Bob Wojnowski: Pigskin Picks

Goliaths drool as Central Michigan rules

Hey, it was fun for a while. Michigan was winning in all sorts of funky ways, and then Michigan State was winning in all sorts of tedious ways, and then Big Ten title hopes started swirling in heads, even without the use of known hallucinogens.

And then? Then, for reasons that remain unclear, Michigan decided to treat opposing receivers as if they were carrying the pig flu, not the pigskin. Then, Michigan State arrogantly refused to participate in the closing seconds of another game, securing the title as the nation's finest 59-minute team (trophy to be presented with two seconds left in the next home game).

And now here we sit with Michigan (5-3) and Michigan State (4-4) reduced to spoilers, out of the Big Ten race.

I can't even get all shrieky about the Wolverines' trip this weekend to face the Illini, although Rich Rodriguez needs to alter his strategy with NCAA investigators. Sorry, but playing like a team that uses very little practice time is not the way to go.

I'd also be happy to tout the Spartans' visit to the Gophers, but no, they had to lose to the Hawkeyes on the final play, which caused our Iowa friends to send me dozens of colorful and helpful e-mails. Some suggested creative places I should put my head, but frankly, it sounded way too physically challenging.

I won't bore you with more details, but I'm here to admit I was wrong about Iowa. Yep. I was. After careful consideration, I'm willing to say it's not the Worst 8-0 Team in Big Ten history. According to my computers, the Hawkeyes have been upgraded to the Luckiest 8-0 Team in Big Ten history. Keep it up kids, and you could become the Darn Scrappiest 9-0 Team in Big Ten history!

Fire up!

Near as I can tell, the only things the Wolverines and Spartans have left to play for are:

• Pride and love of the game;

• The attention of doe-eyed cheerleaders; and

• Avoiding the Little Caesars Pizza Pizza Crazy Bread Crazy Bread Bowl.

Nothing against the Ford Field classic, but it is, technically, a reward for the Big Ten's seventh-place team. So with the locals' demise, I'll do something I should have done long ago: Focus on the real power in the state, 7-1 Central Michigan!

Butch Jones' Chippewas have won seven straight since diligently playing to the last second and stunning the Spartans. I guarantee, the folks at Boston College have no idea what's coming Saturday, when Central Michigan visits with super-versatile quarterback Dan LeFevour, who runs, throws and hands out juice boxes at halftime. (Question from Boston types: "Who is Lah-Feevuh?")

This is the underlying theme of college football this season: The Rise of the Little Guys. As a lifelong Big Guy, I used to tear rib cartilage laughing at the notion of the pipsqueaks competing with the best. But if you inspect the BCS top 10 these days, you see Boise State, TCU, Cincinnati, and my goodness, even Iowa. Why not Central Michigan?!

The Little Guys are all the rage, to the point where the NCAA needs to step in and do something about it. Sure, programs like Florida, Alabama and Texas have slight advantages with gigantic stadiums and chubby boosters with over-stuffed pockets. But the smaller programs possess one enormous edge -- Being Underestimated.

It's not fair these programs are allowed to flourish unburdened by immense pressure and whacked-out, unrealistic fans. I mean, if Michigan were to lose to 1-6 Illinois, or Michigan State were to lose to 4-4 Minnesota, it'd be the worst loss EVER, or at least since last week.

Meanwhile, Central Michigan will go have fun at Boston College. Central's only loss was 19-6 at Arizona, and if Central wins Saturday, it should be in the Top 25 for the first time ever. Heck, I bet Central could beat Iowa by four touchdowns! (My new e-mail address is keepgettinglucky@bug-off.com).

The Picks ...

• Central Michigan 26-23.

• Michigan 31-27.

• Michigan State 19-17.

Wojo's picks

• Indiana at Iowa: Thanks to their vaunted field-goal kicking, the Hawkeyes have outscored opponents by an astounding average of .0004 points. I know I sometimes don't show it, but I am impressed. Iowa 6-5

• Georgia vs. Florida: The Gators keep squeaking by, boosted by the amiable assistance of SEC officials. I'm not saying the conference has made piles of questionable calls in Florida's favor. I'm just saying when refs signal a first down, they do it with a Gator Chomp. Florida 28-17

Stunner of the Week

• USC at Oregon: The Trojans got their annual Pac-10 pratfall out of the way and again are positioned to be the Greatest One-Loss Team in College Football History. But hold on, the Duckies are back up on their little webbed feet. Oregon 30-20

bob.wojnowski@detnews.com