Big Ten picks

Here are the games that we're picking this week. you can just post you picks on this thread.

Michigan V Whisky
Iowa V OSU
PSU V NW
MN V Purude
MSU V Illini

LSU V TENN
VT V GT
USC V Oregon
ASU V Org. ST
Clemson V BC

Farmers Award Sticker

Andy, please award these sticker to my weekly MVP on the site if possilbe. Shawn

Fighting Farmers alternate helmets

Yes, I'm up at 4:30 AM. Perhaps it's pregame jitters, but I can't sleep. With little else to do I've decided to design two alternate helmets, one a throwback. The throwback features a larger crossed rifle/pitchfork and now has award stickers, which all my helmets will now include. The second is the FF model helmet with the venerable ANF (America Needs Farmers) sticker.

Iowa State

To be clear, I have nothing against Iowa State, per se.

What I don’t understand is why on earth anyone would want them in the Big Ten. The idea behind a conference addition would be to improve the stature of the Big Ten and to make the conference better. Adding a mediocre Big 12 team just doesn’t do that. Worse, it does the opposite. It brings in a team from the conference that many compare directly to the Big 10, and often find the Big 10 lacking in such comparisons, that is not a power school from that conference. Adding Nebraska or Oklahoma or Texas would be a different story entirely but that is not going to happen. Too bad in the case of Texas but you already know that.

Moreover as another school from the political, social, and cultural giant that is the state of Iowa(!) the Big 10 would actually be lowering its national profile rather than raising it. Who the hell would be interested in the Iowa-Iowa State game outside the population center that is Iowa? Or even worse, ISU-Minnesota, ISU-Wisconsin, ISU-PSU, ISU-Michigan, I think you get the point. So let’s add a team that would make for a great rival for Iowa but bring almost nothing else to the table.

I just don’t see the attraction. I understand you like the fact that occasionally ISU makes it so that Iowa is not the best school in that state (is their a worse named trophy than the CyHawk thingee those 2 schools fight over – probably that spitoon that some teams play for but none other) but that’s not enough to get you into the premier conference in college football.

to the goodger

We (andy shawn and I ) are doing a pick'em big ten thing for a quarter a week- winner take all 75 cents. Do you want in? We pick the winner of the BT games - we also considered picking the other top 25 games b/c we tend to pick the same BT teams.
Anyway if interested just post your picks

P.S. since you have the elite tv package how come you never invite us over to watch any games on Sat?

presenting ...

YOUR Golden Goblins starting Line-up!!!!

Sponsored by Clean Water Action- keeping the goblins sideline water pure, clean and fresh for over three years! Every goblin gets their strength from clean water so remember to cleanse your hearts and keep your water pure.

and by

Specncer's Spook Shop- Your source for Golden Goblin fan apparel - check out their new "Gobby the Goblin" halloween costume modeled after our now world famous wizard of oz like mascot- he's so adorable yet scary! Your neighbors are sure to be spooked! So come down and Gobble UP (the savings)!!!

And by

The Minnesota Vikings - Proud to sponsor a good football team in the upper midwest

Your Line-ups are also presented by:

PPA- Professional Pessimists Association- putting a damper on your life and events for over 35 years. They specialize in finding the down-side to any situation and live by the motto "cheer up, things will get worse." "don't believe us- just look at the U.S over the last 35 years." Yes, PPA can meet any of your dark needs including defeatism, depression, and helplessness. And now they are avaialble 24/7, so Goblin fans, remember after the next goblin loss, which will likely come this weekend, to contact PPA, they are sure to make you feel better by making you feel worse!

And Now let's meet YOUR GOLDEN GOBLIN STARTERS!!!!! (subject to change) (loud music with a good intro maybe a selection from Green Day- I like the part in the Homecoming song where it sounds like a marching band - It last for about a minute - I would just take out the words and it would be perfect. Also so dry ice and some yellow and maroon lspot lights during the announcement.

Kicking
Ben Joooooones (yea I'm picking him up for 0) aand dropping Giannini

WR
Jareeed Elllllleeeerson
Jerramyyyyy Scottttttt
Deeeejaaaaun Warreeen

RB
Ty Suuuutton
Jarod Vooooooid

QB
Dreeeeeew Taaaaate
Trooooooy "superman" Smittttth

Go Goblins !!!

Tonights TV Viewing

The Main Event!:

Iowa State at Army
7:00pm
ESPN2

Or, if you're not feeling the Iowa State love...(Jay), there's:

Star Wars: Empire of Dreams
The trilogy becomes a cultural phenomenon and changes movie-making.
7:00pm
A&E

And if that doesn't do it for you either, I guess you're stuck with...(Shawn):

Showgirls
7:00pm
VH1

Big Ten Predictions

I actually think there will be a tie for the conference title this year (again) and that no Big ten team will go undeafeated in conference play. I see 4 teams all about the same (OSU, MSU, PU, and IOWA. The second tier (closely behind) is MICH, WISC, and PSU. The third Tier (in a wider gap) is MN, IL, NORTH and IND. But having said all that here are my picks:

1 Ohio State 7-1 (if they beat iowa this weekend and Smith stays healthy)
2 Purdue 7-1 (easy schedule means at worst 3 losses probaly only 1)
3 Mich St. 6-2 (could win it all if they can upset PU and OSU- the surprise team of the league)
4 Iowa 6-2 (OSU, PU, MICH and WISC are too much this year but they won't get shut out either)
5 Michigan 5-3 (MSU, IOWA and OSU are better and Henne could cost them another one- the most overrated team in the league)
6 Wisconsin 5-3 (one year away- either MN or Iowa hands them #3)
7 Penn State 3-5 ( they face OSU, MICH, PU, WISC, MSU in the last 6 weeks of the season and their O is not good enough to pull these out- but they go to a bowl)
8 Illinois 2-6 (Indiana and northwestern are the victims)
9 Minnesota 2-6 (this is optimistic. the WORST D in the Mason Era could push them down to 1-7)
10 Northwestern 0-8 (yes, it's possible they play PSU, WI, PU, MI, MSU, IA, OSU and ILL. If they lose to PSU this weekend their next shot doesn't arrive until IL and I think ILL can outscore them by then)
11 Indiana 0-8 (ILL and MN are their best hopes and could surprise everyone and finish as high as 9th- I am tempted but it's Indiana so I'll keep them here until they prove it)

Fighting Farmers Lineup for week 4.

QB- Kirsch
RB1-Calhoun
RB2-Russell
RB3- P. Thomas
WR1 Avant
WR2 Holmes
WR3-Ingraham
K- Schlicher

Updated Predictions...
Purdue 42-Minnesota 27
Whisky 21-Michigan 24
Ohio State 17-Iowa 20
Michigan State 49-Illinois 28
Northwestern 17-Penn State 29

Farmers 96-Spitfires 89
Goblins 98-Goodgers 100

Two upsets forecasted. Iowa overcomes Ohio State's horrid offense w/ a strond D and a renewed running attack. The Goodgers hit the century mark behind the legs and arm of future BTFFL MVP Drew Stanton, altough Jarod Void could carry the Goblins past the Goodgers when they face the horrid Minnesota defense.

Top Ten College Football Teams that should be the Big Ten’s 12th team.

The list ignores practical considerations like current conference affiliation, geographical problems, or having the name Fighting Irish.

Week 4 Pick-Ups Are Up

Spitfires To Wear Alternates for Homecoming against Farmers

The Halifax Spitfires announced today that they will be sporting an alternate black helmet with an orange 'h' for the first time in school history, along with their alternate orange jersey that was worn in 2 games last season. The Spitfires are in desperate need of a victory this week after starting the season 0-3.


The homecoming game vs. the 1st place and undefeated (3-0) Farmers will kick off at 11am at the Litter Box. The game is sold out and the Orange Fur is expected to be drunk and loud.
Who: Farmers at Spitfires
What: Homecoming
Where: Litter Box
When: Saturday, September 24, 11:00am
Why: It's on the Schedule
Line: Farmers by 7

Goblin's mascot

Look at the top image. Stop. Now look at the bottom two, switching your vision to back and fourth quickly. Do you now see the top image?

mascots

Ranking the masocts

1 My as yet unnamed wizard of OZ- like creature
2 Spitz-E-Fire (super genius?) could be 1 but Garfield is already taken
3 Bucky- again already taken but when you are a goodyer what else do you have
4 the farmer- I'm sorry but a drunk guy smoking just doesn't do it for me. Plus it's a cheap copy of the patriots head. Maybe a farmer with a pitchfork would be better.

Keys to the Big Games

Purdue vs. Minnesota

By John Harris

a. No decoys – Okay, let me ask you a question. You’re the coach of a college football team, and you have an absolute stud on your team. WR, QB, RB, it doesn’t matter, but you have a game changer in your stable. You give him the ball? Or, do you use him as a decoy? If you answered ‘decoy’, click out of this article right now. Go back to your triple decaf choco-caramel latte coffee house wi-fi kiosk. If you’ve continued on in this article, then repeat after me, no decoys. If you have a stud, you ride him. Ohio State missed that point in the Texas game with Ted Ginn, who was more decoy than game breaker, and ultimately that could’ve cost the Buckeyes the game. So, what does that have to do with the Minnesota offense? Well, the U has arguably the best running back in the nation, Laurence Maroney. Give. Him. The. Ball. 25, 30, 35 times, it doesn’t matter, but give him the ball. Sure, Purdue will focus on stopping him, but that’s what this offense does best. They zone block and hit people in the mouth as well as any line in the nation. Greg Eslinger and Mark Setterstrom get out on the perimeter and get a hat on someone and Maroney is so explosive that he turns their blocks into gold, Jerry, gold, I tell you (who doesn’t like a Seinfeld reference in his/her college football article?). Now, don’t be stupid. If on the first snap of the game, 10 guys are piled in the box, Bryan Cupito can check to a deep fade to Jared Ellerson or Ernie Wheelwright for six. But, that’s not the Gophers’ strength. It’s running Maroney again, again and again. This is the stage he’s wanted for three years – no more sharing carries, facing an experienced defense, national television and a shot at ending the myth that Minnesota can’t beat a top ranked team. But, the only way that’s going to happen is if Maroney is given the ball. All game long.

b. Safe isn’t what you’ll be in his area – Loquacious might be the best word to describe Purdue’s starting strong safety Bernard Pollard. The three year starter is as physical as any safety in the league, and there probably won’t be a more critical player on the Purdue defense this Saturday than Pollard. Given Minnesota’s propensity to run Maroney, Pollard has to be the X factor in secondary run support. Maroney is so good at finding the cutback lanes, all the while taking the corner if he has it. Pollard plays a role in stopping both types of runs. If the Boiler front seven plays the outside zone well, then Maroney will have to bounce runs to the outside, essentially going one-on-one with Pollard. But, he can’t be too anxious to get to the perimeter because Maroney will cut back behind his lines blocks to get upfield and into the secondary. Pollard has to be able to read the blocks of the front and how his defenders are fitting into their gaps, such that he can be a cutback player or a perimeter support player. He can be both, but he’s got to be careful that Maroney doesn’t cutback on him, as well. If he does, it’s six. Regardless, keep an eye on how #31 is tracking the Gopher running back.

c. Back to the Future? – It must be a misprint. 225 yards per game rushing? Not the Purdue offense. Can’t be. But, maybe the focus on the run game has been more blessing than curse. Okay, you can believe that, but against Minnesota, the Boilers have to go back to the past for the passing game that they made famous. Wait, wait, wait, so, you’re saying that they should go against what has worked so well for them the past two games? Not entirely, but the Gophers’ defense has to fear a running/option attack that could honestly and realistically hurt them, as opposed to past years when the Boiler running plays did nothing but provide a quick break for the Boilers QB and WR. So, the Gophers take safety Brandon Owens and put him up in the box to help play the option and outside runs. With a safety up in the box, what’s open? The receivers on the perimeter. Get it now? Jerod Void still needs to get his carries, but play action off of a fake to Void is probably going to get Owens screaming to the LOS, which should open up the middle of the field for whippet quick Dorien Bryant, who leads the Boilers in receptions. Boiler QB Brandon Kirsch should be more Drew Brees than Jamelle Holieway this weekend.

Conclusion – All summer long, one of the most talked about surprise teams for a Rose Bowl trip was the Purdue Boilermakers. Most people pointed to a schedule void of Ohio State and Michigan as evidence that they could run the table against a sub-par schedule all the way to Pasadena. But, this is the ultimate trap game for the Boilers. After a tough trip to Tucson, Joe Tiller’s bunch has to get back on the plane and head for the Dome to face a seemingly much improved Minnesota squad. Purdue will adjust to Maroney and his quickness sometime during the game, but he’s just too good to shut down for a full game. Then, by the time they adjust to him, one of the ‘big’ Minnesota receivers makes a huge play on a deep takeoff/fade route downfield for six. Maybe we’re crazy, but we’re going with the U in an upset. Minnesota – 31 vs. Purdue - 29

The Uniforms Page is Up!

God I'm good!

Praise for Green Day

Slightly off topic but I happened to be flipping radio stations this morning and as I stopped on KFAN they were talking about Green Day- in-between ripping Culpepper. It was interesting b/c they had nothing but praise for their latest album (American Idiot). I cannot recall all of the conversation but I do remember they (M Morris and the other guy) saying that the "Jesus of Suburbia" song was the best 5 minute or over song ever composed!! And they followed that up by asserting Green Day was the modern day Beatles!! I think they described them as edgy, snappy, political and they've got that something you cannot put your finger on. Anyway it was shocking to me- to hear these yahoos on KFAN praise Green Day. Maybe I will have to reconsider my opinion of them.

Big Ten Predictions

Post yours here.

Gophers will win vs. Purdue this Sat.

I heard it from a higher source.

Player Rankings Updated Through Week 3

Enjoy!

Undefeated!

pandemonium was running wild in the streets all across Minnesota after the Fighting Farmers defeat Bucky's Goodgers. From Luverne to Lanesboro, people across the state celebrated instantaneously as the final tallies came in. It was certainly a hard fought battle that lived up to all the pre-game hype. The Farmers were back on the ropes, but never gave up hope. The Farmers now move on the face the hapless Halifax Spitfires, still burning from their 0 and 3 start to the season. Rumor has it they nearly unloaded half of their roster last night in midst of a frustrated rage. The Golden Goblins reached their first victory behind the arm and legs of consumate leader Troy Smith. The 1 and 2 Goblins will face off against the angry Goodgers. All hail the Fighting Farmers!

Who's bad to the bone?

The answer is...

After an early scare by the Goodgers, the Farmers came back late in the evening off of the fresh legs of Gary Russell and Brian Calhoun. Yes, we are bad to the bone!

Jay's Power Rankings Week 3

Power Rankings Week 3

1. Michigan State – One of two Big Ten teams that has an impressive preseason win.
2. Wisconsin – The other one and it has two of them.
3. Ohio State – AJ Hawk thinks choking is a tackling technique.
4. Purude – Also looking a bit vulnerable.
5. Iowa – Beat a bad team. Wow.
6. Michigan – Beat a bad team. Wow.
7. Penn State – I’m almost a believer.
8. Minnesota – Maroney a top 5 NFL pick. Russell not bad.
9. Illinois – Played Cal tough.
10. Northwestern – It was fun while it lasted.
11. Indiana – Likely won its last game.