office strategy of trading away their entire supply of futures until 2097 has had the bills come through. Turns out that the Rams also got a sponsorship from noted healthy organizations like Bear Stearns, FTX, Merrill Lynch, and Lehman Brothers that also gambled away everything and had it work out long term. This game is going to be very cold on Monday Night Football, much to the dismay of Joe Buck and Troy Aikman. Buck isn't a terrible announcer, but my enjoyment of him depends on who he is with in the booth. Aikman is the worst announcer in the NFL, and just like his playing days has to be carried by superior talent. How come the Great Wall of Dallas doesn't get a cut of all of Aikman's bloated salary for what they did to make his career with the Cowboys? Aikman has added nothing to every single broadcast he has been with, and is proof that just because you were a prominent player of the Cowboys doesn't mean that you deserve to be in a prominent spot on football broadcasts. Plus, he hates the Packers and calls them out far more than other teams for the same mistakes. I don't think Baker can rise to the occasion again, and seeing both Romeo and Watson together will be very interesting. Packers 63, Rams 10.

That seems a bit high, but yeah, I think the Packers are the better team. Packers 27, Rams 17.

Enjoy your football this weekend. Ben out.

Benster and D Pick Your Games------Bears Blew A 16-3 Lead Edition Edition

 Remember when all of the Bears fans were so confident in beating the Packers? Gino certainly does, especially when the Bears had a 16-3 lead. But they forgot that 12 owns the Bears. In terms of last week's result, you really hate to see it.

We've been hearing of the imminent demise of the Packers for 30 years. And perhaps it is coming, but there's little evidence of a threat from Illinois.

Note the heavy use of sarcasm. This is a crappy year for the Packers, but they still beat the Bears twice, allowed me to laugh at the Patriots, and allowed me to laugh at Brady choking in the clutch. You really love to see that. I was really feeling the HYYYYYYYYPPPEEEE! And now, a word on the nature of ownership: 

Ownership has its privileges. Including gloating.

It's time to pick some games, and time to watch me work.

Minnesota Vikings (+1.5) vs. Detroit LOLions Yes, that line is correct. Even though I get that the Vikings tend to play very close games and this is a game on the road against a NFC North opponent, that line needs some explaining. So in the interest of full disclosure, I was watching the Packers game and missed most of the Vikings game. But, I did see the last few minutes of the 4th quarter. The Vikings have won 9 of 10 victories by just 1 possession, but to their credit have won those games consistently. The Lions are going to to play the Vikings tough just like the first meeting back in September. I think that the Vikings are going to do what they haven't done since Week 1, and win a game by more than 9 points behind a big day from Dalvin. Why Dalvin, you ask? I need a big game from him in fantasy this week. Vikings 35, LOLions Gonna LOLion 14.

The Lions have been playing well. I haven't seen a lot of them this season, but it seems as though they are making progress. We've heard that tale since the 1950s. Not sure if I believe it any more than I believe the Bears are making progress. As a practical matter, for the last 30 years, if the Packers were down, the team to take advantage is always the locals. And while the Vikings have evident flaws, I think they will also prevail in this one. Vikings 28, Lions 24.

Tampa Bay Bucs (+3.5) vs. San Francisco 49ers Normally, this game wouldn't have been considered for this feature. But because the Packers and Bears both are on bye this week, this seemed like the best game of the bunch to talk about. The NFC South is Big Ten West level of bad this year. The Bucs got a huge win on Monday thanks to Gisele's ex and Dennis Allen making clock management decisions that make Andy Reid look smart by comparison. What I am interested to see in this one is how the Niners respond to Jimmy G being out for the year. Brock Purdy will get the nod, and I'm a little surprised that the Niners didn't go after Baker Mayfield harder. Nothing against Purdy, but Baker would have been the better option. The Niners want to win this game to try and keep ahead of the Seahawks in a tight NFC West. By the way, when did the NFC suddenly become so weak? Look for the Niners to lean on their run game and for Kyle Shanahan to take a page out of his dad's playbook by running his way to success. The Niners are the team that I wouldn't want to play right now based on their playoff experience. Niners 24, Bucs 10.

This game could be one of the lowest scoring games of the season. And I say it will be. 49ers 10, Tampa 6.

Just a reminder, 12 still owns you, Chicago. Sorry, not sorry. Enjoy your football this weekend. Ben out.  

Benster and D Pick Your Games-----The Curse of the Six Game Minimum Edition

So Ohio State, you didn't get it done last week? Well, I have something special for you that I have been waiting to bust out. And a quick correction. I said that Ryan Day had won twice against Michigan. He's only won once, as I forgot that the 2020 game was cancelled. 

Sounds like it's gonna get all Ole-tangy in here.

You might say that.

I did.

Meanwhile, the Badgers didn't play well at all against the Golden Elite Rowers of the Boat, but Sunday went far better. Luke Fickell was someone who I mentioned back in October as a choice for the head coach, but I thought that we wouldn't get him. For Wisconsin to get one of the hottest coaching candidates, with zero leaks until Sunday was incredible and a statement for what Wisconsin can do. I do feel bad for Jim Leonhard, and hopefully he can be the next DC for the Packers. I'm glad to welcome Fickell to the Wisconsin family, and wish him every success.

He's legit and, given how people are feeling about those Buckeyes, there's a certain amount of low-key consternation in and around central Ohio these days.

Oh, but I have more for them. Oh my yes I have more. But before that, note well -- I am feeling the HYYYYYYYYPPEEEEEE! and ready to pick some games. Watch me work.

Kansas State Wildcats (+2) vs. TCU Horned Frogs, in JerryWorld So we don't really talk about the Big XII much on here because neither of us have ties to the conference and wouldn't generally watch those games. TCU has been impressive under Sonny Dykes of all people, and I believe that Dykes deserves Coach of the Year honors nationally. Max Duggan leads an offense that is one of the most explosive in the nation, and Duggan is someone who I believe should be on a plane to New York next week for the Heisman ceremony. Kansas State is always a tough program and I am glad to see Adrian Martinez have success after fleeing from the dumpster fire of the Huskers. TCU did win down in Fort Worth by 10, and will be playing a home game in Jerry World. I like TCU to make it to 13-0 after winning a fairly close game and be a great infusion of new blood to the playoff. Also, it's interesting to note that both times since Texas and Oklahoma announced that they were heading to the SEC, the Big 12 has featured a conference title game with schools other than the Longhorns and Sooners. TCU 35, K State 24.

Lotta purple on display. The Horned Frogs are legit and they will get a chance to prove it in the playoff. I think they get there. TCU 28, Kansas State 24.

Purdue Boilermakers (+16.5) vs. Michigan Hail to the Victors, in Indy Michigan flat out broke the Buckeyes in the Horseshoe and ripped out the soul of the Buckeye program in front of 100,000 people in the stands, and 20 million people watching on television. I didn't know Fox was into televising such destruction, but oh well. Michigan is a heavy favorite to win this game even without star running back Blake Corum, but Purdue is a tough nut to crack. The Big Ten West may have been a complete tire fire all year, but Purdue doesn't lack for talent and are well-coached. Remember, this game is in Indy and there will be a fair amount of black and gold in the stands. I wonder if Michigan can get up for this game with all of the talk of Purdue being an easy opponent. History tells us that the Spoilermakers are for real, and get ready for the biggest upset in a conference title game since the 2003 Big XII title game. Spoilermakers 42, Michigan 17.

Uh, no. Purdue makes it interesting for a while, but Michigan will pull away. Michigan 35, Purdue 21.

New York J-E-T-S JETS JETS JETS (+3) vs. Minnesota Vikings The Vikings are coming off a very solid win against New England on Thanksgiving night, and should have no issues in getting at worst the 2 seed depending on how the Eagles and Cowboys do the rest of the year. The Jets are a very good team that has been flying under the radar, and have already beaten one NFC North team in what was at the time a stunning upset, but now is no upset. The Vikings need to win a game by 9 or more points to show that they can win games other than dogfights. I think they get it done here, with a big help for Dalvin Cook. Why Dalvin? Because he starts for me in fantasy football this year. Vikings 49, Jets 30.

The Jets are offensively challenged, but defense is their calling card. No way the Vikings put up seven touchdowns. Of course the Jets will put up fewer than the Vikings. Vikings 31, Jets 23.

Glorious Green Bay Packers (-3.5) vs. Bear Down Chicago Da Bearz Still Suck Last week the offense finally showed up, but the defense was a complete joke. It's like Joe Barry never has faced a quarterback who can run. Both Aaron and Justin Fields will give it a go this week, and this game seems winnable. Aaron always plays well against the Bears, and having the worst Packers team in my lifetime sweep the Bears would be hilarious. Something tells me that the Packers have their get right game this week, and Aaron owns Chicago. Packers 24, Bears Still Suck 10.

The Bears say Fields is ready. I'm not so sure. They are fixing to get him killed. Not sure Rodgers will be that great either as he begins his 40th trip around the sun, but ownership has its privileges. Packers 24, Bears 17.

And now, it's time for A Very Special Comment. 

Bring me the head of Brutus Buckeye

Ohio State, you didn't win the Big Ten, and now the morons in your fanbase want Ryan Day fired and are calling him Ryan Cooper. There are some who are wondering what happened to the team. I have the answer. The Buckeyes are suffering from the Curse of the Six Game Minimum, and will be until things are changed. Allow me to explain.

Back in 2020, Kevin Warren passed a rule stating that to be eligible for a spot in the conference title game, you had to play 6 games. Ohio State only played 5 regular season games after some late season COVID cancellations hit them. By the rules that the Buckeyes and every school agreed to when the Big Ten returned to play in October, they should have been barred from the title game. Instead, the Big Ten made the decision to abolish the rule right before the conference title game to allow the Buckeyes a chance to get into the top 4. That's right, the Big Ten changed the rules in the middle of the season to benefit Ohio State. That was the worst decision in the history of the conference. The Indiana Hoosiers are the rightful winners of the 2020 Big Ten East, and their reward for following the rules was that they got screwed over by their own conference. Northwestern also got screwed over because they won the West fair and square, and instead had to prepare for a different team. Ohio State won, and eventually lost to Alabama in the title game that year. The 2020 Big Ten championship trophy and banner sit somewhere at Ohio State to this very day. I'll give Indiana a ton of credit for taking the high road and congratulating the Buckeyes, which was noble and classy. While Ohio State fans may claim that Indiana lost their chance to win the East by losing in Columbus, the thing is that the rule was made clear at the start of the year and applied to everyone. Until they didn't. 

Hoosier daddy?

One way of looking at it. But pay attention. In the past two years, Ohio State has lost to their hated rivals in devastating fashion, missed out on every one of their goals, and Ryan Day has been branded a failure who isn't good enough to coach the Buckeyes and was handed a powerhouse program without deserving it. I have no sympathy for the Buckeyes. You won a tainted championship in 2020. The football gods know it, and they will punish Ohio State for it as long as they want to. In fact, I am announcing that the Buckeyes are under a curse. They will never win the Big Ten until the 2020 banner and championship trophy are returned to the Big Ten to be shared between Indiana and Northwestern. If they don't do the right and honorable thing like Indiana did to them in 2020, further misfortune will surround the Buckeye program. That title is tainted, and deep down the Buckeyes know it. And for the record, I would be embarrassed as a Badger fan if we had won the Big Ten that year in that manner, and it wouldn't feel right. Do the right thing Ohio State, unless you want this curse to continue forever. 

You realize you're talking about Ohio State, right? I don't think curses apply, or even bad karma, but it's one way of looking at things. And this is your feature.

It's how I see it. Enjoy your football this weekend. Ben out.