STAY AT THE SUPER 8 AND YOUR NEXT 1-AA LOSS IS ON US! The ST. PAUL PIONEER-PRESS reports today the University of Minnesota (UM) is using some sort of points system to determine priority for football seating at the school’s new, open-air 50,000-seat TCF Stadium.

“Gopher Points” are accrued on “season-ticket purchasing history and financial contributions to the stadium.” The fans with the most points win the right to watch the U. lose to I-AA teams while freezing to death beginning in 2009, when the ballpark open. UM claims sales of 35,000 season tickets so far.

Sounds like the price of silver is due to jump in about 18 months.