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Nomadic Vikings soldier on

The Minnesota Vikings are about to become part of NFL trivia.

With the Metrodome unavailable for Monday's home game with Chicago after the roof collapsed Saturday, the Vikings will host the Bears at the University of Minnesota, assuming those 20-foot snow drifts can be cleared off the field by kickoff.

It also means the Vikings become the second team in NFL history to play home games at three venues in one season.

They opened the season at the Metrodome, where all was well until Saturday's snowstorm caused the roof to collapse. That forced the Vikings to be the home team in Week 14 at Ford Field in Detroit, where they lost to the New York Giants, 21-3. Now, they will play in the Gophers' home, TCF Bank Stadium.

In 2005, Hurricane Katrina forced the New Orleans Saints to play home games at three venues -- Giants Stadium, the Alamodome in San Antonio and Louisiana State's Tiger Stadium.

If owner Zygi Wilf doesn't get a new stadium in the Twin Cities, the Vikings could have a new home -- in Los Angeles.

■ WISHFUL THINKING -- Michael Vick would like to own a dog again someday.

"I would love to get another dog in the future," the Philadelphia Eagles quarterback said. "It would be a big step for me in the rehabilitation process. I think just to have a pet in my household and to show people that I genuinely care, and my love, and my passion for animals."

Vick is not allowed to own a dog as part of his sentencing on dogfighting charges in 2007 that landed him in prison for 21 months. But he said he misses being a dog owner. The dogs that survived his cruelty and found new homes probably don't miss him.

■ ANOTHER CHANCE? -- In an attempt to wipe the stain from the terrorism that plagued the 1972 Summer Olympics and saw 11 Israeli athletes killed, Munich is putting in a bid to host the 2018 Winter Games.

However, a group of farmers might be able to block the bid.

One of the venues to host Alpine skiing is owned by a group of 59 farmers who refuse to sell their land to the German government. Alpine skiing is one of the Winter Olympics' marquee events, and without a suitable hill for competition, there would be no Munich Winter Olympics. Which would be a good thing given what happened in 1972.

Munich is competing for the 2018 games with Annecy, France, and Pyeongchang, South Korea. The International Olympic Committee will select the host city on July 6 in Durban, South Africa.

■ NEW-LOOK BRONCOS -- When Boise State runs onto the field at Sam Boyd Stadium on Wednesday for the MAACO Bowl Las Vegas against Utah, it will be in newly designed uniforms that don't look that much different from the current ones the Broncos wear.

The new uniforms, created by Nike, are primarily blue with orange sleeves that curl up to the shoulders. Maybe the Utes should break out those camouflage uniforms they wore earlier this season to counter Boise's new look.

Then again, maybe they shouldn't. Utah played Texas Christian wearing the camouflage gear last month and got ambushed, 47-7.

COMPILED BY STEVE CARP
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