Benster and D Pick Your Games---Who Replaces Joe Barry Edition?

Seriously, I've had enough of Joe Barry. His performance on Sunday was a complete joke, and it's getting to the point that the Packers need to fire every single one of the defensive coaches. The guy has been given plenty of time, resources, and power to mold this defense. It's not working, and you need to pull the plug.

Oh, so we're back to firing again?

Yes, we are.

Well, I'm glad you're being somewhat more selective in your dismissals.

I may be an irrational, shameless homer, but I try to be reasonable about it. Meanwhile, the Vikings are up a creek right now. JJ really came back for this?

It's next man up, ya know.

That's what I'm talkin' about.

I'd ask what the heck you were doing, but it's clearly not contributing anything positive to this feature.

My work is done, then.

No, you still have to pick some games. Meanwhile, I am feeling the HYYYYYYYYYPPPEEEEEEEEE! Watch me work.

Beloved Wisconsin Badgers (+10) vs. LSU Tigers, in Tampa The Badgers have had an up and down season, but the good news is that this team got into a New Years Day game somehow. By the way, the tailgating is going to be an incredible scene. It sucks that there are a ton of opt outs/portal guys in this game. I realize why, but with NIL the money excuse doesn't fly as much. That is a topic for another day, though. The Badgers are going to have to slow down LSU's offense, but the good news is that the Tigers are not a great defensive team. This should be a close one, but the Badgers hopefully can continue their bowl winning streak. Badgers 35, Bayou Bengals 23.

LSU is far more talented. They don't have their Heisman-winning quarterback, though. Not sure who the Badgers will have going, but historically the Badgers play well in bowl games. Is it enough? LSU 27, Wisconsin 20.

Alabama Crimson Tide (+1.5) vs. Michigan Sign Stealers, in Pasadena It's a shame that this wasn't a Michigan-Washington game as an end of an era game, but that's just another thing that the committee screwed up in picking this game. Alabama has gotten a lot better, but Michigan wants to take the next step and play for a national title before the NCAA goes after Harbaugh and he flees to the NFL like Pete Carroll did. With the Big Ten-SEC cold war heating up next year when they start their new look forms, look for Michigan to use their great defense and more experienced quarterback to at least have a championship game that doesn't involve the SEC. Jim Harbaugh Can't Win On A Level Playing Field 28, CFP Committee's Favorite Team 14.

Alabama is getting the hype. Not sure why, though. They haven't won that impressively this year and while the talent level remains stellar, it's not clear they have better talent than The Victors. Michigan 27, Alabama 17.

Texas Longhorns (-4) vs. Washington Huskies, in New Orleans Ah yes, the unofficial other Big Ten-SEC semifinal. Texas might be back, but they are going to go to a tougher neighborhood and a third conference to cause a ton of drama. Washington is a legit team, and I look forward to having them join the Big Ten next year. What makes me like Washington in this game is that they are tough, and won all of their games in the toughest conference in America and beat the Ducks twice. Their defense is very good, and their offense is very explosively deadly. Even though this might be a partisan Longhorn crowd in New Orleans, look for the Huskies to try and get back to the Don James mold in winning big games. Huskies 49, Texas Isn't Back, Folks 48.

Washington has quietly been awesome all year long. They have everything they need to win. And so they shall. Washington 31, Texas 23.

Glorious Green Bay Packers (+1) vs. Minnesota Vikings So in the interest of full disclosure, I ended up  watching the Packers game and missed almost all of the Vikings game last week. When you give up 30 points to Panthers of all teams, you know that the defense is bad, and the Packers were bailed out by the offense and the clock running out in the nick of time. Jaire Alexnder was right to be suspended, as you can't just walk out to the coin toss and almost screw it up. Don't worry, Vikings fans. Jaren Hall will look like an elite quarterback and it wouldn't surprise me if Joe Barry's 5D chess brain will have Preston line up against JJ. But the good news is that the Packers will overcome that to win a game, because the Vikings history tells us that in big games, they don't often win. Sorry, you know it's true. Packers 24, Vikings 17.

I have no idea who wins. I would recommend betting the over, though. Vikings 35, Packers 33.

So, who replaces Joe Barry? This list is who I want to, and is in no particular order.

Jim Knowles: Defensive coordinator at Ohio State. While he has been mostly a college coach, I like how tough minded he is and how he was able to find success at Oklahoma State given that the Cowboys play in an offensive league in the Big 12.

Jim Leonhard: Analyst at Illinois. While he doesn't have any pro coaching experience, he has developed a lot of good defensive players at Wisconsin, and brings a lot of the Rex Ryan scheme with him.

Daniel Bullocks: Safeties coach for the Niners. He is someone who is considered and up and comer and has been a big part of the success that the Niners have had on defense. Would be a good hire.

Chris Hewitt: Secondary coach for the Ravens. Ravens have had a great defense this year, and Hewitt could view this as a promotion given that the Ravens are very stable in terms of coaches leaving. His defensive backs are fundamentally sound. 

Sean Desai: Defensive coordinator for the Eagles. With Desai having been demoted from the defensive playcaller role, it wouldn't surprise me if he might leave the Eagles. Would be a fresh voice and someone who would have learned from his first year being a coordinator. 

Mike Zimmer: Analyst at Colorado. He has a point to prove given how his time with the Vikings ended, and is a great defensive mind. Tough coach, and wants to be in the NFL in 2024. Why not come back to the NFC North?

Bringing Zimmer to Green Bay would be pretty amusing, actually. Don't see it happening. Desai might be a guy to bring in, but I'd suggest waiting until after the season ends. There may be a better option out there that's not on your list. But we'll see. Just don't bring in Uncle Rico.

Oh, I won't. That's the list. Enjoy your football this weekend. Ben out. 

Benster and D Pick Your Games------Fire Joe Barry Edition

The Packers need to fire Joe Barry yesterday. How is he still with the team after being given multiple chances and plenty of resources/support to do his job?

The Packers are loyal until they aren't. Otherwise, I got nothin'.

The good news is that Florida State isn't suing this blog. 

Why would they sue this blog? Are we channeling Peggy?

You haven't been conducting transactions with some cat emporium?

No, but it's a thought. I do like insulting the Seminoles, but we'll get back to that eventually, too. Meanwhile, I am feeling the HYYYYYYYYYPPPEEEEEEE! and ready to pick some games. Watch me work.

Minnesota Golden Elite Rowers of the Boat (+4) vs. Bowling Green Falcons, in Detroit The Gophers shouldn't be in a bowl game, but thanks to the constant need for the networks to give us bad football, here we are. PJ knows playing Bowling Green well from his time in the MAC, and he has never lost a bowl game as head boat rower for the Gophers. Quite frankly, the Gophers need to figure out their identity on offense and stop with the outdated offense. They should win this game, because Big Ten teams don't lose to MAC teams, right? Row Row Your Boat Elitely 45, MACTION 0.

Well, sometimes they do. Including to Bowling Green fairly recently. But I think the Gophers will win. Gophers 21, Bowling Green 17.

Detroit LOLions (-3) vs. Minnesota Vikings The Vikings last week deserved to lose after throwing away a 14 point lead, combined with some horrific playcalling in overtime. How do you run the same play twice in a row? I thought that KOC was a good coach, but seriously? The LOLions are looking to prove that they aren't the same old Lions, but this is the type of game that they can lose. Remember, the Vikings want to make the playoffs so that they can avoid outright disaster and give the front office the ammo it needs to blow this team up. And if the Packers get in, then all of the locals who mocked the Packers all offseason are going to collectively melt down. Vikings 21, LOLions 14.

We'll get to the Packers shortly, I assume, but that's a separate issue. As for this game, it's going to depend on the Vikings defense. The Lions run hot and cold, but they certainly have weapons. Home game, so I'll go with the locals. Vikings 24, Lions 20.

Glorious Green Bay Packers (-4.5) vs. Carolina Panthers Last week was a complete disaster for the Packers, as they let Baker Freaking Mayfield have the best performance by a visiting quarterback since Mike Vick in 2002. The biggest issue I had with the defense was that there was a refusal to blitz at all. Baker struggles against the blitz, so why not just let him sit back and not get pressured? Thankfully, the Panthers are a complete joke of a football team run by a moron in David Tepper. If the Packers let Carolina look good, then you have issues. Thankfully, the Carolina based Packers fans are going to take over that stadium. Packers 60, Panthers 0.

So a team that plays terrible defense is going to pitch a shutout the next week? I don't see that. I do see the Packers winning, but it won't be easy. Packers 27, Panthers 19.

Enjoy your football this week, and watch some football if the relatives decide to argue about politics or family drama at gatherings this weekend. You'll thank me later. Ben out. 

Benster and D Pick Your Games -- Vikings May Blow It Up Edition

 No, that title isn't inflammatory at all. The Vikings have some big decisions to make involving Kirko and JJ, and quite honestly, their management might want to blow it up. This game against the Bengals is going to go a long way toward answering that question.

Two teams without a quarterback. Two teams that expected better. Two teams that are glad not to be the Chargers.

All true, Geritol Fan! I am feeling the HYYYYYYYYYYYYYPPPEEEEE! and ready to pick some games. Watch me work.

Minnesota Vikings (+3) vs. Cincinnati Bungles So it turns out that the Vikings dodged a bullet last week, where despite playing horrifically awful football, the Raiders somehow made Josh Dobbs and the Vikings offense look like the Greatest Show on Turf at their peak. The Bengals are without Joe Burrow, and are still in playoff contention. To expand on why I think that the Vikings are going to blow it up, consider that Kirko has won 1 playoff game with the Vikings. I'm also going to note that the Vikings have only appeared in one playoff game with JJ, and lost that playoff game. In JJ's case, consider that the other key pieces of the 2019 LSU national title team besides JJ have all gotten to the Super Bowl at a minimum, including Chase, Burrow,  and Edwards-Helaire as of this point. Now, you can call me biased because I am a huge fan of a division rival, but those are objective facts. The Vikings already began the shedding of veteran contracts, and the front office has gotten to see what this team looks like without Kirko and JJ sadly because of injuries. The Vikings need this one badly, and Nick Mullens looked good in relief, and should play well enough to win. Vikings 24, Bengals 7.

Those may be facts, but they may not be relevant. As for this game, I'd suggest paying attention to Vegas. I think the Vikings will make it interesting, but I don't see them prevailing. Bengals 24, Vikings 21.

Tampa Bay Bucs (+3.5) vs. Glorious Green Bay Packers The last time that the Bucs came up to Green Bay, it was one of the worst playoff losses I have seen the Packers take. Thankfully, Gisele's ex is nowhere to be seen. What frustrated me about the Packers on Monday was that while the defensive coaches screwed up the coverage, it never should have come to that. The offense and special teams left a bunch of points out there, and when you lose by 2 that means that you can't blame the defense. The Packers and the Bucs both need this one for playoff status, and the Packers need to finish drives and play a lot better. I am going with the ever popular Desperate Team at Home Theory combined with the fact that I am a homer and make no secret about who my favorite NFL team is. Packers 31, Bucs 14.

It's who you are. It's what you do. Baker Mayfield is okay, Mike Evans remains dangerous, but other than that I'm not sure where the points come from. Bucs can play defense, but this is not the same team that showed up in Green Bay a few years ago. I was actually hoping for something like this, but El Nino is not cooperating.

The worst day of Steve Young's life

Packers 23, Bucs 16.

No rant this week!

Really?

I'm all about the Christmas spirit, old dude! Enjoy your football this weekend, and may the Premier League give Everton our 10 points back. Ben out. 

Benster and D Pick Your Games-----The Worst Football Decision I Have Ever Seen Edition

 Oh, you know I have words for what went down with the college football powers that be last weekend. That decision was like seeing Michael Jordan airball a layup on purpose. 

Looks like Mike took it personally, too.

Meanwhile, the Packers are very much in contention after taking out the Chiefs last week. Though it was nice of Taylor Swift to show up at Lambeau to hang out with my Aunt Coco, who was a happy shareholder as the Packers gave her a great birthday present. 

Most people in the know prefer Coco to Taylor (or maybe Koko Taylor), but I'm guessing ol' Taylor will shake it off. Or something like that.

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

Minnesota Vikings (-3) vs. Las Vegas Raiders The Vikings are still in playoff contention and will get a huge lift this week as the Griddy Man has been cleared to return. The thing is, Josh Dobbs has struggled and will get the start again, which has some locals questioning the move. The good news is that the Raiders are a team that is led by morons. Josh McDaniels may have been fired, but Al Davis would have fired everyone about 10 times over if he was still alive. The Vikings should win, but this is the type of game that the Vikings fans love to make uncomfortable. Vikings 24, Raiders 17.

I for one am glad Jefferson is back, because it will certainly help my fantasy football team. The Vikings really needed the bye to reset things. They should be able to beat a highly questionable Raiders team, but as the young fella says, it's going to be uncomfortable, especially if Maxx Crosby gets a head of steam going Vikings pull ahead late to make it look more impressive than it will be. Vikings 28, Raiders 16.

Glorious Green Bay Packers (-6) vs. New York Football Giants Last week was a fantastic performance by everyone. I have been very critical of this team this year, but it's hard to argue with the results. Jordan Love has been great, Matt LaFleur was on fire calling plays last week, the Packers made defensive plays when they had to, and it was the best performance I have seen this year. I'm also really glad that the Chiefs didn't blame the refs, which is a stupid argument to make. Lest we forget, the bad calls went both ways. The Giants are a mess this year, which surprises me. This won't be easy, but the Packers should win given that they are getting healthier. Packers 35, Giants 10.

No Aaron Jones? No Jaire Alexander? No problem! It's been an amazing if weird stretch of games for the Pack, who have really improved as the season goes on. The young receiving corps is growing in front of our eyes and this is the time of year where A.J. Dillon pays off. Giants can rush the passer and they do have offensive talent, but Tommy DeVito is not an NFL quarterback long term. I think this one goes well eventually. Packers 28, Giants 20.

And now, it's time for me to blow a gasket and yell about Florida State getting screwed last weekend. Before I unleash, a quick disclaimer. I am not blaming the Alabama players, coaches, or Nick Saban for being happy or defending their inclusion. They are just doing what they had to do, and the ire belongs somewhere else.

Where is that?

Oh, I'll tell you. What the playoff committee did on Sunday when they explained their reasoning was an utter disgrace and super disrespectful to Florida State. I don't care about how "bad" they looked, they won every single one of their games! That's freaking hard to do. I watched the back end of the ACC title game last week, and what really impressed me about Florida State each time I've seen them this year was that they are a complete football team. This wasn't Jordan Travis and a bunch of scrubs. Their defense played incredibly against a good Louisville team, and they were ranked 4th coming into last weekend. What happened to not dropping a team that didn't lose?

ESPN happened, I think.

What really was disgraceful was what the committee chair said about the Jordan Travis injury. Florida State is a great team with a great defense, and they rallied around their backup quarterbacks to win. Jordan, I know that you probably will never read this or see this, but you have nothing to apologize for about getting injured. It wasn't your fault and I hope that you come back stronger and better than ever for whatever your next challenge is going to be. I'm rooting for you. The other 21 starters, Mike Norvell, and his coaching staff were told that their success was down to one guy, which is a really mean and cruel thing to say. I bet the chairmen wouldn't say that to their faces. You don't win with just one guy in college football. 

Unless the one guy is head of the committee.

In regards to the SEC, nonsense like this is why I have been warning about peddling the narrative that they and ESPN try and sell you. The SEC this year was down. They had a losing record against the ACC in the nonconference, and to be frank the Pac 12 and the Big Ten were just as strong if not stronger than the SEC this year. Despite all of the talking points by Greg Sankey and the ESPN talking heads, their top brands were all shaky. Georgia struggled at times, Alabama needed Auburn to forget how to defend a Hail Mary, South Florida to not do anything offensively, Jimbo to get outcoached, and Ole Miss to melt down in the second half just to stay in playoff contention. Heck, the marquee OOC SEC game involved Alabama getting cooked by Texas at Bryant Freaking Denny. I'm also going to point out despite the SEC having a bunch of success on the field, their leadership is still 10 million dollars short in terms of revenue distribution to their member schools, and that gap will only grow as the Big Ten gets to go to the media rights well before the SEC does, even though the SEC added both Texas and Oklahoma to their conference. I'd love to ask Sankey why that revenue gap exists despite the SEC having better results, but professional SEC cheerleaders like Paul Finebaum and Clay Travis don't want to risk upsetting their beloved conference. Like it or not, money matters in college sports and the Big Ten is winning that race. 

The results on the field would suggest otherwise, but in the long term you're likely to be correct.

So what would I have done? Simple. I would have had the playoff be Washington, Florida State, Michigan, and Texas. What I would have sold is that these are the four teams who won it on the field, and any criticism about leaving out Alabama would have relied on the head to head. In the future with the 12 team playoff, the committee should be former coaches and players, who would be given clear guidelines for seeding and bids. Results on the field are the only thing that matters, and that their job is to simply seed the teams and pick the at larges. I would get rid of them doing rankings, instead having a bracket preview similar to college basketball coming out a week before Thanksgiving. Is this proposed system perfect? Of course not. No system is. But what we saw last week was a load of well, bullshit, and should never be allowed to happen again. 

I would like that, too. 

Enjoy your football this weekend. Ben out. 

Benster and D Pick Your Games-----Benster Laughs At A Bunch of People Edition

 Last week was a very fun weekend for someone like me. I got a bunch of people who I need to take some shots at. 

He's a jolly sniper, this Benster.

Also, I was surprised to see that there was a boat crime at Huntington Bank Stadium. A bunch of Badgers just capsized a boat carrying a bunch of Gophers and PJ Fleck, and happened to take an Axe. Fickell was there, but for some reason decided to encourage those Badgers instead of stopping them. I also noticed that the rowers and the entire boat collapsed in a very #Elite manner. You really hate to see it.

Sit down, you're rockin' the boat! Or maybe it's this:

Who, or rather what, is Camilla Sparv?

I don't know, Seabiscuit. I'm just trying to figure out how Halston got on there.

I was expecting Fred Smoot!

Wrong Love Boat, sir.

Enough of your nonsense, even if it is part of the bit. I have mocking to do and I am feeling the HYYYYYYYPPPEEEEE! and ready to pick some games. Watch me work.

Michigan Cheaters and the Best (-22) vs. Iowa Hawkeyes Michigan ended up beating Ohio State to keep the Curse of the 6 Game Minimum intact, and their tour to get their accomplishments vacated moves to the Big Ten title game. The shame is that Michigan is too talented to have needed to cheat, but that's fine with them because Jim Harbaugh is a real Michigan Man who would never leave unless an NFL team lets him pull a Pete Carroll. Iowa will be game, but this is too much of a talent gap between them and Michigan. The only way Iowa has a chance is if they can turn this into a defensive struggle. We all know how this is going to end. Or do we? Ferentz Family Nepotism 17, Michigan Can't Win On A Level Playing Field 0.

Uh, no. Iowa is offensively challenged. Michigan is very good at defense. This is not happening. Michigan 24, Iowa 3.

Kansas City Swifties  Chiefs (-6) vs. Glorious Green Bay Packers Thanksgiving was a fantastic performance by everyone involved by the Packers. I have been very critical of the coaching staff, but LaFleur had a prefect plan, and I loved how he had his team ready to go from the start, and they finished strong. Even though he had one hand tied behind his back with the injuries on a short week. Joe Barry had his best game with the Packers, as the defense was swarming and made the Lions very uncomfortable. Jordan looked amazing, though I have to call out Fox for not having a turkey leg for him. Jordan deserved it, but instead Greg Olsen had to manhandle the turkey in the booth. This won't be an easy game as the Chiefs are very good at football. But this will be a bad weather game, and the Packers are going to be well-rested. Don't be surprised if the Packers win. Packers 23, Chiefs 14.

Actually, I will be surprised if the Packers win. But maybe MVS can drop the game winning touchdown for old times' sake. Can't pick it that way, though. Chiefs 27, Packers 21.

And now, it's time for me to laugh at some teams. 

This just in - I found out Camilla Sparv was a glamorous Swedish actress from the 1960s. Quite beautiful, actually.

Sparvelous, actually

That's good to know. Irrelevant, but good to know. Now, back to our regularly scheduled mockery.

Let's start with the Motor City Kitties. The LOLions, Dan Campbell, and their fanbase should be just embarrassed with what happened on Thanksgiving. They played like crap, looked overawed by the occasion, and had some of the worst coaching I've seen this year. Everyone talks about Campbell as this great coach, but he still has some areas of growth. The fake punt he called was a stupid idea, and had no chance of working. And you called it against the Packers special teams, who have been horrible for years. He could have won the game if he had taken the points, but couldn't convert a single 4th down all game. To make matters worse, the Lions have a tough schedule down the stretch. You could blow this division again, and the same old LOLions are in danger of making an appearance. You have some serious issues to fix, so I hope you used the mini bye well. You are going to need it. 

That actually seems like good advice. So what's next?.

Ohio State, the warning signs that I warned you about were there on Saturday. You fell down early, and against an even opponent you couldn't ride your high end talent to bail yourself out like you had so many times this year. Ryan Day is on the hot seat because your entitled fanbase can't accept that you will lose to Michigan sometimes. I hope your AD fires him and you go into the wilderness for a bit, because that is the best thing that could happen to your fanbase. Heck, even your legendary head coaches like Woody and Paul Brown lost to Michigan. Coaches lose rivalry games, and it happens to the legends of the game. Heck, even Urban came close to losing a couple of times against Michigan. You need to get a grip on reality and be grateful for your consistency. The Curse of the 6 Game Minimum remains intact. You know how you can lift it. 

Are you sure you're laughing? You're coming on like an Old Testament prophet.

I got your Jeremiah right here, Geritol Fan. Now, Vikings fans, welcome back to earth. Losing in that manner at home to Da Bearz was hilarious. Now you know why Josh Dobbs was available, and you have a quarterback controversy. There were warning signs during your winning streak. You almost lost to Carolina, and the Falcons blew that game to you. Did anyone not panic during those two games? All of a sudden, the Packers are right behind you. That's right. The team you called irrelevant and the quarterback that you dismissed could go to the playoffs. If that happens, you bet I am going to have fun with that. You got some serious issues to think about and solve.

It's true. And yeah, it is kinda funny. Here's a live look at Vikings fans:

We have a life outside you, Vikings fans. Enjoy your bye week! Meanwhile, for the rest of you, enjoy your football this weekend. Ben out.