Jay Cutler is the top rated passer in the NFL going into this week's action. It's hard to believe that the much-maligned Cutler has risen to the top when as recently as this pre-season he had looked lost. I would imagine that the Packer defense can pressure him enough to force some bad decisions. A much bigger problem tonight will be the Bears defense. The Packer O-line will face a major challenge with Julius Peppers, Brain Urlacher, Lance Briggs and company. I expect the Packers to win but it wont be easy.

Certainly not as easy as the Badger win over Austin Peay on Saturday. Brett Bielema makes no excuses for the scheduling of a defenseless foe saying the Badgers were a banged up squad and the game gave some much needed rest to a number of starters heading into the Michigan State game. Is back-up tailback James White as good as he looked? Running Back U keeps finding good tailbacks and White seems to be another keeper. Bielema and his staff certainly know how to recruit Florida. I think I heard the announcer say that they have the 3rd most Florida recruits as any team in the Top 10.

It was great to see Chris Capuano end his season on a high note. Capuano won his 4th game of the year yesterday in the home finale tossing 6 innings of 1 run ball. Capuano has made it back from two Tommy John surgeries and gives the Brewers another veteran starter heading to spring training next year. Depending on what they get for Prince Fielder in the off-season there is no reason why the Brewers cannot contend next year. Randy Wolf is pitching like they thought he would but they do need to find a couple of solid starters and a good set-up man for John Axford. The offense will be fine.

Congrats to Wausau West for their big win over Stevens Point on Friday night. It was the first conference loss for the Panthers since 2008. I was shocked by Marshfield's trouncing of DC Everest. It looked for a time like Everest was back to their old form but the Tigers found some holes and took control. Wausau Newman and Mosinee, Edgar and Wisconsin Rapids kept rolling.

Happy Birthday to Mike Schmidt. The homer hitting 3rd baseman turns 61.

Songs of the Day  (from my I-pod)

Going Back to Georgia-Nanci Griffith (1994) Griffith is paired with Adam Duritz(from Counting Crows) for this wistful tune from the "Flyer " cd. It's a good pairing.

Going To California-Led Zeppelin (1971) the boys turn down the amps for this acoustic tune featuring John Paul Jones on mandolin. The girl singer in the lyrics reportedly is Joni Mitchell who Plant & Page were infatuated with at the time. This video is from a famous concert at Earl's Court which is a big concert venue in London.