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.
More Top Picks Echo Ccs 58v4ah
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.
Twitter @TeddyGreenstein