The Fine Print

When Nebraska signed up with the Big Ten last year I was pretty happy. I was glad that we would have a conference title game and I love Nebraska's rich football tradition.

We all worried about the division split but the majority of us were pleased with how the twelve teams were separated. While it was disappointing to have Michigan in another division from Ohio St at least we still play them at the end of the year and could play them twice.

That was all announced a year ago and since then we have all gone about our business. Now that Big Ten season is about to kick off we are starting to realize some of the residual effects of having teams in divisions. (Outside of the stupid names the divisions are called.) As I looked at the schedule this week I found myself realizing that I will be pulling for the teams in the other division this week. Specifically, Illinois, Wisconsin and yes, even Ohio State.

Now rooting for Illinois and Wisconsin isn't that big of a deal, I just want Michigan to be a game up on a few teams in our division after week one. The Ohio State/Michigan State match up is what really peaked my interest. Now if you ask most Michigan fans which team they hate more you will get answers on both sides and for various reasons. The two answers I would expect to hear the most is to root for "neither" or "which ever one can help Michigan."

Now with these divisions and the fact Michigan plays Sparty in two weeks, it is clear we could use a little help from the school down South. This makes me weary. I don't root for OSU ever. I am not from Michigan so I don't have the disdain for Sparty like others who have to deal with MSU fans in their group of friends and family. My perfect fall Saturday is Michigan winning, OSU losing and not caring how MSU did that day.

This Saturday I will have to be slightly pleased if the Buckeyes take them down and it is a strange feeling. Normally I am just rooting for the game between these two schools to end much like Monty Python and the Holy Grail ended, with the cops showing up and arresting everyone. O well, part of what we signed up for I guess. On with the picks...

Thursday: USF at Pitt 8 PM EST- O Pitt, you are so sneaky. Just up and leaving the Big East high and dry. Only Pitt could possibly figure out a way to run off both their rivals and consider it a genius idea. In terms of the game, both of these teams are pretty good but their QBs are horrible. I watched part of the Pitt game last week and Calvin Magee kept calling plays like Denard was still his QB. Tino is no Denard. USF 27-20.

Arkansas vs Texas A&M Noon EST- The Arkansas fans will teach the Aggie fans how to prefect the "SEC, SEC, SEC" chant. I am still not sold that joining the SEC is the best decision they could make since instead of bowing down to Texas they will now bow down to six other teams but at least the SEC is stable. I watched both these teams last week and I think we are going to get a shootout. Neither of these teams are elite but this game will be fun to watch. Arkansas 38-34.

Northwestern at Illinois Noon EST- The first of the inter divisional match-ups. Persa will be back for NW and he is legit. They are different team with him but I am not sure he is going to be truly effective for a few weeks. Illinois struggled last week but I still think they will run the ball right down the Wildcats throat just like last year. Illinois 31-20.

Auburn at South Carolina 3:30 EST- I love watching South Carolina for the same reason people watch the Jersey Shore, it is just so entertaining to watch a train wreck. Stephen Garcia is so hilarious to watch and I never know what he will do next. He wins the Kerry Collins award for most likely to be seen chugging a beer on the sidelines. The Gamecocks are loaded other than him and I would hope they can beat a young Auburn team at home. Although with Garcia we never know what we might see. South Carolina 24-17.

Baylor at Kansas St 3:30 EST- This game wins this weeks award for the most unlikely game to be picking a month into the season. Like most of you I know only one thing about this game and that is Robert Griffin is really good. I am going to go with him. Baylor 48-21.

Michigan St at Ohio St 3:30 EST- I think this game comes down to the MSU offensive line versus the OSU front seven. MSU is banged up and they will struggle with the pressure. The OSU offense will play Tressel ball with Braxton and their defense will force a big turnover. No emotion with this pick. OSU 23-16.

Clemson at Virginia Tech 6 EST- The Sammy Watkins crush continues as I will yell for Boyd to throw to him every play. Clemson will try to make it three straight big wins in a row but there is one problem, this game is in Blacksburg. Clemson will have to wait for the ACC Title game to beat the Hokies. Va Tech 24-14

Texas at Iowa St 7 EST- The Gus Johnson game of the week will take place in Ames, Iowa. Everything seems right again with the Longhorns now that they have a McCoy as their QB. The only problem is that Iowa St might have an even cooler sounding named QB in Steele Jantz. I am going with the Cyclones for no other reason than Jantz and their are no repercussions for being wrong. Woo. ISU 20-18.

Alabama at Florida 8 EST- Urban did not leave the cupboard bare for Muschamp and Weis. Just look at this run by Jeff Demps from last week. I would pay to watch him run against Denard. On defense the Gators still have all that talent along their defensive line that Urban recruited two years ago. Main thing to watch here is does John Brantley implode against a legit defense. Somehow I just cant shake the thought of him going all Garcia here and blowing this game in the 2nd half. Bama 24-13.

Nebraska at Wisconsin 8 EST- The big game of the night and I really don't think it will be that close. While Nebraska is getting all of its defensive stars back for this game I think they will be shell shocked at how bruising that Wisconsin O line really is. I expect the Badgers to make a statement early in conference play. Wisconsin 38-17.

As always, enjoy the games. For you baseball fans out there, good luck. I have no idea what baseball playoffs are like but they look like fun.