Quizzes and assumptions.

Q: Did you really pick Michigan to win the national championship?

A: Heavens no.

Picking is where you know which teams are playing.

Guessing is where you pick two names out of the phone book.

You never saw Michigan picked in this space.

In another segment of the paper, in a special sports magazine section or some such publication, we were asked to guess at a national title game and turned over that assignment to our neighbor, dear, sweet Betty, who had a Michigan connection; thus the guess. Please, no insults, she's sensitive.

Q: What is your opinion of media people who are paid by the schools they cover?

A: We think they are geniuses.

Q: Has there ever been a time when the OU bandwagon had so many passengers?

A: Somebody said it was this heavy right before the USC game.

Q: Can you think of a single reason why OSU coach Gundy is reluctant to change quarterbacks? The natives are restless.

A: Possibly because by changing quarterbacks so soon, the coach would be admitting a mistake. And there's only one native who matters, Boone Pickens.

Q: Did you hear about the shots OU's Dean Blevins took at you?

A: Since Dean-O quit announcing those outback-type college games with the woman who wouldn't quit talking, we haven't followed his career all that closely.

We hear that one of his favorite teams is in fact the Sooners and that he has numerous inside stories about them.

Q: Who exactly does the Picks anyway?

A: Many bits are the consensus of thoughts of respected people from around the world. They are done anonymously so that others more deserving can bask in glory from adoring readers.

Q: What is your favorite part of sports talk radio?

A: Oh, probably the repetitiveness. It can be relaxing, knowing what's coming next.

Q: Are you serious?

A: Sometimes, sure.

The Picks

FRIDAY

Oklahoma State (-10) at Troy: Could the lack of quarterback controversy lead to a coaching controversy?

Cowboys muscle into high school time here.

Troy can light it up on offense, but couldn't put out a sparkler -- plays defense like Helen of Troy.

Anybody notice that mighty Georgia didn't score a touchdown against Spurrier?

O-State by 8.

SATURDAY

Whotah State at OU (-47): Having hit this year's first Lock of the Millennium, which was the decade's third Lock of the Millenium, with the OU to rout Miami pick, we are considering this year's second Lock of the Millenium, Texas plus some points in the OU game.

So many people are on the OU bandwagon that there's not enough air, and people are a bit light-headed with bliss.

Bad news, Texas can run and play.

Were TCU and Miami to suit up and compete, we'd take TCU; and TCU couldn't get back to the line of scrimmage versus Tex.

Granted, quarterback McCoy appears somewhat wobbly.

But the OU-Texas game is anybody's.

Never heard of Whotah State, sorry.

OU by 45.

BYU (-7) at TU: This one is teed up in the rough for TU from an emotional perspective -- BYU drags itself in after close call in Loopyland versus UCLA.

BYU has gone legit, stressing cougar-like defenders over offense.

Must have a full house for this excellent game or the city will get a demerit.

Upset, TU by 2.

Arkansas at Alabama (-3-1/2): It's not true that nobody likes Saban.

Those who wager on him where wagering is legal love the man.

Eleven-man line could give Ark pass game pause.

McFadden leads Heisman after two.

Tide cleans Hogs.

Ark by 6.

Tennessee at Florida (-8): Fulmer glad there's a used Carr around.

Florida by 6.

Notre Dame at Michigan (-9): New England quarterback Brady is even better than anybody imagined.

Why?

The Notre Dame man used to coach him!

Michigan by 1.

Ohio State (-3-1/2) at Washington: Wash coach was fired from Notre Dame. Now his exit could be considered something like the sequel to the shock movie "Escape from New York."

Washington by 4.

Louisville (-6) at Kentucky: Team that dribbles most here loses.

Louisville by 10.

USC (-10) at Nebraska: Expect numerous powers like USC, LSU, to have one loss.

Looks too easy: USC by 13.

BC at Georgia Tech (-7): Tech beat Notre Dame something like 50-0.

How weak.

BC by 3.

Pros

SUNDAY

Indy (-7) at Tennessee: Manning is in more commercials than a politician.

Indy by 4.

Houston at Carolina (-6-1/2): Hard to tell much about Houston, coming off KC walk-over.

Carolina by 7.

Dallas (-3) at Miami: Why not make Roy Williams a linebacker?

Seriously. He can run. He can hit. He's fearless. He just can't cover a small hill of beans.

Miami by 2.

KC at Chicago (-12-1/2): Rugby.

Chicago by 14.

San Diego at New England (-4-1/2): Sunday night has replaced Monday night as the place to be for the NFL's best. NE coach probably has cut the loose threads of his sweats for home opener.

NE by 3.

Monday

Washington at the Eagles (-6-1/2): Read a book, listen out of the corner of an ear for sporadic excitement.

Eagles by 7.

world.picker@tulsaworld.com