Sept. 19--So how can a sportswriter with reasonable (I suppose you could fight me on this) knowledge of Big Ten football go 3-8 against the spread?
Here's how: I needed Minnesota to win by six, Michigan State by five and Ohio State by 42. They won by three, three and 38. Rutgers, a 31/2-point favorite over Washington State, blew its four-point lead with 13 seconds to play. I had Florida International plus-8 against Indiana, and the Hoosiers got a pick-six with four minutes left to win by 14.
And I made good picks on the Iowa, Penn State and Nebraska games and lousy ones on the Maryland, Wisconsin and Michigan games. That's how.
Here's the lesson, kids: Don't gamble on sports. Earn your money the old-fashioned way, by playing Texas hold 'em.
On to the games:
Illinois (plus 9) at North Carolina: Are the Illini for real? Real enough to keep this close.
South Florida (plus 7) at Maryland: The QB switch at Maryland did not involve Daxx Garman. Can't "xx" mark the spot? Take USF.
UNLV (plus 35) at Michigan: Jim Harbaugh ran it up on Pete Carroll but will play nice here. Pick the Rebels.
Air Force (plus 24.5) at Michigan State: The Spartans are 0-2 all-time against service academies. (Fine print: The games were played in 1931 and 1984.) Still, expect MSU to be sluggish after beating Oregon. Take Air Force.
Kent State (plus 24) at Minnesota: We'll root for Kent State female kicker April Goss but not that much. Picking the Gophers.
Northwestern (plus 3.5) at Duke: NU's Ifeadi Odenigbo boldly called for a shutout, earning him a shout-out in this column. Tough call, but I'll take Duke.
Nebraska (plus 3) at Miami: Drinking game: Every time a vintage clip is shown, take a sip. I'll take Miami.
Northern Illinois (plus 34.5) at Ohio State: The Huskies can score, but can they score enough? I'll say yes.
Virginia Tech (minus 6.5) at Purdue: Will Ohio State fans root for their Big Ten brother to lose? Yes. Strength of schedule trumps all. Take the Hokies.
Troy (plus 34.5) at Wisconsin: These are not the Men of Troy, so go with Wisconsin.
Western Kentucky (plus 1) at Indiana: First team to 50 wins ... maybe. Take Western Kentucky.
Rutgers (plus 9) at Penn State: Brush fire (Penn State) tops grease fire (Rutgers).
Pittsburgh (plus 5.5) at Iowa: I'm fired up to watch Kirk Ferentz's third fake field goal. Take Iowa.
Last week: 3-8.
Season: 6-11.
tgreenstein@tribpub.com
