LAS VEGAS – Well, the Blackjack tables haven’t really gotten any kinder yet despite heroic – or perhaps desperate – efforts that lasted until 3:30 a.m. Las Vegas time.

Despite the late night my brother and I did manage to hit the Golden Nugget’s Sports Book before kickoff of the early games this afternoon in an effort to get some money on something besides 21.

We ended up with a collection of picks that included betting against our alma mater and a couple that, frankly, didn’t look all that great as halftime approached. Our selections were as follows:

Miami (Ohio) vs Michigan — (over 40)

Michigan over Miami (Ohio) — (-14.5)

Bowling Green over Minnesota — (-5.0)

Bowling Green vs Minnesota — (over 56)

Oregon State over Penn State — (+15.0)

West Virginia over East Carolina — (-7.5)

The Bowling Green picks are based on a lack of confidence A) in the Gophers’ defense, which is faster this year than it was last year when I could have raced most of the linebackers for 100 yards, but is still young. Many of the guys will be playing on the road for the first time in a Big Ten game, albeit non-conference.

Sadly, the West Virginia pick was based on Blackjack table talk with a group of West Virginians. Throughout our time at the table together they made fun of the stereotypes people have against their state – and yes, these folks all had all of their teeth and appeared literate. But when I asked how West Virginia’s football team was going to do this year they all got very serious in suggesting that the team is for real. I hope they are correct.