4th Edition - 9/08/06

It's Friday, which means I gaze into the crystal ball, analyze my 9-point system, or simply throw darts at a sports page -- PREDICTIONS!

• College Football

I wish THE Ohio State University would travel to Iowa later this year, undefeated, so my Hawkeyes could have a chance at knocking off a #1 team. Ain't gonna happen. Texas (-2) over Ohio State. I'm overthinking myself, but I like Notre Dame (+8) over Penn State. And even though my Hawks will win, they won't cover, Syracuse (+21) over Iowa.

• NFL

At the last minute I decided the Steelers were better than the Dolphins, and I was right (28-17). I think it had something to do with NBC being INSANELY pro-Steelers. When a network tries to pump up the crowd for 30 minutes, it's tough to gain control. Also, Daunte Culpepper picked up where he left off before the injury (0 TD, 2 INT). He looked shaky the whole night. The picks are the Bears (-3.5) over the Packers, the Colts (-3.5) over the Giants, and the Eagles (-5.5) over the Texans. There is a logic that says you should always take a home team that is getting points, I'm doing the opposite all three times.

• Basketball

Not much to say about basketball, except that I agree 100 percent with Chuck Klosterman about his recent article about creating a under-20 team to compete for USA Basketball. But it would also require honesty from programs and players. So don't look for this to happen anytime soon.

• Baseball

Ummm, first weekend of football, or watching baseball teams whose records hover around .500 trying to jockey for position to secure a wild card spot ... That's what I thought. See you on Monday.

• Stuff

Smile, it's Friday. Go crazy, just be careful. Remember what happened to Jessie.