After a week off, you must be chomping at the bit for some Bucs football.  Let me tell you, this bye-week came at a good time for this Bucs team.  They are banged up, and some of the older guys got a chance to rest, which should help significantly this week.

     First of all, don’t be too impressed with Minnesota.  Without Adrian Peterson in their backfield, they’d be looking straight up in their division.  But they do have Peterson, and he must be accounted for.  Currently, Peterson has 4 consecutive 100+ yard games, one more and can tie the Vikings team record at 5 held by Robert Smith.  This is exactly the kind of challenge the Bucs defense thrives on.  Thank goodness they’re home, otherwise I’d give Peterson the 100+ and call it a day.  But he’s not, he’s in the Bucs house, and the Bucs defense does not want that to happen.  As a matter of fact, as much emphasis the team is putting on stopping him, I’ll go on record right now and say Peterson will not reach the century mark.

      I’m still unclear about the Bucs backfield situation at the writing.  Graham is banged up, as is Warrick Dunn, and Cadillac Williams is not ready for prime time just yet.  That’s just my observation.  I expect Garcia to be carrying the load on the offensive side, hopefully opening up a running game that will be efficient enough to get the job done.

     Here’s a trend that I can’t ignore…Bucs are 4-0 at home this season, and are 7 and 1 in the last eight home games played against Minnesota.  No reason I can see why that trend should not hold up this year.

     Bucs have no excuse, they are better team, and they are at home.  If the defense steps up, this game isn’t even close.  My call this week……

        TK’S PICK: BUCS -3                TK VS. SPREAD: 6-1-1

     Tom Korun