Attending tonight's party proved I was wrong; there is a palpable excitement, a visceral feeling, surrounding tomorrow's game at TCF Bank Stadium.  Maybe it's just because I was in the middle of it, but I vastly underestimated the number of people coming in for the game.  I even heard anecdotes that there have been some fans wearing the regalia all week.

I thought there would be dampened enthusiasm for the game.  There is -- on Minnesota's part.  But there are plenty of people who are coming to cheer on the visitors.  I just think, however, that this is going to be a much closer game than anyone thinks.

Regardless, there is a buzz in this town I haven't experienced in a long time, if ever.  And it feels good.