Benster and D Pick Your Games--It's All Coming Up Wisconsin Sports Edition

You might as well call Wisconsin Winsconsin at this point. The Badgers have looked good, the Packers got some measure of revenge last week, and the Brewers are back in the World Series after pulling off a sweep against the Dodgers last night. 

I've been waiting for 44 years. Now they're back. So happy.

Now the Brewers are looking forward to some rest while the Rays and Fraudians go at it to determine who gets out of the ALCS. And yes, I am biased against Cleveland given that I am a Twins fan. And I know that Brewers fans love to see it. A Brewers and Rays series would be fun, because why not.

Whoever shows up will be a worthy opponent. It's going to be great.

Meanwhile, the Packers and the Badgers are facing some critical games, and it is going to be quiet with the Vikings and Gophers on bye this week. I am feeling the HYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYPPPPPPPPEEEEEEEEEEEE! and ready to pick some games. Watch me work.

Beloved Wisconsin Badgers (+2.5) vs. UCLA Bruins While the game between Google Me and A School in Columbus is going to get a lot of attention in the Big Ten, this game is going to also have a massive say on who is in the drivers seat right behind the winner of that game to get to Indy. Even delusional Badgers fans like me would have found that hard to believe, but both the Badgers and Bruins have been the surprises of the Big Ten. UCLA made a great hire in Bob Chesney, and he looks like he is going to wake up the echoes in Westwood. Even though they don't have Nico starting, the Bruins are playing a hard nosed style of football and their defense in particular looks tough. As for the Badgers, I have been critical of Luke Fickell for a long time, but it looks like now with him having healthy quarterbacks and a defense that has shown some of the Jim Leonhard style, things are looking good. This won't be an easy game, but if Colton Joseph can play like he did in the second half at Penn State, I like the chances to pull off a second ranked win on the road in Big Ten play and then they have to rank us. Badgers 38, UCLA 31. 

The Bruins are much improved, but as you pointed out, their star quarterback will not play. The Badgers looked dominant in their matchup with Michigan State, but this will be a challenge, especially with the cross-country trip. I expect it will be a slightly lower score. Wisconsin 21, UCLA 16.

 Dallas How Bout Them Cowboys (+1.5) vs. Glorious Green Bay Packers While I know that Bears fans are going to use the Caleb didn't play card, the bottom line is that Matt LaFleur completely outcoached Ben Johnson. I took great pleasure in listening to Dan Hampton and Ed O'Bradovich just being angry on WGN talking about how the Packers outplayed and outcoached the Bears. And outside of Javon Hargrave going down late and Trey Smack struggling, it was very hard to complain. In particular I liked seeing LaFleur playing to win and letting Jordan Love shine. That deep shot on 3rd and 22 was a great screw you call and a better catch by Christian Watson. And Matthew Golden is developing into someone who could be as good if not better than both Davante Adams and Jordy Nelson. Now, the Cowboys are in trouble, with them coming in angry after a frustrating home loss against the Bucs. My concern is that the Packers are going to be short handed defensively, and the danger is that Dak is very willing to sling it to Lamb and Pickens. Remember that a year ago this game was a shootout down in Jerryworld, property of Aaron Rodgers. I expect this game to be high scoring and the Packers can get another big win to stay in contact with the Vikings, who look like they are going to be a problem. Packers 48, Cowboys 32. 

I tend to agree that this could be a track meet. The Cowboys are not a good defensive team. Dak Prescott has a lot of weapons, though, and they have shown the ability to score a ton. Will the Packers hang 48 on them? I doubt that, but it will be a fun one. Packers 34, Cowboys 31.

 Enjoy your football this weekend, and best of luck to the Brewers as they get ready to host Game 1 of the World Series next week. Ben out.

Benster and D Pick Your Games --The Brewers Might Be Getting More Attention Than The Packers Edition

Well, there is a nonzero chance that the Brewers game on Sunday might be more anticipated in Wisconsin than Packers-Bears. The Brewers ended up getting a good win over the Padres and breaking the hearts of the Fox pregame guys.

Oh, how will Jeter and his roided up buddies ever regain their credibility?

I know that a lot of Brewers fans are happy. 

Yes. Yes we are.

Meanwhile, Fox has to be angry at the NFL for what was a horrible decision in regards to flexing the Packers and Bears out of the late window. The Packers-Bears game doesn't look so bad on paper now, and like a lot of Packers fans I will have to make alternate plans to watch a game that was worthy of staying in the late afternoon window. I hope that whomever made that call at either the NFL office or Fox gets a letter of reprimand. You should be ashamed of yourself for treating a high floor viewership game like that. 

The NFL has no shame. They have The Shield, but no shame.

There shouldn't even be flex games until Week 10, but that is a subject for another day. At least here locally, a Sunday afternoon slate of Vikings-Saints followed by Denver at the Chargers and San Francisco-Seattle isn't serving the NFL and the local fans at all. And in Wisconsin, Packers-Bears going into Game 1 of the NLCS would have done incredible ratings and helped Fox get higher ratings nationally. 

I assume they flexed it because Alex Rodriguez and Big Papi assured them the Padres were winning the series. They told me that until they no longer were able to do so.

But because the NFL was short sighted and hasty, they deserve low ratings and if I am Fox, I would be frustrated. 

If the Packers ever truly go into the tank, their games will be on public access in Wisconsin Rapids.

And before you give me the usual excuse, the NFL was under no obligation to flex that game. I am feeling the HYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYPPPPPPPPPPPPPPEEEEEEEEE! and ready to pick some games. Watch me work. 

Minnesota Golden Elite Rowers of the Boat (-2.5) vs. Purdue Spoilermakers The Gophers did a great job beating an overrated and overhyped Michigan team, and even didn't have to deal with Dave Portnoy being in town. Now, you might expect me to be salty about that because I certainly am no fan of the Gophers and I have been highly critical of Fleck. But here is the thing, the Gophers should be ranked. How they only got 11 points in the AP poll was a joke and a disgrace. Yeah, they lost badly at home to Clanga, but the thing is, the Gophers have been a very good team this year, and I have been pounding the pavement that this team has a chance to be better than the 2019 Empire Class team. Remember, the 2019 team has one flaw, which is that they lost the two games that the Gophers fans can't stand them losing, which was to Iowa and Wisconsin. Purdue is a terrible team this year, and the good news is that I think the Gophers aren't going to be Purdue Pete's blood sacrifice. Row Row Row Your Boat Elitely 50, Spoilermakers 10. 

Pete is a scary dude:

Viewer discretion advised

The Boilermakers are a mess, though. Yeah, I agree. Goldy smash. Minnesota 35, Purdue 3

 Minnesota Vikings (-2.5) vs. New Orleans Saints So in the interest of full disclosure, I was watching Jackson Chourio deliver an incredibly clutch and awesome walkoff, and didn't see the Vikings game last week. Frankly, the Vikings got a lot of yards, but once again failed to score an offensive touchdown and relied on Will Reichard and Brian Flores's blitzing addiction to get out of trouble. I personally am not sold on the Vikings this year, because they are relying on an elite defense and very good special teams to win games. Even allowing for the offensive injuries, the Vikings offense is too talented at the skill positions to go 18 straight possessions without a touchdown. In fact, isn't KOC supposed to be an offensive genius? Honestly, the Vikings have had one good quarter of offensive football in 4 games, and that needs to change. The Saints aren't super great defensively, and I expect Aaron Jones to feast on the ground. Thankfully, this isn't going to be a Vikings letdown game. Vikings 10, Saints 7. 

The Saints aren't awful, but they aren't good. Kyler needs to get better in a hurry. If Justin Jefferson goes, they should be okay. Otherwise, Will Reichard will continue his SuperToe imitation. Vikings 18, Saints 14.

Bear Down Chicago Da Bearz Still Suck (-1.5) vs. Glorious Green Bay Packers Well, we got the very sad news that Mike Ditka passed away. 

Raise a glass to Iron Mike

He was an outstanding player and coach for the Bears, and was a noble and worthy opponent who is an iconic figure in the rivalry. So the Packers won in Tampa, but having Edgerrin Cooper tear his Achilles was a bad thing. Obviously, this game is also a revenge thing for the Packers after what happened in January, but isn't the real chance for revenge given that this isn't in Chicago and that Caleb isn't playing. I also wasn't happy with how sloppy the offense was in the fourth quarter against Tampa. Kaleb Johnson can't fumble inside the red zone, and I thought that Jordan's pick was sloppy. Thankfully, the defense bailed them out in the end. With the Packers having a compromised offensive line and basically no running back depth, this is a tough one. Thankfully, a win here would really start the rebuild. Packers 38, Bears Still Suck 17. 

Lotsa injuries on both sides. No Caleb and no Kyle Monangai, so the Bears come in short-handed. This could be a sneaky high-scoring game, but it's equally likely to be a Westminster Kennel Club of a game, which also might be why the NFL moved it. Packers 24, Bears 17.

 Enjoy your football, and hopefully the Brewers can win against the Dodgers. Ben out.

Benster and D Pick Your Games---Agony and Ecstasy Edition

Old dude, I went from incredibly furious and angry at the Packers performance on Thursday to incredibly thrilled and happy with the Badgers pulling off a stunning and improbably miracle finish against Penn State in about 48 hours. 

It's like that. It is designed to break your heart and then pull you back. 

That is the dynamic. No question. Have I changed my mind on Fickell? Eh, I don't know. 

It's gonna take more than that, Seabiscuit.

Yes. Yes it will. Also, while I am a Twins fan, I think I speak for both of us when I say Go Brewers this weekend and into next weekend. I like their chances against the Padres. 

Always a seat on the Brewers bandwagon for you, good sir.

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

Michigan Hail To the Victors (-5.5) vs. Minnesota Golden Elite Rowers of the Boat This line is ridiculous, and whomever set this doesn't know ball. I will say this right now, Michigan is the second biggest fraud team in America. They were lucky to beat Western Michigan, they beat the biggest fraud team in America in Chokelahoma, they struggled with UTEP, and they lost to Iowa at the gun. I like Kyle Whittingham, but facts are facts. The Gophers played very well in Seattle, and honestly PJ might have his best team since 2019. I am dead serious that this team might be better than the 2019 Gophers. While the Gophers haven't won a home game against Michigan since Tony Dungy was at the U, this Michigan team is very ripe to lose, and lose by a lot. Do not be be surprised if the Gophers win comfortably. Row Row Your Boat Elitely 42, Michigan Clock Operators 0 and 1 second.

Do you remember the old game show Beat the Clock?

That explains a lot about your childhood, Old Dude.

Well, it was a collection of weird contrived games. And that is the specialty of the house in this one. I do tend to agree with your assessment of Michigan being essentially fraudulent, but it's always worth remembering that the Gophers have a carnival barker of the first order in ol' Peej. It's about time for the jug to spend some time in Minneapolis, though. Minnesota 24, Michigan 21.

Michigan State Sparty the Spartan (+9.5) vs. Beloved Wisconsin Badgers That was the best win the Badgers have had since the 2019 Axe game, bar none. By all rights, the Badgers should have lost that game. When you turn the ball over more times, get outgained, struggle for large stretches, and are down 17-0 to a top 15 team on the road in Happy Valley, it should have been curtains. But for as much as I have been critical of Luke Fickell, he finally got a signature win. I still think he needs to win 8-9 games and win at least one of our rivalry games, but I'd be a fool to not acknowledge that there is some optimism. The problem is that the Badgers are facing Pat Fitzgerald. You may remember when he was with Northwestern, Fitzgerald gave the Badgers fits for years by turing the game into a rock fight and pulling out wins. It is the reason why I consider Ryan Field to be cursed ground, and this is why the Purple Nerds frustrate me to this day. The danger the Badgers have is that this Sparty team isn't great, but they have a great coach. This game will be stressful and anyone who says anything differently is ignoring that history. Badgers 16, Sparty 15. 

I don't think Sparty is that good right now, but Fitzgerald will turn it around. This game is a good measuring stick for two programs that should be better than they've been in recent years. Home field and a better defense carries the day in Madison. Wisconsin 20, Michigan State 16.

Minnesota Vikings (-10.5) vs. Miami Tuna Net Victims Well, the Vikings approved homers on KFAN are already planning the Super Bowl parade and are thrilled at the 3-0 start. But there are some dangerous trends and things that a critical eye needs to be cast on, and thankfully I am the right skeptic to point them out. Yes, the Vikings are 3-0. But they have had to rely on 4th quarter Matt LaFleur, the Bears offense self destructing, and the Bucs not doing much on offense to be 3-0. As much as Flores is getting credit for the blitz, he is blitzing at 70 percent. That tells me that Flores might have to do it because he can't get pressure with 4. Also, the Vikings have been getting outgained and will be without Justin Jefferson. And keep in mind that the Dolphins have old friend Jeff Hafley, who knows the Vikings well. My challenge for the Vikings is to show that they can win without blitzing, because the NFL will adjust to that eventually. If Miami is smart, they will run screens, misdirections, and other stuff to force Flores to adjust. This is your classic Vikings Gonna Vikings game waiting to happen. But hey, my team has bigger problems. Dolphins 24, Vikings 10.

My guess - Flores won't stop blitzing until someone stops him from blitzing. The Dolphins aren't going to be that team. Even without JJ, Vikings roll. Minnesota 31, Miami 13.

Glorious Green Bay Packers (-3.5) vs. Tampa Bay Bucs First, we have an obvious theme song here. 

   

 No Jack Sparrow isn't playing. Packers, Packers, Packers. Had I not done a separate post last week for the Thursday night game, you would have seen me drop about a 10 paragraph rant that would have made the FCC blush. But thankfully for you, the Badgers put me in a good mood to spare you the Very Special Comment. 

Well, isn't that special?

Ahem. I am still really disappointed in that effort, and the boos at Lambeau were deserved. Packers fans rarely boo, but that pathetic effort led me to quit watching and rage post on social media. As a peak behind the curtain, those are the signs of me being angry. The Packers did the right thing bringing in new offensive linemen, but those guys were available for a reason. The Bucs didn't impress me last week, and obviously Baker Mayfield hurting his thumb means that they have to rely on a rookie making his first start. This game is also dangerous because the Packers tend to struggle in games early in the season in Florida, and because of the NFL's odd scheduling I will have to make alternate plans to watch this game. I really hope the Packers can have a nice easy win, because if this is another bad loss, I hope that LaFleur gets left behind with Gutey and I will be bringing a Very Special Comment. Do not make me do that, Packers. Thankfully, I think that they will avoid that fate. Because I am a delusional homer. Packers 24, Port Royal 14. 

Sometimes I enjoy your rants, but I'll admit I'd rather not have the Packers give you reason for ranting. Old dudes like me remember a sportswriter named Pete Axthelm, who used to refer to the Green Bay/Tampa Bay game as the "Bay of Pigs." That used to offend me back in the day, but he wasn't wrong. And I think this game is going to be ugly. It was an absolute admission of failure and a definite panic move to bring in Messrs. Zeitler, Becton and Tomlinson, but what choice did the Packers have? The offensive line is the worst I've ever seen in Green Bay and the current guys were going to get Jordan Love killed. I would not be surprised if Zeitler sees the field on Sunday and if the other guys get some snaps as well. There's no reason to believe Tampa's quarterback will reach a level more competent than, say, Max Brosmer, so that means a low-scoring, sloppy game. Green Bay 9, Tampa Bay 6.

 Enjoy your football this weekend, and go Brewers. Ben out.