This week, you've likely been overwhelmed by Teddy Bridgewater news. On Thursday, you will be overwhelmed by something else if you live in the Twin Cities: choices.
The schedule-makers have conspired to create an unusual dilemma: On Thursday night, the Gophers football team, Vikings, Twins and Saints all have home games at night. Add to that mix: the first big night of high school football … and the ongoing State Fair … and it's pretty daunting.
You probably don't need any help sorting it all out, but just in case, here is a look at those options:
Gophers football, 8 p.m. vs. Oregon State at TCF Bank Stadium: It's the season opener for Minnesota in a year of mixed opinions. Some see the Gophers as a dark-horse contender for a Big Ten West title, while others think they'll be .500 (or worse). The early part of the schedule sets up favorably. Oregon State is projected to be among the weaker teams in the Pac-12, so if the Gophers believe they are contenders, this is a game they should win.
Vikings, 7 p.m. vs. Rams, U.S. Bank Stadium: The fourth NFL preseason game is usually a battle of the backups, with players vying to survive this weekend's cuts to make the 53-man roster. If you want to see a lot of Joel Stave, this is the place to be. That said, if you just want to get a look at the new stadium, this is a pretty low-cost option. I've seen tickets for as little as $15 on the secondary market; it'll cost about 20 times more to get in for the Green Bay regular-season opener.
Twins, 7:10 p.m. vs. White Sox, Target Field: No offense to the local nine, but you'd have to hate football an awful lot to make this your top choice Thursday. It's an understatement to say the Twins have struggled lately, and a season that looked like it could be somewhat salvageable is now spiraling toward 100 losses. Again, though: Good tickets can be had cheap, and it should be a beautiful night.
Saints, 7:05 p.m. vs. Winnipeg, CHS Field: If you haven't made it to a St. Paul Saints baseball game yet this year, 1) shame on you and 2) your options are dwindling. The regular season ends Monday — though the Saints are once again chugging toward the postseason, creating additional opportunities.
High school football, various times and sites: There are a bevy of powerhouse games right out of the gate, including Osseo at Maple Grove and Totino-Grace at Eden Prairie, both 7 p.m. starts. If none of the pro or college options does much for you, there are plenty of prep games to do the trick.
State Fair: Oh, right. In the midst of all this, the fair is still going on. Bottom line: You'll have a lot of options Thursday — and quite possibly a lot of traffic, too.
