Rod's Monday Thoughts

College Football this Saturday should be an interesting day to say the least. Nebraska vs. Oklahoma in the final Big 12 championship game. It's the only way that that things could have ended for the Huskers and the Sooners. Throughout the 70's and 80's it was the most anticipated game of the year. The Big 8 championship and alot of times the national championship was determined on who won this game. Both teams are 10-2 on the season so no national championship implications but a trip to the Fiesta Bowl is on the line for the winner. The loser will go to either the Alamo Bowl, Holiday Bowl or Cotton Bowl. Probably the latter. If Nebraska wins, they will do it against the odds. Big 12 commissioner Dan Beebe and the Husker nation have a hate-hate relationship. Husker head coach Bo Pelini's team has been up against it every game this year. Most they could overcome. The Texas A&M game and the officiating they could not. And the Huskers will be up against it again against the Sooners. Nebraska will get no breaks in the game. From the Oklahoma defense and offense to the officiating to whether quarterback Taylor Martinez will be able to start or will backup Cody Green get the start at quarterback. The game will depend on the Nebraska defense. If they can play anywhere near where they did last year at Texas, when the Big 12's love of the Longhorns allowed a second to be put back up on the clock on Texas could kick the game winning field goal, the Huskers have a chance because their offense is a little better than last year.

Darren Boyle's weekly words of wisdom. Hail Zigy! The wicked coach is gone

This past Sunday I drove to the farm as I usually do and happened to see my brother Wes. If you know him, you know he bleeds purple. He is ten times the Vikings fan I am. So I mentioned to him that Syndey Rice had decided to grace the Metrodome with his presence, my response from Wes was "WHO CARES"! Aparently thats what most fans were thinking. Thats why Brad had to go.

But why didnt this happen sooner? Arent all these owners great businessmen, and should be great judges of leadership? Did it have to take so long to notice that Brad Childress wasnt much of a leader? This isnt the first time something like this has happened in the world of sports. You would just think that if someone had made 600 million so they could spend 600 million to own a team you would hope they were better at reading people. Think about that the next time you buy stock.

And if you were Brad Childress what were you thinking? You knew you were on thin ice after your team had such a poor start, then after your owner spent some money to get you a wide reciever you cut him because he complained about food. If you are going to be out on the ice you better know when to go back to shore and Childress didnt.

Just a thought, could Randy Moss have his hand in getting two coaches fired this season? Keep an eye on things with the Titans.

How long will Farve hang around? That is the next burning question.

Congratulations to the Highmore Harrold Pirates on their sixth place finish at the State B Volleyball tourney. This was my first season covering volleyball and after I got the hang of things I really had a blast. Hope you guys enjoyed our coverage.

Rod's Monday Thoughts

Well, I hate to admit it but Zigi Wilf is a owner who cares about the team and the teams fans after all. He fired Brad Childress this morning as head coach and named Defensive Coordinator Leslie Frazer as the interim head coach for the rest of the season. Actually, Zigi had little choice but to do what he did. He wants a new stadium or in two years, the Vikings might have Los Angeles in front of it instead of Minnesota. So if you want something, you have keep the fans happy, after all they are the ones that are going to pay a huge bundle for the new digs. The Viking fan base said "fire Childress" and after yesterdays destruction at the hands of the Packers, Zigi did what he had to do to keep his new stadium construction hope alive.

Rod's Sunday Thoughts

College Football from yesterday. Sioux Falls crusied in a 33-6 win over Northwest Oklahoma State. The NAIA will be glad to see USF leave to Division II and give someone else a chance to win a national title. North Dakota State loses 3-0 to Missouri State, a team that averages scoring around 40 points a game this year but also gives that up. And the weather was perfect in Missouri. Hard to figure after watching the Bison beat up SDSU last weekend. But NDSU does make the playoffs and will play Robert Morris, an 8-2 team this season, next Saturday. Augustana will host Grand Valley State on Saturday in the Division II playoffs on Saturday. It will be a test for Augie. Nebraska got hosed by the refs in last night's 9-6 loss at Texas A & M. But what else is new in this the last year of the Huskers in the Big 12. Nebraska has to play against the refs, the Big 12 and their opponent every week. But the officiating crew that worked the game last night has been horrendous in the previous games they have officiated. I try hard not to say anything by the refs because it is a very difficult job to do and my hat is off to all those who officiate in our area, but last night was obvious. 16 penalties on the Huskers. 2 for A & M for 10 yards, who had entered the game the most penalized team in the league.

College Basketball yesterday. Michael Tveidt scored 10 points in limited time on the floor in NDSU 40 point rout of Valley City State. I understand that Michael, who has scored in double figures in all four of NDSU's games this year is hobbled by some sore feet. USD lost at Marquette yesterday by 13. Not sure how Louie Krogman did but it was an improvent over a 20 plus point loss to the Golden Eagles last year.

Volleyball from yesterday. Congratulations to Arlington. They did something very few thought would happend. The defeated unbeaten Warner in 4 games last night to win the the State B title. Impressive to say the least. Perhaps had Highmore-Harrold played anyone but Arlington in the opening round, the Pirates might have been playing in the evening instead of the afternoon brackets. Sioux Falls Lincoln beat Roosevelt in the AA championship last night. 5 beating 1 would have to be considered an upset. And Sioux Falls Christian won the A title. I guess since 4 of 5Sioux Falls high school teams finished first and first (Lincoln and Christian), Roosevelt second and Washington 4th, they will are the volleyball queens of the state just like thier boy counterparts are in their sports.

NASCAR. Can Denny Hamlin hold on to the lead to win the Sprint Cup championship? Can Jimmy Johnson win his 5th title? Or will Kevin Harvick come from third to win? I don't know and frankly my dear, in the words of Clark Gable, I don't give a damn! I will be watching the Vikings and Packers and rooting for a tie.

Brian's Thursday Thmack Talk

Well, the fall sports season comes to an end this weekend with the State Volleyball Tournaments, and although we don't have a lot of teams to cheer for in our neck of the woods, I do think that we have two bona fide sleepers that could really make some noise in their respective tournaments. First of all, in Class B, where Highmore-Harrold goes in as the #6 seed for the second straight year. They finished 6th in VB last year, but remember when these girls rose to my personal challenge in the State BB tournament? I wonder, if I were to pick the Lady Pirates to finish 8th in this tournament, would they rise to the challenge and overachieve again? :o) Obviously, with Warner in the field, the Monarchs are the next best thing to a foregone conclusion - they've actually only lost 3 sets all season, 2 to district arch-rival Northwestern - although they will still have to earn their championship. I do think, though, that the second best team in the field will be the #3 seed and H-H's first-round opponent, Arlington. But who knows? Highmore is on quite a winning streak, and I expect them to play some of their best ball of the season this weekend. Be sure to follow Highmore-Harrold with Darren on 94 Country this weekend!

In Class A, Mobridge-Pollock goes into the tournament as the #7 seed for the second straight year. Not much is usually expected from a team seeded that low, but let's not forget the Tigers pulled the first-round upset over #2 SF Christian last year, and I think their chances are pretty good of duplicating the feat against Elk Point-Jefferson in Thursday's final match. I will have the pleasure of following the Lady Tigers on Star99, and for the sake of a little horn-tootin', I will also have an opportunity to announce all State A matches over the Public Broadcasting webcast on sports.sdpb.org, so I'm looking forward to that. Here's hoping the girls can feed off of the excitement that the boys gave us on the gridiron a week ago, despite the heartbreak (congrats on a great season nonetheless, guys - you made a lot of folks proud around here!!!).

Folks, if you still are among the many who haven't gotten into volleyball yet, please pay attention this weekend. I promise, you will be on the edge of your seat more often than not.

A couple of other quick notes:
** From the files of "It's About Time" -- Ron Gardenhire is the 2010 American League Manager of the Year. Five times he's come in second in that voting, but he won easily this time, and very rightfully so, with all the injuries that the Twins had to endure this season. From a 44-40 record at the All Star Break to a 49-17 record after the Break (before losing 11 of their last 12 or something like that). The man tends to make all the right decisions just about all the time. Now, if only he can make just a couple more to get that team to go deeper into the postseason in 2011.....

** And finally, oh, what I wouldn't give to be in West Lafayette, Indiana, Thursday night, when Purdue hosts SDSU in women's basketball. OUR three girls - Katie Lingle, Steph Paluch, and Sam Ostarello - all together in one game, all of whom many of us watched for four years of varsity ball, growing up right before our eyes. Now I know how Archie Manning feels. And for me personally, among the 3 of these young ladies -- I don't care who you are, that's an awful lot of KGFX Player of the Game t-shirts right there!! Talk about making us all proud......

Have a great weekend, and good luck again to the Pirates and Tigers!!

Rod's Tuesday Thoughts

Well, Well, Well. The Vikings fans are jumping ship and having a cow because Zigi will not fire Chilly! Brett Favre is proving that he is human and his taking chances late in games is really backfiring on the Vikings this season. And still, Chilly is the head coach of the Vikings. And probably will be for the remainder of the year. Why you ask? I think I can answer in two words. Contract Extention! You remember, the one that Chilly signed at the end of last season! Zigi is a businessman and I don't think he wants to buy out Childress's contract until at least until the end of the year. And I don't think he wants to be paying two head coaches in the same season. I might be wrong but the Vikings have bigger problems than a coach who usually outcoaches himself in close games. They have an aging roster. The Williams boys in the defensive middle of the line comes to thought. Jarred Allen, where are the quarterback sacks you should be making? Injuries to the recieving corp leaving Favre no one to really throw to. And while Adran Peterson isn't fumbling the ball as much as in the past, only 51 yards rushing against the Bears, a team he has owned in recent years, is a telling tale that perhaps AP is beginning to beleive that maybe he should play someplace else! Not to mention grandpa Favre who should have probably packed it in a couple of years ago. Or at least after last season. Oh Vikings fans, I feel for you. I have been there. I have been a Bears fan as long as I can remember. And I think it is funny as all get out that the Bears are 3 games up on the Vikings in the standings. And have beaten all of the NFC North teams at home this year. They won't have a chance in Minneapolis and will probably get beat in Detroit too. The Packers game on the other hand at the end of the year could be for all the marbles and the Packers have not beaten the Bears all that often in recent years at Lambeau. Ironic, isn't it.

Darren Boyle's Weekly words of wisdom...........A letter to Zygy

Mr Wylf, the time has come to rid Viking fans of your head coach. I know that means that the season is lost, I know that means the team will be in disarray, but it still needs to be done. Yes it means you paid $19,000,000 for an aging qb. But that qb was the reason you extended your coaches contract anyway.

Over the history of the NFL there have been tons of coaches who have been fired, some more than once. And there are several coaches who dont have the best won-lost record that stayed employed for alot longer than they probally should have. The one thing an owner has to look at is can a coach have a team ready to play every week. Eric Mangini is the best current example of a coach who is still employed even though his record isnt the best, in fact they are not a good football team, but Mangini keeps his team motivated and they can come out an suprise a team, like the Browns did to the Patriots last week.

On the flip side of that look at the Dallas Cowboys, a team that looked terrible against the Packers last Sunday night. The players gave up on the coach, and Jerry Jones was left with no other choice but to fire Wade Philips, and look how the Cowboys responded, with a big win over the NY Giants.

The Vikings performance against the Bears looked to me like they have given up on their coach.

Look, a coaching change mid season is never a good idea. But an owner has to look at the entire picture. And right now Zigy Wylf knows he owns a team that isnt going to make the playoffs, the fanbase is ticked off and his qb says this is his last year. Time to get ready for 2011 with a clean slate. Time to fire Brad Childress