StribSports Daily Delivery

Latest Episodes:

Don't ignore evidence: Vikings are in trouble + Big decisions loom for Twins before playoffs Sep 15, 2023

Show notes

Introduction: There are a lot of ways to beat the 2023 Vikings, as we have seen already in just two games, but the best way for now might be to let them beat themselves. Seven turnovers, including six lost fumbles -- four of them in Thursday's not-that-close 34-28 loss to the Eagles -- have doomed them in an 0-2 start. Beyond turnovers, though, there are plenty of other deficiencies. Most notably, a huge talent and execution gap on the offensive and defensive lines that was once again exposed in Philadelphia.

11:00: Star Tribune Twins beat writer Phil Miller joins Rand for a look at some big decisions looming in the final two weeks of the regular season. The Twins lead the AL Central by eight games with 15 to play and should be able to cruise to the finish line. That will give them an extended look at different players in different roles as they try to find their best 26 for October.

35:00: Will the Twins take some heat off the Vikings?

Chip Scoggins on the Vikings' grim outlook + Are too many Minnesota teams stuck in the middle? Sep 14, 2023

Show notes

Introduction: Two things are true of "tanking," the idea of putting at least some intentionality into losing in order to obtain a high draft pick the following year: It is nearly impossible to sell to those actually playing the games, since their competitiveness, pride and livelihood is at stake; but it had proved to deliver the type of game-changing talent to turn franchises around. Host Michael Rand notes this dichotomy in the context of several Minnesota teams and wonders if too many of them are stuck in the middle.

11:00: Star Tribune columnist Chip Scoggins joins Rand with thoughts on the brutal first weekend for the Vikings, which not only included a loss but a failure to sign Justin Jefferson to an extension. As they look ahead to Thursday's Vikings game against the Eagles, the outlook is grim -- but also reversible if they can muster a prime time win.

36:00: A word from Aaron Rodgers.

Can Vikings, Lynx get past Sunday frustrations? + Gophers big test, Twins breakthrough Sep 13, 2023

Show notes

Introduction: Host Michael Rand wonders how the frustration expressed in two losses Sunday -- one by the Vikings, one by the Lynx -- will carry over into big moments this week. Vikings QB Kirk Cousins was visibly upset after an interception keyed a 20-17 loss to Tampa Bay. How does that play into a tough game Thursday at Philadelphia? Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve ripped her team after a loss to Indiana gave Minnesota a lower playoff seed and tougher matchup Wednesday against Indiana. You'll hear from Reeve, Cousins and Vikings offensive coordinator Wes Phillips.

14:00: Gophers football beat writer Randy Johnson helps set up Saturday's big game at North Carolina against star quarterback Drake Maye.

27:00: The Twins finally beat the Rays, showing in the process that they could have what it takes to be a good playoff team this season.

Film review: What went wrong Sunday for Vikings? + Perspective on the Aaron Rodgers injury Sep 12, 2023

Show notes

Introduction: Host Michael Rand watched Aaron Rodgers get hurt on his first series as a Jets QB, a likely Achilles injury that could keep him out for a long time, and couldn't help but think of the emotional letdown after the offseason drama. Imagine, for example, if Brett Favre had been injured in his first series as QB for the Vikings in 2009?

8:00: Andrew Krammer joins Rand for a film review of what went wrong for the Vikings on Sunday. The interior of the offensive line is still a question mark in any given game, and while the defense was improved in some areas Tampa Bay made some key adjustments.

31:00: Vikings poetry is back, baby.

44:00: Pablo Lopez or Sonny Gray in Game 1 of a playoff series?

Patrick Reusse: Vikings are in trouble, Lopez is an ace and the Lynx just won't listen Sep 11, 2023

Show notes

Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse joins host Michael Rand for a look back at the weekend in sports, which started with a clunker from the Vikings in their opener. They turned the ball over three times and let Tampa Bay hang around before ultimately losing 20-17 at U.S. Bank Stadium. In conjunction with other weekend outcomes, including the lack of a Justin Jefferson extension and impressive wins for the Lions and Packers, not much could have gone worse.

Reusse and Rand also discuss the dominance of Pablo Lopez and how the Twins might stack up in the playoffs as they try to break their 18-game postseason losing streak.

And the Lynx stumbled into the playoffs with a bad loss Sunday that impacted their seed, leading coach Cheryl Reeve to rip them after the game.

The 10 worst moments in Vikings history Sep 08, 2023

Show notes

Introduction; Host Michael Rand watched the Lions rally to beat Kansas City 21-20 and had an uh-oh moment. That was supposed to be a banked loss for Detroit. Now everyone else in the NFC North is chasing the Lions this weekend. It puts even more pressure on the Vikings to win their soft opener against Tampa Bay, even as this roster looks to have a lot of holes.

7:00: Rand and Star Tribune writer/editor Jeff Day join forces again for Part II of their Vikings series -- this time on the worst moments in franchise history. A lot of the moments were no-brainers. But what order? That was a big question. Hopefully this is more cathartic than painful.

43:00: Things Rand wants to see from four teams this weekend.

Drafting the 10 greatest moments in Vikings history Sep 07, 2023

Show notes

Introduction: Host Michael Rand says that the Twins did everything fans could have really asked for on their recent 13-game stretch against Texas and Cleveland. Even after losing Wednesday to the Guardians, the Twins went 8-5 during that span and increased their AL Central led from five to six games. With just 22 to play, they are in great shape.

6:00: Rand and Star Tribune writer/editor Jeff Day take turns drafting the 10 greatest moments in Vikings history. What made the cut? What did they miss? And are you scared of Friday's show, when they will draft the 10 worst moments in Vikings history?

47:00: One current Viking who is rising quickly.

ESPN vs. Charter in new TV battle; Twins make a statement; Get to know Gophers baseball Sep 06, 2023

Show notes

Introduction: Host Michael Rand provides perspective on the latest sports on TV battle, which has left nearly 15 million subscribers to Charter/Spectrum cable without ESPN and other Disney-owned channels just as sports ramp back up again. This squabble has a different feel to it, and Rand wonders if we will look back on this as a turning point.

10:00: Rand welcomes in four members of the Gophers baseball team for a discussion of the upcoming season, pace of play rules in college baseball and the impact of the transfer portal in college sports. The players joined Rand out at the State Fair on Monday.

31:00: A big statement from the Twins, who are playing as consistently well as they have all season and now lead the AL Central by seven games.

Patrick Reusse on Twins power, a Byron Buxton concern and a Vikings prediction Sep 05, 2023

Show notes

Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse joins host Michael Rand for a look back at the long weekend in sports, which included a 20-run outburst by the Twins on Monday. Royce Lewis hit his third grand slam in an eight-game span, pushing the division lead to six games. The Twins have been hitting well lately, and they've been doing it without Byron Buxton. He had another injury setback, and Reusse is concerned about Buxton's long-term future.

Reusse and Rand also get into the Vikings' season, with a prediction from Patrick that the Vikings will repeat as NFC North champions thanks in large part to the mediocrity of the rest of the teams. But they won't benefit from the "Football Gods" to the same degree as last season. Has that fortune found P.J. Fleck's Gophers instead?

For Gophers, one play changes everything; Can Twins hold off suddenly engaged Cleveland? Sep 01, 2023

Show notes

Introduction: Host Michael Rand couldn't believe his eyes, and neither could most of you. Daniel Jackson somehow managed to get his foot in bounds on a fourth down play late against Nebraska, changing the narrative of the game and perhaps the entire season for both teams in a 13-10 Gophers victory in Thursday's opener. Rand marvels at the play itself and the impact it had on how we view the game in retrospect.

8:00: The Twins lead the Guardians by five games with 28 to play, a comfortable but not insurmountable lead. Can they hold on, especially now that Cleveland has added three dispatched Angels pitchers? Rand and Twins beat writer Bobby Nightengale discuss the home stretch and other key issues with the Twins.

32:00: A new deal for T.J. Hockenson.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

StribSports Daily Delivery

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected