Badgers Show Strength of the B1G

Wisconsin and Minnesota played the most meaningful Paul Bunyan Ax game in the last decade. Many on both sides of the rivalry were happy to see the rivalry back in full force and for Badgers fans, they had to worry about losing the ax for the first time since some people were in elementary or middle school. After years of futility, Minnesota knew they had an opportunity to actually win this rivalry game. It all went for naught as Wisconsin won 20-7 keeping the ax for the 10th straight year.

Wisconsin's defense once again shined through in the frigid Minnesota air. Wisconsin's defense is playing at a championship level right now. We mentioned it before the game started that Wisconsin needed to get a little more respect for their defense that seems to really be connecting with David Arnada's blitzing style. In the last four games, Wisconsin has allowed two offensive touchdowns. Two and they both happened in the same game plus one was very late when Badgers had a 17 point lead. This has to be one of the best runs by a defense in a long time, and I would not be surprised if teams come asking about Arnada for head coaching positions. This defense is playing out of their minds right now and honestly on Saturday, they had to be this good.

Reason being is Joel Stave had arguably his worst game this season. He did not adapt to the cold well and despite offensive coordinator Andy Ludwig trying to make the passing game happen like Karen from Mean Girls trying to make 'Fetch' happen, it did not work at all. All of Stave's passes were off from the simple outs to the deep routes plus he had a brutal pick-six netting Minnesota their only points. I have no idea if it were the cold or just a bad outing, but Stave needs to be better this week against Penn State. I realize there needs to be balance with this offense, but right now, there is really no reason why Stave should be throwing the ball 26 times especially when Wisconsin held a lead for almost the entire football game.

This last month for Wisconsin has shown three things... One, this is a top ten team in college football without question. I cannot name 10 schools that are better than Wisconsin right now. Two, I think they are most deserving of a BCS game. They came into two tough environments, Iowa City and Minneapolis, and blew the doors off both teams plus Wisconsin had an unusual non-conference game against tough opponent and they held strong in that one too. There is no reason to not think of this team as a BCS squad. The third thing is the B1G is on the rise for the first time in awhile.

It took me awhile to come around to the third point, but I think we are seeing a better Big Ten than in years past. Michigan State, Ohio State and Wisconsin are three of the best teams in college football. The second-tier of teams is honestly not bad if you consider who they have lost to this season.  I think all three teams would give anybody in college football a game. It is to the point where I am casually interested in seeing what Alabama-Ohio State would be like in the National Championship or Florida State-Ohio State. If the Buckeyes end up beating Michigan State in two weeks and let's say they put up 30 plus on Sparty, they make their case more so as a top team more than ever before in Urban Meyer's last two years.

Wisconsin's win was not just about getting the ax for a 10th consecutive year, no it was about showing off the strength of the Big Ten which will only get better with years to come and new members to join.

Charlie.

SnoTap Packer Classroom: Minnesota v. Green Bay

We give grades to the different aspects of the Packers game from Sunday or Monday.  Am I too critical sometimes? Yes.  Am I also too nice sometimes? Yes.  I do not have a teaching degree in case you were wondering. 

A-Game 
Matt Flynn - Is there anything worse than admitting people were right? I felt like we had to cue up The Hives when Flynn came in and started dominating proving everyone who wanted Flynn from the get-go was correct. Remember this is a guy whose been cut twice this year beaten out by Terrelle Pryor yet he somehow has mojo at Lambeau Field. I still defend going with Scott Tolzien first because it is about the consistency of having the same guy at quarterback for consecutive weeks. It helps timing, and all sorts of other intricacies. Still though, this is a different team with Flynn at quarterback. He had a great hard count, he switched plays, he just looked comfortable as Green Bay's quarterback.  

Clay Matthews - Other than Flynn, the biggest bright spot for Green Bay is Clay is officially back. He played like a monster the entire game. Matthews seemed to be in Minnesota's backfield on almost every play and did some great things. This is huge for Green Bay moving forward with their much-criticized defense. If there was one thing Matthews needs to do better is keep contain on the outside when there is a running back like Adrian Peterson.

Eddie Lacy - As we noted on Friday, this is the reason Green Bay drafted Lacy. They loaded up the box preparing to stop Lacy and they could not. He carries defenders up and down the field. I cannot remember one play where Eddie got taken down with the first contact. He is the beast we all wanted him to be in the offseason and Lacy is currently the favorite to win Rookie of the Year. Also is everyone's fan favorite right now and I cannot blame people.

B-Game 
Mike McCarthy's quarterback decision - People criticize McCarthy all the time, but he did what was necessary to at least forced overtime with Minnesota. Packers trailed by 16 points in the fourth quarter. It seemed over with people are quitting all over the field, and he might have went with the last option yet it was the right one. Flynn will probably start this week against a Detroit defense that is suddenly reeling and probably still has PTSD from Flynn's last appearance against the Lions.

Mike Neal - Another good game from Neal. I think he might be a Pro Bowler. I do not think he should start, but I do think there should be some consideration. The consideration comes from him playing well at a brand new position on defense and playing damn well while doing it. It probably will not happen, but Neal is having a strong season for Green Bay.

Tim Masthay - A great day from Ginger Wolverine. My buddy Mach leads the Tim Masthay Fan Club chapter here in Wauwatosa and I had to think he was pleased with his performance. 'Ging' as Aaron Rodgers calls him had some great punts inside the 10 yard line which would have earned him full Madden points in the Coffin Corner Challenge.

C-Game 
A.J. Hawk - Here's the thing about A.J. I like he had some tackles, had a sack and a couple TFL's on the board. What I do not like is Hawk was a major reason why Minnesota gashed this team on the ground. The reason why Hawk kept his job during his average years in Green Bay was for his run defense, and he has not been good at it in the last couple of weeks. I do not know if the book changed on him, and Hawk has not adapted yet, but he needs to be better.

Evan Dietrich-Smith - Obviously, you look at the running stats and think the offensive line did a pretty good job. They did take care of business in that area of football, but there were some issues with Evan Dietrich-Smith and others yesterday. It seems like 75 percent of Dietrch-Smith's snaps are lower than they should be. This might be a minor detail in the fabric although it is very important to how plays develop in both the pass and the run. He needs to be better.

D-Game 
Scott Tolzien - He might have turned into a pumpkin overnight. Tolzien had a Johnny Manziel-like run to get Green Bay the first score of the day, but it was all downhill from there.  He went 7 of 17 with 98 yards in three quarters which is not good at all. The one bright spot is Tolzien did not have a turnover this game so progress!  

Morgan Burnett - To date, Burnett looks like one of Ted Thompson's biggest mistakes. This is hyperbole no question about it, but you have to start wondering what the hell has happen with him. Burnett signed a four-year deal in the offseason netting him 24 million dollars. He is playing like a street free agent whom Green Bay signed at the end of training camp.  Burnett has to be better in all facets. The middle is always exposed when teams are passing the ball. Additionally, Burnett does not step up in the run game as well as he should be as a considered top safety in the NFC.

F-Game 
Run Defense - The fact Toby Gerhart tore up the Packers for 91 yards on eight carries averaging 11.4 yards per carry is pathetic. I am sorry, but are you f'n kidding me?!  Gerhart is a good player, fine, but holy shit that's horribly bad. Peterson did get a somewhat quiet 146 yards on 32 carries. Green Bay has to clean this up as soon as possible. I think everyone realized how the problems with this team do not start at quarterback right now rather in the rushing game. Further, Johnny Jolly get back healthy soon, please.

Marshall Newhouse - He would be a hell of a bullfighter with his 'Ole' style of pass blocking. All sorts of pressure came from the right side. Jared Allen was non-existent but Bryan Robison was in the backfield consistently.

Charlie.

Tap's Trailers: Tar

This is one of those trailers where you finish it and you are very confused. Like I have no idea what's happening, but the movie is based off a collection of poems by C.K. Williams where he details all of his life. I really cannot even say the movie looks interesting, or there is something to watch from it. I guess the bright spot here is they loaded the cast up here with James Franco, Mila Kunis, Jessica Chastain, Zach Braff and Bruce Campbell. When is the last time Bruce Campbell did a serious movie? He has been doing "Burn Notice" for the last six years, but he is mostly known for starring in Evil Dead.

Charlie.

First Taste: Packer Backer (Music Video)

Earlier this month, we posted the Packer Parody of Royals, and it has been our most popular page of November. When we did post it, the song was hitting its stride in terms of going viral, and it currently sits on YouTube with over 300,000 views. Well it now has a  music video and a new song title. The song is now called 'Packer Backer' and the video is filmed right outside Lambeau Field as it should be during a tailgate before a game. The video is a perfect fit to the song and works very well with it. Olivia, the singer is also on Twitter and shoot her a follow for the song and everything else.

Charlie.

NFL Picks Week 12: Do or Die Sunday

Sorry the picks are late. Sorry the picks are being posted at 7:30 am on a Saturday when most people are sleeping or trying to hustle a late-night hookup out of their room.  Here they are, it should be a fun week.  

Pittsburgh (4-6) at Cleveland (4-6) (-1) 12:00 pm CBS - Oh Cleveland, I thought we had a good thing going but you threw all to shit with the horrid second quarter. Anyone noticing Pittsburgh?  Steelers have won four of their last six games and right in the mix with the AFC North chase. They get another win under their belt with a big Le'Von Bell performance. PITT 24-16

Tampa Bay (2-8) at Detroit (6-4) (-9) 12:00 pm FOX - This line feels too high to me. Calvin Johnson will be on Revis Island all game long, and vibes appear to right with Tampa Bay for the first time all season. Further, Mike Glennon is slicing and dicing dudes like it is job (Actually, it is.) and Detroit's secondary is not stopping anybody plus a little bit of a look-ahead against Green Bay. I am taking Lions to win with Tampa to cover. DET 27-23

Minnesota (2-8) at Green Bay (5-5) (-5) 12:00 pm FOX - Check out the Packer preview this week about this game.

San Diego (4-6) at Kansas City (9-1) (-5) 12:00 pm CBS - San Diego is not a good football team. It took us 10 weeks, but we finally have our answer. They had Miami on the ropes and lost. Kansas City will be coming off a loss, and Jamaal Charles has his first big game in a couple weeks as the Chiefs deliver the death punch to San Diego's season. KC 31-14

Chicago (6-4) at St. Louis (4-6) (-1) 12:00 pm FOX - I do not know what to think of this game. Here's the thing. I feel like Vegas knows something here. St. Louis does have a good defense, and they have figured it offensively with Zac Stacy making Kellen Clemens look like a non-factor. I keep waiting for Josh McCown to turn into a pumpkin, and it might be this week. Chicago's offensive line is good, but I think St. Louis' defensive line is better, let's get crazy. STL 17-14

Carolina (7-3) (-4.5) at Miami (5-5) 12:00 pm CBS - LETDOWN CITY POPULATION: CAROLINA. Oh my god does this scream letdown. Miami could luck themselves in another win here. Further, Carolina is missing a good amount from their defense. I really want to take Miami outright, but I cannot pull myself to do it. I just cannot trust Ryan Tannehill making all the right decisions against a still good Carolina defense even with the injuries. CAR 23-21

New York Jets (5-5) at Baltimore (4-6) (-4) 12:00 pm CBS - Geno Smith showed why he was a rookie quarterback. He also showed why we cannot trust him away from New York. I am not going to say Joe Flacco will have a big day and I am not saying Ray Rice will against this defense. I honestly think this is a truly ugly football game with Baltimore coming out on top. BALT 13-10

Jacksonville (1-9) at Houston (2-8) (-10) 12:00 pm CBS - Houston is a complete trainwreck. The rails are completely off. Jacksonville is their biggest rival, something I did not know until this week. I think Jaguars take control of this game with another decent Maurice Jones-Drew game. Houston is not getting picked until they can show an ability to win a football game. JAX 28-24

Tennessee (4-6) (-1) at Oakland (4-6) 3:05 pm CBS - Whoo boy I have no idea on this one. This feels like a dumb football game meaning there will be a lot of stupid shit that happens and no one can explain why it happens on Monday. Matt McGloin v. Ryan Fitzpatrick sounds very riveting. I will go with Matt McGloin because I am a goddamn rebel. OAK 23-17

Indianapolis (7-3) at Arizona (6-4) (-1) 3:05 pm CBS - I think this is a best game of the day and I am here to tell you Arizona is winning this one. Indianapolis is not a good football team right now. They are fake life. Colts secondary will get thrashed by Carson Palmer and company while Andrew Luck will struggle with the combination of Patrick Peterson and Honey Badger. Also Bruce Arians knows Luck more than I think people give him credit and will help out the defense this week. Arizona wins big. ARIZ 30-17

Dallas (5-5) at New York Giants (4-6) (-3) 3:25 pm FOX - Can Dallas please take care of New York? THAT'S RIGHT I AM STILL NOT A BELIEVER. This would be a good time for the Cowboys defense to actually resemble a defense. New York sees a real quarterback for the first time in a month, and Tony Romo should be able to pass against this team. Giants are already talking Dez Bryant meaning my Terrence Williams radar goes up. I like Dallas to get the win here and a critical sweep. DAL 33-28

Denver (9-1) at New England (7-3) (-3) 7:30 pm NBC - Brady v. Manning Part 14. I am glad to see it again and always the storyline is different. If Denver wins, they are probably settling into homefield advantage for their second straight year, and people will be calling them the Super Bowl favorite. New England wins, everyone tightens back up in the AFC. It will be a cold one in Foxboro in combination with a pissed off Patriots team from Monday's fiasco. I like New England. Their defense looked tough last week, and their offense did as much as they could against Carolina. NE 27-21

San Francisco (6-4) (-6) at Washington (3-7) 7:25 pm ESPN - This will be a knockout blow for a lot of people in Washington. Everyone is coming down on Robert Griffin III and their defense is still horrible. If San Francisco cannot figure out their offense against a struggling Washington, hope might be lost. I have San Francisco big in this one. SF 35-14

-Charlie.

CFB Picks Week 13: Calm Before the Storm

I wish SEC and ACC teams would play their conference later in the year versus earlier, it is a clear structure to avoid a late-season loss. It is complete genius and bullshit at the same damn time. Enjoy the picks.  

Grab Your Beers and Friends 
4. Baylor at 10. Oklahoma State 7:00 pm ABC - Biggest game in Baylor's history? I think that's fair to say. The narrative about Baylor is they cannot win games on the road. In Art Briles coaching career with Baylor, there is not a signature road win.  They have went to Stillwater and got absolutely smashed in recent years as well. It would defy logic to pick against a hot Oklahoma State. Cowboys have figured out in the last couple weeks with a massive running attack with Clint Chelf at quarterback and Desmond Roland. This game will be about controlling clock, and maybe it is wrong of me, but I trust this Baylor's defense to make one more stop than Oklahoma State's on Saturday night. BAY 38-31

17. Arizona State at 14. UCLA 6:00 pm FOX - This will determine the Pac-12 South if Arizona State wins on Saturday as they lock up the crown. If UCLA wins, it becomes a three-way race between Arizona State, UCLA and USC with all sorts of tiebreakers. Arizona State feels like a paper tiger to me. They played Stanford way early in the season and got taken to the cleaners. Since then, Sun Devils really have not played strong opponents. UCLA seems to have their swagger back on offense with the best two-way player in recent memory with Myles Jack. If you have not seen Jack play, I highly recommend it. Further, Jack and the defense are playing at a very high level. I think Bruins roll in this one. UCLA 34-17

12. Texas A&M at 22. LSU 2:30 pm CBS - We have a real chance at seeing two fun as hell football games with a ton of offense starting with this one and then the Big 12 explosion. There is no way Brent Musburger does not have the points in both of these ones. Going to Death Valley is always a tough experience, but Johnny Manziel knows there is a chance he can win the Heisman again with two big-time road performances. He also looked like a freshman when he played an LSU defense in early 2012. LSU did get another week to prepare for the Aggies and with the weak Texas A&M defense, Jeremy Hill might have the biggest offensive production day. I have Aggie football taking this one in a close shootout. TAMU 49-45

8. Missouri at 24. Ole Miss 6:45 pm ESPN - Tigers see the tunnel right now. If they win their last two games, they are in the SEC Championship game. If they lose, South Carolina will take their spot given their collapse earlier this season against the Cocks. Missouri gets back James Franklin this week, and here's where that could be a problem. Sometimes when a player especially to Franklin's magnitude comes back, it takes a little while for the offense to get back running on full cylinders. While playing weak opponents minus LSU, Ole Miss has won four straight games. Rebels offense seems to be cooking again, and I believe they will find a way to find this football game. I cannot see Missouri heading into a night game at Oxford and winning this one. OLE MISS 23-17

Channel Flip-Worthy
19. Wisconsin at 25. Minnesota 2:30 ESPN - Check out the Badger preview from earlier today where we talk about the biggest Axe game since 2003. 

5. Oregon at Arizona  2:30 pm ESPN2 - Wildcats have definitely hit hard times. They have lost their last two games including a home loss to Washington State last weekend. Now, they welcome Oregon for their biggest home game of the year. Ducks rebounded nicely last week after their loss to Stanford with a big win against Utah. The only way Arizona keeps this close if they are able to pass the football. Ka'Deem Carey is still doing his thing, but they are not passing the ball at all. If they can create some confusion, Arizona might have a shot. I'm still taking the Ducks. OREG 42-23

13. Michigan State at Northwestern 11:00 am ESPN - Some people have sounded the upset alert cannon. Northwestern has basically been shit on six ways to Saturday so far this Big Ten season, and it seems like they are due for a win. Michigan State's vaunted defense gave up 28 points last week raising some eyebrows that this could be a tougher game. This will be an ugly, B1G football game. I will take Michigan State getting a defensive touchdown being the difference. MSU 13-10

Upset Alert 
20. Oklahoma at Kansas State 11:00 am FOX Sports 1 - Okay, this really is not an upset seeing as Kansas State is favored, but whatever, it's my blog post.  Oklahoma starting running back Damien Williams is suspended for the game plus Kansas State is red hot as of late. They are playing at home, an 11 am start and they play well at home. Little Apple will be fired up, and the combination of Kansas State running backs Daniel Sams and John Hubert will be the difference.  KSU 31-27

A palate cleanser for your Netflix Binge Watch 
Indiana at 3. Ohio State 2:30 pm ABC - Oh man, rough stretch for Indiana. Carlos Hyde might have 300 yards of rushing but I think Ohio State's defense is not as good as Wisconsin's defense. Maybe I'm wrong, I just hope Indiana gets some points. OSU 55-24

23. USC at Colorado 8:30 pm Pac-12 Network - Be careful here USC. Everyone is talking about their season turnaround and Colorado is not good yet it will be 7:30 pm local time with temperatures dipping into the 20's. I think this is close and USC survives barely. USC 20-17

Sleep off your hangover
Chattanooga at 1. Alabama 1:00 pm ESPN3 - BAMA 59-6
Idaho at 2. Florida State 2:30 pm ESPNU - FSU 55-3
Citadel at 6. Clemson 11:00 am ESPN3 - CLEM 52-10
California at 9. Stanford 3:00 pm FOX Sports 1 - STAN 45-14
Coastal Carolina at 11. South Carolina 12:00 pm ESPN3 - SCAR 48-14
New Mexico at 15. Fresno State 3:00 pm ESPNews - FRESNO 62-28
Memphis at 21. Louisville 11:00 am ESPN3 - LOU 45-10

SnoTap Packers Preview: Minnesota vs. Green Bay

Every fanbase is filled with hyperbole. There is no way to get around it. Further, it is only hyperbole when it is over-the-top. To say, this Green Bay Packers game is a must win does not fit in the hyperbole term rather it is fact. Green Bay loses their fourth straight, something they have not done since 2008, their playoff hopes become limited at best, but Packers should know Minnesota would like nothing more than to crush Green Bay's playoff dreams on a chilly Sunday afternoon.

The weather in Green Bay will be arctic conditions with the projected temperature of 23 degrees with 12 miles an hour west winds. These are the type of games where Eddie Lacy should thrive in. It is the reason you drafted him for these cold weather games. Now, this will probably be the first time Lacy is playing in temperatures under 30 degrees given he went to Alabama and went to high school in Louisiana.  He will have to adapt quickly to the cold weather which includes holding onto the football.  Sometimes people forget how difficult it is to keep ahold of a football during cold weather games because the ball is a complete rock. I would also expect to see more James Starks than what we have in the last couple of weeks. Starks had seven carries for 57 yards in the first game against Minnesota, and he has played well in cold weather games before. Expect a solid dose of Lacy and Starks. 

Many people will wonder about Scott Tolzien because the microscope on him might be bigger than Aaron Rodgers in 2008, but personally, there is no reason to keep rehashing the same things about Tolzien. We know what needs to happen with him. He needs to play within himself, and not make mistakes yet that is difficult to do as a young quarterback.  I do not see a situation where Matt Flynn gets into this football game unless Tolzien looks like an icicle out there.  I do hope with another full week of practice Mike McCarthy will open up the playbook a little more with him. 

Vikings fans are using the same microscope on Christian Ponder.  He will be starting again with a bum left shoulder, and trust me, there will be the dolts out there if Ponder does well wondering why Rodgers could not do the same thing. It is amazing how many people in Wisconsin understand the human body when the star player of the football team goes down. Ponder is typically not good on the road and outdoors. Weirdly enough, he throws more passes without having more touchdowns and ends up having more interceptions than getting in the endzone. When is the last time Ponder had a big road win? It is hard to really find one that is not in a dome or early in the season. He is not a cold weather quarterback and Packers defense needs to be opportunistic on Sunday afternoon. 

People do not know what they will get from the secondary. Sam Shields and Micah Hyde are still sidelined with injuries. Now Hyde told reporters yesterday he was going to play on Sunday with Shields status still unknown. Tramon Williams had his best game in the last year, maybe last two years against New York. It will be interesting to see if Williams can follow-up with another big start. If he does, is it fair to wonder if he got hurt somewhere during the beginning of the year plaguing his play?

Cordarrelle Patterson is the player to watch not named Adrian Peterson on the Vikings offense. Greg Jennings is banged up with an Achilles injury meaning Patterson becomes a bigger part of this offense. Patterson really has not had a breakout game where everyone is talking about him the next day. Let's hope this is not Sunday's game. But let's not forget about Peterson. He is banged up yet he could still torment the Packers. Peterson had a massive game against Green Bay at home last season with 210 yards, but typically, he has been hit or miss when running at Lambeau. The cold weather will certainly not help his bum hamstring. Their rush defense took a step back in the last couple of weeks, and this is a big week for them. If they can stop AD and force Ponder to throw the football, good things will happen. 

If anyone knows me personally, I am an optimist. No matter what the situation is, I try to see it glass-half full. It has been hard to do this in the last couple of weeks with Green Bay. A couple things break differently, they beat Philadelphia. Who knows what happens if Jason Pierre-Paul does not pick off the pass last week. I think Green Bay is close to winning games, and Minnesota is in a bad spot right now overall as a team. Green Bay does not win this one, they do not deserve to be in the playoff conversation. Simple as that. Packers 28 Vikings 17 

Charlie.