Just an exhibition this week. Don't want to break any laws or anything.

No time to expound on my thoughts, as usual. Here are my favorite picks, anyway.

NCAA

1. OHIO STATE (-14) over Michigan State

Looks like the wheels are coming off for the Spartans. Ohio State continues to roll along.

2. TEXAS A&M (+2) over Missiouri

It's starting to look like a last stand for Coach Fran. The Aggies are desperate to turn things around this week. As a home underdog, I have to take them.

3. BAYLOR (+28) vs. Texas

Texas is coming off a big win over the Sooners. They are due for a bit of a letdown, enough that Baylor keeps this closer than four touchdowns. Baylor started off 2-0 in the Big Twelve, which just doesn't happen. The Bears are the tomato can they used to be, and are one of the best kept secrets in the old southwest.

NFL

1. BENGALS (-5.5) at Tampa Bay

The Bengals are coming off a week of rest, while the Bucs are still winless. I see Rudi Johnson running it down Tampa's throat, with Palmer finishing off the drives with touchdowns. Meanwhile, the Tampa rookie quarterback will throw a couple of picks to the opportunistic Cinci defense.

2. CAROLINA (+3) at Baltimore

The Panthers are a traditionally good underdog to play. Baltimore will be playing on a short week. Monday night may linger a little too long with them. The Panthers need this win and don't have far to travel for this road game.

3. CHICAGO (-10.5) at Arizona

The Bears are just whacking everybody these days. Their defense against a rookie quarterback is bad enough, but it looks like Fitzgerald won't be in the lineup, either. Edgerrin is lobbying for more carries, but with the Chicago defense coming to town, it might not be the right week to institute that policy. I don't know how they are doing it, but that Bears offense looks unstoppable this year. Certainly, the Cardinals defense won't but shutting them down.

4. ATLANTA (-3) over NY Giants

The Falcons are at home and coming off a bye. This is a tossup game on a neutral field, but those are the two factors leading me to make this pick. Eli Manning will have to deal with a ferocious Falcons pass rush all day, which should slow down the Giants offense somewhat. The big question is whether the Falcons running game can ram it down the Giants' collective throat. New York's defense had trouble early this season, but that was mostly against the pass. They looked good last week; but once again, that was against the Redskins.