Full slates off football and hockey, with the World Series to boot, anticipation of weekends like this is what sustains me through those long boring months known as summer. Although being stuck in a library will rob me of the opportunity to catch Nebraska's annihilation of the Gophers in person, the rest of the weekend has been kept wide open for sports viewing, it's time to rube it up.
So, what's happening around town?
- Following last week's lament about my struggles picking football games, my sister, Rainwoman, promptly turned in a 5-8 week and allowed me to cut the deficit by 3 games. Trend or mirage? Fluke or example of regression to the mean? Is she hearing the footsteps? Is the pressure getting to her? I'd like to think so! Just had to bring it up, fan the flames of indecision a bit. (Are you sure that's the right pick? Positive? I wouldn't do that if I were you!) Psychological warfare at it's finest, pulling out all the stops
- I didn't write anything previewing the Wild this season, but like everyone else, I'm predicting them to be on the playoff bubble, hopefully creeping in. Failure to do so would mean the earliest chance Minnesota has to snap it's pro sports playoff drought would be the end of the next Twins season in October 2012. Two full years is a long f'n time to go without a playoff game when you have 4 pro teams. Unfortunately, the local squad hasn't exactly been taking the NHL by storm early in the season. Last night a goal with one second remaining was the only thing that prevented them from being shutout in Edmonton for the first time in 11 years. Getting new players to mesh takes time, but as we've figured out the past couple of years, slow starts can spell doom.
- According to many people around town, Gopher hockey is back, following a sweep of Duluth last weekend. I was on a roadtrip to my personal Mecca, Ralph Englestad Arena, so didn't see much of the games. It certainly looked impressive, and you can't blame their fans for being fired up; when you're starving, even a package of Saltines can pass for a gourmet meal. But can we keep it in check for the month of October? Believe me, you'll have plenty of time between the Gophers sweeping the Sioux in November and the Sioux sweeping the Gophers in January to razz me all you want, let's not go too overboard on one series. But I am happy for you...sort of.
- This town has doled out so much recent misery, it's once again time to ask our favorite question "Where is rock bottom?" Will it be here soon? Is it not going to arrive until the aforementioned two-year playoff drought comes to fruition? After that? About the only thing I can guarantee is that it is not today, because things are about to get a whole lot more ugly and embarrassing. Stretching hundreds of miles to both the south and east are convoys of opposing football fans poised to descend on our fair city. I'm calling it Football-O-Caust 2011 (had to add the year, due to the fact this may be an annual occurrence). One horde will be clad in red, the other in green 'n gold, both will be making a mockery of their opponent. Nebraska and Green Bay, welcome to town, bring money. The Mall of America is stocked up with designer overalls, bars across town have laid in a supply of PBR, we're ready to roll. Please take pity on our pathetic football teams, and if you see a glassy-eyed local with a look of despair, try not to pile on.
- Of course the big football story in town this week is the debut of Christian Ponder as the Vikings starting quarterback. Ho. Hum. As I wrote when he was drafted, I didn't think he was very good in college, don't think he'll be very good in the pros, and just generally am not a fan. Fortunately, I'm wrong a lot. So let's hope that's the case here and get on board with the Ponder Era, there's really not much else you can do at this point. It certainly can't be worse than the McNabb Era, and it will be refreshing to actually have a guy under 30 at the QB position following the recent string of greybeards. Just don't go all giddy when he leads a nice drive in garbage time to cut the lead to 30 this Sunday, keep it in perspective.
O/U on combined opposing team points: 90
Combined spread: 60 1/2
Giving a Cornhusker bad directions that land him in Hudson: Priceless
Enjoy the weekend.
No comments:
Post a Comment