Category Archives: Russell

Andree, Baier, Dae Hee, Flowers, Jesse, Russell

Still Laughing – 2015

June 15, 2015 Christopher D. Bennett

Still haven’t really got back to posting much lately, but let’s face it, I really haven’t even touched the camera much lately. I’ve been crazy busy with weddings and graduations and church activities that my free time has been at a premium lately.

When I have had free time, I’ve been devoting it to my BASEMENT PROJECT. A project where I have been returning things that don’t belong to me, re-assigning ownership of some things AND downsizing my own possessions. Although to those that have seen the basement in its current state it might not look like I’ve made much progress, but those people didn’t see what it looked like before this whole process began.

In fact, I made it to the point where I was able to actually set up the GHETTO HOME THEATER. With a couple of donations from Jesse and a couple purchases from Amazon, there is a functioning theater in my basement. However, that is all that can be said about it. It functions. It is definitely a work in progress.

On Saturday I was able to have a soft opening with Russell,Baier, Dre, and Dae Hee in attendance. We watched NIGHT CRAWLER. I feel it was a success that could lead to a couple more soft openings.

Hopefully there will be an actual grand opening when it is “finished” and the GHETTO HOME THEATER will be re-branded the UNION STREET THEATER. Perhaps a double feature of a kid friendly movie for those types that have reproduced and closing with A CLOCKWORK ORANGE. Which I consider to be child friendly as well. That might just be me though.

Well, any way, I should post some pictures. Here are some tulip pictures from Pella.

Maybe I won’t wait so long to post again. But maybe I will.

Andree, Angie, Baier, Basketball, Becky, Bill, Brandon, Dawn, Derrick, Faust, Frank, Jesse, Lowell, Mark, Micky, Naima, Nate, Robert, Russell, Sara, Shawn Lockner, Tim, Willy

ROUNDBALL ORACLES YEAR 11

March 16, 2015 Christopher D. Bennett

Wow! What an amazing season of College Basketball. Especially in the state of Iowa. Almost everybody has something to cheer about:

The Iowa State Cyclones won the Big 12 for the second straight year. They are looking to make good on Hoiberg’s promise of a national championship.
The UNI Panthers won whatever backwaters conference they are in.
Iowa returns to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2006. They have a chance at their first tournament win since 2001. Gold star for Iowa!

There are all sorts of great potential matchups all over the place:

Fred Hoiberg could coach against one of his NBA coaches in the second round.
Iowa State and Iowa could play each other in the Sweet Sixteen.
Another possibility would be a dream point guard matchup between the best 2 point guards in the country in Monte Morris and Kevin Pangos.
The Elite Eight could feature a rematch of the 1944 Final Four game between Iowa State and Utah.

However, if you want to place your name on the List of Immortals like these people:

Roundball Oracles Champions

2014 – Brandon Kahler
2013 – William McAlpine
2012 – Lowell Davis
2011 – Carrie Baier
2010 – Mark Wolfram
2009 – Mark Wolfram
2008 – Mark Wolfram
2007 – Tim Peterson
2006 – William McAlpine
2005 – William McAlpine

All you need to do is contact me and I’ll get you the information posthaste.

The only “buy in” is pride. First place does win a trophy. The last place trying adult, also wins a trophy. Small chance there will be a traveling trophy this year, but I’m not made of money. Maybe some of the rest of you need to start kicking in on the bills around here. I’m looking at you Naima.

In case you need a refresher on how last year’s Oracles did, look below.

Rank	Oracle	Score	Correct	Champion	Last Year
1.	Brandon Kahler	255	40	Florida	18th
2.	Michael Augustin	241	42	Florida	31st
3.	Paul Golden	235	41	Michigan State	DNP
4.	Jordan Toot	228	39	Florida	9th
5.	Jon DeWaard	224	39	Florida	5th
6.	Mark Wolfram	222	38	Florida	8th
7.	Lowell Davis	216	40	Florida	DNP
8.	Andree Jauhari	210	38	Iowa State	28th
9.	Derrick Gorshe	208	38	Iowa State	14th
10.	Carrie Baier	205	37	Michigan State	19th
11.	Robert Henning	205	36	Florida	10th
12.	Bill Wentworth	204	38	Florida	15th
13.	Nate Miller	203	36	Iowa State	DNP
14.	Frank Meiners	201	38	Michigan State	11th
14.	Jesse Howard	201	37	Kansas	3rd
16.	Corey Faust	200	36	Iowa State	7th
17.	Humble Narrator	196	36	Iowa State	33rd
18.	William Mcalpine	196	38	Florida	1st
19.	Angie DeWaard	191	35	Arizona	6th
20.	Sean Clubine	189	36	Syracuse	13th
21.	Carla Stensland	189	35	Iowa State	DNP
22.	Ben Baier	188	35	Arizona	32nd
23.	Jackson Faust	185	36	Florida	16th
24.	Michelle Haupt	181	35	Arizona	26th
25.	Elizabeth Nordeen	181	35	Iowa State	21st
26.	Russell Kennerly	180	34	Florida	24th
27.	Olivia Baier	178	34	Arizona	DNP
28.	Jason Baier	175	35	Florida	24th
29.	Tim Peterson	175	34	Iowa State	22nd
30.	Becky Perkovich	175	35	Iowa State	27th
31.	Shawn Lockner	173	33	Wisconsin	4th
32.	J.J. Baier	164	24	Michigan	29th
33.	Ryan Halvorson	163	33	Arizona	18th
34.	Dawn Krause	149	32	Arizona	23rd
35.	Will Baier	147	23	Iowa State	34th
36.	Sara Lockner	143	28	Florida	DNP

Like I said, if you want in and have some extra pride to spare, you know where to find me.

Andree, Baier, Football, Russell

Week 5 of Highly Inaccurate Sports Prognostication

September 25, 2014 Christopher D. Bennett

So I ran away with last week’s title:

Week 4:

1. Humble Narrator – 21-6 – .778
2. JB59 – 18-9 – .667
3. Dre – 13-9 – .591
4. RMK – 13-14 – .481

Overall Standings:

1. JB59 – 71-32 .689
2. Me – 67-36 .652
3. RMK – 58-39 .597

Not Enough At Bats

Dre 13-9 .519

ONLY GAME THAT MATTERS

Iowa State should be embarrassed for only squeaking by a terrible Big Ten team. Hopefully allowing Iowa to hang around will be an eye opener and they play to their potential on Saturday night against Baylor.

Everybody keeps comparing this game to the Oklahoma State game. Big difference. This team is better offensively. However, something that is being overlooked by most people is that Baylor’s defense is incredibly improved. Their defense might be better than their offense now.

Plus, as good as Baylor’s offense is, it often struggles away from home (in relative terms) and can be slowed down by good defenses (which we might not have, but are getting there).

No way there is a repeat of last year. Too much pride. Too much Rhoads. Too much Mangino. Too much Burnham.

That is why this one is lower scoring than people think.

Iowa State 10 Baylor 6

OTHER CYCLONE STATE GAMES

IOWA (3-1) whoops PURDUE (2-2)

TENNESSEE TECH (1-2) falls to #10 UNI (1-2)

DRAKE – BYE

#8 GRAND VIEW (2-1) rebounds to pound #9 SAINT FRANCIS (INDIANA) (2-1)

TOP 25

#11 UCLA (3-0) lucks runs out #15 ARIZONA STATE (3-0) big.

BIG 12

TEXAS TECH (2-1) gets embarrassed by #24 OKLAHOMA STATE (2-1) THURSDAY!
UTEP (2-1) can’t even keep it close #25 KANSAS STATE (2-1)
TCU (2-0) humiliates SMU (0-3)
TEXAS (1-2) and their JV loses to KANSAS (2-1)

SEC

ARKANSAS (3-1) keeps it close, but falls in the end to #6 TEXAS A&M (4-0)
MISSOURI (3-1) gets crushed by #13 SOUTH CAROLINA (3-1)

PAC-12

#16 STANFORD (2-1) clips WASHINGTON (4-0)
OREGON STATE (3-0) falls at #18 USC (2-1)

ACC

#1 FLORIDA STATE (3-0) nips NC STATE (4-0)

“BIG” TEN

MARYLAND (3-1) gets by a flat INDIANA (2-1)

COACH MAC BOWL WATCH

BYE

BCS BUSTERS

UTAH STATE (2-2) falls to #20 BYU (4-0) big.
MARSHALL (4-0) stays undefeated to get by OLD DOMINION (3-1)
CINCINNATI (2-0) comes close to #22 OHIO STATE (2-1) who is badly missing Braxton Miller, but doesn’t get the job done.

KHD GAMES OF MODERATE INTEREST

Pretty weak collection of games.

GIANTS (1-2) @ RACISTS (1-2)THURSDAY! – RACISTS
PACKERS (1-2) @ BEARS (2-1) – PACKERS
BILLS (2-1) @ TEXANS (2-1) -TEXANS
PANTHERS (2-1) @ RAVENS (2-1) – RAVENS
SAINTS (1-2) @ COWBOYS (2-1) – SAINTS
EAGLES (3-0) @ 49ERS (1-2) – EAGLES
PATRIOTS (2-1) @ CHIEFS (1-2) – PATRIOTS

FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS

DALLAS CENTER-GRIMES MUSTANGS (3-1) @ BOONE TOREADORS (0-4) – DCG
FORT DODGE DODGERS (3-1) @ MASON CITY MOHAWKS (0-4) – Dodgers on the march to the playoffs!
AUDUBON WHEELERS (2-2) @ MAPLE VALLEY-ANTHON-OTO RAMS (0-4) – Wheelers, big!

Baier, Football, Russell

Week 3 of Highly Inaccurate Sports Prognostication

September 11, 2014 Christopher D. Bennett

Last week was a rougher week from a prediction standpoint. But Russell came through with the best week:

WEEK 2

Russell Kennerly 15-10 .600
Jason Baier 17-12 .586
Humble Narrator 16-13 .552

OVERALL STANDINGS

Jason Baier 34-13 .723
Russell Kennerly 29-12 .707
Humble Narrator 30-17 .638

What is there to say about the Kansas State game? Iowa State made a huge improvement. Moving Miller to the middle linebacker made a huge difference. Cotton-Moya is the real deal. The hit he laid on Jake Waters to preserve the Cyclone lead was huge. But the defense still needs a ton of improvement, but it sure looks better when there is a Knott out there.

Jarvis West. So glad that they rediscovered him. Nealy should be the starting running back. Nothing against Wimberly, but Nealy is the bigger talent. Nealy should have been in there on that 3rd and 1. Richardson also looked really good.

We were close, but that doesn’t make me feel much better.

I’m not going to talk about the refs, but are we ever going to be the beneficiary of a terrible call? Are we always going to be the victim?

A couple things are worrisome though.

1. We haven’t scored in the 2nd half yet.
2. We haven’t forced a turnover yet.

I expect both of those things to change on Saturday.

THE ONLY GAME THAT MATTERS

Iowa State is already dominating this year’s Cy-Hawk Series. The Cyclone Women’s Soccer team whipped the Hawks last Friday.

Now we play them in real football.

Kansas State was a bigger, faster, stronger North Dakota State.

Iowa is a slower, less athletic Kansas State.

If Iowa State plays like they did against the Wildcats on Saturday, I don’t see how this game is even close.

I don’t see how Iowa will be able to move the ball against fast, athletic players like Mutcherson, Cotton-Moya, Tribune, Knott, and Morrissey.

I don’t know how a slow unathletic defense like Iowa’s defends guys like West, Bibbs, Lazzard, Nealy, Daley, Wimberly, and Montgomery.

If there best player plays or doesn’t play, it won’t change this outcome.

Iowa State 42 Iowa 7

OTHER CYCLONE STATE GAMES

UNI must be desperate for money. They are cashing 2 checks from FBS schools this year. If Hawaii counts as an FBS school. I’m not sure that they do.

UNI (0-1) clips Hawaii (0-2)

Drake, cashing a check to play a scholarship school.

Western Illinois (1-1) punishes Drake (1-1)

#1 Grand View has the week off.

TOP 25 MATCHUP

#6 Georgia (1-0) punks #24 South Carolina (1-1)

BIG 12 MATCHUPS

#8 Baylor humiliates Buffalo (1-1) FRIDAY GAME
West Virginia (1-1) by 21 over Maryland (2-0) – The difference between a Big 12 and a Big Ten team
Duke (2-0) crushes Kansas (1-0) – Who asked these schools to play in football?
Texas Tech (2-0) barely gets by Arkansas (1-1)
TCU (1-0) by 21 over Minnesota (2-0) – The difference between a Big 12 and a Big Ten team.
Oklahoma State (1-1) struggles to get by UTSA (1-1) Quick question: Who coaches UTSA?
Overrated #12 UCLA (2-0) gets by Texas’ JV (1-1)
#4 Oklahoma (2-0) by 15 over Tennessee (2-0), despite RMK asserting that they can ball.

BIG TEN GAME OF THE WEEK

Penn State (2-0) gives Rutgers (2-0) a rude introduction to the Big Ten

SEC GAME OF THE WEEK

Florida (1-0) over Kentucky (2-0)

PAC 12 GAME OF THE WEEK

Nevada (2-0) upsets Arizona (2-0)

ACC GAME OF THE WEEK

#21 Louisville (2-0) continues domination of ACC by whooping Virginia (1-1)

This conference is such a joke.

COACH MAC BOWL WATCH

I apologize for ever doubting Coach Mac. I won’t do it again. Last week he was so dominant that he ended the opposes coach’s career.

North Texas (1-1) pounds Louisiana Tech (1-1) THURSDAY GAME

NFL GAMES OF MODERATE INTEREST

Steelers (1-0) over Ravens (0-1) THURSDAY GAME
Dolphins (1-0) over Bills (1-0)
Titans (1-0) over Sir Interception and the Cowboys (0-1)
Falcons (1-0) over Bengals (1-0)
Seahawks (1-0) over Chargers
Packers (0-1) over Jets (1-0)
Broncos (1-0) humiliate Chiefs (0-1)
49ers (1-0) over the overhyped Bears (0-1)
Colts (0-1) over Eagles (1-0)

FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS

It kills me to say it, (not really, but just go with it) but it looks like the mighty Toreadors are pretty terrible. In the first week of the season they lost to a school that is so embarrassed by the town it is in that it goes by some completely made up name. Then in week 2 they got crushed, mercilessly, at home, during Pufferbilly Days by a town thats only claim to fame is a decent grill-your-own-steak restaurant and a school district filled with rich kids from Ames. Story County’s version of urban flight I guess.

What really kills me to say is that I just don’t see any way the Toreadors can go on the road and beat the #7 team in the state, even though that team has that most generic of nicknames.

Humboldt Wildcats (2-0) slam the Boone Toreadors (0-2)

Fort Dodge’s opponent has (while originalish… I guess…) nickname, it is so stupid that I have to pick against it.

Fort Dodge Dodgers (1-1) big over the Waterloo West Wahawks (0-2)

Audubon also plays a team from the Generic Nickname Top 5. #2 I do believe and the second time it has shown up in this prognostication list already:

Audubon Wheelers slip by the Griswold Tigers

As always, feel free to make your own picks in the COMMENTS section below.

Baier, Football, Russell

Week 2 of Highly Inaccurate Sports Prognostication

September 4, 2014 Christopher D. Bennett

In Week 1 Jason Baier had probably the greatest sports prognostication week of his life. Admittedly, Week 1 games are always pretty easy to pick, but he only missed ONE game. He missed Grand View beating Drake mercilessly. Yes, once again this year I will not count it against you if you picked Iowa State to win and they don’t. I also won’t give you credit for picking against Iowa State and getting it right. My game. My rules.

So here are the Week 1 Standings:

1. Jason Baier – 17-1 .944
2. Russell Kennerly – 14-2 .875
3. Christopher D. Bennett – 14-4 .778

Although I should deduct points to RMK for being too cowardly to pick a winner in the FSU-OSU game and the Boone-Ballard game.

There is no real reason to dwell on Iowa State’s shellacking. It was maybe the most pathetic thing I’ve seen in Jack Trice Stadium. Up there with their loss to Drake back in 1985. Drake dropped football the next year.

I don’t care how good the Bizon are in their division, there is absolutely no excuse for getting completely whipped by a Divsion Whatever opponent. Especially not 2 years in a row!

We could go over went wrong, but it seemed like everything went wrong. To make matters worse, we lost Bundrage for the season. By far our most explosive offensive threat, gone. 4 plays into the season. On a running play. Maybe this is why Todd Blythe never blocked. As sad and as pathetic as our “new” offense looked, the defense wasn’t much better.

They gave up over 500 yards.
The last touchdown run of the game was over 60 yards by a fat, short dude that I’m pretty sure I could have ran down.
A cornerback was our leading tackler. (Tribune with 11)
A backup safety was the 2nd leading tackler. (Syrie with 9)
Another safety was the 4th leading tackler. (Mutcherson with 8)

The good news about the defense is that their problems looked to be from being in the wrong place and not from missed tackles. It is easier to correct players being in the wrong place than it is missing tackles. Most of the issues on defense come from inexperience. That will be fixed over time (unless we keep getting players thrown out of the game for bogus targeting penalties), but in the meantime, the defense is going to be rough.

The good news for the offense? Until Farniok went out of the game, the offense looked pretty good. After he left the game? The offense looked an awful lot like last year’s offense.

But why dwell on the past? That is what Nebraska fans do.

THE ONLY GAME THAT MATTERS

This week’s opponent: Kansas State. Basically North Dakota State. Only bigger, faster, and stronger. Quarterbacked by a quarterback that wanted to come to Iowa State and we were like, “Nah, we’re good.”

Kansas State is 1 of 2 conference opponents that Paul Rhoads has not defeated. (Okay, technically he never defeated Texas A&M or Missouri, but are we really going to count those turncoats?)

This made me wonder, has an Iowa State coach ever defeated all of their conference opponents.?

Chizik – he ONLY defeated Colorado and Kansas State. Yeah, it could always be worse. Remember that guy?
McCarney – Never beat Texas or Oklahoma
Walden – Never beat Colorado, beat Oklahoma AND Nebraska. Never beat Colorado
Criner – Never beat Oklahoma or Nebraska
Duncan – Never beat Oklahoma, Nebraska or KANSAS!! Did tie Oklahoma once though.
Bruce – Never beat Oklahoma
Majors – Never beat Nebraska, Colorado, or Oklahoma
Stapleton – Never beat Missouri. Tied Missouri once.

That goes all the way back to 1958, when Oklahoma State rejoined the Big 8!

Paul Rhoads has made a career out of exorcising many of Iowa State’s historical demons. I think he will be the first coach since God knows when to have bested every team in our conference. First Kansas State, then Oklahoma.

I know what you are thinking, Iowa State just got crushed by a school that has 1300 students, if you count goats. Which I do.

But one thing Paul Rhoads does well is circle the wagons.

The week before he beat Texas, He lost 52-0 to Oklahoma.

Paul Rhoads circles the wagons. The defense licks it wounds and mans up. They force 3 turnovers. Richardson explodes for a huge game, finally. Touchdowns by West, Bibbs, Nealy, and Daley.

Iowa State 28 Kansas State 24

OTHER CYCLONE STATE GAMES

Iowa struggles to get by Ball State
Drake rebounds to knock off Truman State
Grand View punishes Graceland

BIG 12 MATCHUPS

(4) Oklahoma pounds Tulsa
Oklahoma State puts 70 on Missouri State
Kansas nips SE Missouri State
Texas barely gets by BYU
West Virginia creams Towson
(10) Baylor shuts out Northwestern State
Texas Tech (a team wildly overrated by Jason Baier) struggles to get past UTEP

TOP 25 MATCHUPS

(8) Michigan State beats up on (3) Oregon in a rare Big Ten Power 5 win.
(11) Stanford manhandles (15) USC

BIG TEN GAME OF THE WEEK

Michigan knocks off (17) Notre Dame

SEC GAME OF THE WEEK

Tennessee over Arkansas State but close.

PAC 12 GAME OF THE WEEK

Arizona over UTSA

ACC GAME OF THE WEEK

(5) Ohio State pounds Virginia Tech – Another rare Big Ten Power 5 win, if you consider the ACC a Power 5 conference, which I don’t.

Coach Mac Bowl Watch

SMU over North Texas, sorry Coach Mac, rebuilding year.

NO FUN LEAGUE Games of Moderate Interest

As you may or may not know, I don’t live in or have ever lived in:

New York
Washington D. C.
Philadelphia
Dallas
Minnesota
Green Bay
Detroit
Chicago
New Orleans
Atlanta
North or South Carolina
Tampa Bay
Seattle
San Francisco
St. Louis
Miami
Boston or New England
Buffalo
Baltimore
Cincinnati
Pittsburgh
Cleveland
Houston
Tennessee
Jacksonville
Indianapolis
Denver
Oakland
San Diego
Kansas City

So, I don’t really have any passion for the NFL. Most of my picks are based on whether or not Tony Romo plays for a particular team or not.

Seahawks over Packers
Saints over Falcons
Ravens over Bengals
Bears over Bills
Chiefs over Titans
49ers over Romo
Broncos over Colts
Lions over Giants
Cardinals over Chargers

Friday Night Lights

Boone Toreadors pound the Gilbert Tigers. It was embarrassing enough to lose to a town without a grocery store last week. No way it happens twice. Plus Tigers? That is like not even trying with your nickname.
Fort Dodge Dodgers over the Sioux City North Stars. I hate nicknames that try to get cutesy.
Audubon Wheelers over the IKM-Manning Wolves. Wolves are a badass animal, but as a sports team nickname – G-E-N-E-R-I-C. You are a half step away from being the Wildcats.

As always, please feel free to place your predictions in the COMMENTS section.

Andree, Baier, Faust, Football, Russell

Week 1 of Highly Inaccurate Sports Prognostication

August 29, 2014 Christopher D. Bennett

Usually I only share this info with Baier, RMK, and Dre, but I feel there is just too much knowledge in this gulliver not to share it with the world (wide web).

THE ONLY GAME THAT MATTERS

Everybody knows that North Dakota State has dominated their level of football over the last 3 years, but here are some facts you might not know about North Dakota State, besides that their fan base can’t even pronounce the word bison correctly.

3 Straight FCS National Championships
The last time they lost: November 13, 2012 – 17-14 to Indiana State
The last time they gave up more than 30 points: December 11, 2010 – 38 points by Eastern Washington
The last time they lost to an FBS School: September 3, 2009 – 34-17 to Iowa State
Since then they have won 4 straight games against FBS schools:

Kansas 6-3
Minnesota 37-24
Colorado State 22-7
Kansas State 24-21

Their equivalent of our Cyclone Fanatic (on the Cyclone Fanatic Radio Show) even predicted that they would club us 35-14! Adding: “I’d be shocked if they (Iowa State) can score 17.”

There is a lot to respect about the Bison program, but one thing should be clear. This isn’t the same team that won those 3 titles. Gone is their coach. Gone is most of their starters. Heck, their AD is even gone.

But I’m a big believer in the Pete Bell philosophy:

l’ll tell him exactly
what we’re gonna do.
l’ll give him our offense.
l’ll give him our defense.
Because it’s not what you do.
godd*mn it. it’s how you do it.

Meaning the outcome of this game won’t be decided by what has changed in Fargo, or wherever North Dakota State calls home, it will be the changes in Ames.

Finally, we have a real offensive coordinator. Finally, we have a dedicated quarterbacks coach. Finally, we have an offensive line coach that the players like and respect. Finally, we have speed and talent all over the place.

Yes, there is reason for concern on defense. Yes, we lost 1 of my all-time favorite Cyclones in Washington. Yes, we lost our best linebacker. Yes, the defensive line lost (allegedly) its two most talented interior linemen.

But, we still have the wizard in Wally Burnham as our DC. I’m buying the hype on Mutcherson and Cotton-Moya at safety. I’m buying the hype of the deep and talented linebacker core (I hope Levi Peters sees some time on the field this year. He has the potential to be one of my all-time favorite Cyclones.) I’m buying into the Corey Morrissey hype. I think Jensen and Cousin will be good enough in the middle of the line.

But more than anything, Iowa State needs this game. They need to get the taste of last year’s UNI debacle out of their system. They need to be just like Bull Hurley (from the CITIZEN KANE of arm wrestling movies OVER THE TOP):

He doesn’t even belong on my arm wrestling table. That’s my area, that’s my game, and he’s got no sh*ttin’ business there. And all I want to do is hurt him, cripple him, get him off the table. And so he never dares try to compete against me again.

The Cyclones need to put a hurt on the Bison so that they never dare to try to compete against us again. (Although they will be able to use the excuse that they already aren’t on our schedule through 2020.)

You might be thinking, “Man, that is kind of harsh attitude to take against a little FCS school.”

Allow me to retort:

There isn’t much I remember about that 2009 encounter with the Bison in Jack Trice Stadium. But I do remember this: North Dakota State fans are one of the most annoying fan bases I have ever encountered.

Here is the current Top 5 (College Football Division)Most Annoying Fanbases I have personally encountered:

1. Nebraska
2. Iowa
3. Alabama
4. North Dakota State
5. Missouri

Even while Iowa State was throttling them, they displayed the Nebraska fans’ level of arrogance (FCS level albeit) and Iowa fans’ ability to make excuses (FCS level albeit).

So what will happen?

Gone will be their 24 game winning streak.
Gone will be their 4 game winning streak against FBS schools.
Gone will be their 30 point defensive streak.

North Dakota State likes to play ball control offense. They will try, but after 3 quick scores from Bundrage, Bibbs, and Nealy they will be forced to play catch up. Allowing ISU to pin its ears back and go after the quarterback. A big game from Morrissey and Trent Taylor on the line. A pick by Tribune and another by Mutcherson. This one is over early.

The BiZon go softly into the mid-afternoon.

Cyclones 35 North Dakota State 14

OTHER GAMES IN THE CYCLONE STATE

Saturday is the favorite day of the year for Panther fans. No matter what, their favorite team will win.

UNI’s David Johnson is a stud. He will play in the NFL some day. UNI plays a tougher schedule in a tougher conference. They maybe be the better team, but I don’t believe that UNI can ever give full effort against Iowa. Since all Panthers secretly want to be Hawkeyes, they will find it tough to knock off their idols. But it will be close.

Iowa 24 UNI 21

Last year Grand View upset Drake and then went on to win a national championship. In many ways, this was just a big of an upset as UNI beating Iowa State. Bigger actually. Drake didn’t have The Mess as their offensive coordinator. That being said, I think Grand View repeats. Their coaching staff is just that good or or just that psychotic. Take your choice.

Little known fact: Although he’ll deny it, Grand View is Corey Faust’s alma mater.

Grand View 21 Drake 10

TOP 25 MATCHUPS

(21) Texas A&M 52 (9) South Carolina 28 Johnny Manziel not missed. Not even a little bit.
(13) LSU blows out (14) Wisconsin
(12) Georgia big over (16) Clemson, sorry if you’re in the ACC and your name isn’t Florida State, you aren’t beating a ranked SEC team.

BIG 12 GAMES

(2) Alabama kills West Virginia
(4) Oklahoma mauls Louisiana Tech
TCU nips Samford
Texas Tech humiliates Central Arkansas
(20) Kansas State pounds SF Austin
North Texas (COACH MAC!) shocks Texas
(1) Florida State pounds Oklahoma State (despite struggling early because Oklahoma State has such an ugly stadium that it is distracting)
(10) Baylor whips SMU

BIG TEN GAME OF THE WEEK

Navy shocks (5) Ohio State – My niece is in the Navy. That may have influenced this pick.

SEC GAME OF THE WEEK

(6) Auburn blasts Arkansas – It feels good to be able to cheer for Auburn again.

PAC 12 GAME OF THE WEEK

(15) USC bounces Fresno State despite the fact that their coach is a racist… apparently.

ACC GAME OF THE WEEK

(7) UCLA whips Virginia – God the ACC is a terrible conference. Just…. absolutely…. terrible!

FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS

I pick these games based entirely on who has the better mascot.

Boone Toreadors embarrass the Ballardville Bombers in every conceivable way.
Sioux City West Wolverines trounce the Fort Dodge Dodgers
Audubon Wheelers nip the A-H-S-T, Avoca Vikings – These Vikings clearly stole their logo from the Minnesota Vikings. D- for effort.

Feel free to add your predictions to the comments section of this here blog entry.

Flowers, Micky, Photo of the Day, Russell

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August 10, 2014 Christopher D. Bennett

One of my coneflowers. A very healthy batch this year.

Well, we did it. We made it to 100 Photos of the Day. I figured there was no better way to cap off the first 100 with what Micky would call “flower porn”. Somewhere Russell is shaking his head.

Flowers, Jesse, Photo of the Day, Road Trip, Russell

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July 22, 2014 Christopher D. Bennett

A rose from the State Center Rose Garden. (Photo Assistant: Jesse Howard)

Another rose from the State Center Rose Garden (Photo Assistant: Jesse Howard)

The selection of today’s photo was also a salute to Russell. He has long been the biggest supporter of my flower photography. The word fanatic barely seems to describe it.

Baier, Micky, Russell, Shannon

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July 22, 2014 Christopher D. Bennett 3 Comments

Russell is a HUGE fan of blimps and snapped this picture with his iPhone and then sent it to me in the hopes I would share it with the masses. (Photo by Russell Kennerly)

Russell is a HUGE fan of blimps and when he saw this blimp floating near his place of employment he sent it on to me hoping I would share it with the masses. So I have. Snaps for Russell.

What Russell doesn’t know is that while I can claim a decent amount of subscribers as far as I know only 3 people actually gander at my ramblings. So I hope Baier, Shannon, and Micky enjoyed Russell’s contribution to this here blog, ahem, online journal. I can already hear Micky calling this entry “blimp porn”.

Since I didn’t do the photography he will present me with a long diatribe about how this picture of the blimp was tastefully done and therefore not pornographic in any way. I guess I’ll wait with bated breath.

Andree, Angie, Baier, Basketball, Becky, Bill, Brandon, Carla, Dawn, Derrick, Faust, Frank, Jesse, Lowell, Mark, Micky, Nate, Photo of the Day, Robert, Russell, Sara, Shawn Lockner, Tim, Willy

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May 9, 2014 Christopher D. Bennett 4 Comments

Brandon Kahler – 2014 Roundball Oracles ChampionI apologize for taking so long to reveal the champion of Year 10 of the Roundball Oracles. But I think my post college basketball season depression (or PCBSD as mental health professionals call it) was even greater this year than in years past. You know, something to do with having to play the “What If” game over and over and over again. Cyclone fans know what I’m talking about.

That being said, I’m proud that this is the first time in the storied 10 year history of the Roundball Oracles that somebody that shares my DNA has been able to hoist the unnamed championship trophy.

Past winners have included co-workers, high school locker partners, former roomies, father-in-laws, and once… even a woman!

So I’m excited this year that somebody with Bennett DNA coursing through their veins will be the reigning Roundball Oracles Champ! All is right in the world.

I know that there is a fair chance that you are wondering: “That is great, but I’d really like to know how some of my other favorite Oracles fared this year. I really root for Russell Kennerly. I like underdogs. He is like the Mid-Major of the Roundball Oracles.”*

So without further adieu, I present to you the final ranking of Year 10 of the Roundball Oracles!

Rank	Oracle	Score	Correct	Champion	Last Year
1.	Brandon Kahler	255	40	Florida	18th
2.	Michael Augustin	241	42	Florida	31st
3.	Paul Golden	235	41	Michigan State	DNP
4.	Jordan Toot	228	39	Florida	9th
5.	Jon DeWaard	224	39	Florida	5th
6.	Mark Wolfram	222	38	Florida	8th
7.	Lowell Davis	216	40	Florida	DNP
8.	Andree Jauhari	210	38	Iowa State	28th
9.	Derrick Gorshe	208	38	Iowa State	14th
10.	Carrie Baier	205	37	Michigan State	19th
11.	Robert Henning	205	36	Florida	10th
12.	Bill Wentworth	204	38	Florida	15th
13.	Nate Miller	203	36	Iowa State	DNP
14.	Frank Meiners	201	38	Michigan State	11th
14.	Jesse Howard	201	37	Kansas	3rd
16.	Corey Faust	200	36	Iowa State	7th
17.	Humble Narrator	196	36	Iowa State	33rd
18.	William Mcalpine	196	38	Florida	1st
19.	Angie DeWaard	191	35	Arizona	6th
20.	Sean Clubine	189	36	Syracuse	13th
21.	Carla Stensland	189	35	Iowa State	DNP
22.	Ben Baier	188	35	Arizona	32nd
23.	Jackson Faust	185	36	Florida	16th
24.	Michelle Haupt	181	35	Arizona	26th
25.	Elizabeth Nordeen	181	35	Iowa State	21st
26.	Russell Kennerly	180	34	Florida	24th
27.	Olivia Baier	178	34	Arizona	DNP
28.	Jason Baier	175	35	Florida	24th
29.	Tim Peterson	175	34	Iowa State	22nd
30.	Becky Perkovich	175	35	Iowa State	27th
31.	Shawn Lockner	173	33	Wisconsin	4th
32.	J.J. Baier	164	24	Michigan	29th
33.	Ryan Halvorson	163	33	Arizona	18th
34.	Dawn Krause	149	32	Arizona	23rd
35.	Will Baier	147	23	Iowa State	34th
36.	Sara Lockner	143	28	Florida	DNP

This year might have been the closest year ever. It literally came down to Wisconsin’s last second shot rimming in and out, giving Kentucky the victory in the Final Four. If that shot drops, Micky wins.

But the shot didn’t fall and Micky waits another year, while Brandon’s name is carved onto the List of Immortals!

Roundball Oracles Champions

However, there is 1 more bit of business before I let you go about your merry business. In the pre-tournament post I indicated that I might create a travelling trophy. I am not doing that… at least not yet. I did award a trophy for last place this year. It is an experimental tradition. But I may in the future present a last place trophy to the lowest placing adult that gave full effort to win.

This year’s winner…

Sara Lockner… the Best LoserI am already pumped for next season. I think the Cyclones will be even better next year and if they can make it through the tourney without an injury, I expect to see them in the Final Four next year. So I’ll be seeing you next year in Indianapolis!

*Inside joke that 3 people will get and 1 of them doesn’t even subscribe to this blog!