Sept. 04--For the record, though it won't count on my permanent record, I went 1-1 in my Thursday night picks.
I pegged Utah to beat Michigan by more than six, though who knew Jake Rudock would be as careless with the ball as the last Michigan quarterback?
And I wrongly figured TCU would be three touchdowns better than Minnesota, which showed why the Gophers could emerge as the class of the Big Ten West.
We're on to a new season but continue to abide by a policy Big Ten Commissioner Jim Delany surely would applaud: We will not pick Big Ten games versus FCS foes. Official point spreads don't exist for those games, which, when you think of it, means they should not even be played.
Also not listed: Friday's Michigan State and Illinois games, which concluded hours before the Saturday Tribune hit your doorstep.
Stanford (minus 11 1/2) at Northwestern: If there has ever been a game in which a 2-point conversion chart wasn't needed, the Brain Bowl might be it. Stanford's future CEOs should topple Northwestern's, but I like the Wildcats to keep it close.
BYU (plus 6 1/2) at Nebraska: I sense a rough start for Cornhuskers coach Mike Riley, whose players are still wondering what Bo Pelini did to get fired. (The answer: plenty.) Go with BYU.
Penn State (minus 7) at Temple: Now that we've put Deflategate in the rearview, let's get to the next great NFL debate: Christian Hackenberg ... top pick in the draft or destined to hold a clipboard? Take Penn State.
Wisconsin (plus 12) vs. Alabama: The Bad Timing Award goes to a Badgers team with a green offensive line against the bullies from 'Bama. The Crimson Tide, it is.
Purdue (plus 7 1/2) at Marshall: A MAC team favored by more than a touchdown against a Big Ten foe? What is this world coming to? Guess we'll find out. I'll take Purdue and the points.
Ohio State (minus 14) at Virginia Tech: Too many suspensions and too many points for me to dis a team that is home and could win the ACC. Take the Hokies.
tgreenstein@tribpub.com
