FOOTBALL IS BACK! What a great start to the season last night with a ton of close finishes, a Gopher W, and some great moments in gambling. Hope everyone got to enjoy the SC-NC finish where the Heels couldn't punch in a meaningless TD for a cover with 4 shots from the 2 yard line! My favorite game of the night, outside of the Gophs W, was Ole Miss and Vandy. It was back and forth all night, and it looked like it was going to end with Vandy facing 4th and a mile in their own end and their stud WR just puked on himself 3 times. Next thing you know, WR Matthews is back on the field catching a bomb and the 'Dores are still alive. Ole Miss decides to call a corner blitz the next play, and there is a wide open receiver for what seemed like the heartbreaking loser for us Ole Miss backers. However...two plays later, a 75 yard scamper that demonstrated some of that "SEC Speed" put us back in the driver's seat and they held on for a wild W. Utah-UTST played it to the wire for the game, and the betting line - as did USC and HAW. Not to mention the OT thriller where RUT decides to go for 2 and the win rather than playing more against FRES. All in all, probably the best opening night of NCAA Football I can remember.
Gopher Nation looked okay. I was pretty happy with how the D played, even though there is some room for improvement there as well. The offense was a nightmare. No weapons at WR, inability to run the ball against a seemingly bad UNLV D, and getting Mankato Jesus knocked around by running him 20 times. Not ideal...but thanks to a couple SpT TD's and a pick 6 we rolled to our easiest opening week W in recent memory. All in all, a good start to the year - easy W but lots of room to see where we sucked and improve. At least there are a couple more warm up games before the real things start.
On to the weekend - can't wait! But first, I figured I would write up some quick intros on our new players for 2013. We have 10 new players, some I know too well and some I don't at all...but here's what I got. If you're easily offended, I'm sorry. I'm a die-hard Gopher fan and anti-Iowa and Badger guy...you have been warned.
JS - Jake Schmidt - Yanni
Cyclone fanatic, but realist...rare when it comes to fans from the south. Will wager for beers and take anyone (see UNLV last night).
DK - Dave Kinzer
Was pressured into entering this contest rather than having me send him a check for his golf winnings - sorry Dave. Guessing you are a Badger fan, but this hasn't been confirmed. Probably a green and gold guy as well.
RH - Ron Hillmer
When he's awake, he's a good dude...but those opportunities to see him in an alert state are rare. Played a human coat rack role at bachelor parties.
PP - Pete Pearson - Hulkamania
Fellow Gopher fan and ticket holder. Pearl Jam fanatic. Threatened to fight my Dad at midfield last night during the game. Weird fear of trunks and 1800 tequila.
TB - Tony Benson
Really good at math, kung-fu, and painting nails. Nicest guy in the world, but he hangs out with a bunch of asses that treat him like dirt. Owns Vegas.
MD - Mike Dass
Father-in-law to the legendary Spartan Mike Thomas. Rochester resident - lived in Stewartville for a time - probably has heard of LeRoy-Ostrander (my high school).
CC - Chris Cervenka
Married into the New Ulm cult, Badger, convicted felon from his last Vegas trip for a football game. Loves wearing dead animals on his head and drinking bear in 5 degree weather.
CM - Charlie Murray
Former co-worker, fantasy football guru, treasure hunter? (medallionhunter@yahoo.com)
TT - Travis Thole
Another Badger, bud of Cervenka, talked me into participating in Jump Around at the Cervenka wedding, creator of the best March Madness pool ever (1st Round pool).
LK - Lucas Keune
JG brother in law - bit of an Iowa fan, actually may not own anything without a Hawkeye on it.
That's the quick and dirty on the list of new guys...get to know 'em, and welcome them aboard!
Here are the most popular picks of the week:
1. FSU
2. ALA
3. LSU
4. USC
5. GEO
GAMES OF THE WEEK
GEO - CLEM (+2)
Scoreboard could blow up during this one - 2 BIG-TIME offenses, and not a lot of resista,nce, in my opinion. I always lean SEC in these early season clashes, and this one is no different. If a D is going to show up, it will be GEO. I like the Dawgs 47-41.
ALA - VT (+18.5)
I really wanted to take VT in this one, but it's just too hard to bet against Bama. They always say, don't take the dog unless you think they have a chance to win the game...and the Hokies don't. Bama is a machine, and the Hokies will play D but can't keep up on offense. I'll call for Bama to lay off the gas and get a Hokie cover...24-7.
LSU - TCU (+4)
Another big conference battle for the SEC and the B12. Once again, I think you have to lean SEC. LSU seems like a sneaky under the radar team this year that has a chance to be crazy good once again. I really like TCU, but I just can't see LSU losing this one. Low scoring game - LSU wins 13-10 and doesn't cover.
Here are a couple upset alerts that I like this week:
CAL +5.5 hosting NW - the Wildcats are overrated and I think CAL, even with a new coach and true FR QB might knock them off Saturday night.
NILL +3 at Iowa - I know a 3 pt dog isn't much of an upset special, but I really don't think much of Iowa once again this season and I think NILL will be able to handle them even on the road.
TOL +24 at FLA - Gators come in reeling a bit and TOL is a nice looking MACtion club. I think this is a cover for sure, but I think the Rockets might even have a chance at a W.
I will send out a standings recap after Saturday. Good Luck to you all!
