Farmer's Mason Bowl line up

QB Cupito
QB Henne
RB Hunt
RB Wells
WR Ginn
WR Beckum
WR Wheelwright
K Kelly

I also pick up Jay Thomas and drop WR Hudson assuming Thomas has not been picked up yet.

Goodgers Going for 4

QB1 Curtis Painter
QB2 Juice!
RB1 Mike Hart (200 yards and 3 Tds for Bo)
RB2 Albert Young
WR1 Dorien Bryant
WR2 Selwyn Lymon
WR3 Kerry Reed
K Taylor Melhoff

Dejected Spitfires finish disappointing season vs. Farmers in Gopher Bowl; Coach Carhart cries alone

ho-hum...Spitfires Starters for this meaningless lower-tier bowl game:
(I think we should change the name to the Music City Bowl)

QB - Kellen Lewis
RB - P. J. Hill
RB - Tony Pittman
RB - Rashard Mendenhall
WR - Mario Manningham
WR - Logan Payne
WR - Dominique Douglas
K - Kyle Schlicher

Beep...Beep....Beep

Nothing like backing into the championship game!

A few thoughts before I go to bed and dream of beating Iowa

1 I sincerely apologize to Andy for relegating him to the gopher bowl. He clearly deserved to be in the Blue Ox bowl instead of me.

2 congratulations to Jay for another great campaign- it must be getting boring for you - I think I write for the entire gopher three on this - we all want to see you lose but we all really appreciate your presence in our league your are an ideal owner/participant -thank you for taking the time to play with us.

3 If you recall, I predicted Troy Smith would win the Heisman a few years ago. Assuming an OSU win sat. I expect he will win it and I'd like a little love for making the call :)

4 I saw a piece on Mike Hart and how he has never lost a fumble- BS! He fumbled against Minnesota 2 years ago and Minnesota recovered but the officials ruled he was down- replay revealed he was not down. Also, did you know that in each of the last 4 mN-Mich games Minnesota has had a TD called back because of a holding call. I'm still bitter but there is no way Mich is number 2 in the country.


5 Did you see the top 5 historical rivalries in the big ten as voted by writers?

number 1 Ohio State/ Michigan
2 Michigan/Michigan State
3 Indiana/ Purdue
4 Minnesota/Wisconsin
5 Minnesota/Iowa

How does IND and PU get on this list?

Goodgers Win BTFFL Regular Season Title...again

Goodgers to host Goblins in Blue Ox Bowl IV

Fighting Farmers to go to the Litter Box to face the Spitfires in the Gopher Bowl

Rumsfeld Resigns; Students Claim Victory; Goodgers Play Meaningless Final Regular Season Game

Bucky Beatwriter

Students who began their protest last week can already claim one victory in their anti-war protest. Just days after students shut down the campus here, Donald Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense and architect of the debacle in Iraq, resigned. While Student leaders welcomed Rumsfeld resignation, they vowed to continue thier protest until all thier demands are met: a full U.S. pull out from Iraq.

This week the beloved Bucky's Goodgers take on rival Golden Goblins. The Goblins are playing for a shot at the BTFFL BLue Ox Bowl, while the Goodgers play just for pride. Look out Goblins!


In the second BTFFL game, the Fighting Farmers will not be returning to the BOB. The Halifax Spitfires need a win and a Golden Goblin loss to advance to the BOB.





Goodger's Line-up:

QB Curtis Painter
QB Juice!
RB Mike Hart
RB Albert Young
WR Dorien Bryant
WR Greg Orton
WR Kerry Reed
K Taylor Melhoff

Farmer's Line Up

Cupito
Henne
Ringer
Hunt
Ginn
Williams
Decker
Kelley

The Big Game at the Litter Box

A Spitfires win and a Goblins loss and the Halifax Spitfires are going to the Blue Ox Bowl for the first time in school history....to face the hated Goodgers! Here's the lineup that will become legendary on the Halifax campus:

QB - Anthony Morelli
QB - Kellen Lewis
RB - P. J. Hill
RB - Tony Pittman
WR - Mario Manningham
WR - Jordan Norwood
WR - Logan Payne
K - Kyle Schlicher

Farmers Line Up Week 10

QB Henne
RB Caulcrick
RB Wells
RB Hunt
WR Ginn
WR Williams
WR Beckum
K Kelley

Students Shut Down Campus; Goodgers Game Unaffected

Bucky Beatwriter

On the eve of the 2006 off year elections students at the University have effectively shut down the campus. Anti-war activists have taken over Malcolm X Hall and the John Brown administration complex and have refused to allow the campus to function as normal until, they say, “we bring an end to this ***ing war and this power mad Bush. Bush and his corrupt cronies have got to go. This is the only power the people have ever had, direct action to bring down militarists and fascists who use their power against the many.” Truer words have never been spoken.

There is a long history of student activism on the campus and it is considered by many to be the most open, democratic and egalitarian colleges in the world. Last year, the college drew national headlines when it expanded its free book program to include laptop and desktop computers for all of its students. In addition to this fantasy, it also has a very good Big ten Fantasy Football team. Bucky’s Goodgers have won 3 BTFFL Blue Ox Bowls over the last three years and they are in a dogfight this year to re-re-repeat.

Student activist have not shut down Emancipation Stadium, the site of today’s big showdown in the BTFFL between the school’s beloved Goodgers and the BTFFLs resurgent Halifax Spitfires. In the same three years that the Goodgers have been so dominant, the Spitfires have been at the bottom of the conference. Last year Spitz and company managed just one win, a week 10 victory against the Farmers, before bowing out meekly in the year ending Gopher Bowl to sibling rival Golden Goblins. This year, Spitz is sitting at 5-4, having won in exciting fashion last week on the late game heroics of star Running Back Tony Pittman. That game went to overtime and the 90-90 result may be the difference between a trip to the BOB and a trip to the consolation Gopher Bowl! Now at 5-4 with last week’s win, Spitz sits, or more likely sleeps, in second place in the BTFFL and an inside track on Spitz’s first appearance in the BOB. The two teams will not face each other again this season, so the Goblins have an uphill battle to return to the BOB, although they are currently leading the Spitfires in the crucial tiebreaker of total points.

Today’s Goodger Line-Up, entering Emancipation stadium to “All You Fascists (are bound to lose)”

QB1 Drew “Lincoln’s Secretary of War” Stanton

QB2 Curtis “Lemay was a war criminal” Painter

RB1 Mike “We could have done a lot worse than Gary” Hart (In fact, we did)

RB2 Albert “Never trust anybody over thirty” Young

WR1 Dorion Bryant

WR2 Greg Orton

WR3 Kerry “I, er, ah, er, ah, lost, ah” Reed

K Taylor Melhoff

(I could only rack my brain for so long for a mildly humorous tangential left wing reference for Bryant, Orton, and Melhoff. I give up)

BTFFL Draft 2006: The Worst

And now the worst. A much more abundant harvest this year than the best.

Honorable mentions:

Everyone picked after the 13^th Round except: the kickers, Anthony Gonzalez, CJ Bacher, Adrain Arrington, Alex Daniels and Matt Trannon. That’s 15 picks, just a Dead Sea of BTFFL talent. Even the picks with value are, with one exception, marginal at best.

Dion Butler/Derrick Williams – Golden Goblins, Fighting Farmers, 6^th Round – Picked after Ted Ginn, Jr., these guys were expected to be top 5, top 10 at worst, BTFFL Wide Recievers. They haven’t been completely useless but they have not performed anywhere near expectations. Butler is currently the 12^th ranked WR, Williams 17^th.

Shaun Herbert, Halifax Spitfires, 10^th Round – There are so many bad WR early in the draft, Herbert is just one of them.

Jeremy Scott, Halifax Spitfies, 9^th Round – See Shaun Herbert.

Steve Breaston, Bucky’s Goodgers, 11^th Round. A relatively late round pick but the presence of Anthony Gonzalez and Adrian Arrington haunts the Breaston pick just as it does every other WR selected prior to the 14 the round.

And now the list:

10. The Entire 13^th Round, Carlos Brown, Evan Royster, Shonn Greene and Tim Brasic. -- This round is so bad it makes it as part of the Honorable Mentions and the Top 10. What a waste of a round. Brown no longer on a roster, Brasic lost his job to Juice!, Shonn Greene is the cream of the crop, kicking around the BTFFL and scoring a 25 points over the course of the season and one of our favorite things in the Worst list: Royster. A player still on a roster who has scored zero points in the entire season.

9. Ernie Wheelwright, Fighting Farmers, 8^th Round. -- The 8^th Round rivals the 13^th as the worst in the 2006 BTFFL draft. Wheelwright appeared to be the next in a line of very good Gopher fantasy WR. Instead, to use a sports cliché, his picture should be on a milk carton. Wheels has 15 points in the entire season. Selected over Sims, Mendenhall, Taylor, Caulcrick, Juice!, Payne, Gonzo, Arrington, Daniels.

8. Demetrius McCray, Bucky’s goodgers, 8^th Round – Part of the 8^th Round train wreck. Picked as insurance for Marcus Thigpen. Insurance for Marcus Thigpen! If you want a good laugh say that out loud 5 times in a row. I guarantee you won’t get through 3.

7. Lance Smith, Kevin Grady, EJ Jones, Halifax Spitfires, 6^th, 7^th, and 8^th Rounds – part of a sound strategy that could have paid huge dividends, none of these highly regarded, backup Running Backs has done anything this season. Admittedly, Jones started week 1 and was injured, and Hill injured last week could finally give way to Smith but as of now, these three high round picks have done nothing. Pinnix, picked after Smith and Grady (but not Jones) would have served this team much better and allowed at least one more pick.

6. Chad Henne, Fighting Farmers, 5^th Round – Unfortunately for the Farmers (and as we will see later, the Spitfires), the highly regarded QBs on the board significantly underperformed the less heralded who remained on the board and were value picks later on. Henne chosen before Stocco (12^th Round), Kellen Lewis (undrafted) and Juice! (10^th Round). Henne hasn’t been awful but, in hindsight, both the Farmers and Spitfires invested in several QBs that just were not worth the draft position.

5. Herb Grigsby, Bucky’s Goodgers, 6^th Round – The Goodgers had the best group of keepers in the BTFFL. They watched as every player with real value were picked by the unfortunate Farmers and Spitfires. The Goodgers primary goal entering the draft was to upgrade their WR corps, having held on to two QBs and two RBs. “With the 24^th Pick in the 2006 Big Ten Fantasy Football Draft, the 3 time consecutive Blue Ox Bowl Champion Bucky’s Goodgers select Mario Manningham, WR, Michigan.” That would have been a real pick. Herb Grigsby has produced 0, 5, 3, 0, 4, and 2 points for the reigning BOB champs. Herbie did add a 15 point game after finally being dropped but he remains a terrible, terrible pick a player (Herbie Hint: To play Wide Receiver in American Football you have to be able to catch the ball when it is thrown to you).

4. Anthony Morelli, Halifax Spitfires, 5^th Round – Morelli should read the same as Henne only, oh, I don’t know, 100 times worse. Morelli inherited an offense that produced 4^th highest overall BTFFL scorer Michael Robinson last year and Morelli has been shite! (If you need to you can repeat that last part of the sentence in your best Groundstender Groundskeeper Willie voice). Morelli is only ranked above the Northwestern QB in terms of fantasy points scored. That’s right, Juice! and Kellen Lewis, both players who have not started every game for their respective BT teams, have more fantasy points than Skreech, ah, Morelli.

3. Austin Scott, Golden Goblins, 8^th Round – A terrible pick this year in its own right, Scott has zero points in the BTFFL this year. He is, with the exception of EJ Jones, the highest drafted player to score nothing on the season. He completes the disastrous 8^th Round (joining shitty FFL players and compatriots Jones, Wheelwright, and McCray). Scott gets extra credit for being, as Shawn suggested earlier this year, the biggest bust in BTFFL history for 4 years.

2. Blake Powers, Halifax Spitfires, 3^rd Round – Not much needs to be said here, max Powers lost his job early in the season and has never looked back. He somehow remains on the Spitfires roster. He sucks. But, the $41 pick up dollars spent by the Spitfires on the his replacement, Kellen Lewis, mitigates the investment of the 3^rd pick in Max. But, it must be said, what a team the Spitfires would have if they had had faith in Teddy Ginn, Jr., who stood out like a sore thumb when the Spitfires picked Powers (and, much less of a disappointment Pierre Thomas).

1. Chris “Beanie” Wells, Fighting Farmers, 1^st Round – This is a tough ranking given the situation at the time of the draft but one can’t ignore the fact that the Farmers have been burned, at least for this year and it ain’t looking much better for next (better hope that Tony Pittman and his family need money so he goes pro early even though he certainly should not), by the hype machine that is college football recruiting in 2006. Wells will undoubtedly be a great Running Back at Ohio State, he has already shown enough to understand that. But Pittman has a hold of the starters job with both hands and he is not letting go (unlike Beanie does to often when he’s carrying the football). The pick was understandable given Wells potential, Pittman’s uncertainty and OSUs offense. But he’s a complete bust this year and one has to wonder whether he will even be a keeper next.

BTFFL Draft 2006: The Best

There was a lot more to write about last year. Well, actually there are plenty of bad picks to write about but very few good ones. This year's draft is like a black hole of bad picks. So I'll start out with the top 10 best picks. If I can find 10.

(I found more than 10!)
Honorable mentions:

Rashard Mendenhall, Halifax Spitfires, 9th Round -- Since Juice! has come in Mendenhall has benefitted. Could even sneak into Spitfires Keepers next season.

Greg Orton, Bucky's Goodgers, 12th Round -- Looked pretty good, hampered by injury, limited production.

Jaycen Taylor, Golden Goblins, 10th Round -- frustating Joe Tiller RB, 13th ranked BTFFL Fantasy RB.

CJ Bacher, Bucky's Goodgers, 14th Round -- It has taken almost all year but Bashay looks like he'll be the heir to the pass happy Northwestern offense now that Fitz has figured out that being able to throw the ball accurately and downfield is more important to the spread offense than being able to occasionally run for 13 yards when the play breaks down (see Mike Kafka and Andrew Brewer)

John Stocco, Golden Goblins, 12th Round -- 8th QB selected, 5th highest scoring QB. Good, not great value.

And on to the list:

10. Alex Daniels Fighting Farmers, 16th Round -- I know he's moving back to defense or some other move designed to retard his development as a football player but who woundn't use there 16th round pick on a player if they knew they would get 33, 15 and 10 points in the first three weeks?. Virtually nothing after that, who cares? No one picked after him comes close to such production.

9. Ted Ginn, Jr, Fighting Farmers, 4th Round. I hate to have such high picks in the best picks but that's just the nature of the beast this year. Ginn is first WR selected in the draft (among those not kept) and he is the highest scoring WR in the league (tied with Manningham).

8. Logan Payne, Halifax Spitfires, 11th Round -- Payne is the 9th WR off the board. Those selected ahead of him include missing person and teammate Ernie Wheelwright, Shaun Herbert, Jeremy Scott, Herb Grigsby, and PSU disappointments Deon Williams and Derrick Butler (whatever). Payne has more fantasy points than both of the WR who were kept this season, Dorion Bryant and James Hardy.

7. Adrian Arrington, Golden Goblins, 15th Round -- Arrington has been the benificiary of Mario Manningham's injury. After scoring zero points in the first three games, Arrington has not scored less than 7 since. That's good enough to make him the 11th highest scoring fantasy reciever despite being the 15th off the board. His future certainly looks bright and could push for a keeper spot on the Goblins.

6. Damien Sims, Golden Goblins, 9th Round -- Another benificiary of an injury. Sims has taken advantage of a hobbled Albert Young to score 82 fantasy points and turn in a top 10 fantasy year so far. He was the 17th RB selected, behind such fantasy and Big Ten non factors as Chris Wells, Lance Smith, Kevin Grady, EJ Jones, Austin Scott, and DeMetrius McCray.

5. Anthony Gonzalez, Golden Goblins, 14th Round -- Gonzalez could easily be ranked even higher. Selected after such WRs as Greg Orton, Steve Breaston, Shaun Herbert, Jeremy Scott, Herb Grigsby and PSU disappointments Derrick Williams and Dion Butler (or whatever). All Gonzalez has done is score 97 points while putting together the 3rd best fantasy year for a WR. Also selected ahead of Gonzalez: Brian Hoyer, Tim Brasic, Shonn Greene, Evan Royster, Carlos Brown, Brandon Minor, John Stocco, Mike Kafka, Dywan Rowan, Brandon Roberson, well, you can see why it is going to be a long Worst of 2006.

4. PJ Hill/Tony Pittman, Halifax Spitfires, 1st and 2nd Round -- A pair of early picks gets the nod here because Andy gets the highest scoring player in the BTFFL in Hill with the first pick. You can not do any better than that, although you can do much worse. And Pittman, selected in the second round after Chris Wells is a gutsy second pick that also just happens to be the right on. Pittman is running neck and neck with Tony Hunt for the 3rd highest scoring RB and I'd guess that by seasons end he will have outscored Hunt. Either way, Andy gets the core of his likely BOB team with these picks. One can easily imagine a worse set of picks submarining his team.

3. Juice! Bucky's Goodgers, 10th Round -- The only appearance in the Top 10 best picks for the Goodgers, Juice! comes in at 3 based on his taking over the Illinois job much sooner than any expected and looking like he'll be a keeper for as long as he plays college football. Despite not starting the first 2 games, Juice! is the 7th ranked BTFFL QB and has looked better and better with each passing week. Passing week, ha, ha, that's funny.

2. Amir Pinnix, 7th Round, Golden Goblins -- A forgotton man, or at least suspect starter, on draft day. Pinnix has clawed his way to the top of the Gopher depth chart and has produced numbers that make him the 7th highest scoring back in the BTFFL. He has more points than BTFFL keepers Albert Young and Tyrell Sutton. He was selected after Chris Wells, Javon Ringer (inj.), Pierre Thomas, Lance Smith, and Kevin Grady.

1. Mario Manningham, 7th Round, Halifax Spitfires -- Looking at the top 4 best picks, it is apparent why the Spitfires appear poised to get to the BOB for the first time in their history. Manningham, or Touchdown!, completes the core of Spitfire starters. He is the BTFFLs highest scoring reciever, selected after the disasterous 6th round trio of Butler, Williams and Grigsby(!). Despite his injury, which has caused him to miss three games, he remains the highest scoring WR in the BTFFL. If he had not been injured, he'd likely be scoring on par with top 5 RBs in the BTFFL. In any case, he's a Sophomore and he'll certainly be a keeper. Adding insult to injury to the rest of the BTFFL is the fact that he was on every roster last year -- starting with the Goblins, who cut him, moving to the Goodgers, who traded him, and ending up with the Farmers, who didn't keep him, along the way passing through his eventual destination: The Litter Box. I expect to be watching him catch Touchdown! after Touchdown! for more a couple more years and being annoyed that I picked Herb fucking Grigsby over him in the 2006 BTFFL draft.

If I have the time, watch for the carnage that is the Worst of the BTFFL Draft.

pick'ems a little late

Maryland
Virginia
GT
Cinny
Wis
MSU
Iowa
Mich
OSU
Purdue
KSU
KU
Mizzou
AM
Tex
Marshall
Houston
Tulane
Tol
Ohio
BYU
NEW MEX
TCU
UTah
WASH
WASH ST
FL
MISS ST
TENN
ARk St
MTS
Idaho

Anyone know who the Spitfires are starting?

Just can't seem to find their starters...

Goodger's turning into BADgers?

Bucky Beatwriter

The Goodgers have not seen this kind of adversity since the inaugrual BTFFL season, way back before the hallowed tradition of the Blue Ox Bowl capped the BTFFL season. The 2006 regular season started out according to the script, there were even whispers of a perfect season after the Goodgers started out 4-0. Since then, very little has gone right for the most successful and storied school in the BTFFL. The Goodgers have only managed to win of the next four and now sit precariously on top the BTFFL standings at 5-3. The Golden Goblins and the rejuvinated Halifax Spitfires are each just one game back, nipping at the heals of the reigning champions. And, in the closest BTFFL season ever, the rival Fighting Farmers, technically in last place, are just two games behind the Goodgers and one game out of another appearance in the Blue Ox Bowl. A loss again this week for the Goodgers would mean falling back into a tie for first place for the first time since week 2 of the season. Can the Goodgers respond this week? Will they be able to hold on to the BTFFL lead or will all be thrown into flux after this week?

Goodgers Starters:

Drew Stanton
Curtis Painter
Mike Hart
Albert Young
Dorion Bryant
Steve Breaston
Kerry Reed
Taylor Melhoff

Spitfires Starters

QB - Kellen Lewis
RB - P. J. Hill
RB - Tony Pittman
RB - Rashard Mendenhall
WR - Jordon Norwood
WR - Logan Payne
WR - Herb Grigsby
K - Kyle Schlicher

Spitfires Starters

QB - Kellen Lewis
RB - P. J. Hill
RB - Tony Pittman
RB - Rashard Mendenhall
WR - Jordon Norwood
WR - Logan Payne
WR - Herb Grigsby
K - Kyle Schlicher

Spitfires Starters

QB - Kellen Lewis
RB - P. J. Hill
RB - Tony Pittman
RB - Rashard Mendenhall
WR - Jordon Norwood
WR - Logan Payne
WR - Herb Grigsby
K - Kyle Schlicher

Spitfires Starters

QB - Kellen Lewis
RB - P. J. Hill
RB - Tony Pittman
RB - Rashard Mendenhall
WR - Jordon Norwood
WR - Logan Payne
WR - Herb Grigsby
K - Kyle Schlicher

Spitfires Starters

QB - Kellen Lewis
RB - P. J. Hill
RB - Tony Pittman
RB - Rashard Mendenhall
WR - Jordon Norwood
WR - Logan Payne
WR - Herb Grigsby
K - Kyle Schlicher

Spitfires Starters

QB - Kellen Lewis
RB - P. J. Hill
RB - Tony Pittman
RB - Rashard Mendenhall
WR - Jordon Norwood
WR - Logan Payne
WR - Herb Grigsby
K - Kyle Schlicher

Line Up

QB Henne
RB Hunt
RB Caulcrick
RB Wells
WR Ginn
WR Williams
WR Beckum
K Kelly (or Sommers if Kelly's already been picked up)

picking up

drop K Gophers Giannini

pick up K PSU Kelley (sp?)

if he's already been picked up, then Sommers K Purdue.

Week 8

Bucky Beatwriter

In what is the most competitive and exciting BTFFL season yet, the Goodgers look to keep their grip on first place in the league this week against the rival Golden Goblins. Although the Goodgers sit atop the BTFFL standings, a return trip to the Blue Ox Bowl is certainly not assured and every BTFFL team has a legitimate shot at the BOB no matter what happens this week. Of course, with their 5-2 record, the Goodgers have the inside track on an unprecedented fourth consecutive BOB appearance but nothing is guaranteed with 3 teams tied in second place with 3-4 records. Certainly a win for Bucky and the fighting Goodgers would go a long way towards the BOB. A loss, however, would put the entire BOB up in the air.

The Goodgers are excited about the return to the line up of two critical players that have been out of action for the past two weeks: Drew Stanton and Albert Young.

Goodgers line up:

QB Drew Stanton
QB Curtis Painter
RB Mike Hart
RB Albert Young
WR Dorien Bryant
WR Steve Breaston
WR Kerry Reed
K Taylor Melhoff

Farmers Line Up Week 8

As we past the mid-way point of the BTFFL season, the Farmers are at a crossing poing w/ three other lousy teams. The outcome of the Spitefires/Farmers game may very well determine the second place finisher in the BTFFL and of course, the eventual runners up in the Blue Ox Bowl. With a injured QB starting, and another facing a stout Buckeye defense, things may be looking up for the Farmers this week, but I doubt it...

QB Henne
QB Cupito
RB Hunt
RB Caulcrick
WR Ginn
WR Williams
WR Decker (I have his uniform from this game so may as well start him)
K Sommers (My kicker may change based on if we find out who the pick-ups and drops are for this week, Andy?)

Go Farmers!

pick'em

I think you should list the percentage picked correctly rather than the total games correct. I missed a week or two and I am feeling hot. My trade sports account is balloning as a result of my cogent selections this year. Of course that little weasel bitch Bush is trying to shut down my cash cow after I finally figured out how to turn my Glen "deer in headlights" Mason frustration into something positive. Anyway, here are my free sage predictions, feel free to use them for your personal enrichment.


Nevada - I have been telling you to keep an eye on the west for a while now. Nevada is one of those teams that can recruit CA pretty well and is benefitting from it. If they would pay attention to D they might be a top 25 team. In this case, they will face a stiff test from an under the radar Jose team. It should be entertaining but I like NV to outscore SJS 38-34

Laf - No words of wisdom here, so I pick the home team. 16-7

Oregon - Look out! WSU is better than anyone expected. This could be an upset but I am not quite convinced WSU can stop the Ducks late when they need to- Oregon is not as good as they have been in the past - the wisconsin of the pac ten- always escapes in close struggles and they do it again here. 24-20

Cal - Cal seems to be surging but do not expet them to be in the title game- poor QB and suspect D make this a good but not a great Cal team. Wash is getting better but not ready to beat Cal on the road. 31-17

Arizona - This team gives me fits. I am on the bandwagon and then off it week to week. This week I am back on it. I think the cats should be a top 3 or 4 team in the P10 but they always seem to implode. With hesitation I think Az's D wins this game but whenever I pick them they play like crap so do not expect much from them. 17-13

Wyoming - Did I mention that the power in CF is moving west? Quietly Wyoming is improving. I am not putting them in a BCS bowl I am just saying they do not stink like every other year. This is a rivalry game and it can make the season for Wyoming. In a mild upset they down CSU with inspired D 20-16

Utah - NM is disappointing - they need Urlacher to return. 27-10

Akron - How can anyone expect to win in the rubber bowl? When I think zips I think Gerrry Faust. The zips need to win this to stay in contention and their Q is the difference 26-24

Cent Mich - Bowling Green is rebuilding and CM is poised to punish BG. In a yawner- 28-14

Notre Dame - What happened to UCLA? As bad as ND D is this year it is still better than UCLA. I like ND to win a high scoring affair and the media will lavish praise on ND like they beat an NFL team- it will sicken us all and degrade the entire sport but the front runners everywhere will eat it up. 41-27

TCU - I really want to pick Army but they are still the poor sister military academy that nobody roots for and good college players avoid even more than Minnesota. Army is respectable but not good enough to beat the solid frogs. 30-20

Houston - UTEP is sexy but Houston almost beat Miami- that is good enough for me. 21-17

AM - Does OSU have a football program? The northwestern of the big 12 lets AM off the hook in a heatbreaker- 24-23

Texas - I think Neb has a shot here- mainly b/c I am not a believer in Texas. However, NE is not that good either. I would stay away from betting on this one- NE will be up for the game and at home they might just pull it out. I 'll stick with my hope rather than my gut on this one . 26-20

Mizzou - Wow what a horrible loss last week! The tigers were set up to win the division but they choked against a nothing AM squad- yuk! This devesating loss might carry over, fortunately they play KSU. Missou gets back on track and keeps hope alive with an ugly 27-17 win.

Kansas - Baylor cannot move the ball. This could be a single digit game. Kansas blocks a punt to win 9-6.

TT - Sadly ISU is not very good. They are due for a win but I just do not see any reason for hope. The home field keeps it relatively close but ISU must wait until next year. 33-19

Rutgers - You gotta be happy for Rutgers. This is a really good team and they clearly will produce their best season ever this year. PItt will be tough but I am sticking with the Knights. If they can win this game look out! BCS is a possibility! 28-24

BC - FSU has no offense and their D is overrated. I am not in love with BC but they have a better team overall. They pass to victory 27-23

Clemson - I learned my lesson- Clemson is almost impossible to beat at home. They destroy the calvin Johnson's 30-14

Maryland - When I look at chuck amato and mark testman all I can think is fraud. 21-13

Cinncy - The second best school in Ohio wins in a thrilling OT game 37-34

Michigan State - How much does NW miss Walker? Even JL smith cannot blow this one. Mich St. will carve up the NW D- its a total mismatch- a team that spreads the field is a nightmare for the cats. MSU looks like a title team in this one. 36-15

Penn State- I think Ill will give PSU some trouble. PSU is not very good, especially on O and if Juice can scramble effectively it could be a very close game. Still, PSU does have the better D and will likely grind out a win. 27-17

Ohio State- Please! Indiana can beat an injured, sub-standard Iowa club but not Ohio State. OSU will be bored but the game will never be in doubt. 38-14

Wisconsin - Purdue should have lost to Minnesota. Do I need to give further proof? 40-27

Michigan - Iowa should have lost to Syracuse, got blown out by OSU and lost to Indiana. And they struggled in all their non-conf games against weak Mac teams. If this game is within two touchdowns their should be an investigation. Henne will throw two picks but it will not matter. This is not about MIch being great - in my opinion they are the same old Michigan- this is about a down Iowa team. 34-17

Minnesota- At least its one game closer to the end of the season and one more game closer to the end of the Mason era. 36-20

pick'em

I think you should list the percentage picked correctly rather than the total games correct. I missed a week or two and I am feeling hot. My trade sports account is balloning as a result of my cogent selections this year. Of course that little weasel bitch Bush is trying to shut down my cash cow after I finally figured out how to turn my Glen "deer in headlights" Mason frustration into something positive. Anyway, here are my free sage predictions, feel free to use them for your personal enrichment.


Nevada - I have been telling you to keep an eye on the west for a while now. Nevada is one of those teams that can recruit CA pretty well and is benefitting from it. If they would pay attention to D they might be a top 25 team. In this case, they will face a stiff test from an under the radar Jose team. It should be entertaining but I like NV to outscore SJS 38-34

Laf - No words of wisdom here, so I pick the home team. 16-7

Oregon - Look out! WSU is better than anyone expected. This could be an upset but I am not quite convinced WSU can stop the Ducks late when they need to- Oregon is not as good as they have been in the past - the wisconsin of the pac ten- always escapes in close struggles and they do it again here. 24-20

Cal - Cal seems to be surging but do not expet them to be in the title game- poor QB and suspect D make this a good but not a great Cal team. Wash is getting better but not ready to beat Cal on the road. 31-17

Arizona - This team gives me fits. I am on the bandwagon and then off it week to week. This week I am back on it. I think the cats should be a top 3 or 4 team in the P10 but they always seem to implode. With hesitation I think Az's D wins this game but whenever I pick them they play like crap so do not expect much from them. 17-13

Wyoming - Did I mention that the power in CF is moving west? Quietly Wyoming is improving. I am not putting them in a BCS bowl I am just saying they do not stink like every other year. This is a rivalry game and it can make the season for Wyoming. In a mild upset they down CSU with inspired D 20-16

Utah - NM is disappointing - they need Urlacher to return. 27-10

Akron - How can anyone expect to win in the rubber bowl? When I think zips I think Gerrry Faust. The zips need to win this to stay in contention and their Q is the difference 26-24

Cent Mich - Bowling Green is rebuilding and CM is poised to punish BG. In a yawner- 28-14

Notre Dame - What happened to UCLA? As bad as ND D is this year it is still better than UCLA. I like ND to win a high scoring affair and the media will lavish praise on ND like they beat an NFL team- it will sicken us all and degrade the entire sport but the front runners everywhere will eat it up. 41-27

TCU - I really want to pick Army but they are still the poor sister military academy that nobody roots for and good college players avoid even more than Minnesota. Army is respectable but not good enough to beat the solid frogs. 30-20

Houston - UTEP is sexy but Houston almost beat Miami- that is good enough for me. 21-17

AM - Does OSU have a football program? The northwestern of the big 12 lets AM off the hook in a heatbreaker- 24-23

Texas - I think Neb has a shot here- mainly b/c I am not a believer in Texas. However, NE is not that good either. I would stay away from betting on this one- NE will be up for the game and at home they might just pull it out. I 'll stick with my hope rather than my gut on this one . 26-20

Mizzou - Wow what a horrible loss last week! The tigers were set up to win the division but they choked against a nothing AM squad- yuk! This devesating loss might carry over, fortunately they play KSU. Missou gets back on track and keeps hope alive with an ugly 27-17 win.

Kansas - Baylor cannot move the ball. This could be a single digit game. Kansas blocks a punt to win 9-6.

TT - Sadly ISU is not very good. They are due for a win but I just do not see any reason for hope. The home field keeps it relatively close but ISU must wait until next year. 33-19

Rutgers - You gotta be happy for Rutgers. This is a really good team and they clearly will produce their best season ever this year. PItt will be tough but I am sticking with the Knights. If they can win this game look out! BCS is a possibility! 28-24

BC - FSU has no offense and their D is overrated. I am not in love with BC but they have a better team overall. They pass to victory 27-23

Clemson - I learned my lesson- Clemson is almost impossible to beat at home. They destroy the calvin Johnson's 30-14

Maryland - When I look at chuck amato and mark testman all I can think is fraud. 21-13

Cinncy - The second best school in Ohio wins in a thrilling OT game 37-34

Michigan State - How much does NW miss Walker? Even JL smith cannot blow this one. Mich St. will carve up the NW D- its a total mismatch- a team that spreads the field is a nightmare for the cats. MSU looks like a title team in this one. 36-15

Penn State- I think Ill will give PSU some trouble. PSU is not very good, especially on O and if Juice can scramble effectively it could be a very close game. Still, PSU does have the better D and will likely grind out a win. 27-17

Ohio State- Please! Indiana can beat an injured, sub-standard Iowa club but not Ohio State. OSU will be bored but the game will never be in doubt. 38-14

Wisconsin - Purdue should have lost to Minnesota. Do I need to give further proof? 40-27

Michigan - Iowa should have lost to Syracuse, got blown out by OSU and lost to Indiana. And they struggled in all their non-conf games against weak Mac teams. If this game is within two touchdowns their should be an investigation. Henne will throw two picks but it will not matter. This is not about MIch being great - in my opinion they are the same old Michigan- this is about a down Iowa team. 34-17

Minnesota- At least its one game closer to the end of the season and one more game closer to the end of the Mason era. 36-20

pick'em

I think you should list the percentage picked correctly rather than the total games correct. I missed a week or two and I am feeling hot. My trade sports account is balloning as a result of my cogent selections this year. Of course that little weasel bitch Bush is trying to shut down my cash cow after I finally figured out how to turn my Glen "deer in headlights" Mason frustration into something positive. Anyway, here are my free sage predictions, feel free to use them for your personal enrichment.


Nevada - I have been telling you to keep an eye on the west for a while now. Nevada is one of those teams that can recruit CA pretty well and is benefitting from it. If they would pay attention to D they might be a top 25 team. In this case, they will face a stiff test from an under the radar Jose team. It should be entertaining but I like NV to outscore SJS 38-34

Laf - No words of wisdom here, so I pick the home team. 16-7

Oregon - Look out! WSU is better than anyone expected. This could be an upset but I am not quite convinced WSU can stop the Ducks late when they need to- Oregon is not as good as they have been in the past - the wisconsin of the pac ten- always escapes in close struggles and they do it again here. 24-20

Cal - Cal seems to be surging but do not expet them to be in the title game- poor QB and suspect D make this a good but not a great Cal team. Wash is getting better but not ready to beat Cal on the road. 31-17

Arizona - This team gives me fits. I am on the bandwagon and then off it week to week. This week I am back on it. I think the cats should be a top 3 or 4 team in the P10 but they always seem to implode. With hesitation I think Az's D wins this game but whenever I pick them they play like crap so do not expect much from them. 17-13

Wyoming - Did I mention that the power in CF is moving west? Quietly Wyoming is improving. I am not putting them in a BCS bowl I am just saying they do not stink like every other year. This is a rivalry game and it can make the season for Wyoming. In a mild upset they down CSU with inspired D 20-16

Utah - NM is disappointing - they need Urlacher to return. 27-10

Akron - How can anyone expect to win in the rubber bowl? When I think zips I think Gerrry Faust. The zips need to win this to stay in contention and their Q is the difference 26-24

Cent Mich - Bowling Green is rebuilding and CM is poised to punish BG. In a yawner- 28-14

Notre Dame - What happened to UCLA? As bad as ND D is this year it is still better than UCLA. I like ND to win a high scoring affair and the media will lavish praise on ND like they beat an NFL team- it will sicken us all and degrade the entire sport but the front runners everywhere will eat it up. 41-27

TCU - I really want to pick Army but they are still the poor sister military academy that nobody roots for and good college players avoid even more than Minnesota. Army is respectable but not good enough to beat the solid frogs. 30-20

Houston - UTEP is sexy but Houston almost beat Miami- that is good enough for me. 21-17

AM - Does OSU have a football program? The northwestern of the big 12 lets AM off the hook in a heatbreaker- 24-23

Texas - I think Neb has a shot here- mainly b/c I am not a believer in Texas. However, NE is not that good either. I would stay away from betting on this one- NE will be up for the game and at home they might just pull it out. I 'll stick with my hope rather than my gut on this one . 26-20

Mizzou - Wow what a horrible loss last week! The tigers were set up to win the division but they choked against a nothing AM squad- yuk! This devesating loss might carry over, fortunately they play KSU. Missou gets back on track and keeps hope alive with an ugly 27-17 win.

Kansas - Baylor cannot move the ball. This could be a single digit game. Kansas blocks a punt to win 9-6.

TT - Sadly ISU is not very good. They are due for a win but I just do not see any reason for hope. The home field keeps it relatively close but ISU must wait until next year. 33-19

Rutgers - You gotta be happy for Rutgers. This is a really good team and they clearly will produce their best season ever this year. PItt will be tough but I am sticking with the Knights. If they can win this game look out! BCS is a possibility! 28-24

BC - FSU has no offense and their D is overrated. I am not in love with BC but they have a better team overall. They pass to victory 27-23

Clemson - I learned my lesson- Clemson is almost impossible to beat at home. They destroy the calvin Johnson's 30-14

Maryland - When I look at chuck amato and mark testman all I can think is fraud. 21-13

Cinncy - The second best school in Ohio wins in a thrilling OT game 37-34

Michigan State - How much does NW miss Walker? Even JL smith cannot blow this one. Mich St. will carve up the NW D- its a total mismatch- a team that spreads the field is a nightmare for the cats. MSU looks like a title team in this one. 36-15

Penn State- I think Ill will give PSU some trouble. PSU is not very good, especially on O and if Juice can scramble effectively it could be a very close game. Still, PSU does have the better D and will likely grind out a win. 27-17

Ohio State- Please! Indiana can beat an injured, sub-standard Iowa club but not Ohio State. OSU will be bored but the game will never be in doubt. 38-14

Wisconsin - Purdue should have lost to Minnesota. Do I need to give further proof? 40-27

Michigan - Iowa should have lost to Syracuse, got blown out by OSU and lost to Indiana. And they struggled in all their non-conf games against weak Mac teams. If this game is within two touchdowns their should be an investigation. Henne will throw two picks but it will not matter. This is not about MIch being great - in my opinion they are the same old Michigan- this is about a down Iowa team. 34-17

Minnesota- At least its one game closer to the end of the season and one more game closer to the end of the Mason era. 36-20

pick'em

I think you should list the percentage picked correctly rather than the total games correct. I missed a week or two and I am feeling hot. My trade sports account is balloning as a result of my cogent selections this year. Of course that little weasel bitch Bush is trying to shut down my cash cow after I finally figured out how to turn my Glen "deer in headlights" Mason frustration into something positive. Anyway, here are my free sage predictions, feel free to use them for your personal enrichment.


Nevada - I have been telling you to keep an eye on the west for a while now. Nevada is one of those teams that can recruit CA pretty well and is benefitting from it. If they would pay attention to D they might be a top 25 team. In this case, they will face a stiff test from an under the radar Jose team. It should be entertaining but I like NV to outscore SJS 38-34

Laf - No words of wisdom here, so I pick the home team. 16-7

Oregon - Look out! WSU is better than anyone expected. This could be an upset but I am not quite convinced WSU can stop the Ducks late when they need to- Oregon is not as good as they have been in the past - the wisconsin of the pac ten- always escapes in close struggles and they do it again here. 24-20

Cal - Cal seems to be surging but do not expet them to be in the title game- poor QB and suspect D make this a good but not a great Cal team. Wash is getting better but not ready to beat Cal on the road. 31-17

Arizona - This team gives me fits. I am on the bandwagon and then off it week to week. This week I am back on it. I think the cats should be a top 3 or 4 team in the P10 but they always seem to implode. With hesitation I think Az's D wins this game but whenever I pick them they play like crap so do not expect much from them. 17-13

Wyoming - Did I mention that the power in CF is moving west? Quietly Wyoming is improving. I am not putting them in a BCS bowl I am just saying they do not stink like every other year. This is a rivalry game and it can make the season for Wyoming. In a mild upset they down CSU with inspired D 20-16

Utah - NM is disappointing - they need Urlacher to return. 27-10

Akron - How can anyone expect to win in the rubber bowl? When I think zips I think Gerrry Faust. The zips need to win this to stay in contention and their Q is the difference 26-24

Cent Mich - Bowling Green is rebuilding and CM is poised to punish BG. In a yawner- 28-14

Notre Dame - What happened to UCLA? As bad as ND D is this year it is still better than UCLA. I like ND to win a high scoring affair and the media will lavish praise on ND like they beat an NFL team- it will sicken us all and degrade the entire sport but the front runners everywhere will eat it up. 41-27

TCU - I really want to pick Army but they are still the poor sister military academy that nobody roots for and good college players avoid even more than Minnesota. Army is respectable but not good enough to beat the solid frogs. 30-20

Houston - UTEP is sexy but Houston almost beat Miami- that is good enough for me. 21-17

AM - Does OSU have a football program? The northwestern of the big 12 lets AM off the hook in a heatbreaker- 24-23

Texas - I think Neb has a shot here- mainly b/c I am not a believer in Texas. However, NE is not that good either. I would stay away from betting on this one- NE will be up for the game and at home they might just pull it out. I 'll stick with my hope rather than my gut on this one . 26-20

Mizzou - Wow what a horrible loss last week! The tigers were set up to win the division but they choked against a nothing AM squad- yuk! This devesating loss might carry over, fortunately they play KSU. Missou gets back on track and keeps hope alive with an ugly 27-17 win.

Kansas - Baylor cannot move the ball. This could be a single digit game. Kansas blocks a punt to win 9-6.

TT - Sadly ISU is not very good. They are due for a win but I just do not see any reason for hope. The home field keeps it relatively close but ISU must wait until next year. 33-19

Rutgers - You gotta be happy for Rutgers. This is a really good team and they clearly will produce their best season ever this year. PItt will be tough but I am sticking with the Knights. If they can win this game look out! BCS is a possibility! 28-24

BC - FSU has no offense and their D is overrated. I am not in love with BC but they have a better team overall. They pass to victory 27-23

Clemson - I learned my lesson- Clemson is almost impossible to beat at home. They destroy the calvin Johnson's 30-14

Maryland - When I look at chuck amato and mark testman all I can think is fraud. 21-13

Cinncy - The second best school in Ohio wins in a thrilling OT game 37-34

Michigan State - How much does NW miss Walker? Even JL smith cannot blow this one. Mich St. will carve up the NW D- its a total mismatch- a team that spreads the field is a nightmare for the cats. MSU looks like a title team in this one. 36-15

Penn State- I think Ill will give PSU some trouble. PSU is not very good, especially on O and if Juice can scramble effectively it could be a very close game. Still, PSU does have the better D and will likely grind out a win. 27-17

Ohio State- Please! Indiana can beat an injured, sub-standard Iowa club but not Ohio State. OSU will be bored but the game will never be in doubt. 38-14

Wisconsin - Purdue should have lost to Minnesota. Do I need to give further proof? 40-27

Michigan - Iowa should have lost to Syracuse, got blown out by OSU and lost to Indiana. And they struggled in all their non-conf games against weak Mac teams. If this game is within two touchdowns their should be an investigation. Henne will throw two picks but it will not matter. This is not about MIch being great - in my opinion they are the same old Michigan- this is about a down Iowa team. 34-17

Minnesota- At least its one game closer to the end of the season and one more game closer to the end of the Mason era. 36-20

Pick 'ems

Wis
Iowa
PU
NC
NCState
Ok
Rut
NIU
Kansas
OSU
Oregon
Missou
Virg
Bucky's Goodgers, er, Bowling Green
Kent
Fresno
Ill
SM
Neb
Flor
Mich
USC
LT
UNLV

High Iowa
Low Indiana
Give up most Indiana
Give up least Iowa
Most forced TO Ohio State

Farmers Line Up Week 7

Last week the Farmers reaped a bumper crop by defeating 3X BTFFL champions Bucky's Goodgers. They also got off the schnied of losing for umpteen consecutive games to the Goodgers.

The Farmers have been fertilizing Fallow Field for much of the season, and the once dilapitated dust bowl is now a model of the miracle of cow manure. This week's game against the Goblins is sure to stir up some heated emotions as the coveted Scarecrow Trophy is on the line. A pep rally sponsored by Con Agra will be held at Fallow Field with a live feed of the game coming over the newly installed jumbotron scoreboard. While the Farmers haven't been able to generate many points this season, their gutsy play has allowed them to stay tied for 2nd place with the Halifix Spitfires. If the Spitfired lose their matchup against the Goodgers, the Farmers will move into a first play tie with their arch rivals. This may very well be the most important week of the BTFFL season. Go Farmers!!!

Line Up

Henne

Cupito

Hunt

Caulcrick

Ginn

Williams

Hudson

Sommers

Spitfires Starters

Lets Go Spitz!

This week at The Litter Box, the biggest game in Spitfires history. The 3-3 Spitfires will host the 4-2 3 time defending Blue Ox Bowl Champion Goodgers. What's at stake? First place in the BTFFL! It's expected to be the biggest crowd in the history of the Spitfires and the Litter Box with just over 75,000 people expected to pack into the 74,000 seat Litter Box for a game under the lights on Saturday night! It's going to be loud, it's going to be fun, and the Halifax Spitfires WILL be in a tie for the lead in the BTFFL by late Saturday night!


Here We Go!

QB - Anthony Morelli
RB - P. J. Hill
RB - Tony Pittman
RB - Pierre Thomas
WR - Logan Payne
WR - Dominique Douglas
WR - Herb Grigsby
K - Kyle Schlicher

Ranking the Big Ten

1. Ohio State 6-0 (2-0)
2. Michigan 6-0 (3-0)
3. Iowa 5-1 (2-1)
4. Wisconsin 5-1 (2-1)
5. Penn State 4-2 (2-1)
6. Purdue 4-2 (1-1)
7. Michigan State 3-3 (0-2)
8. Minnesota 2-4 (0-3)
9. Indiana 3-3 (1-1)
10. Illinois 2-4 (1-2)
11. Northwestern 2-4 (0-2)

Between the Quotes: Mason's magnificent meltdowns

Here's our guy Glen's top five, bottom to top, and all inside the Hubert H. Humphrey House of Horrors:

5. Oct. 7, 2006: Penn State 28, Gophers 27, overtime. Jason Giannini clanks PAT off left upright after Eric Decker's outstanding touchdown catch in OT. Trumaine Banks breaks up Penn State's fourth-down pass, Gophers run madly onto field, failing to see penalty flag for interference that came after a request from rival coach Joe Paterno. Nittany Lions score in three plays, then pull off one of those tricky extra points for victory.

Mason: "I'm very proud of my players. They played a whale of a ballgame."

4. Oct. 28, 2000: Northwestern 41, Gophers 35. Gophers lead 35-14 after Asad Abdul-Khaliq's touchdown run with 5:34 left in the third quarter. Northwestern scores the final 27 points, including a 45-yard Hail Mary on the game's last play from Zak Kustok to Sam Simmons.

Mason: "Some games are harder to lose than others. My players poured their hearts out."

3. Sept. 29, 2001: Purdue 35, Gophers 28, overtime. Purdue, trailing 28-25, is at its 3-yard line with 19 seconds left and no timeouts. Purdue completes two passes for 66 yards, and the Boilers run out for a field-goal attempt as the officials place the ball for a first down with 1 second remaining. Travis Dorsch kicks a 48-yard tying field goal. Purdue scores in overtime, then an apparent touchdown pass to the Gophers' Antoine Henderson is questionably ruled out of bounds.

Mason: "How do we bring these kids back from the ground? That will be a challenge."

2. Oct. 15, 2005: Wisconsin 38, Gophers 34. The Gophers, rushing for 411 yards, lead 34-24 when Gary Russell's 1-yard touchdown run caps a 19-play, 80-yard drive that consumes 7:48. Wisconsin goes 71 yards in seven plays and 77 seconds to make it 34-31. The onside kick gets booted 30 yards backwards and Laurence Maroney recovers at his 8. On fourth down, punter Justin Kucek drops the snap and gets the punt blocked, and Wisconsin's Ben Strickland recovers in the end zone for the winning TD with 30 seconds left.

Mason: "Crazy."

1. Oct. 18, 2003: Michigan 38, Gophers 35. The Gophers, unbeaten and No. 17 in the Associated Press poll, lead 28-7 entering the fourth quarter. The Wolverines score 31 points in the fourth and get the victory, despite allowing more yards rushing -- 424 -- than any Michigan team in history.

Mason: "We've been here before."

Disarray in Goodgerland?

Bucky Beatwriter

After last week's loss to the Golden Goblins, Goodger AD/Coach Jay said all the right things. But rumors have spread throughout the week of dissent and turmoil behind the scenes among the Goodger faithful. How many points can one team leave on the bench? Will team leader, Senior Drew Stanton, ever recover from the meltdown at Notre Dame? If so, will his ribs be healthy enough to return to early season form? How will the Goodgers respond to thier first lose of the season?

Well, there are some changes to the line up this week (Chasing last week's points):

QB Juice!
QB Curtis Painter
RB Mike Hart
QB Albert Young
WR Dorien Bryant
WR Selwyn Lymon
WR Paul Hubbard
K Taylor Melhoff

Week 6 Feeble Farmers Starting lineup

The MN Feeble Farmers start;
QB Henne
QB Cupito
RB Hunt
RB Beanie Wells
WR Ginn
WR Willaims
WR Wheelright
K Sommers

PS. I'm looking forward to the #1 overall pick in next year's BTFFL draft as I do have the worst team!

pick'em

Northern ill -they might be the best team in the mac and they are certainly better than NW 30-20

Nevada - Anyone going to hawaii is bound to lose, the trip is too long and it is like a bowl game for most teams. But Nevada is an emerging power (in the rocky mountains) and they will stay away from the beaches. 24-16

Cal - I'd like to watch this one. My gut tells me Oregon is the better team but at home I will give the edge to cal. They will lose on the road in the next couple of weeks after an emotional win against oregon. 23-21

Nebraska - I am sorry to say that neb is improving. It was nice to see them down and ISU up but all good things must end and as usual the best things end even faster. ISU has a poor D and their O is much weaker than in recent years. 24-17

Tenn - Georgia is overrated. they play down to their opponents and I think their coach is sub-par. Tenn is not great either but I think they have the better O -both Ds are good. 16-14

UAB - Can the magic continue? Memphis lives on their reputation and they are ripe for upset. 23-22

Wash State - My god Oregon State sucks! Riley is done in 6 weeks and this game will seal his fate. 34-28

Missouri - The team of destiny in the big 12. They might struggle with the hurry up TT O but if they can keep them under 28 missouri should be able to outscore TT. Look out for the tigers! 31-28

Colo - They are embarrassing but will rally to pound baylor at home. 27- 10

Texas - This is a strange game b/c in my mind both times are slightly above average but not great. For some reason this game means more to OK than Tx so you should take OK but I will stick with Tx b/c their D is respectable. 19- 17

LSU - they should have beaten Auburn and if they are not the best then they are certainly the 2nd best team in the SEC. At home Fl will keep it close but LSU is better on both sides of the ball. 31-21

BYU - Here come the Mormons! I feel a return powerhouse status a year away. This should not be close. 35 -17

Navy - Still the best academy but AF will make this a classic game. 33-31

Kansas - Do you think KU misses Mason? AM misses Jackie Sherrill. 25- 22

Ohio State - Why is this game scheduled? Do you think people will complain as much about this game as everyone complains about MN playing bad teams? A national power gets a bye - where is the outrage? OSU struggles to stay interested. 38-13

Iowa - Not the usual IA team. This should have been evident against syracuse but getting ripped by OSU at home is a season killer. Fortunately, they play a declining PU club that cannot stop anyone except the gophers. The Hawks get well this week 31-19

Illinois - Ind is falling apart and Ill appears to have an emerging star Q. It should be ugly. 34-16

Wisconsin - If they fail to score 35 their should be an investigation into point shaving at drunk U. 42- 12

Michigan - MSU looked awful last week and the death watch for L Smith is underway. MSU will give an inspired performance but lose again. 29-18

Penn St. - Please sit down, I am not sick. I actually think Minn might win this game. PSU struggled with Akron, (who lost to Kent State), Notre Dame trounced them, and they played long stretches against NW where they looked less than impressive. It is true that they battled OSU well but I do not think their O is anything special. Actually, PSUs O is fairly predictable and unimaginative. In fact, if Mn can get a couple of Ints from morelli they can win. However, MN has demonstrated a consistent inability to stop teams when they need it - see PU and Mich in the 4th Q. Finally, MN is saddled with G Mas who is like a deer in headlights on the sidelines. Again, a MN win will not shock me but late in the game MN cannot be trusted to get a stop or make a critical 3rd down conversion. PSU escapes 27-20

Spitfires Week 6 Starters

LETS GO SPITZ!

QB - Anthony "Twinkle Toes" Morelli
RB - P. J. "The Dump Truck" Hill
RB - Tony "The Pit" Pittman
RB - Pierre "I Never Get To Play" Thomas
WR - Mario "Touchdown!" Manningham
WR - Logan "Aaron Hosack" Payne
WR - Jordan "Gonna Kill The Gophers" Norwood
K - Kyle "The Kicker" Schlicher

No Pick-ups sent in this Week!!

.....so the Spitfires will drop Minnesota RB Gary Russell and pick up Iowa WR Herb Grigsby!

surpise!

Illinois driving on MSU!!??

The juice is for real!

things that make me sad

1 NFL teams wearing white jersey's at home- why??
2 media outlets that spew nothing but right wing venom.
3 The great candidate Patty Wetterling is going to lose
4 Weakass Democrats that cannot exploit a terrible president
5 Mike Gottfried- how did this guy get an announcing job?
6 My fantasy team
7 Glen Mason
8 Joel Maturi
9 Watching blow out big ten games
10 Ugly Illinois helmets and uniforms
11 slow computers
12 commercials every 5 seconds
13 twins hype
14 yankees hype
15 the big ten this year
16 winter driving
17 not having enough money
18 getting old
19 listening to mason apolgists
20 big ten officials
more later

line-up

Smith
Tate
Sheets
Sutton
Gonzalez
Butler
Ecker
Rivas

Drop X Harris and pick up Ecker for 0

The Last Straw (to be grasped at)

I'll add Hoyer, QB, MSU

Drop (gasp) Herb Grigsby

1st quarter league thoughts

I must admit that I have not been as involved as I would like in league activities so far this year but I have still noticed some trends. We all tend to smear our own teams (except maybe shawn) focusing on our weaknesses. This leads to lots of woeful talk about how teams will perform and how badly they will finish. So I write this as unemotionally as is possible for me but I honestly think that my team is the worst in the league. Northwestern's collapse means that Sutton is no longer a #1 and maybe not even a #2 back anymore. Added to this problem is my lack of a top WR. The Indy step backward and the hardy mystery is killing me. The final nail is the typcial Tiller move of featuring one RB for a while and then after he scores 4 TDs switching to another back. The uncertainty with PU combined with a less potent Minn O (Pinnix) means that I am the only team in the league that cannot put one decent back in the lineup. My team boils down to two good Qs and that will only get me 4th place in the league. On the flip side, Jay has the two best RBS and two fo the best Qs. This makes him the favorite and only injuries will prevent his return to the Blue ox bowl. Andy and Shawn have a shot but if wells does not play and Daniels is out then I like Andy to face Jay. Of course, it's still early and injuries can change everything but it's clear that if things remain virtually unchanged I will looking up at all of you.

I'm back -sort of

First this weekend's pickem games

Wisconsin - I think Indiana has decided not to field an offense this year and Wisconsin is thinking about kicking on third down. Shouuld be a terrible game and a typical boring Wisconsin win 24-10

Navy - I thought Uconn was poised to break-out but I think they are still a few players away from the Big east title. Navy should squeak this one out. 26-24

Michigan State - God Smith is a shitty coach! Way to make Notre Dame look good. Fortunately for MSU they play a D2 team today. This will get ugly fast. 48-20.

Missouri - could they win the B12 north? The sleeper of the B12 this year and they will continue their march to a quality bowl. 31-19

Akron - Somehow Kent has recovered from their beat down at the hands of minnesota but Akron is better. In a thriller, Akron wins 34-26

Ohio - What has happened to BG? I think they need a new AD. I know a guy who is qualified- Maturi. Basically these are disappointing teams in the mac. Ohio has better colors so they win 23-21

Air Force - They are close to returning to prominence in military circles and NM has fallen off the map. AF 24-17

Notre Dame - Sounds like Purdue should have lost last week. Although ND is clearly overrated (as usual) they should spank PU. This PU team reminds me of PU teams in the mid 90s- good O no D. It will show today. 41-31

Oregon - ASU is down and are in jeopardy of not being the best team in the state. They keep it close at home but lose 27-24

Utah- BSU cannot beat a quality team on the road. OK they cannot beat Utah either. 30-24

Idaho - the Vandals are better than you think and USU is worse than you think. 38-14

Penn State - This NW team might lose to the 1979 0-11 NW team- they are among the worst big ten teams I have ever seen. If this game is within 17 points then Penn State should be ashamed. 45-17

Florida - F is not a top national power but bama is clearly not back- thank god- it will be close but I like F at home 20-19

Tech - I think VT is ready to be upset. I am not confident but my gut tells me GT will pull it out. Don't bet the farm but GT 24-23

Tech- I just do not want the Bush school to win 19-16

Cinncy - If you can push OSU then you should beat Miami ...right? 28-20

Cal - It's funny to say but OSU was better with dennis erickson. Cal is not great but OSU stinks. 37-23

Lafayette - Here is my reasoning, EM lost to NW therefore they should lose all their games. 28-14

UAB- I have no idea about either of these teams. The dragon head spitting fire looks powerful so they must be better. 10-9

Nebraska - I hate nebraska but they are much better than the masonless KU team. 31-17

Kansas state- They should beat baylor but i am worried about this one. 21-20

North Tex - This is a reach but they do have North in their name. 24-20

Michigan - A shitty coach, a shitty QB, a suspect D and they will still slaughter the pathetic gophers. Last year's game was a dream come true but this year it's back to reality. I will say it all year long- this is probably the worst Minn team in the Mason era. It should be completely depressing tonight. Next year will mark 40 years since Minn won a big ten title and their is little hope that will change in the near future. AH the rich get richer again tonight. 52-14

Ohio State - the smart pick is Iowa b/c this is the kind of game they win. But watching their D does not inspire confidence. The difference is Smith. It should be close but OSU will be ready for this one. 30-27

Tulane- the green wave hates SMU. This is their bowl game. 15-13

Arizona - they have been disappointing me for years. I cannot understand why they are not better. This is a game they must win if they want a shot at a bowl. Wash is getting better but they are still a year away. In a classic Pac 10 struggle Az 24-20

Fresno State - yes, I have bought into the hype. Fresno is a legit team and CSU is not. The valley dogs should roll. 40-13


Michigan will score the most
Indiana will score the least
Minnesota will give up a ridiculous number of points
Wisc the fewest
MSU will turnover Ill early and often

Another straw to grasp at

Assuming no one has added Andrew Brewer, QB, NW, I'll pick him up.

I will drop Maurice Wells.

Here come the Goodgers

QB Drew Stanton
QB Curtis Painter
RB Mike hart
RB Albert Young
WR Dorien Bryant
WR Kerry Reed
WR Steve breaston
K Melhoff (or Swenson, or Kelly)

Farmers Line Up Week 5

I must say, this has been bizarre season so far. I really don't consider any team out of contention w/ the exception of my own. Yet somehow, I sit alone in second place at 2-2 with a laughable leauge low 304 points (nearly 50 pts. below the 1-3 Spitfires). At this point, the only thing going for the Farmers is a potential key injury to three. If Pittman, Troy Smith, or any combination of Hunt, Young, or Stanton goes down for the season I may have a remote chance in hell of of pulling even to the Goodgers within a few weeks. Eitherway, the leauge laughingstock Fightin' Farmers must still put out a line up for week 5, so here's a good part of the bottom 10 rated BTFFL roster.

QB Henne
RB Hunt
RB Ringer
RB Caulcrick
WR Ginn
WR Williams
WR Trannon
K Summers

Kicker

Assuming there haven't been any moves this week, I'll add Melhoff and drop Kelly. If Melhoff has been added I'll take Swenson and drop Kelly.

Spitfires Week 5 Starters

GO SPITZ! BEAT THE FARMERS!

QB - Mike Kafka
QB - Anthony Morelli
RB - P. J. Hill
RB - Tony Pittman
WR - Mario Manningham
WR - Jordon Norwood
WR - Logan Payne
K - Kyle Schlicher

BTFFL Bottom 10

1. Temple (I really hope they win a game this year...but its not likely)
2. Indiana Running Backs (Same thing I said last week: "Wow! Sears, Thigpen, McCray....what a bunch of slugs. I apologize if you have 2 of these players on your roster....ha!" This week they're now up to #2 on the Bottom 10.)
3. The bottom 4 in the Big Ten (These four teams are BAD. This is the worst the Big Ten has been in many, many years: Northwestern, Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota)
4. Illinois Fantasy Players (They're the suckiest bunch of sucks that ever sucked! Gotta go , my damn weiner kids are listening.)
5. Greg Orton (No catches last week as a starter...ouch!)
6. Anthony Morelli (2 pts. last week for a starting QB! Can you say bust pick?)
7. James Hardy (Ummm, suspended for....? What happened anyway?)
8. Alex Daniels (Days as a starting fantasy back are over. It's the Amir Pinnix show now.....its not a good show though....watch something else.)
9. Ted Ginn Jr. (Hate to say it, but I saw this coming. He's beginning to fade away as we head into the conference season.)
10. Chris Wells (Still a dissappointment, but at least he's playing)

Pick 'ems

I'm lost w/o Matt's template;

Michigan
Purdue
Iowa
Navy
Texas OSU
Bama
Indiana
Eastern Michigan
Cal
New Mexico
Kansas
Syracuse
Ole Miss
Army
Akron
Michigan State
Boston College
Boise

Eating Crow, Cupito is an idiot, and starting lineup.

As I eat my last few bites of crow over comments made last week over a victory I had been assured of by my starting QB Bryan "Joe Willie Namath" Cupito, I must ponder the future of my Fighting Farmers. A few questions I've asked myself recently are: Can I realistically compete for the remainder of the season for the BTFFL championship? What kind of shake of does my roster need in order to compete if I do stand a chance of making it into the Blue Ox Bowl? Was my draft that bad? Should I not worry about this season and pull an Andy this early (start trading all my players of value for draft picks)? Or, should I sit on what I have, keep my core for next season together, while trade a player here or there to teams in contention and slowly build up a few extra picks in next years draft? Then again, I could simply stand pat, hope to pick up a few players, and see what happens over the next few weeks...
No matter what moves I make, this weekend does not look good for the Farmers w/ Sheets and Sutton going against week competition. Another loss is most certainly on the docket pushing me to 1-3 with little chance to regain my footing. Alas, I must still report a weekly line up regardless. If I do have a chance, it's going to be on my quarterbacks. Yuck! Here we go for week 4! Go Farmers!!!

QB Henne
QB Cupito
RB Hunt
RB Daniels
WR Ginn
WR Willaims
WR Wheelwright
K Sommers
QB Cupito

The BTFFL Bottom 10

1. Temple (the worst team I have EVER seen....really. They are sooo bad!)
2. Illinois Fantasy Players - All of them! (I didn't think it was possible, but they're worse than last year. Juice, Brasic, Mendenhall, Pierre Thomas....all wasted)
3. Whining Oklahoma (Shut the hell up! Oh my God! You got screwed by the officials, no shit. It happens to teams all the time, but no one complains about it like Oklahoma. They're threatening not to play any PAC-10 teams ever again!? " Maybe the Gophers shouldn't play Big Ten teams anymore because of bad officiating in the conference. "We're never playing football again unless you give us the National Championship. I just can't stand it! Ahhhhh!)
4. Indiana Running Backs (Wow! Sears, Thigpen, McCray....what a bunch of slugs. I apologize if you have 2 of these players on your roster....ha!)
5. Ernie Wheelwright (Fell off the face of the earth. Is he the #3 receiver now? Wow!)
6. Chris Wells (Been a big dissappointment so far. Showed promise in game 1, but it's been the Tony Pittman show ever since.)
7. E. J. Jones (Was the starting back in game 1, then......hasn't seen the field since. Did he break his leg or something...wierd.)
8. Austin Scott (Who is he? Is he still on the team? Why is he still on a roster?)
9. Mike Kafka (Can't complete a pass or run an offense at all. I think he's fading away)
10. Jordan Norwood (Became a ghost last week vs. Youngstown State. I hope this isn't a sign of things to come.)

MarxistGopher's Top 10

1. Ohio State
2. Auburn
3. USC
4. West Virginia
5. Michigan
6. Florida
7. LSU
8. Texas
9. Louisville
10. Georgia

Late add

I'll pick up Scott Chandler, the 2nd sucker to add a TE. I'll drop Tim Brasic.

Bryan " Joe Willie Namath" Cupito

Bryan Cupito, the oft insulted starting QB of the Minnesota Fighting Farmers will face off against his nemesis rivals, Bucky's Goodgers this Saturday afternoon. ESPN's very own Lee Corso did an interview following practice last week at Minnesota's practice facility at Fallow Field. While the expletive laced tirade will not be aired on television, a few exerts were released for publish.

Corso: After your first few miserable games, do you feel you have something to prove this weekend against the Goodgers?
Cupito: We'll Lee, the way I see it, we're a .500 team after two games. In this league I've got something to prove every #@% Saturday. I'm the team leader and I'm not going to shirk my responsibility of sucking monkey my first two games. It is time for me to step it up.
Corso: Speaking of monkeys, is that one on your back?
Cupito: Yes it is. Coach Kennedy has forced me to wear this kids monkey backpack around campus all week until I prove we can get this *%$# monkey off our own back. It actually feels more like a %@#$* 1000 lb. Gorilla.
Corso: Could you elaborate on those comments?
Cupito: It's those damn communist bastard, son's a bitches, no good %#@* Goodgers! We just can't seem to beat them in head to head competition. But today will be different. Today our destiny is upon us.
Corso: What do you mean by that? Do you think you can actually beat the 3 time defending league champ, the Goodgers!?!
Cupito: I don't think it Lee, I know it. Last night I had a dream about me inside of Joe Namath's body and I was winning the BTFFL Blue Ox Bowl. I could truly feel Joe's effervescence.
Corso: Come again.
Cupito: I fell I am the illegitimate godson and embodiment of Joe Namath. Through his body, metaphysically, I'm going to carry my team to victory. I garuntee it!
Corso: That's quite a prediction Bryan. Good luck today. I think you might need it...

Bryan Cupito garuntee's victory this weekend and so do I.
Starting line-up for today's victory:
QB Bryan Cupito
RB Alex Daniels
RB Tony Hunt
RB Javon Ringer
WR Ted Ginn
WR Derrick Williams
WR Matt Trannon
K Taylor Melhoff

Go Farmers!

I'll take Ted Ginn!

If Shawn can have Paul Hubbard, I'll take Ted Ginn. Because I am so fairminded, I'll even spend the $7 for the pick-up!

MarxistGopher's Top 10

1. Ohio State
2. Auburn
3. Notre Dame
4. USC
5. West Virginia
6. Florida
7. LSU
8. Texas
9. Louisville
10. Virginia Tech

Spitfires 3rd Alternate Uniforms

"We're excited to announce that we will be wearing these brand new Alternate style Uniforms for select games in the future, starting with this week's game vs. the Golden Goblins at the Litter Box," said new Spitfires PR representative Jenna Fischer, on her first day on the job. "I'm very pleased to be a part of this incredible organization, and I look forward to being part of many Blue Ox Bowl Championships." The reporters in the room erupted in laughter after that statement, causing Fischer to abrubtly end the press conference, saying, "I left a hit TV show for this!"

(Jenna Fischer)

pick 'em

Toledo - You don't want to play in the glass bowl!
Iowa - I really want to pick ISU (I F-ing hate Iowa- they screwed me again last week) but I cannot imagine Iowa playing any worse than last week and if Tate actually plays Iowa will win a close one.... IfTate doesn't play then I like ISU
Syracuse - After watching that debacle called Illinoise last week how can anyone pick them to win? Syracuse looked surprisingly decent against f-ing Iowa so I expect they can beat a much weaker Illinois team
Ohio State - OSU sleep walks through this game 38-16
Purdue - We know PU has no D but they can outscore the ballers 45-40
Minnesota - even with its high school D and underacheiving O minnesota should coast - 47 -24
Northwestern - After losing to NH this is not a sure thing but I think NW can sqeak this out
Oregon - Not a typically great Duck team but OK is the most overrated team in the land
Pitt- MSU is a Drew Stanton injury away from no more wins this season. Pitt is on the rise!!!
Louisville- Another battle of overrated teams. Miami has no O and Louis never plays a real team.
LSU - just a guess
Notre Dame- They play Chad Henne...game over 31-23
Penn State- by far the most disappointing team for me last week. You have a slew of very good wrs and cannot get a TD- horrible!! 48-10
Wisconsin- Have not seen a snap of them yet but they seem disappointing too. 20-3 in the 4th Qtr against a 1aa team??!! SDSU lost to UTEP. In a typical boring wisconsin game 27-20
Indiana - they win it for the coach 30-13
Wash. St. - baylor is better but not good enough
TCU - I just think tt is too gimmicky and TCU is pretty good
So Miss - NCST has collapsed after Rivers and Robinson left
Miss - Kentucky is already looking to B-ball season
Fresno - I miss a good washington team
Tulsa - A big game for Tulsa
Fl. St. - I am not impressed with FSU but Clemson is no better
USC - Run it up on Nebraska PLEASE!!!!!
Florida - Tenn should have lost to Air Force! They are pretenders!
Missouri - SHHHH Missouri is the sleeper in the Big 12- look out!
Navy - This would be a bad loss for Stanford - Navy is still the best military program
Nevada - it's time for sonny to go - the power in cf continues to move westward


highest scoring team - Penn State
Lowest scoring - Michigan

Give up the most points - Michigan State
Give up fewest points - Penn State

Turnovers - Wisconsin

This could pose a problem for the BTFFL

The Big Ten Conference announced today that it will wait until the conclusion of the Major League Baseball regular season on Sunday, Oct. 1, to determine if it is necessary to move the Oct. 7 Penn State at Minnesota football game to Saturday, Nov. 25.

If the Minnesota Twins do not qualify for the playoffs or win the American League Central division with the best or second-best record among division winners, the Penn State at Minnesota football game will be played on Oct. 7 as scheduled.

If the Twins earn the wild card or win the division with the third-best record among division winners, the Penn State at Minnesota football game will be played on Nov. 25.

The University of Minnesota will be financially responsible for all additional travel, hotel, administrative and other direct costs incurred by Penn State University due to the rescheduling. In addition, Penn State fans unable to attend the game due to this possible change may seek reimbursement for a documented, direct financial loss associated with unused game tickets and non-refundable travel and hotel expenses. Fans seeking access to the reimbursement pool should contact the Penn State athletic ticket office and present appropriate documentation."

'Billboard' material adds fuel to Iowa-Iowa State rivalry

IOWA CITY, Iowa -- The most talked about billboard in Iowa
has a tame message compared to what some folks have to say about
the rivalry between the state's two big-time football schools.

But try selling that in a Kinnick Stadium parking lot Saturday,
when No. 16 Iowa (2-0) takes on Iowa State (2-0).

The infamous sign on Interstate 380 in Cedar Rapids, a short
jaunt from Iowa City, reads "It's a Cyclone State," above a group
of Iowa State players celebrating last year's win over Iowa.

The board has drawn the ire of Hawkeyes fans since it went up in
July. It is just the latest jab traded in a rivalry in which bad
blood predates the forward pass, and the buzz it has generated is
exactly what Iowa State athletic director Jamie Pollard was hoping
to create.

"I've heard a lot of people talk about it," Iowa State wide
receiver Todd Bythe said. "I bet a lot of Iowa fans are upset and
mad about it. But I think it's all in good fun."

Of course, Pollard has gotten ahead of himself. Iowa has
dominated the Cyclones in both prestige and public adulation for
most of the last century. But the days when Hayden Fry's Hawkeyes
treated Iowa State like a punching bag are over, thanks in large
part to Cyclones coach Dan McCarney.

Iowa State, which lost to Iowa every year from 1983 to 1997, has
taken six of the last eight from the Hawkeyes under McCarney, who's
in his 12th season at Iowa State.

"To everybody in our camp and everyone in Iowa State's camp,
this is not just another game. It's a huge game for both teams,"
Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz said. "This is going to be up there on the
Richter scale."

Pollard's billboard stunt seems innocuous in the context of this
rivalry's often bitter past. Bickering between the schools put the
game on ice from 1921 to 1932 and 1935 to 1976, and only an
arbitrator's ruling brought it back to life.

A 1916 survey commissioned by the U.S. Commission of Education
stating that the game was the "occasion for the revival of feuds,
charges and countercharges (and) the reassertion of differences and
criticisms," led to a halt in the series. After a brief two-year
revival, the Hawkeyes used a resolution in the state Legislature to
justify not renewing the series.

The schools' athletic directors agreed to a two-year contract to
play starting in 1977, but when Iowa found out that its athletic
director had actually committed to six games, the school refused to
sign the deal.

An arbitrator was brought in to resolve the dispute, forcing
Iowa to honor the six-game contract.

Fan fervor has kept the series alive ever since -- though Iowa
made the term "rivalry" seem silly throughout much of the 1980s
and 1990s. All that changed in 1998, when McCarney, a former Iowa
assistant, and his Cyclones entered Iowa City as 26-point underdogs
and left with a 27-9 win that ended a 15-game losing streak.

"It's a whole different ball game now, and it started in
1998," said Ferentz, who is 2-5 against McCarney. "It's a heck of
a contest now."

Because Iowa (Big Ten) and Iowa State (Big 12) play in different
conferences, the head-to-head meeting in the only measuring stick
the teams have. There's also no major pro sports in Iowa, save for
Kerry Wood's annual rehab start for the Triple-A Iowa Cubs.

The Hawkeyes and Cyclones fill that void.

"It's just unique. It's a state without a lot of population,
with major college programs, Big Ten, Big 12, competing against
each other." McCarney said. "To say it's just another game,
somebody's crazy. It's not."

It seems hardly coincidental that Pollard's billboard was on the
route Iowa takes from the team hotel to Kinnick on game days.
Ferentz insists that he hasn't seen it, even though his wife
pointed it out to him the last time they drove by.

It looks like he won't get that chance. The billboard, which has
redefined the term "bulletin board material," was scheduled to be
taken down Thursday.

"This is not my time of year to be sightseeing," Ferentz said.