Classy Predictions - Thanksgiving Edition

Posted by the Section 117 Classy Gentlemen

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL FROM THE SECTION 117 CLASSY GENTLEMEN!

Yesterday was a day to give thanks, and the Section 117 Classy Gentlemen, Gentlewomen and Gentlechildren all have much to be thankful this year. We're all very fortunate for great families, friends, health and whatnot, but this isn't a blog about our personal well-beings, so we'll focus on something else we're extremely thankful for this year: the Minnesota Golden Gopher football program.

It's been a banner year for the Gophers, improving by at least two wins over a season ago and delivering a smattering of promise and inspiration along with memorable moments and unforgettable wins. Even in defeat (except the Iowa debacle) our team has looked much improved - both from 2012 to 2013, and throughout this season, and the future is finally starting to brighten up for our favorite squad.

From opening night vs. UNLV to this week's regular
season finale, we have much to be thankful for.

We're also extremely thankful for another fun season of tailgating, home games and fellowship. The annual limo game will live on in our memories forever, as the day began with a limo ride to Minneapolis landmarks and ended in celebration on the TCF Bank Stadium turf. We survived Hurricane Floyd and Antarctica-like conditions for our two big rivalry games. The team snatched the Victory Bell and broke it in celebration. We were on the jumbotron during each of the seven home games and appeared on TV and across the internet in tuxes and top hats.

We're also thankful that a fun idea to channel our fandom has actually become a reality via the blog you're reading now. To find another outlet to express our passion and have it be so well-received by the incredible Gopher community (and among friends and family) has been beyond remarkable, and for that, we feel blessed.

Having said that, we're moving on to a Thanksgiving-themed segment of Classy Predicitions. Last week, the more optimistic of us fell by the wayside and the sobering realists benefited from their picks - even though no one benefits with a loss to Wisconsin.

Two competitors stood out among the rest. Gopher Bandanna Guy improved to 2-0 and remains the only unbeaten since joining the ranks. Tip of the cap or triangle-shaped fabric to you, sir. And the overall win goes to Bruiser. He nearly nailed the margin of victory for Wisconsin and had the lowest-scoring game of all those who picked Minnesota to lose. So for his 31-17 Badger prediction Bruiser wins this week's overall title, but again, we all lose when the Axe stays on the East side of the border.

Below are our picks and many of us shared Gopher-themed thanks as well. If you want to join in the fun, let us know your prediction for Saturday's game at Michigan State and something you're thankful for relating to our favorite squad. We hope your Thanksgivings were classy, the turkey was plentiful, the time with friends and family was well-spent and your glasses were overfloweth with the finest champagnes.

Classy Prediction Standings
Gopher Bandanna Guy 2-0
Rap 3-1
Big Party 3-1
Flony 3-1
Brooks Magsh 3-1
Magsh 3-1
Bruiser 3-1
Higgy 3-1
Melissa Magsh 2-1
Butler 2-1
Kellen 2-1
Curly 0-1

 

 

CLASSY PREDICTIONS
(RV) MINNESOTA AT NO. 11 MICHIGAN STATE
SATURDAY, NOV. 30 - EAST LANSING, MICH.

GOPHER BANDANNA GUY
2-0, 1 OVERALL WIN
MINNESOTA 17, MICHIGAN STATE 13
Thanksgiving is nearly upon us friends, and that means it is time to give thanks for all the wonderful things in your life.  Aside from the usual things an alum who loves the Gophs and his Maroon and Gold bandanna would be expected to be thankful for (family, friends, food, and health), I’d like to declare that I am also thankful for our stalwart Athletic Director, Mr. Norwood Teague.  AD Teague has been a breath of fresh are since he arrived on our beautiful campus, and he runs things the way HE thinks they should be run.  Not by lobbying a panel,  cowtowing to a squeaky wheel, or responding to the media’s every whim and wonder.  And for that type of sorely needed leadership, I say again I am thankful.   I’m also thankful that the Gopher v. Badger game clearly did not demoralize our squad, and instead I think it steeled our resolve.  Look for a tough, hard-fought game against the Spartans on Saturday, with lots of 3 and outs and stunted drives.  This week the Gophs clean up their turnover issue that plagued them against hated Worst-consin, and come out on top due to solid defense and a big play or two. 

BIG PARTY
3-1, 1 OVERALL WIN
MINNESOTA 13, MICHIGAN STATE 7
I am thankful that I was able to make it to every home game for the first time since The Bank open.  I am also thankful that my wife didn’t outwardly consider divorce after I spent 6 Saturday nights sleeping off daytime activities instead of hanging out with her. I am thankful that we had another excellent year of tailgating, including an excellent Classy Pre-Thanksgiving Spectacular last weekend.  I am thankful for Ted’s post last week that reminded us what being a fan should really be about. I am also thankful that I can now throw 40 yard bombs to Kellen in the parking lot without fear of breaking him.  Lastly, I am thankful that I somehow get three Thanksgivings this year.  Someone better get me a wheelbarrow for Christmas and a strongman from a 1930s silent film to push me around all day.

My epic string of homer-ism continues by picking the Gophers in this one again.  There are a couple reasons I think the Gophers can win this one, but it mainly revolves around winning the war of attrition against a team that has every reason to look past this game. Michigan State’s defense is one of the best in the country, but their offense is average to below average (which is a vast improvement over what it was in the beginning of the year).  I think a balanced, ball-control Gopher offense that features much less loose ball handling than on Saturday can do just enough to get 10 points on the board on their own.  The Gopher defense, which will be riding high after an inspiring performance against the Badgers, will generate a few turnovers and keep the Spartan offense in check most of the day.  Michigan State will be so busy packing their bags for Indy that they won’t realize the game is getting away from them until it’s too late.

BROOKS MAGSH
3-1
MINNESOTA 14, MICHIGAN STATE 10
I'm thankful for heated diapers, whoever eventual invents heated diapers, and for being born into the Section 117 Classy Gentlemen.

MAGSH
3-1
MICHIGAN STATE 28, MINNESOTA 7
I'm thankful for vacations in San Diego, a bowl game that isn't in Detroit, and Ra'Shede Hageman.

BRUISER
3-1, 1 OVERALL WIN
MINNESOTA 20, MICHIGAN STATE 17
On the eve of Thanksgiving 2013, I am not only thankful for my friends and family, my good health despite my repeated attempts to sabotage it, the fact that I finally convinced a female to live with me for an entire year, and the delicious, Cajun-infused turkey that chef Adam prepared for our MN/WI tailgate – I’m also thankful for the Minnesota Golden Gophers’ DEFENSE.  I’m not going to give you a stat-heavy analysis here (I have a house to clean and a turkey to brine), and I’m certainly not going to touch on the Tim Brewster era… or as I came to call it: the “want to punch myself in the crotch” era.  During Glenn Mason’s tenure, the Gophers developed a prolific rushing attack.  With that and generally adequate quarterback play, the Mason Gophers typically scored enough points to win games.  Unfortunately, from what I recall, the usually horrible defense (especially the God-awful secondary) could never get the job done and very rarely came up with big stops when they were needed most.  Remembering those days, I’m extremely thankful to have a team that can rush for over 200 yards/game but still has enough talent, toughness, and speed on defense to hold a powerful Wisconsin offense to 20 points.  In my opinion, the defense has played well all year with the exception of the Michigan game and the second half of the Indiana game.  That’s why I’m picking the Gophers to hold Michigan State to 17 points and come away with an improbable 3-point win in East Lansing.  Screw Black Friday… I’m excited for Maroon and Gold Saturday.  GO GOPHERS and HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

HIGGY
3-1
MICHIGAN STATE 24, MINNESOTA 13
I already wrote a whole blog about this, but this Thanksgiving I'm extremely thankful for two things related to the Gopher football team above all else: progress and hope. Our team made tangible progress this season, both on the scoreboard and via the "eye test" and the hope that an eight (or nine, or 10) win season is not only an accomplishment, but a springboard toward even better days ahead. I'm thankful we have a coaching staff that knows how to game-plan, make adjustments and most of all can coach kids up and make them better players (the anti-Tubby Smith approach). I'm thankful Coach Kill has reportedly been in better health over the last month. I'm thankful for Aaron Hill's big play abilities, David Cobb's emergence, Eric Murray's coverage, Brock Vereen's greatness and Ra'Shede Hageman's ability to be a freak. Finally, I'm thankful for another outstanding season in Lot 37 and Section 117 and the blogs, memories and photos that have captured - in Gopher standings - an exceptional season. I'll also be thankful if we can find the Big Ten Network in Texas Saturday, and for the tolerance of all those Texans who won't know why there's a guy going crazy over the Minnesota game.

MELISSA MAGSH
2-1
MICHIGAN STATE 31, MINNESOTA 13
I'm thankful for Panino's, heated bathrooms at TCF Bank Stadium, and Jerry Kill.

BUTLER
2-1
MICHIGAN STATE 14, MINNESOTA 12
The Gopher offense is unable to score in the red zone on Michigan State's stout D and while the Gopher defense plays well, they allow a couple big touchdown runs to give Sparty the victory.

KELLEN
2-1
MINNESOTA 17, MICHIGAN STATE 14
The Gopher offense comes up with big runs by David Cobb and Donnell Kirkwood and Hawthorne ices the game with a late field goal.