Lets get the clever photo out of the way.

Yes.  I am serious this time.

I don’t get too serious often.  Ask those who know me.  Laid back?  Oh they know that guy well.  This, however, has been brewing since I was eight years old in 1976.

Working On A Dream.  That is my Bruce Springsteen induced theme for tomorrow.  If I am going to sit through cold, damp conditions at age 51, it better be worth it.

In 1976 my Dad and I sat and watched the #1 ranked Michigan Wolverines shove around the Indiana Hoosiers.  Final Score:  Maize and Blue 35  Cream and Crimson 0.  I still remember that day.  I hated it.  I was glad to be watching a game with my Dad.  We’ve seen many together.  I hated the result.

In 1999 I witnessed the Indiana Hoosiers almost pull off a miracle finish against the Michigan Wolverines. An Indiana receiver had a chance to haul in a pass that would have won it.  I have no doubt he is still haunted.  I can commiserate.  I missed a 44 yard field goal wide left in the first game of my senior high school season.  Had plenty on it.  The score was 0-0 after that missed kick in the 4th quarter.  We lost 7-0.  It will haunt me forever.

That 1999 season Michigan finished 10-2 and Indiana finished 4-7.

After that IU loss, it was tough to take I can tell you, I have avoided games in Bloomington when Michigan has come calling.

The Indiana Hoosiers have beaten the Michigan Wolverines one time in my lifetime.  I got here in 1968.  A 14-10 victory in the rain in 1987 was the last time the Hoosiers beat Michigan.  That’s it so far.  Until tomorrow.

I was a believer in this Indiana Football team from the beginning.  My faith stems from the hiring of Coach Tom Allen.  Thank you, Fred Glass.

In my prediction post in August I said these guys would win at least 8 games.  I meant it.

Want some perspective?

In the Associated Press era, the Michigan Wolverines have been ranked in the polls a total of 862 weeks.  Indiana?  56 weeks.   Sixteen and half years to a year and four weeks.  That is what we have before us tomorrow.

And it is time.  I think the Hoosiers will win tomorrow and get that elusive 8th win.  The last time Indiana won 8 games was 1993.  I watched that team in the Independence Bowl.

It is time.  I BELIEVE.

Speaking the rights.

Danny Johnson

Last Saturday I got together with my friends Gus Stephenson and Mick Rutherford and Kelly Samons to play the 20th Annual Corner King Classic.

In honor of our old friend, Malcolm “Corner King” Lincoln Sr., this was a good day of good laughs and bad golf.  None of us had played since last year’s Corner King Classic.

We played at Lucas Oil Golf Course in English.  We just call it the English Golf Course, no offense to the lubricators.  I still think the Colts play in the Hoosier Dome until I have to think about it.

Gus and Samonhead tied for 1st.  I was two shots behind.  Mick was 5 shots behind.  It was the most competitive leader board in the history of the tournament.  I suppose we will play as long as we can.

Gus Tees Off

Samonhead admiring a great tee shot.

Porter teeing off

Watching Gus tee off.

When we got back to the house, Carrie was ready for us old duffers.

Last night Carrie and I were at The Joan C. Edwards Stadium as Marshall defeated Louisiana Tech 31-10.  It was a cold night.  The Herd started slow but gained momentum.  Not unlike the football program did many years ago.

This is a special game.  They call it the 75 Game in honor of the 75 who perished on the Southern Airlines flight returning from a game against East Carolina in 1970 on November 14th.

The team does not run out on the field for this game.  They lock arms and walk across the field in silence.  The number 75 was one side of the helmet and the Young Thundering Herd logo was on the other side of the helmet.

The Herd started the season 2-3.  They are now 7-3 and should play for the C-USA Championship on December 7th.

My dear wife, Carrie, and I had a great time.

I am not going to pick college games this week.  After taking many weeks off I was awful last week in a return to predictions that were laughable.

We will be keeping our eyes on several televised games today including:

IU v. Penn State

Alabama v. Miss. State

Minnesota v. Iowa

LSU v. Ole Miss

I talked to Aunt Barbara yesterday for the first time in a long time and she told me some kooky things are being said in SEC country.  Ole Miss fans hoping they lose so they get a new coach and State fans hoping to lose so they can get a new coach?  Good grief.

But we are talking the SEC.  In September I watched Tua throw 6 TDs for Bama and heard Tide fans complain about “leaving some yards out there they should of had…”  I thought I was going to faint.

Go Hoosiers!  Go Tide!  Go Hawkeyes!  Go Rebels!

Speaking the rights.

Danny Johnson

It has been a while.  Nearly a month has gone by since I put anything on these pages.  I did not expect to be here today writing this.  But, this is a warm-up I suppose of what is to come tomorrow.  

Tomorrow I will gather with Gus Stephenson, Kelly (Samonhead) Samons, and Mick (Pete) Rutherford to play the 20th annual Corner King Classic in memory of our old friend Corner King Lincoln.  He’s been gone twenty-two years now.  There are days I can’t believe that.  There are other days when it seems like a hundred years.  All days I still miss him and the fun we had together.  I could write about it over and over and over again.  It still would never be enough.

Last year.

So let us get caught up a little.

I have been to a couple football games.

My dear wife, Carrie, and I saw Western Kentucky play at Marshall.  The Herd won 26-23 on a 53 yard field goal on the last play of the game.

The Kick

The Celebration

Carrie and I saw Justin Hayward sing at the City Winery in Nashville.  Justin sang many Moody Blues tunes and some great solo material.  It was amazing.  He is better than ever.  I did not expect this to happen and am thankful it has worked out this way.  I tell the story that in 1986 I saw my first Moody Blues concert and Justin was 40, the youngest in the band, and drummer Graeme Edge was 45 and the oldest.  I thought then I was glad I got to see them before they retire…these rock and roll dinosaurs.  I was eighteen and thought like I was eighteen knowing these guys started in the 60s their numbers had to be up. I knew nothing! Now I am fifty-one and still loving it more than ever.  And I have faith we will get to hear Justin sing again.

It was great to visit with Julie Ragins before the show.  She and Mike Dawes compliment Justin to perfection.  If you have heard the three of them you know.  If you haven’t, there’s bound to be a youtube video out there for you.

Last weekend the first November night game in Indiana University Football history was played.  I was there with dear friends Adam Disque and his son Jaden, and Andrew and Susan Evertts and my brother-in-law Stevarino sporting the beret here. Way to go, Pierre.  It was cold.

The Football Hoosiers are for real.  I believe in this team for sure.  I did long before most did.  Go back and read my college football preview.

Very nice.

Night game in November.  The Hoosiers have arrived.

The IU defense played great.

I looked at this little corner of my office and thought about my Uncle Roger recently.  Top row left in the picture is Uncle Roger.  Second row third from the right is my mother.  The others are my aunts and uncles and maternal grandparents front and center.  This photo was taken in 1959.  Brownstown and North Harrison math tells me that was 60 years ago.  I don’t know if I have ever seen a picture of a happier bunch than this one. Top right is a black and white enlargement of me and Uncle Stanley.  He married my mom’s sister Reat.  He was a good guy and I miss him for sure.

I sent this corner scene to Uncle Roger and he was glad I did.  Some days are better than others.

On to College Football Picks…

Boston College beats Florida State…in Boston with an FSU team in turmoil.

Ohio State beats Maryland…But a man can hope.

Penn State beats Minnesota…This is my hope I am wrong pick.  Go Goldy!

Northwestern beats Purdue…The Wildcats will find something and some way to rebound.

Michigan State beats Illinois….but you never know.

Louisville beats Miami, FL….I know I know it is in Florida.

Alabama beats LSU…If this was a night game in Death Valley I would pick the Tigers.

Arizona State beats USC…At ASU and they are looking for respect.

Iowa beats Swissconsin….Two mules fighting over a turnip for sure.

Ole Miss beats New Mexico State…At least they can beat these Aggies.

Georgia beats Mizzou…The odd appendage in the SEC.

Clemson beats NC State….Will be a blowout by halftime.

Kentucky beats Tennessee…Stick that Rocky Top song up…well…you get it don’t ya?

Oklahoma beats Iowa State….They are still OK.

This place will be a powder keg on Saturday.  Good luck, Brother Tim.

Speaking the Rights again…

Danny Johnson