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You Bet Your Ass normally runs on Thursdays but there was just so much going on yesterday that I decided to push it back to today. I know you were up all night worried sick that something had happened to YBYA.
"WHAT IF YBYA WAS KIDNAPPED OR MURDERED?'
Don't worry, it wasn't. It's fine. Though Cassidy is basically still murdering the rest of us, at least Birkhead has gotten his shit together the last few weeks to dig himself almost entirely out of a huge hole. As for myself, I find it extremely annoying that I'm in first place for The Champaign Room Pick Em group yet I'm barely treading water here.
If only I was as good as picking Big Ten games as I am Top 25 games.
Anyway, if you're new to YBYA and aren't sure how the competition works, it's not all that hard.
Each participant will bet on every Big Ten game being played that weekend, and they can bet either the point spread or the over/under.
The participant will assign an amount to their bet, which can be either $25, $50 or $100. Each participant is allowed only one $100 bet per week. Everybody starts with a $0 balance, and balances can be negative.
Let's get to this week's picks. We have a whole five games to choose from.
Nebraska (-10.5) vs. Illinois, Over/Under: 60
Fornelli: $25 on Nebraska -10.5
Primiano: $50 on Over 60
Birkhead: $25 on Over 60
Cassidy: $50 on Illinois +10.5
From Birkhead: Points on points on points.
From Fornelli: I'm hoping I'm wrong.
Indiana vs. Penn State (-4), Over/Under: 62
Fornelli: $25 on Penn State -4
Primiano: $50 on Penn State -4
Birkhead: $25 on Penn State -4
Cassidy: $25 on Penn State -4
From Primiano: Indiana just doesn't have the defense to hang with actual teams. Maybe next year, but not yet.
Iowa (-1.5) vs. Michigan State, Over/Under 42:
Fornelli: $50 on Under 42
Primiano: $25 on Iowa -1.5
Birkhead: $100 on Michigan State +1.5
Cassidy: $100 on Over 42
From Birkhead: I mean beating Minnesota, Iowa State and Missouri State is nice, but there is no way in hell Iowa should be favored in this contest. That Spartan defense is just too good.
From Fornelli: Last season these two teams combined for 585 yards of offense and 35 points...and they needed two overtimes to get there. Both of these offenses just play to the other defense's strength.
Michigan (-20) vs. Minnesota, Over/Under: 52
Fornelli: $25 on Michigan -20
Primiano: $25 on Over 52
Birkhead: $25 on Under 52
Cassidy: $25 on Minnesota
From Cassidy: Honestly, I don't think Minnesota is atrocious, and even more incredibly, I think they'll compete on Saturday.
Northwestern vs. Ohio State (-6), Over/Under: 60
Fornelli: $100 on Ohio State -6
Primiano: $50 on Ohio State -6
Birkhead: $50 on Ohio State -6
Cassidy: $25 on Northwestern +6
From Primiano: Remember what happened the last time Northwestern was the home team for Gameday? Hoping the Buckeyes go "Illini at Wrigley" on the Wildcats.
From Cassidy: Gameday. Most promising season in years. Fitzgerald is a golden calf. If this is going to be their year, then this has to be their game.
Money On The Line This Week
Fornelli: $225
Primiano: $200
Birkhead: $225
Cassidy: $225
Standings (Last Week)
1. Cassidy 31-19, $650 (3-1, $50)
2. Primiano 27-23, $200 (2-2, $100)
3. Fornelli 26-24, $100 (2-2, $0)
4. Birkhead 24-26, $150 (3-1, $75)
Follow The Champaign Room on Twitter at @Champaign_Room and Like us on Facebook. You can follow Tom Fornelli on Twitter at @TomFornelli.