USC??

http://www.startribune.com/sports/gophers/38226894.html?elr=KArksi8cyaiUjc8LDyiUiacyKUnciaec8O7EyUr

I saw this headline and I thought I was hallucinating. The Gophs are going to play a home-and-home with USC in 2010 and 2011. That should be interesting, at least for the first five minutes, when they're already down by two TD's.

YES!!

Take back what I said in my earlier post, new prediction, BIG TEN TITLE!!. Ok, maybe not, but that was still a great win. I hate to be cynical but hey, it's who I am - what would the score have been if Monson was still the coach?

Gopher Hoops

I know that it's been a long time since I put anything on here, so to the devoted followers out there I am back. I'm sure you missed me. I also haven't put anything out there about the Gophers b'ball team in a really long time so I figured it's a perfect time to talk about them since they have a big game at Whiskeyville tomorrow.

Every time I watch them one thought continually crosses my mind, it's great to have a coach that commands respect and knows what he is doing. The Gophers talent is upgraded somewhat but the biggest difference is the fact that we do not get outcoached every game and the players play with confidence. In fact the three best players on the team (Nolan, Westbrook, and Johnson) are ironically enough, Monson recruits.

I love to make predictions, and I am always overly optimistic (remember Gophers to the Rose Bowl!!), but I don't see how the Gophers don't get into the tournament this year. Right now, if we win out at home and win the games against the bad teams on the road (NW and IU) we will have 11 conference wins and should finish no worse than 4th or 5th and get no worse than a 7 or 8 seed in the big dance. It would be nice if they could pull some wins at Ohio St., Penn St., Michigan, or Illinois too. If they win one or two of those they might even be able to bump themselves up to a 5 or 6. I tend to lean more to the 7 or 8 as of now giving our lack of a half court offense.

While on the topic of hoops, it's too bad the T'Wolves perfect record in '09 ended last night. I thought they really had something going there!

Predictions revisited

I was curious how my predictions that I did after Week 9 turned out so I checked. I did much better in the NFC than the AFC. I got five out of six in the NFC. The only one I missed was picking the Bucs instead of the Falcons. I even hit three of the final records exactly (Giants, Panthers, and Cardinals). Most importantly though was the correct pick of the Vikes as winners of the NFC North. Look forward to seeing you in the playoffs at 4:30 next Sunday guys.

As far as the AFC, I was only 3 of 6. One of the three I missed being the Colts, who also extended their 12 win streak to six seasons, quite impressive! If should be interesting to see what happens on Saturday night in San Diego since they are hot as well.

Can we get a little help around here?

The Vikings remind me of an infant. They need help to do about anything. The Cheesecurds could have provided that help last night but they were incapable of doing so. Therefore the Vikes are left to fend for themselves on Sunday against the Giants. Coughlin has dodged the questions so far on how he is going to play it, but you gotta think that the Giants aren't going to go 100% on the road when they have nothing to gain, other than spoiling the Vikes season. I hope I am right. I can't handle another offseason of what could have been.

First Round Bye

What a game yesterday by the Vikes. When was the last time they jumped out an opponent like that and won comfortably. I dare to say it, but are they rounding into form for the playoffs? Looking at the playoff scenarios, the Vikes could conceivably get a first round bye if things shake out right. Carolina plays at the Giants on Sunday night so whoever loses that game would have four losses. If it's the Giants who lose (who looked terrible against Dallas yesterday) the Vikes would simply have to win the finale against them and by virtue of the tiebreaker would have the #2 seed and the bye. Say Carolina loses, they play their finale at New Orleans which would not be a cupcake game by any stretch. The Vikes also hold the tiebreaker over them as well. Definitely optimistic given that P. Williams is going to miss the last two games but hopefully they can still win, get the bye, and have him back for the first playoff game.

Way to go Dogs

The picture says it all. Hard nosed, opportunistic defense and just enough offense to hold on for a 21-14 win. It was neat getting to see UMD on ESPN2. The only other time I can remember them being on the national stage was when they made the Frozen Four in 2004. This time the result was a lot more favorable. Good work boys! Way to make all the alumni out there proud.