Benster and D Pick Your Games-----LOL Gophers Edition

So the Packers didn't go well last night. Bottom line is nothing went right, and we will be back. I'll discuss that disaster next week. The good news is that the Twins won the AL Central, and look like this time we might actually win a playoff game. I'm still on guard, because the Twins have let me down in October a bunch. 

You're too young to have all that scar tissue. But I can see it. Hope it changes this year.

Meanwhile, how in the world the Gophers blew a big lead to Northwestern of all teams is beyond me. And we also have a terrible NFL game. 

That's entertainment!

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

Louisiana Ragin Cajuns (+11) vs. Minnesota Golden Elite Rowers of the Boat The Gophers have some explaining to do after blowing a 21 point lead and losing that quickly in overtime. The fact that the Purple Nerd voodoo struck the Gophers in that way made me laugh, and it couldn't have happened to a nicer coach. Louisiana is projected to be a middling Fun Belt team, and the Gophers won't have any problems this week on their homecoming. What the Gophers need to do is show a little creativity on offense? As a correction, I earlier blamed Kirk Ciarrocca for vanilla playcalling for the Gophers. Turns out that he is at Rutgers, where it is hard for him to run the Gopher offense. Once again, the Gophers will have no problems with Louisiana on their homecoming. Or will they? Bistro La Roux 28, Row Row Row Your Boat Elitely 11.

Gophers will rebound. But this could be amusing. What should alarm the Gophers is their defense. Or lack thereof. Gophers 27, Louisiana 20.

Minnesota Vikings (-4.5) vs. Carolina Panthers Last week was a terrible piece of clock management by the Vikings. How in the world do you not clock the ball, and why was a veteran quarterback like Kirk making a terrible rushed throw into double coverage? I was dumbfounded watching that live, and the Vikings dropped a winnable game. Now, they gotta go on the road to a desperate Carolina team and have to deal with the Justin Jefferson trade rumors. As much as I'd love to say that the Vikings are the better team, they can't get out of their own way. Carolina ain't great, but they have a competent coach and I think Bryce Young has shown a bunch, given how terrible things look at Bryant-Denney without him. Panthers 36, Vikings 29.

This is a game the Vikings should win. They've had two others and haven't gotten it done. I sense a trend. Panthers 28, Vikings 24.

Denver Broncos (-3.5) vs. Bear Down Chicago Da Bearz Still Suck This game is going to be the game of the year for those who love terrible football. If you get stuck watching this game and have no rooting interest, I feel so sorry for you. The Bears can't even protect their football equipment, let alone win games. Justin Fields is going to get run out of town by angry Bears fans, a new regime is going to come in and ruin some poor college standout, and the McCaskey clan still owns the team, which means that real improvements are not going to happen. As for the Broncos, they gave up 70 points. It couldn't have happened to a nicer coach than Sean Payton, who blamed his predecessor for how bad Denver is. Well, you have a worse record than him, Sean. Go back to coaching your son's football team, and maybe Netflix can make a sequel to that crappy film they made about his year in exile. Look, this game is  going to set the NFL back 50 years. Go watch something else. Bearz Still Suck -1000, The 1990s Broncos Aint Walking Through That Door -1009.

Do I have to pick this game? Really? Seems cruel. Broncos 21, Bears 13.

And now, it's time to laugh at the Gophers. God, I love seeing PJ get a ton of criticism, and his shine is coming off. I warned Gophers fans about this, but was told that I was a hater and had an agenda. It is obvious that the Gophers have gone backwards since 2019, and even then they still lost the two games that the Gophers can't lose. Northwestern might be the worst Power 5 team this year, and you blow a 21 point lead? Even Glen Mason thought that was a big blown lead. Then, you complain about NIL? LOL, get out of here. Maybe if you opened up the the playbook and showed some creativity instead of coming up with more stupid sayings, then you would have won. NIL ain't going to save you, especially considering that the Badgers and Nebraska have gotten better coaches, and 4 good football schools are joining the Big Ten next year. Oh, and the easy path to Indy is going away. Turns out that even with all of the advantages that you were handed compared to Jerry Kill, you haven't accomplished more than him. I warned you, Gophers. But you didn't listen. Watch PJ row his boat out of here, and then you can hire a coach who is a football guy instead of a wannabe HSN host on the graveyard shift. 

That's gonna leave a mark!

Who is this Benster guy and why is he so mean to me?

That's why I said it, Old Dude! Enjoy your football this weekend. Ben out. 

Benster and D Pick Your Games----Amazon Prime Mandated Edition

 Why can't the NFL admit that nobody outside of them and Amazon thinks that Thursday Night Football is a good idea?

You know the reason.

I still have no idea how the Packers won last week's game, and all of a sudden the haters are scared. You love to see it, and Jordan Love got it done at the hour of greatest need. 

He was good. Can he do it again?

I'm about to tell you. I am feeling the HYYYYYYYYYYYPPEEEE! Watch me work.

Detroit LOLions (-1.5) vs. Glorious Green Bay Packers So with the Bears and the Vikings having a ton of issues, this game is very important for this early in the season. Both teams are banged up, and the mini bye for the Packers is going to be much needed. The Packers dug themselves a hole, and can't do that again. However, what should be noted is that the Packers played the LOLions very close in 2022. If the LOLions want to be taken seriously as people are claiming, then they have to win this game. I look for Love to hit a deep ball or two, and for the defense to continue to step up. Packers 24, LOLions Gonna LOLions 17.

It would be nice if Christian Watson could step up. Haven't seen him on the field yet. If he can stretch the defense, the Packers should be able to move the ball. And that might be enough. Packers 27, Lions 24.

We'll see you on Friday. Ben out. 

Benster and D Pick Your Games-----The Vikings Are In Trouble Edition

So it turns out that the Packers are indeed mortal. Which also means the beatdown of the Bears looks less impressive, given that the Bears have bigger things to deal with.

Here's a live look at Halas Hall:

,

Meanwhile, some say that Georgia Southern is still getting intercepted by the Wisconsin secondary. This Badgers team is flawed, but I can see what Fickell is trying to do, and should get the time given his track record with the Bearcats. 

Sure, but things will get more difficult quickly.

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

Beloved Wisconsin Badgers (-5.5) vs. Purdue Spoilermakers Thankfully for the Badgers, losing to the Cougars means that they are unranked and less likely for Purdue Pete to seek his blood sacrifice. Hopefully, he saves the voodoo for the Buckeyes. Wisconsin didn't play great against Georgia Southern, but woke up in the third quarter and decided to play bully ball. Purdue won't be an easy out, given that this is a road game in conference play. However, what should be noted is that the Badgers have dominated Purdue ever since Scott Starks scores on the fateful fumble back in 2004, and Purdue lost to a Fresno State team that might not be up there in the Mountain West. I think the Badgers need to start better and go to the run early, and then let Mordecai cook. Badgers 27, Spoilermakers 10.

Slow starts have been a problem in all three games thus far. I agree - the better formula is to bury the opponent early. Won't be easy in West Lafayette, but the Badgers are the better team. Wisconsin 28, Purdue 22.

Minnesota Golden Elite Rowers of the Boat (-11.5) vs. Northwestern Purple Nerds So it goes without saying that the Purple Nerds are a mess after the shocking news about Pat Fitzgerald. I don't know where Northwestern goes from here, and this game could be very old-fashioned. The Gophers struggled in Chapel Hill last week, and while they are heavy favorites, the Gophers seem to have lost all sorts of imagination. Where was the creative offense that the Gophers ran in 2019? I know that PJ wants to be like Iowa and Wisconsin, but his style is dangerous. If Northwestern goes to the lead, then I think the Gophers are going to be rowing up the creek. Thankfully, Northwestern is going to roll over and die for the Gophers. Row Row Row Your Boat Elitely 9, Purple Nerds 0.

Here's a live look at the Northwestern football complex:

You don't necessarily need to be good. This week is one such example for the Flecktones: Gophers 21, Northwestern 9.

A School in Columbus (-3) vs. Notre Dame Fighting Irish This game is between two schools that I don't like very much. Both teams win too much, have national media love ins, and have fanbases that drive me up the wall because of how entitled and unrealistic they are. The Domers have done nothing since 1988, and yet I still get them shoved into my faces every single time they win, and the Buckeyes still fly a banner for a conference title that required a rule change, if you remember the Curse of the Six Game Minimum that other outlets don't want to admit the existence of. Hey, Dan Shaughnessy built his entire career around a curse, why can't I? So this game should be fun. Ohio State hasn't looked great, while the Domers have already started to anoint Sam Hartman as the next great Notre Dame star, ignoring that he's a transfer. As much as the mystique of Notre Dame Stadium is a marketing product, I like the Domers to get it done. No matter what happens, I get to see an entitled group of fans melt down. Rudy Was Offsides 50, Born on Third Base 48.

Notre Dame has looked better than expected, while the Buckeyes have looked worse. What does it mean? Nothing. Ohio State 31, Notre Dame 21.

Los Angeles Chargers (+1) vs. Minnesota Vikings Both teams are 0-2, and there is going to be an air of desperation downtown. The Vikings weren't good enough to beat the Eagles, and quite honestly given their next few games could be struggling again just like in 2021. The Chargers can't stop anyone, and have had two brutal losses. Cam Akers coming to the Vikings is an interesting move, because the Vikings have not gotten any running lanes established, and they are going to need that to avoid relying on Kirk, who might be in danger of getting run out of town and losing his precious Spire commercials. I think the Chargers are better balanced, and with the Vikings not having a lot of pieces on defense, I think the angry Vikings Whine Line callers will be out in force. Pray for Ron Johnson and Corey Cove. Go Back to San Diego 35, Vikings 26.

Akers has talent, but the Vikings offensive line? Here's a live look at their O-line meeting:

Chargers can rush the passer when it occurs to them. Kirk Cousins has been excellent thus far but he's got a tough assignment here. If Austin Ekeler can't play for the Chargers, that may mean the difference. Vikings 34, Chargers 31. 

New Orleans Who Dat Nation (+1.5) vs. Glorious Green Bay Packers Last week the Packers had a very bad defensive meltdown that reminded me of 2008. Honestly, everyone can be blamed from the players to the coaching staff. We don't know if Jones or Watson is going to be good to go, but Love played very well without his two best weapons, and gave us a great chance to win. The Saints are a hard team to read. Derek Carr is trying to rebuild his career, and while the Saints have talent, Dennis Allen might not be the right guy to coach the team. The Packers should be able to make some more plays, and then it's a short week to deal with the LOLions. Packers 28, Saints 3.

Can the Packers keep Love upright against a pretty good Saints defense? That's the question this time. I think they do but this one makes me nervous. Packers 27, Saints 24.

Enjoy your football this weekend. Ben out. 

Benster and D Pick Your Games-----LOL Bears Fans Edition

Old dude, do you remember when the Bears fans were talking so much about how they were going to run the NFC North, how Justin Fields was going to be the MVP, and how the Packers were going to be irrelevant this year after the Bears exposed them at Solider Field? Pepperidge Farm remembers.

That's a whole lotta Milanos, Seabiscuit. I take it you find all that amusing?

Oh, we are going to laugh at the Bears this week. The Vikings are going to escape some laughter because losing on the road at Philly wasn't too unexpected. Though they might want to stop turning the ball over so much.   

That seems like constructive criticism.

I am capable of it. Meanwhile, I am feeling the HYYYYYYYYYPPPPEEEEE! and am ready to pick some games. Watch me work.

Minnesota Golden Elite Rowers of the Boat (+7) vs. North Carolina Tar Heels In the interest of full disclosure, I was watching the Badgers and didn't see a second of the Gophers last week. This is going to be the real test for the Gophers in the nonconference portion, as North Carolina has Drake Maye, who a lot of people have going as a first rounder next spring. North Carolina is still coached by Mack Brown, who is a wily coach who obviously has the championship pedigree. If the Gophers fall behind, then I really question if their offense is designed to get them back in the game. Sorry, not sorry Gophers fans. Tar Heels 26, Row Row Row Your Boat Elitely 10.

North Carolina is certainly a step up in class and while Chapel Hill is better known for roundball, they have been sneaky good at football for a long time. I think the Gophers will give them a game, but I think Carolina pulls away. Heels 27, Gophers 17.

Georgia Southern Eagles (+19.5) vs. Beloved Wisconsin Badgers The Badgers didn't have a great night out in Pullman, but while everyone was talking about the safety and fumble calls, you can't blame the refs for what happened. The Badgers dug themselves too big of a hole in the first half, and settled for field goals. Those things set up the 4th quarter and forced certain decisions to be made. Georgia Southern is a school that has a sneaky good history. Remember, they won a bunch at the lower level of college football and helped push App State to become what they are now. The Badgers should play well, and come out with focus and anger. Badgers 49, Eagles 17.

Focus and anger rarely travel together. If I had to choose one, I'd take focus. Let's hope the Badgers find it. Wisconsin 31, Georgia Southern 16.

Glorious Green Bay Packers (+1.5) vs. Hotlanta Falcons Well, the Packers really showed that there is life after Aaron last week. Love looked very good, the defense played well, and the rookies all showed out. The concern is that Aaron Jones and Christian Watson are both questionable, and it looks like they might be a game time decision. The good news for this Jones owner in fantasy is that I have Quadfather locked and loaded if needed. Atlanta has a very good running game, which has given our somehow still-employed defensive coordinator trouble in his tenure. This won't be the easiest game in the world, but the Packers can win to go to 2-0 and get ready to welcome the Saints to Lambeau next week. Packers 21, Falcons 18.

I'm not sure if the Packers are good or if the Happy Schnapps Combo still has taken the measure of things:

What I do know is the Packers better stop the run game. Atlanta is the first of many such tests. Packers 31, Falcons 24.

And now, it is time to laugh at the Bears. You talked all this crap, and you backed it up like that? Even some players were talking crap about how they were going to take the rivalry back, how our fanbase didn't know football, how Jordan Love was terrible. Don't you remember in 2019 and how you said that the Bears ran this division? Life comes at you fast. The problem is that Justin Fields isn't the savior, and you guys should have known better. Fields was able to succeed in college because he was a better athlete, and had the benefit of Urban Meyer's recruits to help him with the Buckeyes. Fields ain't a pocket passer as of yet, and looked to run a whole lot. The Bears can't develop a quarterback, and after all this building around him, Fields has accomplished less than Trubisky. That's right. Trubisky at least got you to the playoffs twice. 

The real problem that the Bears have isn't in the coaching or football ops ranks, though both areas need an overhaul. What holds the Bears back is the nepotism and failure of the McCaskeys. Virginia is a great lady who I would love to talk football with, but her ownership is a prime reason why hiring family members and putting them in key positions in a family organization while not firing them when you would fire those who are outside the family kills a business from the inside. Virginia's kids have presided over failure after failure, and only Michael was fired. That was back in 1999 for the infamous botched Dave McGinnis hiring, but Michael was allowed to stay on in another role. Would you hire any of Virginia's kids given their track record to any organization outside of the Bears? Honestly, no. While Kevin Warren at least is an outsider, his record running the Big Ten produced mixed results, with even his master stroke of getting the LA schools to join the Big Ten getting overshadowed by issues with the new television deal. You can read some stuff on this blog from 2020 if you want to learn more about my thoughts on Warren. 

If I were Virginia, I would have fired all of her kids years ago, and cleaned house. Nothing will change as long as the McCaskeys continue to rob the Bears and their fans by drawing a paycheck that they don't deserve. If their last names were different, they would struggle to work in the NFL at any level. I'll say it even more strongly, the Bears are run by a bunch of damn nepotism kids  who lack any skills or qualifications outside of their DNA being right. I'm not even a Bears fan, but the McCaskeys need to step away from running the Bears entirely if they really cared about their team and their fanbase. 

Enjoy your football this weekend. Ben out. 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             

Benster and D Pick Your Games----Jeff Bezos Made Me Do This Emergency Post Edition

I swear to God, enough with the Thursday Night Football. Just because the NFL got in bed with Jeff Bezos doesn't mean that this package is needed. 

What you want and what you get are often at variance. But you knew that.

And we need to talk about what happened on Monday, because if you saw what happened coming, you are a liar or a sadist. 

It's a shame. No one wanted that.

I am feeling the HYYYYYPPPEEEE! and it is time to watch me work. 

Minnesota Vikings (+6.5) vs. Philadelphia Eagles Last week was a wakeup call for the Vikings, who still have some work to do if they want to prove that they aren't frauds. Kirk was very lax in holding onto the ball, and the Vikings blew a tire in the second half against Baker. The problem is that the Eagles are up next in Philly, and this is the type of game that the Vikings need to win if they want to prove the haters wrong. The good news is that Philly looked shaky at times against the Patriots, and are going to be banged up in the back end. The problem that the Vikings have is that they are banged up on the offensive line. While I think the Vikings are going to hang in there, the Eagles will be much too strong. Eagles 31, Vikings 17.

We'll find out a lot about the Vikings this week. They are banged up and their offensive line looks shaky. And the Eagles have a nasty defense. This could get out of hand in a hurry. Eagles 34, Vikings 13.

And now, it's time to talk about what happened on Monday. That sucked to see Aaron go down like that. I've been very critical about him and his exit from the Packers, but you don't like to see a guy go down like that. Any Packers fans who cheered for Aaron getting hurt has some explaining to do. I will say that what stinks about this is that the Packers won't get that conditional first round pick. Sucks for everyone, and nobody wins out of this mess.

Enjoy your Thursday. More picks on Friday. Ben out.                                                                                             

Benster and D Pick Your Games---We Didn't Join The Jets This Year Edition

Welcome back, and I didn't join the Jets this offseason like half the Packers. We will talk about some people in that organization. You've been warned.

Is this thing on? It looks like it's on. We still blog?

Well, I do, old dude! Badgers looked good, though Camp Randall apparently decided to amp up the volume this year, based on watching on television last weekend. 

I'm sorry, I can't hear you - my ears are still ringing.

You weren't listening anyway, were you?

You said something?

Oh, I have plenty to say, Geritol Fan! I am feeling the HYYYYYYYYYYPPPEEEEE! and it is time to watch me work.

Eastern Michigan Eagles (+20.5) vs. Minnesota Golden Elite Rowers of the Boat The Gophers looked very questionable at times, but escaped thanks to Nebraska finding a way to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. Eastern Michigan is a terrible MAC team year in and year out, and the Gophers should win. What the Gophers need to do is stop playing Tressellball. Row Row Row Your Boat Elitely 21, Eastern Michigan 10.

Not sure what Tresselball is, but I recognize what the Gophers are doing, which is the same thing they do every year. Apparently not as well, though. They should roll. Gophers 38, EMU 13.

Beloved Wisconsin Badgers (-6) vs. Washington State Cougars Last week ended up well, but the Badgers looked a little loose in the turns for a while, even though Buffalo was well prepared and well coached. Tanner Mordecai was very loose with the football, and Longo should have gone to the running game a bit earlier in my view. But, a win is a win. The Cougars are out for blood this year, and I don't blame them for being upset with the Badgers, given that Washington State is going to be looking forward to trips to Laramie and Logan in the future. I do feel bad for Washington State and Oregon State, because they are getting hung out to dry by the other Pac schools. This won't be easy, but the Badgers should get revenge on the Cougars. Badgers 31, Cougars 17.

As former WSU coach Mike Leach (RIP)said, Butch the Cougar is clear-minded and crafty. And there's a reason most schools avoid the Palouse. The Badgers signed up for this, however, and they have to find a way to win. We saw the potential of the Badger running game when they aren't running into a 9-man box; big plays are in the offing. Defense will be the key for this one, though. I expect a shootout. Badgers 38, Washington State 34.

Minnesota Vikings (+5.5) vs. Tampa Bay Bucs So the Vikings are looking to show that 2022 was not a fluke, though there is a lot of drama under the surface. Will Kirk still be the guy next year? Will Justin Jefferson griddy his way out of town if the Vikings don't pay him? Honestly, I think that Jefferson is probably going to force his way out of town, and the Vikings have already planned for his departure if you look at who the Vikings got in the past two years. Thank God that Gisele's ex is no longer playing for the Bucs, and the Bucs are looking at going back to where they were before adding those mercenaries. The Vikings should win this game, though the Bucs will make this a challenge. Or will they? Bucs 35, Vikings Gonna Viking 21.

You do realize who is the Buc quarterback, right? It's Baker Freaking Mayfield. Vikings will win. Vikings 28, Tampa Bay 17.

Glorious Green Bay Packers (+1.5) vs. Bear Down Chicago Da Bearz Still Suck We are going to talk a little later about a certain trade the Packers made, but I am glad that the Packers finally got rid of the drama. It was freaking exhausting to deal with the drama over the past couple of years. Jordan Love will get his chance, and I like the guy. He has shown me some encouraging signs, and I like what LaFleur has been cooking up this offseason. A lot of hope has been invested in Justin Fields, and quite frankly Fields hasn't shown he has been worthy of the praise. I think that the Packers are going to be playing with house money this year, and will do a lot better than the haters think. It starts in Chicago, and while this game will be close given the history between these two teams, the Packers defense and running game will allow Love to make a couple of plays to win this game. Packers 28, Bears Still Suck 21.

Have the Bears fixed their defense? When the Bears win, they play defense. I'm not convinced they have fixed their defense. How about another shootout? Packers 31, Bears 27.

And now, it's time for a Very Special Comment. I'm happy that Aaron is gone and not on the schedule this year. While I will cherish the special memories of his tenure, it was clear that he had been causing a lot of drama, tension, and discord within the organization. That was something that bothered me, and it's nice that the Packers have been avoiding drama this offseason. One thing I will give Aaron credit for is not blaming the fans, and I hope that in a few years once everything calms down, he can be welcomed back and get his jersey retired. 

Now, onto the Jets. I'm not sold on them this year. While the Jets do have some nice pieces, their defense was remarkably healthy, and health in the NFL can change in a heartbeat. The other concern I have is that the Jets brought in a bunch of guys from a Packers team that missed the playoffs in 2022, and have been full of drama. For a team that was building a culture, there is a risk to bring in guys from a toxic situation, and Green Bay has been a toxic place the past few years. No disrespect to Joe Douglas and Robert Saleh, but when you bring in Aaron, it's buyer beware and if the Jets don't take the next step, those two could pay with their jobs. I'm not saying that Douglas and Saleh are bad at their jobs, as I think they are both good at their jobs. But let's be honest with ourselves here. The AFC is the stronger conference, and the AFC East is arguably the deepest division in the NFL this year. The Bills are a proven winner, the Patriots always have a chance with the Hoodie, and the Dolphins are underrated. Plus, the Chiefs and Bengals are going to have some things to say about the Jets being the kings of the AFC. If the Aaron trade blows up in their faces, then the Jets are back in the wilderness with no quarterback. The Packers were smart to make the move early, and after this year will have a ton of cap room to work with and an extra high draft pick to use in some way. In fact, the Packers are a prime Ewing Theory candidate. Remember that in 1998, everyone expected the Vols to rebuild without Peyton. Turns out the Vols were able to get it done, and without the pressure of expectations were able to win the national title that Peyton never got in addition to beating Florida. 

The ol' ball coach thanks you for that comment:

Somebody remembers me!

Enjoy your football this weekend. Ben out.