| 'Bad' Gophers
I can tell you pretty easily why Iowa's going to crush the Golden Gophers. Come to think of it, I can boil all the many reasons down into two very simple, accurate words: Minnesota's bad.
Real bad.
You know, saying it like that wouldn't be too nice, but it's too late for kind words because the truth hurts, and I have more numbers than a Swiss Bank account to back my bold words.
The Gophers are not only last in the Big Ten in scoring and total defense, they are also last in all of college football in total defense, giving up 548.5 yards per game and are 112th in scoring defense at 37.8 points allowed per game. Minnesota's pass defense and rush defense - which are both bottom in the Big Ten - rank 118th and 115th respectively.
To put it nicely, it's easier to get a first down on the Gophers by running offensive plays than it is to get a fresh set by virtue of receiving the opening kickoff of any given half - Minnesota gives up 25.3 first downs per game.
Markets Likely To Be Range-bound On Back Of Mixed Cues From Global Peers- European Commentary
(RTTNews) - The major European index futures are pointing towards a lower opening for the markets on Monday. But some degree of support may come in from bargain hunting following two days of losses. Global cues are mixed, with the U.S. stocks settling modestly higher on Friday amid volatility and the major markets across the Asia-Pacific region trading sharply lower on Monday on renewed U.S. subprime worries following the resignation of Citigroup CEO Charles Prince. Additionally, crude prices have eased after climbing to record highs on Friday. In Europe, the major economic releases scheduled for the day include the British services PMI and industrial production and the Euro-Zone Sentix investor confidence. Meanwhile, the U.S. investors await data on ISM non-manufacturing index.
(AFX UK Focus) 2007-11-16 04:53 GMT: Thomson Financial Europe AM at a glance share guide: Stocks, oil lower
LONDON (Thomson Financial) - US SUMMARY: Stocks lower, oil dips
Index Change Pct change
DJIA 13110.05 -120.96 -0.91 NASDAQ 2618.51 -19.43 -1.32 S&P 500 1451.15 -25.81 -0.98
Dow Future 13160.00 -115.00 -0.87 (2014 GMT)
Nasdaq Future 2031.00 -2.50 -0.12 (0300 GMT)
S&P Future 1455.00 -2.90 -0.20 (0301 GMT)
Light,sweet crude
Nymex for Dec 93.43 usd -66 cents
10 yr US
treasury 4.16 pct
YESTERDAY'S CLOSE STOCKS: Wall Street skidded lower Thursday as investors grappled with concerns about the strength of consumer spending and the overall economy after downbeat comments from JC Penney Co and Wells Fargo & Co. Investors soured on retailers and banks, while falling oil prices hurt shares of energy companies.
Stocks fall sharply as dollar sinks to fresh lows
Investors worldwide grow skittish over prospect of substantial economic slowdown in the United States. By Michael M. Grynbaum , Peter S. GoodmanTHE NEW YORK TIMES Thursday, November 08, 2007 Stock markets plummeted and the dollar sank to a record low against the euro Wednesday as investors worldwide grew skittish over rising oil prices and the prospect of a substantial economic slowdown in the United States. The Dow Jones industrial average fell 360 points and the broader stock market dropped nearly 3 percent, driven down by fear that the troubles in housing are likely to continue well into next year, contributing to further losses in credit markets and spreading pain to the rest of the economy. After a relatively strong summer, consumer spending is expected to tighten and business profits slow in the months ahead, analysts said.
Markets Likely To See Further Down Side On Global Weakness - European Commentary
(RTTNews) - The major European index futures are pointing towards a lower opening for the markets on Friday. Global cues are also weak, with the U.S. stocks closing lower overnight on renewed credit and economic growth worries and the major markets across the Asia-Pacific region trading weak on Friday. Meanwhile, crude prices have fallen after government data revealed higher U.S. stockpiles. In Europe, the major economic releases scheduled for the day include the French non-farm payrolls and wages, the Swiss retail sales, and the Euro-Zone trade balance and current account. Meanwhile, the U.S. investors await data on industrial production and long-term TICS flows. The investors may also look up to Fed's Lockhart's speech on Southeast economy outlook in Montreal. The European markets fell for the first time in four days on Thursday, as disappointing earnings from companies like SABMiller, Sodexho Alliance and Credit Agricole dampened investor sentiments and heavily weighted energy stocks came under pressure following a drop in crude oil prices.
News Summary - 11/13
A group of Native Americans housed at the Jessup Pre-Release Unit has filed a $30 million lawsuit against the state and prison officials for allegedly denying them the right to congregate for religious ceremonies at the facility.
The group of six, self-represented individuals filed a handwritten complaint in the U.S. District Court of Maryland in Baltimore last week asserting violations of their First and 14th Amendment rights, and discrimination against them in violation of the 1964 Civil Rights Act.
“It bewilders me how someone who is not native to the U.S. but enjoys the rights and freedoms of this country has the audacity to disoblige our rights to freely practice our religious preferences," the group wrote in a supplemental court document.
Each complainant is requesting $5 million from the state and the right to begin religious ceremonies onsite.
UK Police Hunt for Web Bank Heist Gang The Times
Nov 01 2007 : Police in the UK are looking for a gang of Internet robbers who took over the bank accounts of at least 10 people and stole hundreds of thousands of pounds from their accounts. Officers from the UK�s Dedicated Cheque and Plastic Crime Unit (DCPCU) told the Times that there may be many more victims. In a process known as social engineering, the thieves were able to obtain personal information about their victims using the Web, telephone calls, the post and actual impersonation of the victims. The criminals then used the information to trick banks into issuing new debit and credit cards in the name of their victims. These cards were used to buy jewelry, electronic goods and to withdraw Euros. Fraud experts refer to this type of financial crime as �account takeover.
IRG Has Options in Keeping Oregon License Operational
International Racing Group and parent company Youbet.com are facing a Nov. 12 deadline in regards to IRG’s license to operate a wagering hub in Oregon, and basically have two avenues to pursue for continued operation there. IRG, which is involved in a federal investigation that is looking into certain segments of its operation, will either have to come into compliance with Oregon statutes regulating the operation of a hub, or can appeal the decision by the state’s racing commission to suspend its license. The off-shore rebate shop is out of compliance with Oregon law because it does not have an active bank account working to carry out transactions on behalf of its customers. Federal officials in early October seized three IRG bank accounts in relation to the investigation, which has been reported by Youbet as involving certain IRG customers, employees, and possibly a former owner of the wagering entity.
Dell enlists star power to fill virtual piggy banks
DALLAS — Hoping to boost holiday sales, Dell has enlisted Burt Reynolds, right, Ice-T and other celebrities to help customers raise money to buy products for themselves or others. Through a new website launching today, visitors to www.YoursIsHere.com will be able to create a virtual piggy bank where friends and relatives can donate money for gifts. There are tools to create e-mail distribution lists, and gift-seekers can embed their fundraising requests on their Facebook and MySpace pages. Actress Estelle Harris, who played George Costanza's nagging mom in the sitcom "Seinfeld," solicits funds through the "guilt sell": "Not that it's any of my business, but you usually get them a thoughtless gift every year anyway," she groans. "Would it kill you to get them something nice this holiday season?" Consumers must be 18 or older to enlist in the virtual fund and have a PayPal account to receive money.
Halifax cuts interest rates
The UK's biggest savings provider announced it is cutting interest rates on some of its accounts by up to 0.25%. Halifax is reducing the returns paid on a number of its accounts that offer customers easy access to their money, including its Web Saver, Instant Saver and Premier Savings Direct accounts, despite the fact that interest rates have not been reduced. But at the same time the group said it was also increasing the rates paid on other accounts that restrict the number of transactions customers can make. It is raising the top rate paid on its Fixed Rate ISA by 0.3% to 6.5%, while it has also introduced a new Web Saver Extra account paying 6.25%. The group denied the move was related to the recent credit crunch, which has seen providers looking to raise more money for mortgage lending through savings deposits.
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