Benster and D Pick Your Games --The Vikings Get Screwed By The Schedule Edition

The Vikings playing a game on Thursday Night Football in LA is a terrible idea and the NFL needs to do something about what games can and cannot be placed on Thursday Night Football. 

Needs to, but won't. It's definitely a pet peeve of mine as well.

We'll talk about that later. Meanwhile, the Badgers need to get serious about the football program. Chris McIntosh needs to do the right thing and understand that spending over $20 million on Fickell's buyout is a cost that you have to eat. He and the administration realize that the Big Ten has a big media contract and can easily cover the costs of a coaching change. 

Firing Fickell is an admission of failure for McIntosh, so that might have something to do with it.

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

 Minnesota Golden Elite Rowers of the Boat (+8.5) vs. Iowa Hawkeyes Well, as it turns out all of the predictions that the Gophers would be irrelevant in the 18 team Big Ten are all wrong. Now being a Wisconsin fan, this game is between the two archrivals, and sadly they both can't lose. PJ has proven he can beat Iowa in Iowa City, and getting the Pig back would go a long way to make his seat even cooler than it already is. The problem is that Iowa City is a tough place to win, and the 4th quarter is going to be played under Kinnick At Night conditions. I'll pick Iowa to win a close one because they are at home. Hawkeyes 21, Row Row Row Your Boat Elitely 19. 

Fleck drives me nuts because I think he's a blowhard, but he's built a solid program. Winning at Kinnick is tough, though. Iowa 27, Minnesota 20.

Beloved Wisconsin Badgers (+31.5) vs. Oregon Quack Quack This must be like what watching the Badgers in the dark ages must have been for older fans. 

It is.

Uh, I'm working here, old dude. Ahem. The good news for the Badgers is that Oregon is traveling back cross country from Rutgers last week and the upcoming bye week would be an excellent time for the Badgers to pull the trigger on a coaching change. The report that the Badgers are going to keep Fickell made me very fru strated. Look, I understand that the schedule has been brutal this year and having to rely on  third-string QB Hunter Simmons because of injuries would be hard for any coach. But the problem is that at some point someone needs to realize that not scoring any points in weeks and losing by 37 at home to Iowa isn't acceptable. I just am glad that the Badgers are going to be very good in hoops. Getting to the Sweet 16 is my goal, but that is a problem I can handle compared to football. Oregon is very good and needs this one to keep themselves in playoff contention since the SEC is going to beat themselves up. What is going to help the Badgers is that they are far away from the angry fans like myself and Oregon shoots themselves in the foot. Badgers 35, Quack Quack 21 

I realize you never pick against the Badgers or the Packers, but c'mon, man. Oregon 35, Wisconsin 0.

 Minnesota Vikings (+3) vs. Los Angeles Chargers I'll talk about the scheduling of this game later, but the Vikings have bigger issues then Amazon's greed. The Vikings shot themselves in the foot multiple times in the red zone. Carson Wentz was a disaster, and it is obvious that the Eagles were going to win because despite their offense shutting off in the first half, the Vikings crossing into the red zone wasn't a good thing. I'll say something that people in the Twin Cities don't want to admit. This team is a bigger paper tiger then the Bears are. Remember, the Vikings have gotten themselves a ton of talent for this "competitive rebuild", and it hasn't worked. Dallas Turner is danger of being a bigger bust than Troy Williamson, JJ McCarthy is being put in a position where he might not succeed, Justin Jefferson's contract should have gone to Sam Darnold, and the Vikings have won zero playoff games since 2019 despite the NFL media constantly talking about how much of an elite coach KOC is. The Vikings threw away their draft capital to further lock in a team that is in the worst place a team can be. You know where that is, Vikings fans? This Vikings core might win 1 playoff game, but will lose in the Divisional round to a real contender. The Chargers are a team that looks like they want to go further, and made needed changes with getting in Jim Harbaugh. I highly suggest that the Vikings consider taking a good long look at what they are doing, because Vikings fans deserve better than what they are getting. Go Back To San Diego 35, Vikings 10. 

Sometimes in life you gamble. Sometimes you lose. We don't know if J.J. McCarthy is up to NFL standards and the Vikings live in a tough division. I also saw the Vikings haven't won a Thursday night road game since the 1970s. Don't know if that's true, but if it is the Vikings need to avoid such things. The Chargers are up and down, but after getting their doors blown off last week I have to think they'll be motivated. Chargers 27, Vikings 24.

 Glorious Green Bay Packers (-3) vs. Pittsburgh Yinzers Oh boy, this game is going to cause a lot of overreactions. So obviously this is the first time that Aaron Rodgers is going to start against us. I'm too young to have seen Brett Favre at the height of his powers, so Aaron gave me almost two decades of brilliance and a Super Bowl run that I will always cherish. But now I will have to do something that I never wanted to do, and that is root against Aaron as an opponent. While it is far from fair to judge the decision to hand the keys of the Packers over to Jordan Love on one game, this game is going to give us a data point. The Packers have never won in Pittsburgh in my lifetime, and are going to have to play a lot better after the narrow escape against the Cardinals. Winning in Pittsburgh means blocking the Steelers and their high end pass rush. Thank God that this game isn't in Lambeau, because I lived through that circus once before and I never want to see a former legend come into Lambeau in an opposing uniform again. The Packers are going to play better this week despite Aaron being at his best. Despite my harsh words when he left, I will always have fond memories of Aaron. But he is an opponent of the Packers, and I will root for my team the same way I root for the Packers against Russ. Packers 31, Steelers 25. 

If the Packers can rush the passer, they win. If not, they lose. The last time the Packers won in Pittsburgh, the Packers quarterback was (checking notes) Bart Starr. Think they're due. Packers 27, Steelers 20.

 And now, it is time for a Very Special Comment. The Vikings have gotten hosed with their schedule this year. Two straight international games is bad enough as it is, but now they have to fly to LA on a short week. I understand that the NFL needs to balance games between their network partners, but there is a difference between a Monday night to Sunday gap going coast to coast and going Sunday to Thursday. If the NFL and Amazon want the best product on display, they need to make two simple changes. The first one is that only divisional games or teams that are in the next time zone are allowed on Thursday nights. The reason I would make an exception for divisional games is because the Chiefs playing one of their AFC West rivals is okay with me and it's fair to Amazon to not be cut off from showcasing a handful of AFC West games that doesn't exist. 

The other rule for Thursday Night Football is that the NFL and/or Amazon is responsible for refunding all expenses for any fans that get screwed over by flexing games to Thursday nights. Both companies can easily afford to do that, and that would make it harder for a Thursday flex. The bottom line is that the Vikings have already had to take one for the NFL by having to play on Christmas Day and do two international games back to back. The NFL should be ashamed of themselves for this. The NFL is going to kill the golden goose with all of these standalone games and making even diehards like me have to figure out where to watch. I remember when it was Sunday afternoons, Sunday Night Football, and Monday Night Football. Sure you had the Kickoff game, Thanksgiving, and a couple of random Saturday games in December, but it was easy to remember. Don't be like college football where you have games all over the map and on 100 different channels and streaming services. 

It is getting difficult and I agree, the Vikings are getting especially hosed this season. I'd like to see the NFL do better as well.

Enjoy your football this weekend. Ben out.

Benster and D Pick Your Games --The Packers Are Worrying Me Edition

Something tells me that a lot of people at Camp Randall are going to be worrying about the Brewers being pushed to the brink by the Cubs. While I am a Twins fan, I think I speak for the both of us when I say that the Brewers winning tomorrow night would be much appreciated. 

Few things in my lifetime of being a sports fan have been as frustrating as being a Brewers fan. Perennial bridesmaids. I am likely jinxing my beloved Crew by doing this, but this is what I want to see after tomorrow night's affair in Milwaukee:

Harry Caray masks only $19.99!

Meanwhile, the Packers are playing a game that a lot of us are overlooking. I am feeling the HYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYPPPPPPPEEEEEEEEEEEEE! and ready to pick some games. Watch me work. 

Purdon't Spoilermakers (+7.5) vs. Minnesota Golden Elite Rowers of the Boat The Gophers have looked good outside of the Cal game, and this shouldn't be too difficult a game. Purdue is still a dumpster fire, and the Gophers aren't going to get ambushed again like Rutgers a few weeks ago. Drake Lindsey should be a good Big Ten quarterback as he gets experience, and frankly has looked more impressive than Bryce Underwood. That isn't a typo, by the way. I look for the Gophers to jump out in front of Purdue early and PJ will then choke the life out of the game as per his typical gameplan. What I would like to see is PJ to let Lindsey start leading the offense a bit more. I know that he is a freshman, but I think you have to give him a chance to grow. Row Row Row Your Boat Elitely 45, Spoilermakers 13

I didn't think the Gophers looked very good against Ohio State, but your mileage may vary. Purdue is a mess and the Gophers should be able to handle them without too much difficulty. Gophers 31, Purdue 14.

Iowa Hawkeyes (-3) vs. Beloved Wisconsin Badgers The Badger defense deserves a lot of credit for playing Michigan tough. The problem was that the offense didn't score enough points to win. If Fickell wants to keep his job, he is going to have to beat Iowa and the Gophers. He hasn't beaten Iowa and the facts are clear -- the Badgers don't have the phyiscal edge. Wisconsin-Iowa games are typically going to be low scoring types of games, and the Badgers are going to need to take advantage of their chances. A Wisconsin win is going to give Fickell some relief, because the Badgers need to get back to winning against our rivals. It's been arguably the biggest failure of Fickell's tenure. Badgers 21, Hawkeyes 14.

Iowa takes care of business. That's been the hallmark of this team for nearly 50 years now. The Badgers were like that until very recently. They aren't now. Iowa 28, Wisconsin 16.

Cincinatti Bungals (+14.5) vs. Glorious Green Bay Packers This game is going to be a lot closer than people think. I realize that the Bengals are banged up badly and looked terrible against the Lions. But the Bengals are an NFL team and you never assume that winning in the NFL is a given. The Packers are also going to be banged up, and Matt LaFleur is notorious for not being prepared coming off a bye week. What I would like to see from the Packers is for less mental mistakes. The Packer special teams also has been rightfully called out, and I hope that Love is going to have a really good game after a couple of uneven performances against the Browns and Cowboys. The Packers should win, but the Bengals are going to come into Lambeau with a point to prove. I hope that we see the Packers who looked like world beaters against the Lions and Commanders instead of the paper tigers we saw against the Cowboys and Browns. Packers 38, Bengals 21. 

Hope is not a strategy, but the Bengals bringing in Joe Flacco midweek to start tells you everything you need to know about this game. I think the Packers will win this one comfortably. Packers 38, Bengals 14.

 Enjoy your football this weekend. Ben out.

Benster and D Pick Your Games----Vikings Are For Real Edition

 We welcome you back to our regularly scheduled HYYYYYYYYYYPPPEEEEE! Joe Barry should be on the unemployment line, but to discuss that disaster is for another date and time.

I'm okay with that. Rather not think about it. I try not to think about root canals, either.

As much as I mock KFAN for their Viking triumphalism, after what happened in Buffalo I have to admit that the Vikings are for real. So why are they a home dog against Dallas?

Well, it's less about their relative merit and more about getting people to bet on the game. Gotta keep Caesars buying those sweet, sweet ads. 

That makes sense. I'm ready to pick some games. Watch me work.

Iowa Hawkeyes (+2.5) vs. Minnesota Golden Elite Rowers of the Boat The Gophers are in contention to win the Big Ten West, but there is one problem that PJ has. He has never beaten Iowa, and despite what he is selling you, beating Iowa is something that matters to the Gophers. Iowa is better offensively lately, and their defense can keep them in games. Sorry Gophers, get ready for another failure to beat the Hawkeyes. Even if Tanner Morgan plays, I don't see them winning even though the game is up here. Iowans 30, Row Row Row Your Boat Elitely 10.

No one wants to see Iowa win this game, but it is indeed the sort of game Iowa tends to win. They are opportunistic and they don't make mistakes. Our man Fleck is trying to build something similar here and he's done a lot of that, but it always seems to come a cropper when the black helmets come to town. Will it happen this time? Gophers 24, Iowa 14.

Beloved Wisconsin Badgers (-10) vs. Nebraska Cornhuskers Bobby Engram's playcalling last week was atrocious. I get that the Iowa defense is tough, but throwing the ball constantly was a terrible idea. Nebraska is going to hang tough, but they are easier to run on, and the Badgers are going to go into Lincoln with a point to prove. Jim Leonhard should get the job permanently, as the worst kept secret in the program comes out. It would also be a good move for the Badgers to report all the tampering to players already in the program that has been going on in recent weeks to the NCAA and the Big Ten. If both organizations don't do anything, then call them out publicly and release all of the evidence. Any school that has tampered with our players should face harsh punishments and be charged with not fostering a climate of compliance with NCAA rules regardless of how much of a cash cow they are. Badgers 35, Tom Osborne Isn't Walking Through That Door 14.

Big time college football is a dirty business, young fella, and the recruiters are now able to essentially tamper at will. It doesn't mean anything and NIL has changed everything. While it happened way before either of us were born, Michigan stole Elroy Hirsch from the Badgers. It was during the war and there were extenuating circumstances, but you can look it up. I am not convinced that Braelon Allen will want to do the same thing, but the incentives are certainly there. As for the game itself, Nebraska remains what they have been for the last decade -- muddled. Badgers have to have this one and they'll get it. Badgers 28, Nebraska 20.

Dallas How Bout Them Cowboys (-1.5) vs. Minnesota Vikings Before last week, the Vikings weren't considered a Super Bowl contender because they had played an easy schedule, played in a trash division in the NFC North, and had flunked badly in their road test against a Super Bowl contender. After last week, the Vikings should be regarded as a legitimate contender. That was the type of game that in all honesty the Vikings would have lost in the past. Don't lie, Vikings fans. I will admit that I was dead wrong about the Vikings last week and don't mind eating some crow. Meanwhile, the Cowboys are stuck picking up the pieces from their worst collapse since Matt Flynn's comeback from 26-3 at the half in 2013. You love to see it. I don't want to hear another word about the Cowboys being a Super Bowl contender. The Vikings won't have a letdown this weekend, and even though Zeke is back, I expect that the Vikings will continue to get the hopes of their fans up. Brad will probably call my advice if you like to gamble bad, but if you like to gamble, take the Vikings and get some easy money. Vikings 35, Cry Your Heart Out Skippy 24.

The Vikings hired out an expert for a pregame pep talk: 

So should we respect the Vikings? Maybe. I think they've had a substantial rabbit's foot and horseshoe combo going for most of the season, but as the great Branch Rickey said, luck is the residue of design. Perhaps this year the Vikings have the right design. Put it this way -- if Matthew Stafford can win a Super Bowl, then Kirk Cousins can, at least in theory. Beating the overrated Cowboys would help. Vikings 31, Cowboys 27.

United States (NL) vs. Wales, in Al-Rayyan, Qatar This World Cup is going to be a complete disaster. The European calendar is all sorts of screwed up, it's still too hot in Qatar, and the hosts bribed the corrupt blazers at FIFA to host this event. Speaking of disaster, the United States roster is just baffling to me. Zack Steffen is probably one of our best goalkeepers, and Berhalter doesn't include him? Ricardo Pepi has been in great form for Groningen, but Berhalter includes Jordan Morris as an attacking option? I realize that the USMNT golden generation is going to be at it's peak for 2026 here, but at least call up your best players. Wales is going to be at a World Cup for the first time since the 1950s, and Gareth Bale is going to be a tough ask. But I will back the US to do well. One more thing. Monday is November 21 on the calendar. Don't screw this up for me, lads. Even though England and Iran will be interesting matches in our group, this will be important to get 3 points. United States 3, Wales 2.

I have no idea. I do know the U.S. is getting better at the Beautiful Game. And I'll agree with you, because you actually follow this stuff. USMNT 2, Wales 0.

Enjoy your football of all kinds this weekend. Ben out. 

Benster and D Pick Your Games----Big Ten Takes Center Stage Edition

 While everyone is talking about the SEC and parroting the talking points of SEC approved homers like Clay Travis and Paul Finebaum, the Big Ten is not dead yet. 

Like this?

Never mind that, you'll be stone dead in a moment.

I'm pretty sure that was Finebaum with the shovel. Look, I gotta rep the Big Ten. After all, we were the first conference, and we showed the SEC how to make money. 

Oh, I think they knew.

Well, they are still a low-rent district in comparison. So now that we've established that, I am feeling the HYYYYYYYYPPEEEE!, and it is time to watch me work.

Beloved Wisconsin Badgers (-11) vs. Illinois Fighting Illini This football game is going to happen, and I'm honestly not sure how it will go. Both teams quite frankly have been highly questionable all year. Illinois has looked bad, and the Badgers have struggled. Before you give me the schedule argument, it doesn't matter. While the Badgers have lost to 3 teams ranked in the current AP poll, the Badgers haven't played well enough. Regardless of who plays at quarterback, the offense needs to improve and show some creativity. The defense hasn't been the problem, as they have gotten little help from the offense all year and the special teams has been garbage. The Badgers should win, but I'm not that confident. Badgers 21, Illini 7.

I'm not, either. Ol' Bret Bielema would dearly love to beat the Badgers, but I don't see it happening just yet. Badgers 20, Illinois 14.

Penn State Nittany Lions (+2) vs. Iowa Hawkeyes This is the Big Ten game of the year, and both these teams are shattering the notion that the Big Ten's fate rests with Ohio State alone. It's clear that last year was a one off for the Nittany Lions; they are a playoff contender. But it must be mentioned that Iowa has the best win by a conference team, as they rolled over a hyped Iowa State team in a true road game. Kinnick Stadium is the one venue that causes Big Ten rivals to freeze in fear, and the Iowans will have some extra time to get ready. Thanks Fox for finally having a big game that isn't starting at 11 -- 3 p.m. is a great time for some football. While this isn't the true "Kinnick at Night" experience, I think that Iowa will pull the upset. But this isn't an elimination game for both teams. Don't be surprised if this is only the first meeting between these two teams, despite Michigan having something to say about that. Iowa 31, Sad Valley 27.

Penn State is very good. I think Iowa is better. The Hawkeyes have a chance to do big things this season. Iowa 28, Penn State 19.

Detroit LOLions (+10) vs. Minnesota Vikings The Vikings have nobody to blame but themselves for being 1-3. The Vikings had their chances to beat the Browns, Bengals, and Cardinals, but they lost those games because of their own failings and the success of their opponents. The LOLions aren't good, but it's clear that Dan Campbell has a team that will play hard and is heading in the right direction. The late Bobby Bowden had a great quote about building a team. You lose big, lose close, win close, and win big. The LOLions are at the lose close stage, and they will figure out how to win close soon. The Vikings are in real danger of walking straight into a trapdoor this week. LOLions 35, Vikings 21.

Uh, no. Vikings 28, Lions 17.

Glorious Green Bay Packers (-3) vs. Cincinnati Bungles  The Packers got a good win against the Steelers last week, and are sitting pretty. Going 2-1 against the Saints, Niners, and Yinzers is what I would have taken on the day the schedule came out. But the Bengals are a tough out. We've had some struggles against the Bengals over the years, and they always play us tough. With the success of both the Bengals and Bearcats, it's clear that Cincinnati is having a good year in sports. But you could say the same about Wisconsin. With the Bucks winning the NBA title, the Brewers up 1-0 in the NLDS against Atlanta, Steve Stricker winning the Ryder Cup in Wisconsin, and the success of the Packers, it's clear that Wisconsin should be renamed Winsconsin. Sorry, but Champa Bay is cringy. This game should be a shootout, but the Packers should make enough plays to win. Packers 42, Bengals 38.

The Packers are going to miss Jaire Alexander. A lot. Defensive coordinator Joe Barry is going have to earn it on Sunday. The Pack could catch a break since Joe Mixon is a game-time decision, which would likely render the Bengals one-dimensional. But either way it won't be easy. Packers 31, Bengals 24.

Enjoy your football this week, Ben out. 

Benster and D Pick Your Games---Better Than Election Counters Edition

 Old dude, I think that I am going to not magically stop and start counting when compared to certain elections in certain parts of the country. 

Will it help our predictions?

Probably not, but who does the counting makes all the difference.

I've known that for years thanks to this guy:

Ahh aaa aaa!

Yeah, there will be some people who are angry. But not as angry as A School In Columbus fans who want Kevin Warren fired. Could you imagine the reaction if they can't play two more games?

Ohio State will go ballistic. As would the NCAA. And the networks, among others.

Yeah. No doubt. In other news, the Badgers are finally back. Thank the Lord for that. I am feeling the HYYYYYYPPPEEE!, and it is time to watch me work.

Iowa Hawkeyes (-3.5) vs. Minnesota Golden Elite Rowers of the Boat This game should not be on a Friday night, as it is not traditional. PJ Fleck can keep on dropping his sayings and branded merchandise all he wants, but he has never beaten Iowa. That has to change as I'm getting the sense that some Gopher fans are starting to leave the Boat. Iowa is a tough matchup, and their running game should give the Gophers problems. PJ can't live off one win against Penn State forever. Iowa 24, Row Row Row Your Boat Elitely 0.

I continue to be confused by what I see from the B1G this year. Difficult to tell what side is up. Game is in Minneapolis and I think that is the difference. Gophers 28, Iowa 20.

Beloved Wisconsin Badgers (-4.5) vs. Michigan Wolverines Thank the lord that I can finally talk about the Badgers again. They are still eligible to defend the West, and this game is going to be interesting. The big question is who will be lining up under center in Ann Arbor. If Graham Mertz is freed from the clutches of Kevin Warren's policies, then I feel great. If not, then the team will have to rely on being hungry like the Chase Wolf. As for Michigan, this game is going to be a defining one for the coaching staff. Jim Harbaugh has been a disaster, and it honestly cracks me up. I remember back in the day when people called out Lloyd Carr for not being good enough. Well, funny how things change. Ann Arbor is a tough place to win, but I think the Badgers can get it done. Badgers 31, Michigan 10.

Ol' Lloyd looks pretty good in retrospect. I have no idea what the Badgers are going to look like, but I don't think a trip to Ann Arbor is going to be pleasant. Having said that. . . Badgers 24, Michigan 20.

Minnesota Vikings (-2.5) vs. Bear Down Chicago Da Bearz Still Suck So it turns out that Da Bearz could actually be frauds. It just warms my heart. The Vikings have looked good, and could still somehow get into the playoffs. Dalvin Cook is a great weapon to have in cold weather, and the weather is getting colder. Get ready for the announcers to mention how Kirk Cousins has a terrible record in primetime games and on Monday Night Football multiple times. As for Da Bearz, their offense is really bland and predictable under the direction of Big Dick Nick. I hope the Vikings win to help us in the division. But if the Vikings lose, pray for Corey Cove and Ron Johnson. Vikings 24, Da Bearz Still Suck 10.

Lotta history for the Vikings in Chicago and almost all of it is bad. Dalvin Cook is great, but he's injury-prone. If he holds up the rest of the year, the Vikings are dangerous. Bears 21, Vikings 18.

Jacksonville Jaguars (+13) vs. Glorious Green Bay Packers So last week went pretty well for the Packers. Despite what morons like Terry Bradshaw and Howie Long had to say about the team, they got it done against the 49ers and should be healthier. Jacksonville has talent, and certainly will be up for this game. This game will not be played in the heat of Florida, but will be in Lambeau in the cold. Packers should roll comfortably. Packers 45, Jags 17.

I don't see a lot of success in the offing for the Jags. The talent gap is pretty big. The point spread seems a bit high to me, but I think the Pack wins. Packers 34, Jaguars 20.

Enjoy your football this weekend. Ben out. 

Benster and D Pick Your Games---Talk To Your Kids About An Undefeated Minnesota Edition

Old dude, the Golden Elite Rowers of the Boat made me eat more crow last weekend. This might be happening.

Bon appetit!

Have some!

The lime slices really add to the flavor, you know.

Thanks for the tip there, Galloping Gourmet! Gophers also got screwed over by the committee. That sound you heard earlier was me starting to grind my axe. I've got words for them, and I have to set the record straight.

Will I need a hazmat suit?

You always need a hazmat suit, old dude.

Hard to argue with you there, grasshopper.

They are feeling the HYYYYYYYYYPPPEE!, in Dinkytown, and it is time to watch me work.


Minnesota Golden Elite Rowers of the Boat (+2.5) vs. Iowa Hawkeyes. Before I unleash, how in the world are the Gophers an underdog? That makes no sense. Last week, the Gophers had a successful plan in place, and looked very strong against a good Penn State squad. I thought Tanner Morgan in particular looked very impressive, and credit belongs to Row the Boat and his staff for focusing on football instead of selling oar branded merchandise at Goldy's Locker Room. Before I get to what I think about the game, it's time for a Very Special Comment.

I understand that the committee has a tough job in ranking teams, and it will always be an inexact science. The Gophers not being ahead of LSU, A School In Columbus, and Clemson is fair. Heck, if they were ranked 5th behind an undefeated Baylor it would at least make sense to me. In what sense can they honestly defend ranking them at 8? The Gophers haven't lost a game, whereas Utah, Oregon, Alabama, and Georgia all lost one game. What is really stupid is that Alabama and Georgia are ahead of the Gophers. The SEC fan dancers in the media always like to go on and on about how their league is so superior to other leagues. Well, the SEC plays 8 conference games and freely allows their schools to schedule cupcake games in November. The Big Ten has strongly limited FCS schedules, and mandates 9 conference games. Georgia lost to a bang average South Carolina team at HOME and they are somehow the 4th best team in the land? Seriously? Then there is the Alabama Crimson Tide. Alabama is a team that lost at HOME to LSU, and all week long I've heard Alabama and SEC sycophants like Paul Finebaum try and excuse the loss because of Tua being injured. I'm sorry, but that is a lazy excuse. Tua was clearly healthy enough to play, and if Alabama had won everyone would have praised Tua to no end as being cowboy tough while waxing poetic about how Nick Saban is a coaching god.

Let's get one thing straight, the SEC always gets the built in advantages of having to play almost all of their games in the South, and the Big Ten always has to play the biggest games of the year in the SEC turf. All of the major bowl games are in the South and West, and the Big Ten never gets thrown a bone. How come semifinal games are never played in Chicago, Minneapolis, Green Bay, Indy, Cleveland, Cincy, or Detroit? All of those cities have quality venues that would be great hosts. All those venues in the North have football fields that are regulation sized, and the NFL will play important playoff games in the North without batting an eye, and nobody complains about them awarding Super Bowls to locations in the North. If college football is such a national game, then why is the north shut out from hosting games that matter in the playoff? You bet your butt that the SEC would complain if it was the other way around. If anyone that I called out wants to debate me, or if ESPN wants to have me on as a guest, I'm ready to debate the issue anytime of the day. College football was thriving long before the SEC was relevant, and always will thrive regardless of how well the SEC is doing.

Boy, I needed to get that out of my system. This game is interesting for the Gophers, because Iowa played very tough in Camp Randall last week. The Hawkeyes have a reputation for pulling upsets against ranked teams at Kinnick. I think the Gophers can win, but this game could go the other way. Row Row Row Your Boat Elitely 24, Hawkeyes 21.

You had your Wheaties for that one, didn't ya? Righteous rage becomes you, Seabiscuit. I'm not so sure people really want to see college football playoff games in Green Bay, but one could certainly take place at the People's Stadium, or Ford Field, or Lucas Oil Stadium. The Fargodome may not get the nod, either, but there you go. As for the game. . . the Gophers are feeling more and more like the 1993 Badgers, the team that finally broke through. Iowa City is a tough place, especially at this time of year. But if the Gophers are going to have their year, it has to continue tomorrow. I think it will. Gophers 31, Iowa 21.

Beloved Wisconsin Badgers (-14) vs. Nebraska Cornhuskers. The Badgers had a narrow escape last week, but still are the fox to the Gopher hound. Nebraska is a team that is a long way off from where it was hoped they be. I think Scott Frost is the right man for the job, because he will be given the time he needs, based on his background as a Nebraska legend and his national championship at UCF. This game won't be easy because Lincoln is a tough place to play, and Nebraska can play without worrying about the results in Iowa City. Badgers 31, Cornhuskers 21.

UCF national champions? You need an asterisk the size of Alpha Centauri for that one, young fella. Badgers still have goals this season and Nebraska is not currently built to slow those goals. I have more confidence in the Badgers than you do. Badgers 38, Nebraska 17.

Denver Broncos (+10.5) vs. Minnesota Vikings. The Vikings kept pace with the Packers last week with a very impressive performance in Jerry World. They can gain half a game in the division thanks to the Packers being on bye this week. Denver is a team that has talent, but quite frankly has not been a good outfit. The strange thing is that they are not that far away in the AFC West, and with some results could steal the division in the middle of the night. I expect the Vikings to have a routine win at home, and go into the bye week in a comfortable place. Vikings 28, Broncos 7.

John Elway was a great quarterback, but he's no good at picking quarterbacks. The Broncos have a strong defense, but I don't see them getting much done on Sunday, either. Bet the under. Vikings 20, Broncos 3.

Bear Down Chicago Da Bearz Still Suck (+6.5) vs. Los Angeles Rams. Both of these teams have been humongous letdowns. Who would have thought that the Bears would take a step back after playing a Charmin UltraSoft schedule last year, and actually playing real teams this year? The Rams have been a joke, and are going to pay the piper for that awful Goff contract. Both these teams are wastes of talent, and at least this game won't be a horrible brawl like the last primetime game. When in doubt, go with the desperate team at home theory. Rams 50, Bears Blew a 20-0 Lead to the Packers 0.

Did you mean this bear?

Giggling

All's fair in cheap shots, I suppose. The Bears still need to figure out the quarterback situation. I'd suggest they don't talk to John Elway. Meanwhile, Rams are in deep kimchi as well, but they still have a chance. The hour grows short, however. Rams 24, Bears 16.

I can't wait to see what excuses that the committee will dream up with to screw over the Gophers next week, but the old dude and I are both certain Ruff Ruffman Paul Finebaum is on the case. Ben out.

Benster and D Pick Your Games---Row That Boat Edition

Old dude, the Golden Elite Rowers of the Boat claim that they are for real. Well, they will be tested against Penn State.

I know a boat you can get on.

Always with the show tunes with you, Geritol Fan! So distracting. Anyway, back to the topic at hand. Let's see if Gopher Nation is going to get over that Gameday didn't come here, and instead went to the Alabama-LSU "Game of the Century", which is not even the game of the year.

It's not difficult to understand why they went there:

Lee Corso wants to stay warm

That's cold, old dude.

Some day you'll understand.

I'm feeling the HYYYYYYYYPPPPEEE!, and it is time to watch me work.

Penn State Nittany Lions (-6.5) vs. Minnesota Golden Elite Rowers of the Boat.  So, this is the biggest home game for the Gophers since 2003. If you remember, the Gophers blew a huge lead to Michigan back then, and they didn't ever recover under Glenn Mason. There is a lot of excitement around these parts, but this is the first real opponent that the Gophers have faced, and people forget that they narrowly escaped a loss 3 times outside of league play. Penn State has big game experience, and will not be overawed by the environment. The biggest advantage that Penn State has is that they will be in football mode strictly, whereas the Gophers have to listen to the local media hype them up as contenders. It's too early to think about the playoff or Pasadena, because the Gophers will get exposed badly. The Gophers have not won a big game in years, and until he proves me wrong, P.J. Fleck is still a snake oil salesman who only cares about himself and his brand. Penn State 35, Capsize Your Boat Elitely 10.

It's a nice brand, though. You may be right. I think it's close, because the Gophers have improved, but Penn State has seen this before. Penn State 28, Gophers 20.

Iowa Hawkeyes (+8.5) vs. Beloved Wisconsin Badgers This game is going to be a lot closer than you may think. Iowa and Wisconsin have always played very close, and this game matters in the Big Ten West. It's not a guarantee that the Gophers are going to go to Indianapolis, despite Gopher homer and Gophers approved KFAN commentator Justin Gaard's protestations. The Badgers haven't been playing well lately, but they are historically a very good team in November when coming back in the division. Iowa will be a tough out, because history tells us that. Badgers 24, Iowa 17.

I actually listen to Barreiro's show when I'm driving home from work and, oddly enough, the Gophers have only been getting moderate levels of hype. And, not surprisingly, the Badgers and the Hawkeyes aren't a topic this week. Bucky and Iowa both have had a week to nurse their wounds. Game is in Camp Randall and that should be enough. Wisconsin 21, Iowa 10.

The 131st Bronze Turkey Bowl: Knox College Prairie Fire (NL) vs. Monmouth College Scots This is by far the most important rivalry game happening this weekend. My beloved Prairie Fire are venturing onto Monmouth's home turf, for the legendary Bronze Turkey Bowl game. Take it from me, a totally unbiased source. I am a proud Knox alum, and Monmouth College is our biggest rival. We might not be very good at sports, but we did host Abraham Lincoln once. I wrote this blog post, and Monmouth College gave me a degree in English with highest honors and named me valedictorian. Knox 49, Monmouth 0.

They are generous at Monmouth. But the nasty Scots also kick Knox's butt in football every year. And this year will be no exception. Monmouth 49, Knox 20.

Minnesota Vikings (+2.5) vs. Dallas How Bout Them Cowboahs? So the Vikings are heading into Jerry World to take on the Cowboys in a pretty good game. Adam Thielen is going to miss this game due to injury, which sucks for the Vikings. The biggest culprit in last week's loss for the Vikings was a bad shank of a punt, that made it easier for the Chiefs to walk off as winners. What the Vikings need to do is to jump on the Cowboys and force them to pass. It worked for the Packers last month, and that should be the recipe. If the Vikings lose this game, they would have to make up a likely 2 game deficit on the Packers, and would be looking at winning three road playoff games in the playoffs. Cowboys 31, Vikings 17.

I don't trust either of these teams. Kirk Cousins struggles in prime time, but this time the good Cousins shows up. Vikings 28, Cowboys 24.

Carolina Panthers (+4.5) vs. Glorious Green Bay Packers The Packers had a terrible performance last week in California, but thankfully everyone else in the division lost. Carolina has improved under Kyle Allen, who honestly has some talent. I remember him being good as a Texas A&M Aggie and a Houston Cougar. The Packers are going to have to avoid looking ahead to two weeks down the line in the Bay Area. The Packers just need to play better and get back to what makes them good. Packers 35, Panthers 24.

Christian McCaffrey scares me. A lot. The Packers will have to outscore the Panthers. Fortunately, they will. Packers 41, Panthers 31.

Enjoy your football weekend, and be safe if you are going out hunting this weekend. Ben out.

Benster and D Pick Your Games-----No More Snow Edition

What is up with the snow? It is only a week or so after Halloween, and it is too early for snow. People also don't know how to drive in the snow.

Well, since we only got rid of the snow around here at the end of April, our six months of not winter are up, young fella. You can feel the chill in Minnesota in any number of ways.

Well, thankfully the HYYYYYYYYYYPPPPPEEEE! I bring can melt the snow. I need to get on it. We shall see this weekend if the Packers are going to be buried come the end of the weekend. However, do not let them in the playoffs.

Well, they have to find a way in.

We'll get back to that, Geritol Fan! It is time to get to work and discuss football. Watch me work!


Purdue Boilermakers (-10.5) vs. Minnesota Golden Elite Rowers of the Boat. The Big Ten West might be the college version of a mosh pit, as figuring out who is good is very difficult to tell from afar. Purdue is a team that has turned the corner, as evidenced by their signature win over A School In Columbus. The Gophers looked like they would struggle to beat a good high school team last week against an inspired Illinois team. This is going to be a very unpopular sentiment, but the Gophers are paying the price for canning Glen Mason over a decade ago. You don't overreact to losing one bowl game, even though it was a horrible choke. Basement Brew and his successors have struggled to bring the winning Gopher tradition back, and you have to wonder if this is the football gods trying to warn against making a rush to judgment based on one bowl game collapse. Spoilermakers 45, Capsize Your Boat Elitely 0.

It hasn't been all bad in the last 10 years, but it hasn't been that good, either. Fleck needs to stop making excuses and start winning a few games, but I don't see any wins left on the schedule. Purdue 31, Gophers 17.

Beloved Wisconsin Badgers (+9) vs. Penn State Nittany Lions. This game looked a lot better when it was scheduled, to be honest with you. I don't know what happened with Wisconsin, but I expected better from them. I also don't know why Penn State has a couple of losses, since they are arguably as talented as A School In Columbus or Team Khaki Man. State College is going to be a heck of a challenge, but history shows us this decade that the Badgers are a difficult November out. Call me an optimist if you must, but Michigan should not assume they have seem the last of the Badgers, who will make no bones about forcing their way to Pasadena. Badgers 20, Penn State 11.

Bucky has to win out and Northwestern has to lose twice. That might be a heavy lift. But I can see Bucky winning today. Penn State is down, too. But better get a spy on Trace McSorley. Penn State 31, Wisconsin 27.

Northwestern Wildcats (+10.5) vs. Iowa Hawkeyes. This is the game that will define the rest of the Big Ten season. I know that sounds odd, but hear me out. I am assuming that Michigan will go to the Shoe and win, and I think that Northwestern and Iowa are going to have a major say on if Michigan is going to win the Big Ten for the first time in a long time. Both these teams are characteristic of their head coaches because they play tough, steady football and make life difficult for their opponents. Northwestern controls the driver's seat on the road to Lucas Oil Stadium, but Iowa City is the stadium that is the proving ground in the Big Ten. I doubt that Northwestern can beat Iowa there, and look for the Big Ten West to be blown wide open. Iowa 36, Northwestern 19.

Northwestern is a hard team to read. Iowa is Iowa. Go with the team you can trust, especially if you trust them to be good. Iowa rolls. Iowa 35, Northwestern 24.

Detroit LOLions (+7) vs. Bear Down Chicago Da Bearz Still Suck. The Chicago Bears are still in first place, and Gino can be glad that I reminded you about that fact. He will not be glad that I reminded you that the Bears blew a 20-0 lead in the second half against the Packers with a one legged GOAT at quarterback. In all seriousness, the Bears are positioned perfectly, since they have a good defense and a quarterback who is improving and, I might add, has a better record as a starter this year than some quarterback who got paid 84 million dollars guaranteed. Da Bearz 35, LOLions 0.

Shots fired! It's going to be cold in Chicago. The Lions don't like that. They won't like much about what happens tomorrow. Bears 28, Lions 17.

Miami Tuna Net Victims (+10) vs. Glorious Green Bay Packers. The Packers come into this game having played two games in which they took New England and LA into the fourth. Both those games were lost due to bad offensive execution in the late stages of the game and making costly mistakes with ball security. A lot of Packers fans seem to think that this team is not very good. I disagree with that statement. Yes, the Packers have not played a very good game yet this year. Yes, Mike McCarthy has done a bad job with playcalling. Yes, Aaron Rodgers has not been himself. What people forget is that the Packers are a very good November and December team, and are undefeated at home. I think the Dolphins are going to play hard, but the Packers look closer to success than people think. Remember, we beat the Bears when nobody gave us a chance at halftime. We outplayed the Vikings and earned a tie. We beat the Niners with clutch plays at the end. We beat the Bills when the overrated Vikings got their butts kicked at home by the Bills. We played the Rams tougher than the Vikings did and held them to fewer points than the vaunted Vikings D did. Packers fans, I implore you to keep the faith. This year will be special, and the team is going to have a Super season where we add one for the thumb. It starts on Sunday, and enjoy the ride. Packers 45, Tuna Net Victims 20.

Wow, that's some impressive tent preaching! I certainly imagine the Packers winning tomorrow, but they essentially have to run the table. Do you think that's going to happen? Benster does. Allow me a measure of skepticism. Packers 28, Dolphins 21.

R-E-L-A-X. Enjoy your weekend and the football. Ben out.

Benster and D Pick Your Games----Desperation Avoidance Edition

Well, old dude, I bet you're happy with the baseball so far!

Yep!

Good grief. What is wrong with you? That's just awful!

Well, I figure highlights from the early 1980s are in the newspapers these days, so why not share what it was like?

I never want to go back in time to the early 80s, no matter what Phoebe Cates looked like in Fast Times at Ridgemont High. Anyway, we're going to see how happy the Wisconsin sports fans are with their football this weekend. And, as always, with a heaping helping of HYYYYYYYYPPPPE! Watch me work!

Iowa Hawkeyes (-7.5) vs. Minnesota Golden Elite Rowers of the Boat. The Gophers are definitely not brewing right now. Last we saw them, they were getting their multi-striped tails kicked in College Park, Maryland. Now come the Hawkeyes, hated invaders from the south. The rub for P. J. Fleck is he needs to win these rivalry games. No Pig, no Axe, no good! Iowa is a well-coached team that reflects its leader Kirk Ferentz quite well. They do things properly and without a lot of flash. Our man Fleck is all about the flash. Gophers 24, Iowa 13.

The Pig wants to stay in Minneapolis? Sure, why not? But will it happen? The Gophers looked to be outclassed in the athleticism department against the Terps, but Iowa doesn't have the dazzling athletes. But they are hard-nosed. And this will be a hard-nosed game. Iowa 27, Gophers 20.

Nebraska Cornhuskers (+17.5) vs. Beloved Wisconsin Badgers. This might sound weird, but this game could be the most difficult game on the Badgers's schedule this year. Nebraska may be having a down year, but they have a lot of pride. The Badgers still look like they're trying to figure things out and had a narrow escape from Iowa City two weeks ago. I also worry about looking ahead to Michigan. I think the Badgers win, but this will be a dogfight. Badgers 20, Nebraska 17.

You did notice the Cornhuskers have lost to Troy and Purdue, right? I sure did. Nebraska has a lot of speed, but they can't use it if they are getting steamrolled. Time for the Badgers to put that offensive line in gear. Badgers 38, Nebraska 20.

Minnesota Vikings (+3) vs. Philadelphia Eagles. The Vikings are in deep trouble this week. Philly is a tough place to play and it's not clear that the Vikings remember how to play defense. Did you see Anthony Barr chasing Cooper Kupp? It was ridiculous! This might sound melodramatic, but Mike Zimmer has to prove he can handle a turnaround. I know that sounds harsh, but it's clear that Vikings are a different team than they were last year. The Eagles are going to look different with Carson Wentz at the controls, too. I think Doug Pedersen is the best head coach in the league right now. Eagles 44, Vikings 21.

I think the Vikings do better than that. Not much, mind you. They are weak on the lines right now because of injuries and overall attrition. All the skill players who hide behind the lines have no place to hide right now. Eagles 34, Vikings 24.

Glorious Green Bay Packers (-1.5) vs. Detroit LOLions. This is gonna be a weird game. Detroit is kinda schizo, frankly -- they get blown out by the J-E-T-S JETS JETS JETS at home, but then handle the Patriots with ease. The question arises, yet again:

And since they are the Lions, of course they're getting on my nerves. The Packers rebounded last week against Buffalo, but are going to be shorthanded offensively. Old dude's favorite, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, will actually be part of the game plan this week. I think the Packers can win this week, but it's not going be smooth. Packers 28, LOLions 20.

That's surprisingly plausible. Frankly, the NFL confuses me these days. I'll go with the default. Packers 31, Lions 24.

Enjoy your football and baseball this week! Ben out!

Benster and D Pick Your Games -- Continental Divide Edition

Old dude, the Packers are facing a game where they have to beat the Bears to stay alive for a playoff spot and keep hope that Aaron can come back.

Beating the Bears is reward enough most years, but yeah, if this doesn't happen, it's probably a lost season. Which we aren't particularly used to.

Maybe they should try and sign Matt Saracen, or else go back to some retread of the 1980's which you tell me were not exactly Hall of Fame worthy players.

A fictional high school quarterback might be better than Randy Wright was. It's difficult to explain how bad they really were in those days. You needed to see it, but fortunately for you you weren't born yet.

Youth has its advantages, Geritol Fan!

That's true. You never saw Paul Ott Carruth play.

I'm glad for it. It is time to feel they HYYYYYYYYPPPPPEE!, and watch me work!

Nebraska Cornhuskers (+2.5) vs. Minnesota Golden Elite Rowers of Boating. For the Cornhuskers, they have an important decision to make in the offseason, which is what they should do with Mike Riley. If I were Nebraska, I would fire him and replace him with either Dan Mullen or Bret "My Chart Said Go for 2 up 25" Bielema. My reasoning is that Dan Mullen has done wonders at a Mississippi State program that is not known for winning, and Bielema is a proven winner in the Big Ten conference who would bring back the old school power running game that I feel Nebraska has gotten away from. I like the Gophers in this game, because even though P.J. Fleck has not gotten as good results as I would have thought, he will start to get his guys in the program, and beating Nebraska at home would be a good start. Row Row Your Boat Elitely 25, Nebraska 9.

Bielema in Lincoln? Heh. That would be amusing. These two teams are both pretty disappointing. I guess you pick the home team, but with little enthusiasm. Gophers 24, Nebraska 20.

Iowa Hawkeyes (+12.5) vs. Beloved Wisconsin Badgers. This game all of a sudden became a very important game nationally after Iowa beat up on Ohio State like this:

That was a very nice win for Iowa, and because of that win it now means the Badgers finally get to play a ranked team. The issue I am seeing for Iowa is that they looked very impressive against Ohio State. That was last week and this time they are facing one of the 5 best defenses in the country, and will not have the aid of a very loud home crowd. All the Badgers have to do is stay the course, and the so called experts will continue to eat crow. Also, if the Badgers win again do you think that the Big Ten office is going to start lobbying for the Badgers? I doubt it, but winning close games is all the Badgers can do. Wisconsin 27, Iowa 20.

This will be a good game. I think Wisconsin can exploit the Iowa defense and they have enough defensive backs to stop Iowa from getting plays down the field. It's going to go down the 4th quarter and I suspect the Badger offensive line will wear the Hawkeyes down. Wisconsin 26, Iowa 23.

Lawrence University Vikings (NL) vs. Knox College Prairie Fire. It's Championship Week in the Midwest Conference, which means that schools play a crossover game against a school from the other division. The Vikings come down to the Knosher Bowl, and they are normally pretty decent in football. I am going to pick Knox, because that is what I do, and I am biased in their favor. Knox 45, Larrys 9.

I have no idea. I just hope my beloved Beloit Bucs can get off the schneid and beat woeful Grinnell. Knox 31, Lawrence 27.

Notre Dame Fighting Irish (-3.5) vs. The U (Otherwise Known as the Miami Hurricanes). We normally do not talk much about the Irish or the Hurricanes for two reasons; neither program has been nationally relevant in recent years, and the Old Dude does not like Notre Dame football that much. But, this game has important significance for both the Badgers and the playoff scenario, since the loser is going to be in danger and the winner could be competing with the Badgers for the last playoff spot. Miami has quietly been having a great year under their second year coach Mark Richt. Notre Dame also has a strong argument to being for the top 4 as they have won all their games but for losing at home to a very good Georgia team. In the interest of the Badgers, you would like to see The U knock out the Irish. The U 30, Irish 9.

I'm all about Notre Dame losing. It should be a good game. I don't like the team, but I think the Irish are the better squad. Notre Dame 31, Miami 30.

Minnesota Vikings (-1.5) vs. Washington Gridlocks. The Vikings suddenly have taken control of the NFC North, and Teddy Bridgewater is going to be dressing for the first time in over a year. Things are looking up for the Vikings, and already the local media, especially the Vikings approved commentators on KFAN like Paul Allen and the guys on Bumper to Bumper are dreaming of the Vikings making history. These are the Vikings though, a team that has struggled to get over the hump. Washington is going to be a tough out in Landover, as Kirk Cousins is an underrated quarterback, and the Vikings are due for a letdown. Gridlocks 24, Vikings 10.

I see it the same way. Based on my observations, the best team in the division is (gulp) the Lions. I think the wheels are going to start coming off the wagon for the Vikings on Sunday. This is not a great team. Redskins 31, Vikings 24.

Glorious Green Bay Packers (+6) vs. Bear Down Chicago Da Bearz. Last Monday night was about as bad as I have seen the Packers play in the last couple of years. There was no passion, a very disappointing defensive effort, and a horrible lack of execution. However, they do get to play the Bears, who are not exactly lighting things up in Chicago as desperate homers like Hub Arkush convince themselves that Mitch Trubisky will be the long awaited elite quarterback, just like they did with Smokin' Jay, Kyle Orton, Sexy Rexy, Craig Krenzel, Cade McNown, and so many others. All the Packers need is one win, and I think they get it, making this year a good year no matter what. Call me a delusional and desperate homer, but the Bears will lose, and that is always a good thing to beat the Bears twice. Packers 24, da Bearz Still Suck 0.

I'm more concerned about the defense than the offense. I suspect Brett Hundley will play a little better this week, but the defense needs to get better. Trubisky has a chance to be decent, but he's not there yet. It's down to the defense to carry the team for a change. At least this week, I think they can. Packers 20, Bears 17.

Enjoy your football this weekend and thank a veteran for their service. Ben out!

Benster and D Pick Your Games -- London Calling Edition

Old dude, the Vikings are over in London, hoping to enjoy their trip by beating the Cleveland Browns.

The Browns? They're still in the league? I assumed they were playing Chelsea.

Tickets would be too expensive, Geritol Fan.

I suppose you're right.

This game is starting way too early for Vikings fans. Why can't they just play it at noon so it can be in prime time for the folks in London, and we can get football on at a normal time?

Well, do you really want to watch them?

Good point.

I have them sometimes.

Don't flatter yourself. Anyway, back over here, we have more football games to discuss, and a rant from me about why the so called experts are giving one undefeated team a bad message of disrespect. So feel the HYYYYYPPPEEE! and watch me work!

Minnesota Golden Elite Boat Rowers (+7) vs. Iowa Hawkeyes. It is the battle for Floyd of Rosedale, and the Gophers are hoping to win a trophy game to prove that they can row the boat with the best of the elite. Mr. Fleck has struggled in Year 1, as he has not had a huge victory yet, and Iowa is a team that would be a pretty decent win. However, the Hawkeyes are tough to play in Iowa City, and are always going to be game opponents. I like Iowa in this matchup, as the Big Ten West teams continue to knock themselves off while the lead dogs stay the course. Hawkeyes 21, Gophers 14.

Far as I can tell, the Gophers still don't have a quarterback. That's a bad scenario in Kinnick Stadium. I think Iowa rolls in this one. Iowa 34, Gophers 13.

Beloved Wisconsin Badgers (-27.5) vs. Illinois Fighting Illini. All right, time for a Very Special Comment. The Badgers are undefeated and are in great shape and should be viewed as a top 4 contender. The media would have you think differently, because they are biased and do not like Wisconsin. Why? Because Wisconsin is not a blue blood program, nor have they received the respect they have earned. Alabama, Penn State, and Georgia are undefeated and have gotten a lot of love, but outside of Georgia winning at South Bend, what have those teams done this year? The SEC is down, and Alabama's best win out of conference is a bad Florida State team. Penn State has not played a difficult game all year, and they likely can lose at Columbus this weekend. Some more food for thought, why is a one loss Clemson team even being talked about as a contender this year, when they lost to freaking Syracuse on the road? The Badgers get panned for playing a soft schedule, but they won double digit games against a very difficult schedule a year ago, and Barry Alvarez has scheduled quality opponents in recent years like LSU, Notre Dame, Virginia Tech, Washington State, and UCLA. Isn't this what the powers that be in the sport want? Why is Jonathan Taylor, who is having an amazing freshman season, not getting more love for the Heisman? It is a complete joke that the Badgers get panned for scheduling a cross country trip to a very respected football program in BYU and get crapped on because this is the year BYU decides to suck? Meanwhile, Clemson loses to a bad team in conference, Alabama gets credit for beating bad Florida State team, and those programs get a free pass for it? What a freaking joke that Wisconsin, a team who has won multiple conference titles this decade and has proven that they are a consistent threat every year getting panned? Why? The reason is because Wisconsin does not seek credit for doing it, and because their program is based on doing their job and not playing a flashy game. The college football media is really doing a disservice to the fans, and what makes it worse is that the Big Ten is not promoting the success the Badgers are having in getting good players into the program, kids who are good human beings and very good college students.

Now that I got that rant out of my system, Illinois is a team that the Badgers always get a tough game from, and I expect that the Badgers will not blow them out. I like the Badgers, and I hope that the powers that be really take a long look in the mirror and give Paul Chryst, Alex Hornibrook, Jonathan Taylor, T.J. Edwards, Jim Leonhard, and Barry Alvarez the credit they deserve and move them up into the 4th slot in the next rankings. Wisconsin vs. Everyone 45, Illinois 27.

I take your point, Benster, but the Badgers need to be more flashy to get the attention of the silly people in the national media. You know what gets the attention of the media? A beatdown, that's what. Wisconsin 77, Illinois 0.

Penn State Nittany Lions (+6) vs. A School in Columbus. This game matches the other two Big Ten contenders, and for Ohio State, this game is the big one. Ohio State has not been challenged since Oklahoma had the stones to not only win, but plant their flag in the middle of Ohio Stadium. Penn State has not really had a win against a good team, but since they are a brand name program and have a coach that is respected and plays the game with the media, they still get a pass. This game is going to be physical, and I expect Penn State to get enough plays in order to eliminate Ohio State from the playoff, and to set them up for a run at the Big Ten Championship Game and a national title. Penn State 17, O-H-N-O 9.

I have no idea how to pick this one. Penn State looked very good against Michigan, but it's possible Michigan is a mirage this season. Ohio State is playing lights out football right now and the game is in Columbus. So we disagree. Ohio State 38, Penn State 27.

Cornell College Rams (NL) vs. Knox College Prarie Fire. The Fire are having their Homecoming celebrations this weekend, meaning that all the alums are back and looking for a win. Cornell is not the greatest outfit, and Knox has been very good at home this year. I like Knox to win again, and continue the fun I have had at games this year. Fire 31, Rams 17.

Knox is having a pretty good year, actually. I think they win a close one. Knox 24, Cornell 21.

Minnesota Vikings (-9.5) vs. Cleveland Browns, in London. The NFL continues to try and export the league over to folks in the United Kingdom, but why are they sending the Browns? That is like having the Premier League send Brighton and Hove Albion over to play a match against Newcastle in the Rose Bowl. That is not a shot, but it does not seem like good marketing. The Vikings are going to be fine, considering that they are a game up in the North, and Aaron Rodgers is doing rehab and will not be playing until December. I like the Purple's chances in this one, but don't let Anthony Barr tell whomever the Browns quarterback is that he is number one. Vikings 34, Clowns 0.

I think Brighton and Hove Albion would be a tougher matchup. Vikings cruise, but trouble awaits later on. Vikings 28, Browns 7.

Enjoy your weekend of football and if the media and the playoff committee have issues with my brutal message of truth and wisdom, you are welcome to debate me. Ben out!

Starting over in Dinkytown

I've lived in Minnesota for nearly a quarter century now and I continue to be amazed at how poorly the revenue producing sports and the University of Minnesota have done. And now the U is starting over, yet again:

Mark Coyle’s first words Wednesday as the leader of the embattled Gophers athletics department weren’t hard-edge, like the ones University of Minnesota President Eric Kaler had just spoken about Gophers basketball.

Coyle, 47, a native of Waterloo, Iowa, had listened to Kaler’s introduction, which featured this assessment of his men’s basketball program: “I’m profoundly disappointed in the continuing episodes, poor judgment, alleged crimes, and it simply can’t continue.”

Sure it can. It's been happening. We're talking about a pedigree that goes back to Corky Taylor and Ron Behagen stomping an opponent on the court, through the various excesses of the Bill Musselman era, through the Gangelhoff cheating, up to today. And when the football program hasn't been awful, it's been mostly invisible. The Gophers haven't been to the Rose Bowl in my lifetime, and I'm getting old, frankly.

Can Mark Coyle change the culture? Will he be the Pat Richter of Dinkytown? It ought to be possible. The schools that should be the yardstick for the Gophers are our neighbors to the east and south. The Badgers and the Hawkeyes have been, in the main, making the Gophers look foolish for years.

Coyle has an excellent track record. He should have institutional support. Good luck to him.

Benster and D Pick Your Games---New Year's Day Edition

It's time to pick some better bowl games than the Belk Bowl or the Quick Lane Bowl. For some reason, New Year's Eve has the better bowl matchups this year.

I was looking forward to the Belk Bowl.

I have to say, for a rapidly aging suburban guy who swigs Geritol like it's Gatorade, looking forward to the Belk Bowl is an admission of failure.

Well, I do need to pay ESPN its respects.

Whatever ESPN wants, ESPN gets.

Of that, there is no doubt. Besides that, why waste your skills on a game like that?

Now you're making feel just a little bit guilty, so I would like to apologize for not picking a crappy bowl game. I'm trying to preserve the HYYYYYYPPPPE! for games that deserve them, and let's face it -- at the end of the day we're all about the preservation of pure intentions and rarefied HYYYYYPPPE! So watch me work!

The Holiday Bowl -- USC Trojans (-3) vs. Beloved Wisconsin Badgers, in San Diego. First of all, now I must criticize the supreme masters of all things sport, ESPN, a second time. Why is this game scheduled to start so late? I get that you want to play in prime time, but the Central Time Zone has more people and let's face it, most of the people in California are too busy paying off snail darter taxes and crossing off items from Gov. Brown's wish list to have time to watch football. Anyway, the Trojans have survived a season of chaos to get to this game, despite the fact that they have the talent to be playing in the Rose Bowl. Wisconsin has looked shaky, but they will let ol' Joel Stave have one more round tonight. U$C is always overrated, and I expect the Trojans to learn what the U found out a few years back -- nasty Big Ten schools can beat up on pretty boys. Badgers 34, Probation Nation 9.

USC is talented -- no doubt about it. They have superior athletes all over the field, but they have been pretty chaotic this year. It didn't help that their former coach Steve Sarkisian was channeling this guy:

Can Bucky win? Sure. Why not? Wisconsin 24, USC 20.

Orange Bowl -- Oklahoma Boomer Sooners (-4) vs. Clemson Tigers, in Miami Gardens. Both these teams are surprising because they were not expected to win their respective conferences. Clemson finally broke through and they are considered to be the best team in the nation. Oklahoma is here despite the fact that they lost to freaking Texas. Bob Stoops can't coach in big games anymore, so I expect him to get canned after this debacle. Clemson 59, Chokelahoma 0.

You have to like a guy named Dabo. And the Clemson Tigers have a lot of talent on both sides of the ball. Oklahoma can score in bunches, but they haven't seen too many good defenses up to this point. They will this time. Clemson 31, Oklahoma 24.

Cotton Bowl -- Michigan State Spartans (+10) vs. Alabama Crimson Tide. The major subplot to this game is that Nick Saban faces his former employer. Alabama is very good, but they have not had experience in close games lately. Sparty has beaten evil Ohio State and Iowa at the time of asking, so Sparty will use senior leadership to show that the Big Ten is the new power in college football. Sparty 23, Tide Rolled 8.

It's tough to pick against Sparty, but I'm going to. The problem is that Connor Cook, the decorated Spartan quarterback, has been playing through some pretty serious injuries. Alabama is a relentless bunch and they will find ways to exploit any weakness. They also have the Heisman Trophy winner on their side. Close game, but.... Alabama 27, Michigan State 24.

Rose Bowl -- Iowa Hawkeyes (+6) vs. Stanford Cardinal, in Pasadena. The Rose Bowl goes back to a traditional Big Ten/PAC 12 format. This year, there is far less HYYYYYYYPPPPEE! because I am not in Southern California to personally witness the event, but this should be a great football game. Both teams are fundamentally sound and are well-coached. Can Iowa bounce back after Michigan State ripped out millions of Black and Gold hearts out in Indy? Stanford 34, Iowa 31.

It comes down to this -- can the Hawkeyes stop Christian McCaffrey, one of the best running backs in the country? If they can, they win. If not, well. . . Stanford 28, Iowa 24.

Fiesta Bowl -- Notre Dame Fighting Irish (+6.5) vs. The Ohio State University Buckeyes. Two of the most hated teams in the country are going to play each other. I don't know who I want to root for, because Notre Dame is a bit haughty at times, and long time readers will know I am not welcome in the Buckeye media tent. Ohio State is better, but Urban Meyer needs to get a hold of some of his players. Ohio State 7, Notre Dame 5. (Just skip this game and watch the Rose Bowl instead.)

7-5? Who is pitching in this one? The Buckeyes have been inconsistent all season, but they are a better team overall. That will show up in the desert. Ohio State 31, Notre Dame 20.

Okay -- that will be it for now. We'll be back for the big NFL showdowns later in the week. Ben out!