If you are surprised by the title after me ripping the Badgers pretty good, then you must forget that I am a delusional homer.
Oh, we know. There's over a decade of documentation on that point.
Meanwhile, it's another rivalry game for my other college football teams. There is a Turkey that needs to come home, if you know what I mean.
Or, as usual, home to roost.
I am feeling the HYYYYYYYYYPPPEEEEEEE! and ready to pick some games. Watch me work.
Oregon Ducks (-13.5) vs. Beloved Wisconsin Badgers So the Badgers are going to be up against it, no questions asked. The Ducks might be the most complete team in the country, and I personally like Dan Lanning. But it is fair to say that they aren't invincible. They struggled at home against the Buckeyes and Boise State, and are going to come into this game with some injury concerns. The strange thing is that I am getting the sense from Ducks fans that they are nervous. Now, this game could get ugly. But I am a delusional homer who backs the Badgers. Luke Fickell is going to quiet the doubters. Badgers 26, Ducks 21.
The Badgers have had a week to stew about what happened in Iowa City, but the larger problems remain. They don't have a competent quarterback and the offensive line doesn't play in the road grader style that worked so well for so long. The Ducks did struggle against Boise, but that was a long time ago, and Ohio State is a much better program than Wisconsin at this time. I could see a scenario in which the Badgers hang around for a while, but talent will out, as it mostly does in the college game. Oregon 35, Wisconsin 20.
The Bronze Turkey Bowl: Monmouth College Scots vs. Knox College Prairie Fire Baby! For those wondering why I would pick a random D3 football game, I am a proud graduate of Knox College. It is really the greatest institution in the state of Illinois, and I spent 4 fantastic years at the school. Monmouth is the rival school, and has sadly dominated the Turkey Bowl for the better part of 2 decades. But streaks are made to be broken. I look for Knox to send our seniors off right, and get the Turkey back. The good news is that I got a degree in English from Monmouth for writing this blog post. Hey, I'm allowed to be biased. Knox 44, Monmouth -345.
There are four "haves" in the Midwest Conference - Lake Forest, the University of Chicago, Illinois College, and Monmouth. Knox is a have not. They will be getting their annual whipping from their neighbors down U.S. 34. At least your Knox squad consistently beats my Beloit squad, so you got that going for you. Monmouth 45, Knox 17.
Minnesota Vikings (-6) vs. Tennessee Titans The Vikings had a very narrow escape from Jacksonville thanks to their defense. Sam Darnold last week looked really bad, no question about it. The good news for the Vikings is that the Titans can't block anyone, and their offense has set the NFL back a long time. I expect Brian Flores to be really aggressive, and for the Vikings offense to better show all of their high end passing talent. How do you even just kick field goals with all of that talent for Darnold to throw to? Vikings 45, Fall Of The Titans 0.
Titans are terrible. This game feels like a trap, though. But the Titans are terrible. Vikings are getting healthier and should prevail. Vikings 34, Titans 17.
Glorious Green Bay Packers (-5.5) vs. Bear Down Chicago Da Bearz Still Suck Two weeks ago didn't go well for the Packers, and they have only themselves to blame. Way too many errors against a good team in the Lions. I didn't rip them because at the end of the day it was just a sloppy performance by everyone, and as much as that sucks I can typically live with it. The Bears have a lot of issues, and those go beyond Shane Waldron. While it was all well and good to get Caleb Williams some weapons, the Bears should have invested some of their money into giving him a good offensive line. I think Caleb is going to be good, but his coaches and front office really have let him down. Heck, the Bears getting a new stadium doesn't matter until the McCaskey clan sells. This game is going to be really tough. The Bears are always a tough out, and I think that they are going to come into Soldier Field with a point to prove. The Packers should win if they blitz and Jordan cleans up the turnover issues, but don't expect a blowout. Packers 28, Bears Still Suck 21.
I don't expect a blowout, either, but you can see what is happening. My feeling has always been that the Bears never seem to understand why an offensive line has to come first; during the Walter Payton era they did and they won consistently. That was (ahem) 40 years ago. They have struggled with the Packers for 30 years now. The Packers are better from top to bottom. And they will win. Packers 31, da Bears 20.
I am so glad that there are no more political ads. Enjoy your football this weekend. Ben out.
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