Updated: 09/16/2009 7:37 AM KSTP.com | Print |  Email
By: Steve Shaw

                        The Football Landscape This Weekend.

    Gopher fans must be really fired up about finally having an outdoor stadium.  It is a beautiful place.  I toured TCF several weeks ago.  However, the product the Gophers put on the field this Saturday will be sorely tested.  I watched the California Golden Bears just dismantle a decent to mediocre Maryland Terrapin team a few weeks ago on t.v.  The Golden Bears are 14 point favorites.  Initially, I thought that number was a little high. But given the Gopher's poor performance against Syracuse opening day, and what they did last week, two touchdowns sounds about right.

   HOWEVER....That's where new TCF stadium comes into play.  I expect there to be as much if not more fan excitement out there this Saturday as there was last Saturday.  That bodes well for the Gophers' chances to at least "keep it close."  I really like Head Coach Tim Brewster, and I hope the Gophers do well.

   On to the Vikings.  I believe I have stated it here before, but I am a life-long Cardinal football fan...as in Arizona Cardinals.  I am old school.  They were my team when I was a punk kid in Mid-Missouri in the early 1970's when they were the St. Louis Cardinals.  And oh by the way, they will always be my team.  HOWEVER, I believe that makes me completely unbiased when it comes to the Vikings.  And believe me when I say, these guys are the "mother lode."  Barring injuries to a few key players, I expect the Vikings to play Philadelphia in the NFC title game this year.  Prediction this week:  Vikings 38 Detoit Kittens 16.