Men’s Hockey – How many wins will the team pick up this weekend? (A) zero (B) one (C) two
Frank: The men’s hockey team is just 3-5-3 on the year going into the pair of games they have this weekend against UW-Stevens Point. Stevens Point comes in at a slightly better (depending on how you look at it) 4-8. The statistics, like the records, are very close between these teams with neither squad having a clear advantage. I think they’ll split the weekend series, leaving the debate of who is better still up in the air. My prediction: (B) one.

Nick: I have no idea how Frank thinks a 4-8 record is better than a 3-5-3 record. If the Blugolds had won one of the games they lost, they would be at .500. As it stands now, they have a .375 win percentage on the season which is better than Stevens Points’ .333 win percentage. My prediction: (C) two.

Women’s Hockey – How many goals will the team score Friday night against Marian University? (A) six or less (B) more than six
Frank: The women’s hockey team is averaging 2.7 goals per game. If my fourth grade math teacher properly taught me how to add decimals, that means they average 5.4 goals every two games. This number is clearly less than six, and I would usually go with the lower number because I always anticipate less goals than expected. However, Marian is giving up almost 5 goals a game. The Blugolds could get to this total in just one game if they really bring it. My prediction: (B) more than six.

Nick: Yes, Frank, if the Blugolds play really well, they could score more than six goals in a game against Marian -but that can be said about any other team. I’m going to stick with the averages for the Blugolds, and assume they will score 5.4 goals in their two games. My prediction: (A) six goals or less.

Women’s Basketball – Who will win this matchup on Saturday, the first half of a double header with the men’s and women’s teams against UW-Stout? (A) UW-Eau Claire (B) Stout
Frank: Eau Claire has jumped off to a slow start, by their standards, to the season with a 3-4 record. Stout, a strong program in their own right, started the season a little better at 4-4. However, Stout struggled to open the season, dropping their first three games. Since then, Stout has won four of five, including three in a row. I think Stout will continue this streak and avenge a close loss last season to Eau Claire. My prediction: (B) Stout.

Nick: Given Eau Claire’s slow start and Stout’s hot streak, it’s hard not to pick Stout; however, because I am trailing Frank by five predictions in the season standings, I’m going to have to do just that. Besides, Eau Claire is home, and that has to count for something, right? My prediction: (A) UW-Eau Claire.

Men’s Basketball – Who will win the men’s half of the double header on Saturday? (A) Eau Claire (B) Stout
Frank: Although the Blugolds have dropped two in a row, they are still off to an above .500 start at 4-3. Stout comes in one game back at 3-4, but they have lost three games in a row themselves. Both teams are in a slump and trying to fight their way out. I don’t want to pick Stout to sweep the Blugolds in these games, so I’m going to go ahead and pick the ‘Golds. My prediction: (A) Eau Claire.

Nick: Again, I want to pick the team Frank picked, but I can’t. As much as I’d like to pick Eau Claire in this game, I’m forced to take Stout in hopes I can somehow make up this five prediction deficit all in the final week. My prediction: (B) Stout.

National – Who will win this matchup? (A) Cincinnati Bengals at (B) Minnesota Vikings
Frank: I hate the Vikings and I hate the color purple. Well, that may be a bit of an exaggeration, but I do greatly dislike the Vikes (but, I love rhyming). I think they finally showed some of their true colors last weekend when they were dismantled 30-17 by the Arizona Cardinals. Brett looked as old as he is, and the defensive backs for the Vikings looked like they had no idea what they are doing at times. The Vikings will win the division and make the playoffs, but last weekend was the start of the end for the Packer’s little brother. Cubs can’t ever win a title? Well, neither will the Vikings. My prediction: (A) Cincinnati Bengals.

Nick: I loved seeing the Vikings lose last week, especially because I did so with my roommates who are Vikings fans. I still think, however, the Vikings are one of the best teams in the NFL, and aren’t as big of pushovers as Frank makes them out to be. The loss of Henderson near the end of the game will have a big impact on the rest of the season though. On the other hand, it’s worth noting the Bengals have only beaten one team that is currently above .500 – the Green Bay Packers. My prediction: (B) Minnesota Vikings.