The New Yorker cartoon of the day:

And as for that election...

...we had last week, here are just two data points (so far) for your consideration. Not only have the Republicans lost the popular vote in five out of the last six presidential elections, but Mitt Romney actually received two million fewer votes than (the hapless) John McCain did in 2008.

I'll have a lot more to say about the dismal state of the GOP just as soon as I get settled in.

I'm back from my trip...

...and there's a lot to catch up on.

Let's start with the latest rankings from the three main news sources. Not too many changes, except that Montini leaped ten spots to No. 8 on MaxPreps after upsetting (?) Marian Central, 42-27. In the Sun-Times, Benet is getting some respect. And over at the Trib, Maine South finally tumbled from the No. 1 spot after getting beat by Glenbard North, 29-23. (The Hawks are still in the top ten -- somehow -- ahead of Cary-Grove, Montini and Waubonsie. In MaxPreps they're No. 30. Go figure.)

I would have the top six teams something like this:

1. Loyola (11-1) *
The Ramblers beat Palatine, above, easily. Do they have the best defense in the state?

2. Neuqua (12-0) *
As good as any team I've seen this year.

3. Lincoln-Way East (12-0) *
Should face Glenbard West in the 7A finals unless pesky Benet upsets their plans.

4. Glenbard West (11-1) *
Only beat Wheaton North, 3-0. Red flag?

5. Glenbard North (12-0) *
Justin Jackson will try to avenge last year's semifinal loss to Loyola this weekend.

6. Mount Carmel (11-1) ^
The Caravan haven't seen a running back like Neuqua's Joey Rhattigan all year. Could be a long bus ride home from Naperville.

To the rankings...

MaxPreps:

1. Glenbard West (12-0) *
2. Mount Carmel (11-1) ^
3. Lincoln-Way East (12-0) *
4. Loyola (11-1) *
5. Neuqua Valley (12-0) *
6. Cary-Grove (12-0) *
7. Lake Zurich (10-2)
8. Montini (10-2)
9. Crete-Monee (12-0) *
10. Glenbard North (11-1) *

Chicago Sun-Times:

1. Glenbard West (12-0) *
2. Mount Carmel (11-1) ^
3. Loyola (11-1) *
4. Lincoln-Way East (12-0) *
5. Neuqua Valley (12-0) *
6. Glenbard North (11-1) *
7. Crete-Monee (12-0) *
8. Benet (11-1)
9. Waubonsie (10-2) *
10. Cary-Grove (12-0) *

Chicago Tribune:

1. Loyola (11-1) *
2. Lincoln-Way East (12-0) *
3. Glenbard West (12-0) *
4. Mount Carmel (11-1) ^
5. Neuqua (12-0) *
6. Glenbard North (11-1)* 
7. Crete-Monee (12-0) *
8. Maine South (11-1)
9. Lake Zurich (10-2)
10. Benet (11-1)

* Indicates teams I've seen play. ^ Indicates teams I've seen on television.

Before I go dark...

...for a few days (I'll be traveling), here are my picks for the quarterfinals this weekend.

In 8A, I expect at least one upset from the following three games:

Glenbard North at Maine South;
Palatine at Loyola; or
Mount Carmel at Lyons.

I'll take the easy way out and pick the home team Lions, above. (But don't be too surprised if the Panthers and/or the Pirates prevail as well. Could be a wacky weekend.)

Oh, and Neuqua Valley will defeat Waubonsie Valley -- again.

In 7A, Glenbard West should beat Wheaton North; Lake Zurich's defense will tame Rockford Boylan; Downers Grove North will end Benet's Cinderella run (and extend their own); and Lincoln-Way East will win a (surprisingly) hard-fought battle over Edwardsville.

In 6A, look for Cary-Grove, Notre Dame, Lemont and Crete-Monee to all advance.

And in 5A, Joliet Catholic's offense will be too much for Lincoln-Way West; Montini will upset Marian Central on the road (Broncos have so much playoff experience); and Morris and Sacred Heart-Griffin will round out the bracket.

P. S. Edgy Tim is right: there is no substitute for attending a game in person. Sure, the traffic's a drag, the weather may be cold (and rainy) and the food isn't as good as your favorite neighborhood hangout -- but the experience is well worth the trouble. So go to a game near you! (Go for those of us who can't.)

President Obama is expected...

...to win reelection today, albeit by a small margin in the popular vote. In the battle for the Electoral College, however, the president is currently favored in seven of the nine swing states on Intrade: Colorado, Iowa, Nevada, New Hampshire, Virginia, Wisconsin and -- most importantly -- Ohio. Governor Romney is only leading in Florida and North Carolina.

Tonight, the battleground states on the East Coast (Florida, North Carolina, Virginia and New Hampshire) will close their polls first. If the president is declared the winner in Virginia it would make it very difficult for Romney to prevail. Ohio, reporting a little later, should seal the deal.

Until then, I'll be on needles and pins-a.

Lincoln-Way East hosts...

...Edwardsville this Saturday. Who the heck is Edwardsville?

Edwardsville High School is located in the city of the same name, which is about 25 miles northeast of St. Louis and the third oldest in the state of Illinois.

It's also the alma mater of Laurie Metcalf (lower left in the picture above) who played "Jackie," the sister of the title character in the 1990s sitcom, Roseanne.

I know what you're thinking: That's fascinating. But what about the football team? Oh.

The Tigers are 10-1 and ranked No. 15 in the state by MaxPreps, No. 6 in 7A. They're coached by Matt Martin and compete in the Southwestern Conference with such perennial powers as East St. Louis and O'Fallon.

The Tigers' only loss this year was to East St. Louis in Week Three, 14-7. They returned the favor last Friday night, though, beating the Flyers, 21-18. Edwardsville also defeated O'Fallon in Week Eight, 44-34. (The 8A Panthers were eliminated this past weekend by Lyons, 42-27.)

Edwardsville is led by quarterback Will Collins, running back Bennett Gray and 5' 7" fullback Sam Mulford, above, who scored all three touchdowns against East St. Louis.

So what about this Saturday? Will the Tigers upset Lincoln-Way East?

As far as I can tell, the two programs have only played each other twice, with the Griffins prevailing both times on the road.

2011: Lincoln-Way East 45, EDWARDSVILLE 14
2010: Lincoln-Way East 37, EDWARDSVILLE 14

Saturday night should be similar.

BOWG prediction: LINCOLN-WAY EAST 35, Edwardsville 17.

The New Yorker cartoon of the day: