The Gopher
11-09-2005, 10:59 PM
http://www.pigskinheaven.com/gallery/files/7/MinnesotaVikings5.gif
Well folks, its the second re-installment of my column, and i'm sporting yet another name. Mad props go out to Shoey for thinking up my column name, and if you think you have a better name for next week, let me know. Last weekend was bitter sweet for me. The Vikings demolished the Lions capitalizing on the short field after the lions made some key mistakes. But the badgers lost to Penn State, a game which frustrated me to no end. Plus, as many of you can tell by my signature, I am a bit of a Longhorns fan. A couple undefeated teams were defeated (UCLA, Virginia Tech). Making a USC-Longhorns Championship almost an inevitablity.
Badgers 14, Penn State 35
The Badgers could not get the offense rolling against the Penn State defense, which has been one of the best in all of college football this year. Calhoun was held to under 100 yards, thus ending his campaign for the Heisman trophy. It was a good season for him, but there's always next year. This game appeared doomed from the start when Robinson connected with Butler for a 43 yard TD. The Nittany Lions scored 21 unanswered points to start off the first half, and the Badgers didn't get on the board until the 4th quarter. The Badgers host Iowa for their final Big 10 game of the regular season. The Badgers, who are out of title contention, look to solidify their bowl bids by a win Vs Iowa, and a win at Hawaii. Finishing the season 10-2 would definately warrant them a respectable bowl from the BCS.
Penn State (9-1) Look to be in the drivers seat in the Big 10, and will likely be pushing for the top 5 at the end of the season if they win out. I wish them good luck, and I will be rooting for them to represent the Big 10 well.
http://www.pigskinheaven.com/gallery/files/7/miny_72183.gif (http://www.pigskinheaven.com/gallery/showimage.php?i=1183&c=54) Vikings 27, Lions 14
Michael Bennett Rushed for 108 yards as the Vikings cruised to victory against an injury depleted Lions team. Joey Harrington's turnovers led to great field position for the Vikings which led to two scores. The Minnesota Defense stepped it up, but will lose one of their most vocal leaders, CB Fred Smoot.
http://www.pigskinheaven.com/gallery/files/7/miny_72183.gif (http://www.pigskinheaven.com/gallery/showimage.php?i=1183&c=54) Fred Smoot
Is out 4-6 weeks with a broken collarbone. While Brian Williams is more than capable of being the #2 Corner, I worry more about Ralph Brown covering the Slot, and (to my best knowledge) Gallishaw may see some time at the Dime position. This will be a time for the Vikings secondary to step up, and show that they have the depth we were all drooling over at the beginning of the season.
RUN THE BALL!
The Vikings are 3-5 this season. Their 3 Victories all have 1 thing in common, a 100 yard rusher. If the Vikings run the ball well, they seem to win. This formula is so simple even a pop warner player could figure it out, RUN THE BALL! Moore, Fason, Bennett, Williams, Pick one, and run it. Personally, i like to see Bennett run the ball because of how dangerous he is when he gets into space, and because of the home run threat he has everytime he touches the ball.
http://www.pigskinheaven.com/gallery/files/7/miny_72183.gif (http://www.pigskinheaven.com/gallery/showimage.php?i=1183&c=54) Vikings Vs Giants:
A team that has plagued the Vikings since 2000, The New York Giants, will be the next opponent for a (possibly) resurgant Vikings team. Even at 3-5, the Vikings are still a contender, and this game will be the time for the Vikings to prove themselves worthy. The keys to this game will be to pound the ball on the run, which will in turn lead to ball control. The 2nd Key to the Game will be for the Vikings to pressure Eli Manning. Without pressure, the corners are left out to dry, and even an average QB can pick them apart. But Eli Manning is no average QB so the Vikings will definately need pressure and strong coverage to stop a passing game that has been gaining momentum every week. Plaxico Burress and Amani Toomer will be matched up with Antoine Winfield and Brian Williams all game long, and the winners of those battles will decide the game.
My Prediction: Vikings 20, Giants 21 (I really, really hope i'm wrong)
I leave you with a joke....
There were 3 muffins in an oven... the First Muffin says, Man it's getting hot in here.... the 2nd muffin says, we're in an oven stupid.... the 3rd muffin says... HOLY CRAP A TALKING MUFFIN!!!!
Well folks, its the second re-installment of my column, and i'm sporting yet another name. Mad props go out to Shoey for thinking up my column name, and if you think you have a better name for next week, let me know. Last weekend was bitter sweet for me. The Vikings demolished the Lions capitalizing on the short field after the lions made some key mistakes. But the badgers lost to Penn State, a game which frustrated me to no end. Plus, as many of you can tell by my signature, I am a bit of a Longhorns fan. A couple undefeated teams were defeated (UCLA, Virginia Tech). Making a USC-Longhorns Championship almost an inevitablity.
Badgers 14, Penn State 35
The Badgers could not get the offense rolling against the Penn State defense, which has been one of the best in all of college football this year. Calhoun was held to under 100 yards, thus ending his campaign for the Heisman trophy. It was a good season for him, but there's always next year. This game appeared doomed from the start when Robinson connected with Butler for a 43 yard TD. The Nittany Lions scored 21 unanswered points to start off the first half, and the Badgers didn't get on the board until the 4th quarter. The Badgers host Iowa for their final Big 10 game of the regular season. The Badgers, who are out of title contention, look to solidify their bowl bids by a win Vs Iowa, and a win at Hawaii. Finishing the season 10-2 would definately warrant them a respectable bowl from the BCS.
Penn State (9-1) Look to be in the drivers seat in the Big 10, and will likely be pushing for the top 5 at the end of the season if they win out. I wish them good luck, and I will be rooting for them to represent the Big 10 well.
http://www.pigskinheaven.com/gallery/files/7/miny_72183.gif (http://www.pigskinheaven.com/gallery/showimage.php?i=1183&c=54) Vikings 27, Lions 14
Michael Bennett Rushed for 108 yards as the Vikings cruised to victory against an injury depleted Lions team. Joey Harrington's turnovers led to great field position for the Vikings which led to two scores. The Minnesota Defense stepped it up, but will lose one of their most vocal leaders, CB Fred Smoot.
http://www.pigskinheaven.com/gallery/files/7/miny_72183.gif (http://www.pigskinheaven.com/gallery/showimage.php?i=1183&c=54) Fred Smoot
Is out 4-6 weeks with a broken collarbone. While Brian Williams is more than capable of being the #2 Corner, I worry more about Ralph Brown covering the Slot, and (to my best knowledge) Gallishaw may see some time at the Dime position. This will be a time for the Vikings secondary to step up, and show that they have the depth we were all drooling over at the beginning of the season.
RUN THE BALL!
The Vikings are 3-5 this season. Their 3 Victories all have 1 thing in common, a 100 yard rusher. If the Vikings run the ball well, they seem to win. This formula is so simple even a pop warner player could figure it out, RUN THE BALL! Moore, Fason, Bennett, Williams, Pick one, and run it. Personally, i like to see Bennett run the ball because of how dangerous he is when he gets into space, and because of the home run threat he has everytime he touches the ball.
http://www.pigskinheaven.com/gallery/files/7/miny_72183.gif (http://www.pigskinheaven.com/gallery/showimage.php?i=1183&c=54) Vikings Vs Giants:
A team that has plagued the Vikings since 2000, The New York Giants, will be the next opponent for a (possibly) resurgant Vikings team. Even at 3-5, the Vikings are still a contender, and this game will be the time for the Vikings to prove themselves worthy. The keys to this game will be to pound the ball on the run, which will in turn lead to ball control. The 2nd Key to the Game will be for the Vikings to pressure Eli Manning. Without pressure, the corners are left out to dry, and even an average QB can pick them apart. But Eli Manning is no average QB so the Vikings will definately need pressure and strong coverage to stop a passing game that has been gaining momentum every week. Plaxico Burress and Amani Toomer will be matched up with Antoine Winfield and Brian Williams all game long, and the winners of those battles will decide the game.
My Prediction: Vikings 20, Giants 21 (I really, really hope i'm wrong)
I leave you with a joke....
There were 3 muffins in an oven... the First Muffin says, Man it's getting hot in here.... the 2nd muffin says, we're in an oven stupid.... the 3rd muffin says... HOLY CRAP A TALKING MUFFIN!!!!