Better Know a Slave LaboUr Cup Participant – Belgium! (and Some JV NFL)

First, let’s have a FUN Slave LaboUr Tidbit – did you NOE that overseers are far more likely than private employers to approve overtime and holiday pay?  Turns out 150% of zero remains zero.  And 200% of zero?  You get it!  I ain’t nevar told y’all there would be no maths.

Golden Generation, that term we only use come World Cup time.  But yes, that certianly applies to Belgium, who have pulled the band back together for one last hurrah (or so they hope).

Belgium are managed by Roberto Martinez, who somehow didn’t have his eternal (some would say delusional) optimism beaten out of him by his 3 seasons with Everton.  In fact, the masochist is heavily rumoUred to hop back in the Everton saddle (“Unfinished business” he says) if/when Frank Lampard gets the sack.  He likely gets the job over Lampard last time, if not for his World Cup commitments (and this torneo will be his last, regardless).

This group can score some fucking goals.  Even if perhaps SLIGHTLY past their peak forms, you still have Kevin the Broom feeding the rampaging bull that is Romelu Lukaku.  Provided Big Rom is healthy, that is.  He’s mostly played the part of “cheerleader” with Inter Milan v 2.0, so far.

You also have the badass hair and intensity of Axel Witsel in midfield, along with burgeoning superstar Amadou Onana (Hippo’s new Great Non-White Hope for the Toffees).  One can see why they’ve hovered near the top of FIFA’s rankings so long.

But…the Red Devils have topped out at a 3rd place finish (Rooskie World Cup), and haven’t done much damage at the European Euros.  Not getting a trophy, or at least a Major Final?  That’s going to sting, as a nation of the Belch’s size won’t have this much firepower very often.

Defense, as it was for Martinez at Everton, is the weak spot.  The Belch centre-halves are fucking ancient, especially for top internal play.  Croatia will test the fuck out of this back line, and perhaps Canadia and Morocco will, too.  But you can count on the footy being highly watchable.

Schedule:

Canadia – Wed, 23 Nov (2:00 EST)

Morocco – Sun, 27 Nov (8:00 EST)

Croatia – Thur, 1 Dec (10:00 EST)

By my reckoning, the Maple Fixture will tell the tale.  A win there, and Belgium will go into the Morocco matchup with momentum and confidence.  A draw, and there will be significant pressure to take all 3 against those Atlas LioUn bastards.  But, manageable.

Should Belgium spit the bit and LOSE to Canadia (a realistic possibility), all hell likely breaks loose, and they crash out in the group stage.  I don’t think they match up well with the Ustase at all.

Illinois (+18) at Michigan (Noon, ABC)

Admittedly, this looked like a better matchup before the Illini lost two on the spin.  But still, a tough and physical opponent could wreak havoc on the Wolverines if they’s looking ahead to THEEEEE Week (and they will be).

TCU (-2.5) at Baylor (Noon, Fox)

Is Waco where the Bloodeyes’ dream goes to die?  I give that a DEFINITE MAYBE.

Kansas State (-7.5) at West By God Virginia (2:00, ESPN+)

Remember what I have said (ad infinitum) about the Unded Bill Snyders as a favoUrite.  Especially my MOAR than a TD, away to some desperate Cousinfuckers.

Texas (-9) at Kansas (3:30, FS1)

Good heavens, how it amuses me for this to be a “Revenge Fixture” for Steerfuckers South.  They still have some tiebreaker advantages if/when K State loses, so let’s go Rock Chalk.

Iowa (+2.5) at Minnesota (4:00, Fox)

This game is as relevant as it surely will be ugly – winner is in driver’s seat to get their shit pushed in by THEEEEE in Indianapolis, come two weeks time.  Run, run, punt.  Lather, rinse, repeat.

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King Hippo
Reclusive, vulgar Broncos fan. Also a proud fookin' Evertonian. Likely dropped on my head repeatedly as a small child. [Insert George Carlin quote followed by thoughtful nod.]
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Redshirt

2-Point Defense Conversion, Turtles.

litre_cola

Brisket done. Looks amazing. Now, more wine.

Redshirt

Bills-Browns blizzard game: Buffalo boards flight to Detroit hours after airport reopens – CBSSports.com

I’m not watching Browns@Bills tomorrow in protest for moving the game. A Reverse Blackout, if you will.

Last edited 2 years ago by Redshirt
Horatio Cornblower

Huh. That’s what I call not drinking on a Saturday.

Redshirt

Okay, I’ve scheduled my appointment for my Flu Shot and COVID Booster. Time to see how much Ohio State is blowing out Maryland.

(checks score)

I’m gotta cancel the appointment, since I may not want to live if this score holds up.

Redshirt

Yeah. The only scenario is #2 Ohio State losing in a close game to Michigan, Michigan winning the Big Ten Championship Game and chaos ensuring allowing Ohio State to sneak in at #4.

litre_cola

I don’t watch much JV but today has seemed chaotic. Oh and The Montana State Bobcats destroyed the Montana Grizzlies. That was your Montana news bought to you by Len’s guns and booze shoppe.

Mr. Ayo

Go CATS!

litre_cola

Much nicer town, so beautiful and a great time too.

Gumbygirl

I loved Bozeman. Wish we could have stayed. Negative 10⁰ works better for me than 110⁰. Oh well, maybe next life!

Gumbygirl

My niece is there

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Horatio Cornblower

Notre Dame is beating the hell out of Chestnut Hill College, 44-0, but it’s a snow game.

I’m assuming that the current ND coach doesn’t have a kid up on a scissor lift filming this one.

Rikki-Tikki-Deadly

Why would you make that assumption?

Redshirt

“Who cares about scissor lifts? They are playing in the snow! Get them off the field!” – Roger G., NY

Horatio Cornblower

Hippo gets it.

Horatio Cornblower

As Bloom County’s Binkley would say: “I am rigid with anticipation. Truly.”

Wakezilla

Just like Belgian chocolate, the lesser footy team is going to melt in the heat.

Canada is going to beat them, baby!

Wooo!

WCS

https://twitter.com/CorkGaines/status/1594043459698139136

Someone got their legs broken. Seriously.

Horatio Cornblower

Holy shit. He legit beat his ass off camera.

scotchnaut

TCU completely fucked up and still won.

Rikki-Tikki-Deadly

I am still stunned at how insane that final series of plays was.

Rikki-Tikki-Deadly

“Truly brilliant playcalling at the end there. Absolute genius.” – Josh McDaniels

Rikki-Tikki-Deadly

Maybe 40 seconds left on the clock, 1st and 10 from the opponents 30, down by two, no time outs left.

1st down: Run play.
2nd down: Spike.
3rd down: Run play.
4th down: (kicking team runs frantically onto the field and the kick is actually off in time and good).

Shan’Khor is going to require a sacrifice on the order of the Aggie Bonfire Collapse in payment for letting that one sail through.

Redshirt

I gotta love the Fire Drill Field Goal.

WCS

BLOOD FOR THE FROGS

Redshirt

The Bills so don’t want to go to Detroit, they are flying out in a blizzard and three feet of snow, staying in the Visitors’ Locker Room despite being the home team, flying back after the game to the three feet of snow, only to fly back to the same city they left on Wednesday.

Bills-Browns blizzard game: Buffalo airport reopens as team is set to depart for Detroit on Saturday afternoon – CBSSports.com

Redshirt

Are really reviewing over three damn yards?

Rikki-Tikki-Deadly

Okay, it would have been funny as shit if TCU’s undefeated season came to an end thanks to having 12 men on the field for a fucking punt.

Redshirt

Yeah, I’m surprised no one told the center to snap the ball then and there.

scotchnaut

TCU literally dropping the ball on their undefeated season.

WCS

My bad, coach.

Last edited 2 years ago by WCS
Redshirt

A commercial showing Tim Tebow unable to drive a manual transition car is the most meta commercial I’ve seen in a while.

WCS

Cousinfuckers-Bill Snyders is already bananacakes, it’s still in the first quarter.

Redshirt

28-19? How is that even possible?!

WCS

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Horatio Cornblower

Welp, that’ll likely do it for UConn. Hopefully 6-6 gets them a bowl. Which they will lose money on.

Regardless, off to ship “yeast samples” to makeitsnow, who is an a lot of beer.

Rikki-Tikki-Deadly

Bowl. Eligible.

2Pack

Army is hangin around in this one. I had a platoon leader who played at Army. He said the team had a saying; we may be small – but we’re slow.

Horatio Cornblower

If by hanging around you mean “up by 10”, then yes, yes they are.

Redshirt

Let’s see…do I want Michigan to go into The Game Undefeated and Overconfident, or should I root for the Illinois Racial Stereotype Ingenious Illinoisans?

Last edited 2 years ago by Redshirt
2Pack

I wanna see some coach sad/angry/exsaperated/andveryhurt faces

Rikki-Tikki-Deadly

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TheRevanchist

Navy did a good. Now this is a US men’s team I can get behind.

Horatio Cornblower
Horatio Cornblower

USAA taunting me with their “it’s only for military members” like I haven’t been stealing my father’s valor and having them cover me for 37 years.

Brick Meathook

Geico is better

Gumbygirl

Geico took our business for granted, so we dumped them after around 35 years.

Brick Meathook

If anyone wants to go on a high speed joyride meet me at the lake in 30 minutes. I don’t drink so bring your own booze, I’ll be gulping assorted pharmaceuticals. I’m bringing the Camaro so if you puke stick your head out the fucking window.

Gumbygirl

We’re going to the immersive Van Gogh exhibition tonight. We’re both taking motion sickness pills before, just in case!

Rikki-Tikki-Deadly

Hey Google what does a room full of H-1B hostages look like?

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Gumbygirl

Yup.

scotchnaut

“Bonkers Electric” may need to be a backup phrase when “Bananacakes” is resting on the sidelines.

Horatio Cornblower

“Bananacakes has been called into the medical tent, looks like DFO is signaling for Bonkers Electric to take his spot. Bold move, but we’ll see what the kid’s got.”

Dunstan

I was in Wales during their big run at the Euros a few years back. That was a lot of fun, although the only match I got to watch in a proper Welsh pub was the one they lost.

Rikki-Tikki-Deadly

“Aw, I was hoping for regular soup.” – Jim Tomsula

Horatio Cornblower

Wales is a perfectly cromulent back-up team, but I will be sticking The Eagles of Carthage, thankyouverymuch.

scotchnaut

TCU/Baylor looks like a lot of fun.

scotchnaut

Question #2: Is this Thursday going to be the single greatest sports-watching day ever?

Rikki-Tikki-Deadly

World Cup slate is Switzerland-Cameroon, Uruguay-Good Korea, and Portugal-Ghana. So…eh. NFL is a bit better, but nothing unforgettable.

scotchnaut

None of them, across the slate, could possibly be a good game? Oof!

scotchnaut

Question: Is Argentina/Iran (5am EST Tuesday) Mandatory Viewing?

Mr. Ayo

Yes

Horatio Cornblower

Serious question, aren’t they in different groups?

Mr. Ayo

It’s Saudi Arabia but close enough for ‘merika.

Horatio Cornblower

Shiite, Sunni, they’re all the same.

/immediately immolated by both groups

Redshirt

“Disenchanted” was okay. It could’ve been better but it was limited by a both a Disney+ movie and a fairy tale. It constrained the story and actors a bit. It was enjoyable but it could’ve gone farther. If you like the first movie, I’d recommend it if you don’t have any else to watch.

Also, I forgot Amy Adams could sing that good. Wow.

Rikki-Tikki-Deadly

I keep thinking you are talking about Disenchantment.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=oOQz3Idca9Q

Horatio Cornblower

UConn’s offensive line has 3 false starts, a snap infraction, and a holding penalty so far. They’ve moved from first and goal at the 1/2 yard line to 3rd and goal at around the 10.

Is that good?

Rikki-Tikki-Deadly

Are you sure you didn’t travel forward in time by 24 hours and are watching the Raiders play?

Rikki-Tikki-Deadly

Oh how I wish that were true.

Horatio Cornblower

Army has cheerleaders?

Brick Meathook

They do and I’m sorry but they are some pretty ugly cheerleaders.

Horatio Cornblower

Are the academy students? I have a hard time believing someone who went to a service academy also has the urge to spend their free time waving pom-poms on the sideline.

Brick Meathook

they are academy students and yes that is crazy. No CO of mine was ever a pom-pom girl. Actually no CO of mine was ever a chick. That’s too foreign of a concept for me.

blaxabbath

Yeah. They call themselves “devout followers of Christ”.

They’re dumb.

Rikki-Tikki-Deadly

Cause there’s nothing Christ enjoyed more than (the 20 A.D. Aramaic equivalent of) hot college tang wearing skintight uniforms and demonstrating how flexible they are.

Dunstan

I mean, he did hang around with prostitutes….

Redshirt

That’s why it took three days for Him to return. Satan kept demanding a recount of His life and refused to concede that He was without sin.

Both Christianity and Republicanism would use those lessons as cornerstones to their faith, but for different reasons.

Dunstan

Sort-of serious question: is Jesus really supposed to have been without sin? Isn’t wrath supposed to be one of the seven deadlies, and didn’t he get kind of wroth at the moneychangers in the temples?

Gumbygirl

Righteous wrath is allowed. So I tell myself, so it shall be!

Brick Meathook

Sort-of-serious answer: Metaphorically yes, in reality no. My theological education was by Jesuits so it wasn’t Sunday school horseshit, they readily admitted metaphors and doubt and treated theology with more philosophical themes. Many adults would do well to get a beginner course in Christian theology taught by Jesuits, even for no other reason than to properly understand what exactly it is you are rejecting.

Last edited 2 years ago by Brick Meathook
Dunstan

Eh, I’ll get right on that right after all the world’s Christians take courses in Buddhism, Islam, Shinto, and Scientology.

Brick Meathook

It wasn’t about all the world’s Christians or about a contest between world religions. It was about your own education, it doesn’t matter what other people do.

Dunstan

I agree, but my point was not about making some sort of trade with other people. I was illustrating a point about how nobody actually educates themselves on everything idea they “reject,” and it would be silly to expect otherwise.

I have a finite amount of time to spend on my own education. I don’t see why I should spend any more of that time on one specific religion that I already know more about than half of its adherents do.

I “reject” all religions, in the sense that the burden of proof is on the claimant. I could spend 100% of my time “educating myself” about every religion that exists, as well as Bigfoot, homeopathy, flat earth theory, and Aaron Rodgers’s theories of immunology and virology. Not gonna do it, thanks.

I’ve already given Christianity plenty of my time and attention, and it has failed to persuade me.

Don T

Well, now I wanna read a post about the Jesuits. Shade towards the Marist bros. would be a bonus.

Gumbygirl

I call bullshit. He was getting freaky with Mary Magdalen.

scotchnaut

We all know what “washing feet” really means.

Gumbygirl

Settle down Rex.

Rikki-Tikki-Deadly

I have started assuming he had a thing with the apostle John. You know, “the one that Jesus loved.”

Horatio Cornblower

I can’t recommend this book enough.

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Way better than the Bible.

Gumbygirl

I love Christopher Moore!

Horatio Cornblower

UConn has a punt blocked into the end zone, recovered for an Army TD.

The last Connecticut rep with that kind of success at West Point was Benedict Arnold.

Rikki-Tikki-Deadly

Bowl. Eligible.

Horatio Cornblower

Take that, Benedict Arnold!

blaxabbath

I haven’t seen the US Army look this tough since Genral Mark A. Milley opened offenses at St John’s Church.

Milley, like Arnold, deserves the noose.

Redshirt

Hey, don’t compare him to that monster. Arnold wasn’t that bad in comparison.

Gumbygirl

Flynn too. Firing squad. No blindfold.

Don T

Tee hee!
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Horatio Cornblower

First time I’ve see the entire Italian team on the pitch and all standing upright.

TheRevanchist

Wrexham is on top of the league after a win this morning.

Rikki-Tikki-Deadly

As opposed to Rex, who is on top of half a dozen cheerleaders.

Dunstan

“Ooh, which high school were they from?” — Matt Gaetz

Game Time Decision

We also would have accepted Mark Chmura

Dunstan

Damnit you’re spoiling Season 2 for me!

(Dumb but true story — I binged Season 1 last month, and I had been under the impression that they eventually won promotion through the playoff, so I was genuinely surprised at the ending.)

Horatio Cornblower

Fucking Grimsby Town, amirite?

Horatio Cornblower

Fightin’ Horatios get a shout to on College Game Day, being picked to not just cover (-10) but to beat Army. Love it, but I suspect Army covers easily and the Mora magic fades a bit at Miche.

scotchnaut

Dana Boyle has that ‘girl next door’-look on lockdown.

/watching Navy/UCF

Rikki-Tikki-Deadly

Oh yeah then why does she have the word “boy” in her name?

Horatio Cornblower

Lee Corso should not be outside in this weather.

scotchnaut

He shouldn’t be outside at all. If there’s any sports talking guy that might be carried off by a large bird of prey, it’s him.

Horatio Cornblower

Nick Faldo just said real men don’t wear gloves, (guess he has a ranch in Montana), which a) is not true; real mean recognize that frostbite is not an ideal outcome, and b) inspired Lee to take off his gloves, so basically Nick Faldo has killed Lee Corso.

blaxabbath

As a male who accepts that I’m just hard on everything, even I recognize the value in protective coverings. Granted, I’m not going to use them but it doesn’t mean others are foolish for not being perpetually marked up with little cuts, nicks, scabs, and miscellaneous wounds I keep around.

Rikki-Tikki-Deadly

grumble grumble i like to keep the skin on my hands soft for your mom grumble grumble

Gumbygirl

Gumby ran into Faldo at the grocery store in Bozeman. Oddly enough, we used to run into Lee Corso all the time at the grocery store in Florida.

Dunstan

I’m sure the Chief Justice’s investigation is already getting to the bottom of this. Just as I expect OJ to round up the real killers any day now.

Horatio Cornblower

If they’re on a golf course somewhere in Florida OJ will find them.

Gumbygirl

Disgusting, not surprising.

2Pack

In the summer of ’78 I was in Belgium earning their jump wings. A proper week long drunk punctuated by falling out of a balloon 800 feet in the air. Big take aways for me, their riggers were mostly attractive ladies. Our hosts 2 Para Commando Bn had plenty of back pay having just returned from a 3 month combat tour in Zaire, which they lavished on us in the bar’s. And their parachutes are held together with rubber bands, each of which you can hear popping in the erie dead silence of a balloon jump. Oh yeah the wings were way cool on a very young PFC’s uniform.

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herodotus450

Ok we’ll count those drinks as credit for payment on The Marshal Plan, I’m noting it down

2Pack

They certainly paid that down a bit with us. Great folks, and fond memories.

litre_cola

Zaire? Why that’s the Cecil Rhodes signal!

2Pack

I like Belgium, been there many times. Great place great people. If the USMNT is not in the mix, I’ll cheer for them.

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litre_cola

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Rikki-Tikki-Deadly

More like “Bulge-ium”, amirite?

Brick Meathook

Here’s last night’s impulse dining stop while returning from the 24-hour pharmacy with a new fix of opiates:

Johnnie’s Pastrami on Sepulveda.

I had the “Johnnie’s Size” which is a hamburger covered in chili that looks disgusting but is oh so good. Most of you can’t handle seeing Cincinnati Chili so I won’t post a photo unless you force my hand.

I’m up at the crack of dawn signing legal papers while whacked on extra goofballs. Delegate power of attorney to that dude from the bar? Sure why not!

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scotchnaut

Sepulveda? Why would the city name a road after a woman’s precious ladybits?

Brick Meathook

You’d like Big Ol’ Titties Drive in Beverly Hills

Last edited 2 years ago by Brick Meathook
ballsofsteelandfury

I wanna see the chili!

Brick Meathook

We have a winner!

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Gumbygirl

Ohboyohboy those onion rings look good.

litre_cola

Right, I have to make that Skyline chili soon and write about it. Or do I wait for the offseason? Hmmmm.

litre_cola

SIGN UP FOR THE TIPPING POOL PEOPLE!!!! We are over 10 entries. You could have an obscure Ligue 1 kit, or maybe a Greek one,plus a Big Turk, who knows????

Game Time Decision

Done. Even made picks

Gumbygirl

I did too. You northern types will be proud to know I picked Canada over the Belsh. I have no chance to win this thing!

Game Time Decision

I’m up. Helping youngest spawn with breakfast and lunch so she can get to work on time

litre_cola

No sleeping in here boss, prepping the smoker for a brisket.

scotchnaut

Sheesh! I started ‘vacation’ (I only go into the office twice and do everything from home) by waking up at the crack of 6:15 this morning. You suck, brain.

Don T

Up at 5 AM, per custom, and working–praise Jeebus for there bein’ COMPENSABLE work pending.

ArmedandHammered

I finally got a good night’s sleep and am ready to face a challenging day of napping on the couch.

Gumbygirl

Hero!

Horatio Cornblower

I slept until 10:46.

But, to be faaaaaaaiiiiiiirrrrrrr, I was up very late playing, (badly), poker, and then was awoken at 7:15 by the feline member of the family insisting that he be fed or let out. Knowing the consequences of him not getting his way, I obliged.

Gumbygirl

My cat got the boot last night after about a half hour of stomping on Gumby and me. He was verrrrrry sad.