The Wiz of Odds

Minnesota to Be First in Big Ten to Allow Beer Sales

Let the good times flow!

Minnesota lawmakers have overwhelmingly approved a bill that will allow for sale of beer at TCF Bank Stadium beginning this fall. The Senate approved the measure, 55-3, last week. The House backed the measure, 115-13, on Monday.

Gov. Mark Dayton said he will sign the bill, which will make Minnesota the first Big Ten stadium to serve suds.

"It was surprising that Wisconsin didn't do this years ago," Bob Hughes, president of the booster group Goal Line Club, told the Minneapolis Star Tribune. "The beer tents, the music is a Wisconsin thing. But we're the ringleaders."

Satellite TV's New Ad: Don't End Up in a Roadside Ditch

When your cable goes out, you can't study game film.
When you can't study game film, you lose to Alabama.
When you lose to Alabama, you get depressed.
When you get depressed, you buy a Harley.
When you buy a Harley, you meet hot, young ex-volleyball players.
When you meet hot, young ex-volleyball players, you go on joy rides.
When you go on joy rides, you end up in a roadside ditch.
Don't end up in a roadside ditch.

Somebody Has Finally Burst Iowa's Bubble!

Iowa's indoor practice facility was constructed in 1985 during the height of the Hayden Fry era. It seemed state-of-the-art at the time because the field was enclosed by a fiberglass fabric roof. The roof was supported by air pressure, much like the Metrodome in Minneapolis.

But last Friday, the bubble was deflated, ending the facility's 27-year run. Iowa, which had fallen behind in the facilities arms race, will open a 76,000-square foot brick and mortar building in time for fall practice.

Iowa's new practice digs seem modest compared to recently completed facilities of Hawkeye rivals. Michigan, for example, completed work on a 104,000-plus square foot brick and mortar building in 2009 that is called the "Taj Mahal" of indoor facilities. Iowa State has a 92,000-square foot building and Nebraska's playpen is 81,200-square feet.

Leach Has Them Pumped at the Palouse

Washington State's program got the boost it needed with the hiring of Mike Leach, and Cougar faithful showed their enthusiasm at Saturday's spring scrimmage, which was held at Albi Stadium in Spokane.

A presumed spring-scrimmage record crowd of 10,713 — including Wiz correspondent Greg Laughlin — watched Leach's team run 80 plays. Eight receivers had reps with the first-team offense and the coach indicated that will be the norm come fall. One concern is protecting the quarterback. The defense had nine sacks, most coming against the first- and second-team offensive lines.

There are additional photos after the jump and you can view Greg's complete gallery by clicking here.

In Moscow, It's Marijuana and Football

No Idaho Vandal football has not gone to pot. Friday was 420 Day, and the local chapter of Students for a Sensible Drug Policy were out in force to promote their cause. After they marched through the streets of Moscow, it was time for football, and Wiz correspondent Greg Laughlin was in attendance to watch Robb Akey's team go through its final scrimmage of the spring.

Greg wasn't the only celeb in attendance. Former Washington State coach Paul Wulff also made an appearance.

There are additional photos after the jump and you can also view Greg's full gallery by clicking here.

The Best Team Money Can Buy

Quarterback Bryan Bennett gives the world a tour of the Oregon locker room.