Random Wednesday Stuff

So it's been a week, felt like I need to post some of the things on my mind...

1. ND to B10
They are finally seeing the light and realizing that being "Independent" might not be the best spot as we move down the road to 4-5 Super Conferences and nothing else that matters. I'm not totally convinced yet that this will happen, but it sounds like the great ones at ND are finally considering it a realisitic option. Their NBC deal expires after 2010 I believe, so now is the time before they re-up for 5 more years of painful NBC football broadcating.

2. B10 Network
This looked like a no so great idea initially, but it is now generating an additional $12M/yr per school! That's a lot of cash, and it will be the model for the other "super-conferences" once all of the realignment happens. How great will it be to have an ACC Channel, a PAC 10 channel, BTN, ESPN (SEC Network), and likely a B12 or Big East network...talk about college sports overload!

3. Can we make this happen?
Read an amazing idea that the Gopher band has done once before. When we beat ALA in the bowl game a few years back (yeah, remember when we beat ALABAMA?) the band played Rocky Top and annoyed the hell out of all the ALA fans. I'm hoping they still have that one on their playlist for that 1st TD (hoping there is one!) against USC when Rocky Top's favorite former son comes to town with his new crew of Trojans. That would be a great moment and an instant ESPN moment for the Maroon and Gold.

4. Gopher Football Tidbits
I read a fellow Gopher fan's recap of a conversation he had with our OL coach at a restaurant, which was really interesting. The biggest revelation that came out of it was Davis' belief that they have their RB for the next 3-4 years to run our 2000ish WIS offense that we are implementing this year...LaMonte Edwards. I thought for sure that this guy was heading for a LB spot, but sounds like he'll stick w/RB for now. He has the size to be our bruiser, just a little concerned about his speed...we'll see.

Gophs have already secured 2 of the Top 3 projected in state guys for next year. Redshirt freshman OL Ed Olson's little brother Tommy is going to be a senior next year and he already committed to the Gophs. Ed should be a decent player but word is that Tommy is top notch and could be the man from day 1. We also just got a commit from a DB from Minnetonka James Farrow. Great size, sounds like he had lots of interest from good D1 schools, so way to go Brew.

5. The Weekend Upcoming
Odds of either one of our teams getting into the post-season...not good. 1st, the hockey club has as much of a chance of taking 2/3 in Grand Forks as we might if I assembled all 10 of us into a hockey squad for a day. The Hoops club has to win probably 3 to lock up a NCAA berth, 2 might do it, 1 doesn't solve anything. And I'm not convinced we even win 1 in the B10 tourney with the PSU matchup in round 1. Bottom line, lots of fun games to watch and dream...but don't expect any great results out of either club this weekend.

6. NCAA Pool
So I'm guessing you guys are not interested in the big BBY pool since I have had no responses. That's fine. I'll send out the regular pool that we have done in the past...we'll leave cash out of it and just play for pride and bragging rights.

Here is the link to the POOL
password: tubby
pool login: tubby

Create an account if you don't have one and register your picks if you'd like. Scoring is like this: 1,2,4,6,8,10 - twist is you get underdog points for correct picks (ex: 12 beats a 5, and you pick it correct, you get 1 for a correct pick plus 7 bonus points)This applies for every round. Tiebreaker is championship game total points.

Good Luck.

7. Twins!
Nathan = dead. Panic time. I think the best bet is to make a move and get someone in a trade because Rausch, Guerrier, Mijares are not the answer. Make a deal for someone and keep the rest of these guys in their regular roles. Don't do the committee thing, how many World Series titles have been won by the closer-by-committee teams...and that should be our goal. I like Heath Bell but he's probably not attainable for a nice price. Ziegler, Frasor, possibly others like this seem to be the best bet. At least it happened now before the season starts so they can figure this out over the next 4 weeks.

8. BODOG
Anyone have an account on here? I'm thinking of opening one this weekend and getting ready to throw down some cash on the Tourney. In checking it out it seems to have a lot of unique bets and a good reliable system...not that I expect to make anything, but it will make March and beyond a little more entertaining.

13 days until Spring Practice...less than that before our 1st NIT game.