Big Bear Nolan's Blog

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  • The Milwaukee Brewers

    (What Im about to say will sound like what a lot of media talking heads are saying but I will try to sound original.)

    Last night, the Milwaukee Brewers completed a sweep of the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLCS to make their first World Series appearance since 1982. I might not as big of a Brewers fan as some of my friends and family are, but going to college here in Wisconsin along with knowing my friends and family I can’t lie to say that this has been one of the most fun I have had watching a team in the postseason since my Twins broke the 18 game postseason winless streak in 2023.

    I would not be shocked if you told me going into these playoffs that the Brewers made the World Series. They were my pick to make it because all year, this Brewers team never died, they always found ways to win. Even in their worst played games most of them were still really close.

    You could see the difference between both Milwaukee and LA. The Brewers played like history was on the line for them in all four games, and you got that sense from the crowds in Milwaukee during games 1 and 2. On the other hand, LA looked like they took it for granted, the players played awful, Dave Roberts made bad managerial decisions and the crowds weren’t even sellouts at games 3 and 4 at Dodger Stadium.

    I’m not the most supportive person on how their owner Mark Attanasio operates, but to his credit, he has found a way to be competitive and win without dumping money on a team. He hired General Manager Matt Arnold to find and recruit the coaches and players for this team, he also found Pat Murphy who already was a Brewer to take over the managerial job once Craig Counsell left. Since then, Murphy has only won back to back Manager of the Year awards in 2024 and 2025. They also have had Chris Hook as their pitching coach, and under Hook, the Brewers have only had one of the best rotations and bullpens in baseball constantly.

    The Brewers also find ways to get the best out of their prospects and other players. Jackson Chourio, Sal Frelick, Garrett Mitchell, Brice Turang, Jacob Misiorowski, Luis Lara and Cooper Pratt are all homegrown talent in the Brewers organization. David Hamilton was actually drafted by the Brewers but was sent back in a trade with Boston this season, Joey Ortiz and Logan Henderson came from a trade with Baltimore as prospects and have blossomed quickly.

    Brewers have also rejuvenated careers, Jake Bauers and Andrew Vaughn ( I know I wrote that piece on them) have both found a home here in Milwaukee. Bauers who was on the verge of retirement was the NLCS most valuable player. Vaughn when he was traded to Milwaukee last season, sparked his career and also began the spark of the Brewers run dating back to mid 2025.

    It’s also important to add one of the biggest catalysts to this team in Christian Yelich. Beginning his time with the club in 2018, he won the MVP that season and was an injury from potentially repeating in 2019. Since then, its been a tough time with some flashes here and there, but he was named the first captain in team history and he also is the only player left from the 2018 squad that fell in 7 games in the NLCS to Los Angeles.

    Everything I have listed is why the Brewers are here. They don’t dump money on players and call it a day. Money doesn’t buy runs and defense, look at the Mets, the team that had the second biggest payroll in MLB didn’t come close to the Postseason and was a fundamentally terrible team this season. Milwaukee proves that you don’t need money, you just need a group of players and coaches with good fundamentals and a good culture.

    Now as the 1980 US Hockey Miracle on Ice team did when they beat the USSR in the semifinals, they had to gear up to face Sweden in the Gold Medal game. The Brewers beat their USSR, now they got to take care of their Sweden in whoever is coming out of the AL for the World Series. So its not over yet for Milwaukee, there is still four more games to take care of.

  • Big college football Saturday coming up

    No. 4 Ohio State at No. 5 Indiana (11 am C.T. FOX)

    The rematch of last years Big Ten championship is finally here. Indiana and Coach Curt Cignetti welcome Ryan Day and his Ohio State Buckeyes to Bloomington for one of if not the biggest game in Memorial Stadium history. This game will be the Buckeyes third road game vs a ranked team this season (No. 4 Texas and No. 14 Iowa), but it will be maybe their toughest since that loss at Texas. Cignetti and the Hoosiers on the other hand have not lost a regular season game since 2024 when they lost at Ohio State. This also is easily Indiana’s toughest test this season, last week, the Hoosiers and new QB Josh Hoover showed grit with the 20-17 win at Nebraska. Now they get the preseason No. 1 team. The Buckeyes, are looking for revenge in the B10 title game last year after losing 13-10 to the Hoosiers, this matchup also could easily be the preview for the 2026 Big ten championship.

    No. 16 Mississippi State at No. 22 LSU (11 am C.T. ESPN)

    A honeymoon could be finished in this one, Mississippi State and QB Kamario Taylor who were blowing off the roof got humbled in their last game vs Alabama. LSU and head coach Lane Kiffin suffered a tough loss to Kentucky last week. Now as both teams meet up, a last ditch effort at not only the SEC but also the CFP could be on the line here. It is also possible the loser of this game falls out of the rankings.

    No. 6 Alabama at No. 14 Tennessee (2:30 pm C.T. ABC)

    Last week, the Crimson Tide fell to the Georgia Bulldogs at Bryant-Denny Stadium for the first time since 2007. Now, the Tide get to go to Neyland Stadium where they haven’t won a game there since 2020. While I think Bama and QB Keelon Russell should break that streak, losing a game like the way they did to the now No. 1 team in Georgia last week and going to Neyland the next is a tough task. We will see what Head Coach Kaelen Deboer’s team is made of early because if the Tide drop another one, especially at Tennessee, heads will roll at Tuscaloosa even more.

    No. 13 Missouri at No. 9 Ole Miss (2:30 pm C.T. SEC Network)

    Another ranked matchup in the SEC, the Ole Miss Rebels face the Mizzou Tigers. As much of a big matchup this is ranking wise. It is the reunion for a couple of players on both sides. Mizzou QB and WRs in Austin Simmons and Cayden Lee started their collegiate careers at Ole Miss and the Rebels RB Kewan Lacy started at Mizzou.

    Arizona State at No. 10 Texas Tech (2:30 pm C.T. FOX)

    I know that this is a matchup between the last two Big 12 champions. But I saw an interesting stat on ESPN’s Gamecast page that the loser of this game went on to win the Big 12 in the past two seasons. So as big of stakes as this one has in that conference, you could say neither one of these teams are out of the race regardless. Jokes aside, especially for Tech who’s in the tight race with BYU and Utah, any win is meaningful. Especially with BYU’s opponent this weekend.

    Penn State at Michigan (2:30 pm C.T. CBS)

    What was looking like it could be a pretty big matchup for the Playoff and possible Big Ten Championship is now just stay alive in relevance. PSU has lost three now since falling to Wisconsin, and Michigan is coming off a bye week but will see the field for the first time since dropping back to back to Iowa and Minnesota. Who ever wins could really afford this game just to keep any hope for anything while the loser will be in trouble.

    Wisconsin at No. 12 UCLA (6:30 pm C.T. NBC)

    UCLA, who is off to a 5-0 start and coming off the big win at No. 12 Oregon now get a home test against Wisconsin. The Badgers have been off to one of their best starts under head coach Luke Fickell at 4-1 and will face their third ranked team this season (No. 4 Notre Dame and No. 13 Penn State) with how PSU has been doing after, thats what kept the Badgers from cracking the top 25. However if they go into the Rose Bowl and knock off UCLA, there won’t be much that the polls can do from keeping them out. UCLA if they can hold off one of the more physical teams in Wisconsin, that would make a statement coming the week after the big Oregon win.

    No. 2 Notre Dame at No. 8 BYU (6:30 pm C.T. ABC)

    Well it’s not exactly the Holy War (BYU vs Utah). But it is Catholics vs Mormons in a big game with massive CFP Stakes. Last season, Notre Dame missed out of the Playoff by losing a top 10 road game at Miami. BYU missed with back-to-back blowout losses at the hands of Texas Tech. Both offenses have been playing really well but this easily is BYU’s first big team they’ve played so we will see how they stack up against a more physical team in the Irish. Notre Dame, who has had some letdowns on the road cannot let this be one of them.

    (All info I got was from ESPN.Com)

  • Possible game of the season happening this weekend in CFB

    If you are a big College Football fan like me, you might know that No. 4 Ohio State travels to No. 5 Indiana this weekend. This will be the first time since last season’s Big Ten Championship when the Hoosiers and QB Fernando Mendoza knocked off the Buckeyes to start their 15-0 National Championship run. Now both teams meet in maybe the biggest College Football game ever to take place in Bloomington Indiana.

    The Hoosiers have played Ohio State before obviously, but at Indiana this is easily the biggest matchup. IU behind Coach Curt Cignetti brought in transfers like former TCU QB Josh Hoover and former Michigan State WR Nick Marsh, they also retained players like WR Charlie Becker. Those moves along with the players that came back have allowed the Hoosiers to remain unbeaten and last week when Indiana was on the brink of getting upset at Nebraska as the Huskers held a 17-6 lead in the fourth; the Hoosiers struck and scored 14 points to take a 20-17 win. Indiana also survived an upset bid at home vs Northwestern a couple weeks ago too.

    In the Hoosiers 2025 Championship season, Indiana survived multiple upset bids throughout the regular season. When the Hoosiers went to unranked Iowa last season, Indiana won 20-15 between a touchdown from Mendoza to WR Elijah Sarratt with just over a minute left. Then in their game at Penn State, Omar Cooper Jr had the the toe tap TD in the back end of the end zone to barely give the Hoosiers the win in Happy Valley.

    It is fairly obvious to say that this is Indiana’s biggest test of the season, they beat the Buckeyes in the B10 championship last season but this time the Buckeyes will be looking for revenge. It was one of Buckeye QB Julian Sayin’s worst games of his time at Ohio State. The Buckeyes also had multiple chances in that game that they couldn’t capitalize on. Getting stuffed on a 4th down deep in IU territory and kicker Jayden Fielding missing the game tying field goal in a game that resulted in a. 13-10 loss.

    This season, Ohio State who was the preseason no. 1 team has a gauntlet of ranked teams they have to play, especially with most being on the road with this game at IU included. OSU so far has played two games on the road, the first being the 24-23 loss at Texas where Ohio State lost a 23-3 lead. Two weeks ago, Ohio State went on the road to No. 14 Iowa and dominated the Hawkeyes 31-14 at Kinnick Stadium. The win at Kinnick helped give the Buckeyes some breathing room in terms of urgency, but this Indiana team is better and will be a much tougher test. Ohio State behind WR Jeremiah Smith who has been breaking records this season has shown they can continue to compete with anyone. However the question is can they beat anyone, I don’t think it is a question that they can beat anyone but I think we will truly see if they can put a team like Indiana away or if the Hoosiers will give the Buckeyes another experience like they had at Texas.

    You can watch the game between No. 4 Ohio State and No. 5 Indiana at 11 am C.T. on FOX

    (Info I got from Ohio State and Indiana are included in the hyper links)

  • Midway through the 2026 NLCS, the Brewers are beating the Dodgers by playing their own game

    Last year when the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Milwaukee Brewers met in the NLCS, the Dodgers swept the Brewers in dominating fashion. For all of my friends that were Brewers fans, I told them that money had zero part in that result. It was a Dodgers team that played fundamentally well in the four games vs a Brewers team that did almost everything wrong.

    Now as the two are midway through the rematch in 2026, the Brewers hold a 2-0 lead as the series shifts from Milwaukee to Los Angeles for games 3-5. It’s very simple for why the Brewers have flipped the script so far, Milwaukee is doing what their playoff slogan says “win our way”. The Brewers have done everything better than the Dodgers so far.

    In game 1, Milwaukee’s starter Jacob Misiorowski did not have his best stuff if you watched the game. However he still went 4.1 Innings pitched, and struck out 5 while allowing only 1 run on 5 hits. The Dodgers also had a lot of chances throughout the game, like the 5th inning when the Miz left the game, LA loaded the bases but scored no runs. The Brewers won the game 2-1 by a home run from Brice Turang and a Luis Lara RBI single.

    Then in game 2, Los Angeles like game one started out with a 1-0 lead, but every time the Dodgers scored the Brewers struck back. The Brewers offense made Dodgers ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto go only 2.2 Innings and a large part of that was due to AB’s like the one Jake Bauers took in the third inning when he worked the count and took a walk after a long AB to have Christian Yelich come up and have a go ahead hit. Really the only Brewers blemish of the day was two throwing errors by their starter Logan Henderson that scored two Dodgers runs. But once again Milwaukee won with a score of 7-4 to sweep the first two games.

    I mean when you watch these two games, the Brewers have dominated the Dodgers. Milwaukee’s pen which has had a 0.31 ERA through their six Postseason games allowed 0 runs in the two games vs the Dodgers. In fact in game two, the Dodgers had no baserunners vs the Brewers pen. The Brewers also made LA use 7 pitchers from their bullpen yesterday. Also as I said, in game 2, all three times the Dodgers took the lead Milwaukee tied it back up, the Brewers just never allowed the Dodgers to have a shutdown inning. The Dodgers on the other hand, who lives by the long ball, hit 0 home runs in the first two games at Milwaukee.

    Shohei Ohtani according to a lot of media pundits and fans has been injured and looks like he has been playing injured based on his Postseason numbers. But in this series, Mookie Betts has 2 hits while Freddie Freeman, Max Muncy, Andy Pages, Kyle Tucker, and Tommy Edman all have 1 hit. Catcher Will Smith also has not recorded a hit in both games so far too. For as loaded of a roster this is, what this shows is for all of the talent money can buy, it cannot buy hits. LA only had 3 hits in game 2, and when they did do something in game 1 they only got that one run. The second inning, the bases were loaded with one out and and no one scored with Kike Hernandez grounding into an inning ending double play. The fifth inning when the bases were loaded with one out, they were left loaded after Freeman grounded into an inning ending double play then the next inning runners were on the corners and no one scored. In the ninth inning, Brewers closer Trevor Megill walked two batters but Mookie Betts couldn’t get them home as he ended the game on a flyout to deep center.

    What this shows is the Brewers are beating the Dodgers their way and the Dodgers so far haven’t been able to do anything about it. Milwaukee has been playing with better fundamentals along with more energy and it has shown on the field. Now this series isn’t over yet, as the Dodgers have shown just this past year after the World Series, its a 7 game series for a reason. The next three are going to take place at Dodger Stadium, the Dodgers need to take at least two to keep their season alive. Where really they might need a sweep to have a chance because if Milwaukee just takes one in Dodger stadium, they go back to American Family Field with a chance to clinch their first World Series appearance since 1982. Milwaukee can also end it early by taking two in Los Angeles but they just need one to really put the pressure on the Dodgers.

    I have said to friends and family that I think the Brewers will win the World Series because they just do not die, and that never say never attitude has shown throughout this whole postseason. The Dodgers need to wake up and treat game 3 like everything is on the line because if they fall down 3-0, unless your the 2004 Boston Red Sox, history has said its night night for any one with a 3-0 deficit.

  • The biggest NFL games of the week that I am interested in: 2026 week 5

    Eagles (2-2) vs Jaguars (3-1), 8:30 am CT NFL Network

    A very rare international game these days as the Eagles and Jaguars play in London this Sunday. I have no clue what happened to the Eagles last week in their late loss to the Rams, every time I looked at the TV or got an update from my friend, the Eagles were up by 10+ it seemed like but then I saw that the Rams won. Jacksonville on the other hand looks to have not missed a beat from its AFC South championship season last year.

    Bears (3-1) at Packers (2-2), 12 pm CT FOX

    This game was originally FOX’s America’s Game of the Week game, but the injury to Caleb Williams along with the Packers struggles caused it to be moved to noon. Last year, this matchup was easily between the best two teams in the NFC North but this year it easily could be a do or die game for both early. Green Bay is looking for revenge after dropping week 16 and the Wildcard games vs the Bears last season. Packers playing against a Williams’ less Bears should help them along with a new O-line. Meanwhile, the Bears with today’s news about Mike Ditka will definitely be playing for their legendary coach. This should be another good one in this great rivalry.

    Colts (2-2) at Steelers (2-2), 12 pm CT CBS

    A Potential wildcard preview in this one. Rodgers and his Steelers play a team that always got the best of him at Green Bay in the Indianapolis Colts. The Colts have won 2 in a row after breaking a long losing streak dating back to week 12 of last season. This also could be a game that gets the winner into the Playoffs. A good one that I haven’t heard many talk about should take place at Ariscure Stadium.

    Browns (3-1) at Jets (1-3), 12 pm CT CBS

    If you told me the Browns would be 3-1 at week 5, I would’ve asked you to get a health check. Well, maybe we’re all crazy but is true that Deshaun Watson and his Browns currently are 3-1. They face the lowly Jets who since the week 1 win have dropped three in a row. If the Browns can take care of business, they will be 4-1 and maybe turn even more heads

    Giants (3-1) at Commanders (1-3), 12 pm CT FOX

    The Giants and QB Jameis Winston are off to a surprising 3-1 start and get the struggling Commanders who are off to a 1-3 start. The commander of the Commanders’ offense in Jayden Daniels should be back after his gruesome week 2 injury vs Dallas. Right now, the Giants lead the NFC East while the commanders are last in the division at 1-3. So some early stakes are in this one at our Nations Capital.

    Broncos (2-2) at Chargers (0-4), 3:05 pm CT CBS

    One that both AFC West teams could really afford, last season both were at the top of this division and now both sit below. While there still is plenty of time, the Broncos don’t want to go down 2-2 but their record is more doable to still recover from then where the Chargers are at. Los Angeles still does not have a win and looks to not fall even further down without one. It’s definitely getting to do or die time for the Chargers while the Broncos look to stay in tack with the Raiders and Chiefs who are ahead of them.

    49ers (4-0) at Seahawks (3-1), 3:25 pm CT FOX

    The game that is now FOX’s America’s Game of the Week can’t get much bigger than this one. NFC West, NFC No. 1 seed, NFC championship AND Super Bowl implications are all possibly on the line. Last season, the Seahawks beat the 49ers in week 18 to clinch the NFC West championship and No. 1 seed. That allowed the Hawks to host the 9ers in the Divisional round 41-6 on the way to a Super Bowl run for the Seahawks. This matchup has implications for everything I mentioned right now even in just week 5.

    Bills (3-1) at Rams (2-2), 7:25 pm CT ESPN and ABC (Monday Night)

    Another matchup between Super Bowl favorites and a possible Super Bowl preview will happen at SoFi Stadium for Monday night. The Rams loaded defense will get a test from QB Josh Allen and his Bills offense. And although the Rams two losses were to two good teams, they might need this one as they will fall down 2-3 while being in arguably the most loaded division in the league. Buffalo looks to rebound from a tough loss to AFC East rival in New England. This is one both want and need, Monday Night will be a must watch for Football and also should be a loaded night in sports with both the NLCS and ALCS happening for baseball.

    (All of my info I got from ESPN.com here.)

  • The Brewers biggest strength AND liability was shown last night

    In the Padres 4-3 win during game 3 of the NLDS to send the series to game four, one of the biggest plays that actually ended up being the difference was a throwing error in the sixth inning where SS Cooper Pratt missed 1B Jake Bauers on a throw and it scored a run for the Padres.

    For the Brewers both players that share time at first base are Bauers and Andrew Vaughn. While both of their bats are actually really solid, especially Bauers who is batting a career high .266. Along with Vaughn and a .306 batting avg. However the issue is that both of their fielding abilities are a liability.

    Bauers plays both the outfield and first base, and most of the time he is on the corner. According advanced defensive metrics, Bauers ranks low in the whole league as a first baseman. And if you watch the film, you can see why.

    Yes, a lot of plays like yesterday were tricky plays but what makes a good first baseman is the ability to bail out your infielders. Bauers isn’t a really reliable option when it comes to that. When I watch a Brewers game with my Dad it seems like every time there is an error involved at first base, No. 9 always seems to be involved.

    One thing that bails Bauers out is his pitchers and outfielders usually get him out of trouble. An example of that was back on May 17 when the Brewers were at the Minnesota Twins. I was at that game and saw it with my own eyes. With the bases loaded and 2 outs while the Twins were holding a 1-0 lead, Royce Lewis popped it up in foul territory along first base and Bauers tracked it down but dropped it. Yes, it was windy but he had it in the palm of his glove, that is a play a major leaguer makes most of the time.

    With all of this talk about Bauers, the unfortunate issue is Vaughn isn’t that much better statistically either. Vaughn also ranks low in advanced metrics and a reason why is because of his height and wingspan which dooms him when there is an errand throw to the side or above his head. But what those metrics don’t show is that Vaughn is actually solid when it comes to scooping balls out of the ground. Throws that are kinda like the throw that the rookie Pratt had yesterday.

    In the Postseason, the biggest difference is defense and not all the time will the Brewers be able to escape situations that shouldn’t be in especially due to defensive errors at the first base position. If Milwaukee doesn’t get that corner infield spot taken care of, mark my words it will the final blow to their 2026 season.

  • Reactions to the ongoing Divisional Series round of the 2026 MLB Postseason

    The four Divisional Series rounds in the AL and NL for the 2026 MLB Postseason have officially reached their halfway points and game 3 for the NL matchups start tonight. I want to give my thoughts on how all 4 series have gone so far.

    NLDS

    Brewers hold a 2-0 lead on San Diego

    The way the Brewers won game two on Sunday was awesome, but it just proves something that stands out about this team. The fact that Milwaukee just does not die, you need all 27 outs to beat this Brewers team and the Padres have seen that first hand. In the two games of this series, San Diego has jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning of game one and a held a 3-1 lead in the seventh inning of game two. Yet Milwaukee was able to win both of those games. In the second game, San Diego went 1-for-9 with runners in scoring position. The inability to score proved costly as in the ninth inning down 3-2, Milwaukee loaded the bases with Padres closer Mason Miller on the mound and Jackson Chourio on his last breath with a 2-2 count hit the line drive past Jake Cronenworth and walked it off for the Brewers. You can blame the first game on Ty France having a fly ball that (maybe) would’ve been a home run hitting the ceiling or other bad luck, but the fact of the matter is San Diego is in a hole because of not being able to put the Brewers away. Now, the Brewers were in the same spot last year as they went into game 3 of the NLDS with a 2-0 lead but their opponent in the Cubs sent it to game 5. Can the Padres do the same? Maybe, they did sweep the Brewers at Petco Park back in August but they will need to use their home park to their advantage two more times.

    Braves and Dodgers tie the first two games

    To be honest, this series is going exactly how I thought it would go as it is equal. I genuinely have no clue who will win this series. It’s easy to say the Dodgers based on how their Postseason run went last season with their talent, but when both of these teams played each other this season the Braves throttled the Dodgers. Atlanta took five of the six total games that both teams played at both Los Angeles and Atlanta. Now the series shifts to Atlanta’s home ballpark at Truist Field. Last time the Braves and Dodgers played in a playoff series, the Braves took all 3 games at Atlanta to take the 2021 NLCS. With the next two being at Truist, can Atlanta do the same or the Dodgers shock the Braves crowd and either take both or at least one to send it back to Dodger Stadium for game 5.

    ALDS

    Rays have the Yankees on the brink

    Once again another Yankees team goes into game 3 of the ALDS at Yankee Stadium down 2-0 against the AL East champion. Tampa Bay won games one and two with scores of 1-0 and 5-2. In the first game, all Tampa needed was a home run from Jonathan Aranda as their pitcher, Drew Rasmussen, shut the Yankee hitters down with 7 2/3 no-hit innings. Then in game two, Tampa just did what they have done all year, put the ball and play and work with what they got. The Rays offense took advantage of New York’s defense as 3 of their 5 runs came off of the fielders choice with their first one being a throwing error from the Yankees. Last season, the Yankees fell in 4 to the Blue Jays in the ALDS and are now in trouble of the same happening again but this time to the Rays. Yes, Aaron Judge is hurt but if the Yankees don’t survive this series, manager Aaron Boone might not survive as the Yankees manager.

    White Sox just one more win from ALCS with a 2-0 lead in the series vs Guardians

    As a fellow catholic, maybe divine intervention is actually a real thing. Pope Leo’s White Sox are playing like God is on their side as they went into Cleveland and won the first two games 3-0 and 4-3. The same White Sox team who had a bad road regular season record currently are 4-0 in their first four road games of the Postseason. Now they get to go home to Southside for game’s 3 and 4 with a chance to clinch a spot in the ALCS. Cleveland on the other hand looks to have another fast playoff exit again in the first round vs an AL Central team. Like the other three series, it’s not over yet but this Cleveland team has been getting beat to a squad that is playing with house money.

    Game 3 starts tonight with the Los Angeles Dodgers at Atlanta Braves at 5 pm CT along with Brewers at Padres at 8:30 pm CT. Both games can be seen on Fox Sports 1.

  • Some thoughts I have 48 hours removed from the Minnesota Gophers big win over Michigan

    As an avid college football fan, the Michigan vs Minnesota game was one I was really looking forward to. It’s one where I say I can’t lose whoever won because they are rivals of the two college football programs I am a fan of. But with their last meeting in 2024 along with the trajectory of both team’s seasons, I wanted to give my thoughts on this one.

    Minnesota not only avenged themselves for how the 2024 game was lost but also avenged Western Michigan

    When the Gophers played the Wolverines in 2024, Minnesota had a huge comeback fall short due to a controversial offsides penalty on an onside kick recovery. Michigan ended up winning that game 27-24 and the whole nation realized that Minnesota was robbed from a huge win. The same thing happened with week 1 when Michigan escaped Western Michigan on the controversial 1 second call. So not only did Minnesota get redemption for themselves, the Gophers head coach PJ Fleck also got some revenge for his former football team that he coached in WMU.

    Yes Michigan was unranked but I understand why Minnesota fans stormed the field

    One talking point was the Gopher Fans storming the field and the questions of “Why? Michigan was unranked”. Yes they were but FOX’s color analyst, Joel Klatt, pointed out how it was their first win at home vs Michigan since 1977 and the first time Minnesota overall retained the Little Brown Jug since 2014. If I was a Gopher fan, I would storm the field too. Now Idk if it as big as their 2019 win vs No. 4 Penn State or even when they got Paul Bunyan’s axe vs my badgers in 2018 but it was big. Also Michigan fans saying it was Minnesota’s Super Bowl, you guys stormed the field after Western Michigan so you have no room to talk.

    A friend and former high school teammate of mine helped cause the interception that led to the Gophers game winning TD.

    When Michigan’s quarterback Bryce Underwood threw the interception to safety Za’Quan Harden that led to running back Darius Taylor punching it in for the game winning touchdown. It was all started by Gopher D-lineman Jaxon Howard pressuring Underwood and forcing the bad throw to Harden. I knew Jaxon in high school and played HS football with him. If you got to know him, he’s a great dude and his family is awesome too. Jaxon also gave me one of the best interviews I ever had when starting my Journalistic career journey in high school. So it was nice to see a friend make a big play in a big game on national TV like that, so I want to give a shoutout to him.

    PJ Fleck needed this one

    I said in my preview that Fleck could afford this win. Well he got it and it’s definitely a great one for his resume as the coach of the Gophers. Think and say what you want about him, but coaching a program like Minnesota, he has a pretty solid resume. It is clear he gets his players to buy in to his “Row the Boat” mantra. (even if it annoys me as a badger fan)

    Was I happy Minnesota won? Ehh, however I definitely am glad Michigan lost

    Usually a big Gophers win doesn’t make me happy, but with this opponent I can tolerate the Maroon and Gold being happy. There is absolutely not a single thing in this world that I cannot stand more then a Michigan Man. Especially after the Connor Stallions scandal, the Sherrone Moore scandal, even them running their mouths for four straight years with wins over Ohio State. Yea, they needed some big time humbling even if it was to the Gophers.

  • A Big day for a college football conference you might not know about. Division-III’s WIAC Conference

    In the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, aka D-III’s SEC conference it is a big day for all 8 teams as all 8 not only open the conference season but also these are big matchups right away.

    No. 2 UW-River Falls at No. 6 UW-Whitewater

    The biggest one out of the four games, UWRF, who lost almost all their pieces to last years national championship season currently sits No. 2 in the top 25 and has not missed a beat. The Falcons will face the Warhawks for the first time since last year when UWRF crushed UWW 52-14 to break a 24 year losing streak to Whitewater. So the Warhawks have some revenge on their minds. Also this one is absolutely massive to who will get the WIAC championship and the automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament.

    No. 19 UW-La Crosse at UW-Oshkosh

    What was looking to be the battle of two disappointing teams now has hype again. UWO has rebounded nicely after a week 1 disaster to Linfield by collecting two road wins at Alma and Coe. UWL on the other hand is 1-2, despite those losses being to No. 11 St. Johns and No. 14 Hardin Simmons, this is not a spot the Eagles usually find themselves in. Both teams need this one, not only to be in this race this year for the WIAC but stay alive for an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament.

    4 UW-Platteville at UW-Stout Polytechnic

    The Pioneers have been rolling at No. 4 and now get their first road test at Stout. The Blue Devils got tripped up with a 31-10 loss at D-II Roosevelt University last week, but they did beat a good opponent in Augusta the week before. UWP is much better than both of those opponents. Stout has a test ahead of them at home and the Pioneers need to stay focused cause UWS is a trap.

    UW-Stevens Point at UW-Eau Claire

    Right now, both of these teams look sort of impressive. UWSP currently sits 2-1 with their only loss being against Hope College. UWEC on the other hand had its 2nd straight season of going 3-0 vs non-conference opponents. Both teams think that they can take a step closer to the best of this conference and winning this game would be a start

    (All of these games start at 1 p.m. today on Oct. 3)

  • The College football games I am interested in for week 5 of the 2026 season.

    Penn State at Northwestern: HAPPENING NOW AS A TYPE

    I will say, this one is definitely kinda shocking. Right now as I type, the Northwestern Wildcats who are 2-1 are crushing the Nittany Lions 24-7 in the third quarter on FOX. PSU had an upset loss to Wisconsin last week and since losing a 17-0 lead in that game, they have looked very feeble. It is Northwestern’s first new game at the New Ryan Field and honestly, this place looks much better than the old Ryan Field.

    Michigan at Minnesota (11 am C.T. FOX)

    The game for the Little Brown Jug trophy will once again be FOX’ Big Noon Saturday game. And this one like its counterpart in 2024 has a lot of implications on it. Minnesota might have found something with a big win at Washington last week where the Wolverines fell to Iowa at home on a last second touchdown. If the Wolverines lose the Jug now too, things could really go south for the Wolverines as there is an argument that they should be 2-3 with a loss. New coach Kyle Wittingham could really use a quality win on the road like this in his first year with the Wolverines. For Minnesota, you know that 27-24 loss in 2024, where a controversially called offsides on an onside kick thwarted a potential comeback in is on their minds. Head coach P.J. Fleck could also afford a win vs the Wolverines as it would be the Gophers first vs them since 2014, and maybe his biggest win since the upset over No. 4 Penn State in 2019.

    No. 7 Alabama at No. 16 Mississippi State (11 am C.T. ABC)

    Is this Mississippi State team and QB Kamario Taylor truly different? They will get their first true SEC test this week. The Bulldogs are 0-16 in the last 16 vs the Tide and Kalen DeBoer’s squad right now is 4-0. Alabama has had some slow starts to begin this year and this will definitely be the best team they face as of now. So DeBoer’s team cannot afford another slow start because if the Tide get off to another one, this Bulldogs team can make it a long day for Alabama.

    Michigan State at Wisconsin (11:30 am C.T. BTN)

    Luke Fickell finally got his signature win, a 27-23 comeback at No. 13 Penn State. Now comes the next challenge, can he get his team ready for lowly Michigan State at home. This is a spot where Wisconsin teams in the past have stumbled after big wins, if Fickell’s team can take care of business they might truly be different.

    No. 5 Ohio State at No. 14 Iowa (2:30 pm C.T. CBS)

    This is the first time the Buckeyes will travel to Kinnick since the 55-24 upset loss in 2017. Unlike that game, Ohio State won’t be coming into Iowa off an emotional win over a ranked team. The Hawkeyes this time are actually that team, as they are coming off the last second win at No. 18 Michigan. OSU, the preseason No. 1 team already lost its first test at Texas and has Iowa now with plenty of more tough opponents down the road. If Ohio State gets tripped up for the second straight time at Kinnick, boy Columbus will be a very ugly place. This is one the Buckeyes really need and if Iowa can get the upset, wins over both Michigan and Ohio State might prove this Hawkeye team is something.

    No. 8 Florida at No. 25 Missouri (2:30 pm C.T. ABC)

    Big win over top 10 opponent followed by a road game vs bottom ranked top 25 team. That is the same script that the Gators opponent last week in Ole Miss had going into their game. Now the Gators are in the same spot, big win over the No. 4 Ole Miss Rebels followed by a road game at No. 25 Missou. Florida needs to be careful because this is the same spot that Ole Miss was in last week.

    No. 4 Miami at Clemson (6:30 pm C.T. ABC)

    The ACC favorite in the Hurricanes travel to Death Valley to play the former kings of the ACC in Clemson. The Tigers absolutely need to be at least competitive in this one and maybe win, because after the week 1 disaster at LSU. Coach Dabo Swinney’s seat might be getting hotter and hotter. The winner of this one also retains first place in the ACC. Miami hasn’t been great against Clemson in the past, so even with both teams current state this would be a big monkey off the backs for the Canes.

    No. 12 Texas Tech at Colorado (6:30 pm C.T. FOX)

    Joey McGwire’s Texas Tech Red Raiders have a road test at Colorado vs Deon Sanders and the Colorado Buffaloes. Colorado still has not won a ranked game under Deon since the 2023 opener vs No. 17 TCU, so pulling off the upset vs one of the powerhouses in the Big 12 would be a huge win. The Red Raiders on the other hand could stay in the fight to defend their Big 12 title while putting the Buffaloes in a whole at 2-3 overall and 0-2 in the Big 12.