Day one of the vacation was pretty successful. Got some cleaning done, some laundry, and a little shopping, too. Not as much as I had hoped, but it feels a little better. Just the thought of not having to work until Friday is a great feeling, too!

And, since I probably won’t have much access to my computer (or my liver) in the next 3 or 4 days, let me just say that when I return to society, will everyone PLEASE have let the silly Monday Night Football skit thing go? Okay, so showing the top of some middle-aged ho’s ass might be crossing a bit of a line, and it wasn’t really all that necessary for the success of either show it was trying to promote, but to the people playing the race card? And comparing it to the Kobe Bryant… um… *cough* “situation”… would you please get a life already? Seriously. It was done in poor taste, maybe even worse judgement, but its not going to set the equal rights movement back 40 years. Let’s move on.

Predictions for the rivalry weekend:

Michigan 31, Ohio State 16
Bowling Green 52, Toledo 34

Of course, the tone of each of these game will be set early, and if it becomes defensive in the Michigan-Ohio State game, the Buckeyes could easily pull out some big plays and win a 17-14 type game. If their defense doesn’t show up (which if it doesn’t show up, there are deeper questions to ask, the Michigan game being the event in your football life you make sure you’re 180% ready for), Michigan could burn them early and often. Actually, with the way this series goes, Michigan very well may burn them early and often, but 3 quarters of domination and a comfortable lead heading to the fourth always turns into a touchdown, a field goal, and suddenly the trailing team is driving again, threatening to pull within 1 or 2. Last year is a perfect example, Michigan was one holding call away from opening up a four score (and seven years ago, of course) lead early in the third quarter, but then suddenly in the fourth, its 28-21 and OSU has the ball on the move. If Michigan’s freshmen aren’t overwhelmed by the atmosphere, the Maize and Blue will be fine. If they get off track and down a score or two, it could be a long day for the Wolverines.

I’m not quite as worried about the Bowling Green game on Tuesday. Toledo, while playing this one at home, and playing very well of late, have been a mess at times. BG’s offense proved last week against Marshall that they’re not to be messed with. Unfortunately, BG has shown in the past that if they get down, they occasionally try to switch things up to an offense that doesn’t resemble their normal set at all, and the results are disastrous, at least until late when the game is almost out of hand. I still think they’ll be ready, and despite a tight halftime score, will have no problem opening it up in the second half.

Now, onto the pros, if Cliff Notes form:

Pittsburgh, Indy, Carolina, Buffalo, Baltimore, Tampa Bay, New Orleans, Minnesota, Jacksonville, Cleveland, Seattle, San Diego, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Houston, New England

Back in a few days.