The NFC North might be the NFL’s best division this season. Renowned Sports Illustrated writer Peter King predicts the Bears, Vikings and Packers will make the playoffs, and the NFC North will be the only division in the NFL with three teams in post season. He believes the Bears will win the division but writes in the magazine’s NFL preview issue that the “Vikings now have arguably the best roster, top to bottom, in the league—one good enough to make a serious run at the Super Bowl.”
King predicts the Bears will defeat the Patriots in the Super Bowl.
With Adrian Peterson, Chester Taylor, Albert Young and rookie Ian Johnson, the Vikings probably had the most talented group of running backs in training camp ever. Johnson was cut over the weekend, then added to the eight-man practice squad. He’s a slashing runner who can be effective. Young was on the practice roster last year before making the team this year.
Former Gopher Mark Setterstrom is a reserve with the Rams, listed on the team’s Web site as the second team center.
The Twins Joe Nathan, who has never finished better than third in saves among American League relievers, is third this season, too, but only three behind leader Brian Fuentes of the Angels who has 39.
USA Today Sports Weekly chose Anthony Slama as the Twins representative for its listing of “every big-league team has its minor league hope.” The 25-year-old relief pitcher has been impressive this season with stops in both AAA and AA. Since being promoted to AAA Rochester he has struck out 19 in 15.2 innings. At New Britain he struck out 93 in 65.1 innings.
Here’s the predicted order of finish in the MIAC preseason football coaches poll: Saint John’s, St. Thomas, Bethel, Concordia, St. Olaf, Gustavus, Carleton, Augsburg and Hamline.
Saint John’s led NCAA Division III schools in attendance last season, averaging 7,694 fans per game. The Johnnies have been No. 1 in attendance 12 of the past 16 seasons, including the last eight.
The Gopher basketball newsletter reports that Devron Bostick spent part of the summer working out with NBA All-Star Caron Butler in their home town of Racine, Wisconsin. “He showed me how my shot can be more consistent,” Bostick told the publication. “I think it’s working.”
Bostick, who came to the Gophers last year after being a junior college All-American, averaged 4.0 points per game. The team’s other junior college transfer, Paul Carter, averaged 5.3. Collectively the Gophers only had one player, Lawrence Westbrook, who averaged in double figures (12.6). Bostick and Carter could be major contributors to an improved Gopher offense next season.
Explorer and environmental activist Will Steger will be among the speakers at the Big Green Conference on October 15 at the Mall of America. The event is being co-hosted by MOA and Larkin Hoffman.
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