Is it really that time of year again? Yes! It is time for the annual showdown in Dallas.

But that also means it will be the hardest week of my life.

My wife and I will continue about our daily lives and will still be happily married regardless of the outcome. But my wife has one flaw: She is an Oklahoma Sooner fan. While I love her, this week is commonly referred to as hell week.

The tension will build as Saturday approaches, and we will be trash talking all the way until kickoff. But at kickoff, one thing will happen: We will cease to talk or show any affection until the end of the game.

Monday will be the best day of the week. We won't throw out any insults today—we will talk, but you already know the tension is in the air.

Tuesday will be the beginning of the fight. We will insult each other's teams and sing fight songs as loud as possible toward each other until bed.

Wednesday is commonly referred to as wicked Wednesday. This is just the start of the worst. The usual pranks are pulled and more personal insults are thrown.

Thursday hits, and "It" hits the fan. Usually an all-out screaming match happens and we end up sleeping in separate rooms until the end of the game.

Friday is when we can act civil and go out to the usual pregame stuff that happens in downtown before the game, sometimes getting weird looks as we walk hand in hand down the street in clashing colors.

Saturday is here, and it's game day. We go about our pregame rituals until kickoff. She sits at one end of the couch, I at the other. While the game is going one, we rarely talk or even glance at each other.

We both know that regardless of who wins, our marriage will be a happy one starting on Sunday. Today though, we just try to avoid a big fight and enjoy watching Texas win!

While it is just a football game and there are more important things in life, we both take our teams very seriously. While we both take enjoyment in watching each other's teams lose, we always hold on to the hope that our team will win this game and shut the other one up for a year.

For the other guys out there who live in a similar arrangement to what I do: Take solace in knowing that it is only one week you have to put up with the torture of being married to a rival—and take perverse enjoyment of rubbing it in when your team wins.

The early lines are already posted, and I figured I would get them out to everyone as some people's sources are quicker than others, so maybe it's an opportunity to comparison shop.

I have to say I'm a little surprised that Florida has opened as a four-point favorite against LSU. While I haven't had a chance to do the homework, I thought since Florida's offense seems to get more one-dimensional by the week that this game might be headed for a field goal or less, but I guess the Gates get some love for that whole night game in the Swamp thing.

The line in the Red River Shootout is where I would have called it without even looking at the numbers inside the numbers as Oklahoma is favored over Texas by seven with reduced juice at -105. It will be interesting to see how much and if this line moves at all as it's a real early start, so all of the action will be early as well.

Wake is a three-point favorite over visiting Clemson for Thursday night's tilt. While my picking for these Thursday night games hasn't been the best, the level of games has been real nice this year. While I've been much better on other weekdays, I'm going to hope that I can do better on Thursday as well.

Michigan State is favored by three for their visit to undefeated Northwestern. I was at the game in Evanston the last time Sparty came to Chi-Town, and it was one for the ages and the biggest comeback in the history of college football. Something tells me the record is safe for this game.

See the rest of the opening lines at The College Football Place

                                                   BABY'S LOSERS 10/11/08

1) LSU @ FLORIDA

Let's put all the talk aside here. This is a battle between the past two national champions. In the best game of the year, Baby's Loser in Overtime, LSU.

2) PENN STATE @ WISCONSIN

Last week we all watched the giant hulks that stalk Camp Randall. If the Badgers control the line they will win. Baby's Loser, Wisconsin.

3) ARIZONA STATE @ SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

Prior to the season this game would settle the PAC10. Now it is two teams with one conference loss. Baby's Loser, Ariz. St.

4) TENNESSEE @ GEORGIA

The word around town is that Fulmer knows how to handle Richt. Are the Bulldogs tough enough to rebound and win one? Baby's Loser, Tennessee.

5) MINNESOTA @ ILLINOIS

Ol' Zook isn't ready to hand over that repeat trip to the Rose Bowl just yet. The 5-1 Golden Gophers play 'em tough. Baby's Loser, Minnesota.

6) SOUTH CAROLINA @ KENTUCKY

The old ball coach heads up to bluegrass-land to take on the surprising Wildcats who nearly took out Alabama. Baby's Loser, Kentucky.

7) NEBRASKA @ TEXAS TECH

What will it be Cornhuskers? Lay down and quit, or stand up like the great teams of 1962-2001? Leach's marauders await. Baby's Loser, Nebraska. 

                                          GAME OF THE WEEK

8)OKLAHOMA VS. TEXAS @ THE COTTON BOWL

Red River rivalry! State Fair game! Border War! Plenty of adjectives to describe this great and intense rivalry over the years.

I like to pull the leg of the Texas fans in my articles but they know I respect the Longhorns. What they may not realize is that I've been a longtime fan of the burnt Orange, long before most of them were a twinkle in their Daddy's eye.

I had Oklahoma No. 2 in my preseason poll, and simply moved them up to No. 1 when Sou Cal collapsed at Oregon State. 

Both have great players, excellent coaching, intense defenses and either could win the national championship this season. Colt McCoy is a sensational quarterback but, I give a slight edge to Sam Bradford in this clash of titans. Baby's Loser, in a close one, Texas.

RACE FOR THE TITLE

RANK/NAME              LAST WEEK/MISSED                            FOR THE YEAR/PCT.

1. 12                           7-1, THE AIR FORCE                                               39-9, 81%

2.TIMOTHY                6-2, THE AIR FORCE, WISCONSIN                      38-10, 79%

    TIM                         6-2, THE AIR FORCE, MIAMI                                 19-6,  76%

    JAMES                    6-2, THE AIR FORCE, AUBURN                                6-2,  75%

    KENNETH               6-2, THE AIR FORCE, AUBURN                               23-9, 72%

Roy went 6-2 also while Sebastian came in at 5-3 along with Robert. Michael went 4-4 while MiamiMitch went 3-5 while trying to deal with Lisa on her one on picks. Congratulations to Mitch for stepping up to the plate. Baby Tate went 6-2, missing The Air Force and Auburn to go 35-13 for the year, for 73 percent. Thanks to everyone who played and hope you'll find the time to make the picks this week as well.

Everyone is welcome to play. Take your shot by leaving a comment.

Viva la chump!  Back by popular demand, here are the individuals in college football that wish this weekend’s performances would just go away.  Let this be “tackling fuel” for each going forward:

College Football’s Week Six “All-Chump” Team

Starter:

Tom Brandstater (Fresno State)

12 for 24, 204 yards, 3 INT, lost fumble in a 32-29 OT loss to Hawaii

This weekend, Brandstater and the Bulldogs were like Sen. Larry Craig, caught with their pants down.

Backup:           

Curtis Painter (Purdue)

13 for 22, 112 yards, 1 INT in a 20-6 loss to Penn State

Once again, Painter struggled against the Nittany Lions.  This performance was like Clay Aiken’s recent news: nothing new and nothing we didn’t know already.

Starter:

Maryland’s Running Game

21 carries for 79 yards in a 31-0 loss to Virginia

Virginia’s rush defense was ranked 93rd in the country entering the weekend.  In a game where they were expected to be the hare, Maryland was instead just…well…the turtle.

Starter:

Jaison Williams (Oregon)

4 catches for 31 yards in a 44-10 loss to USC

Considered a top receiver in the country according to many, more was expected from Williams in this game, and more was needed.  Instead, all night long, he was covered by a Trojan.  Uhh, you know what I mean…

Starter:

Tennessee O-Line

Allowed Northern Illinois defense to limit the run game to 2.2 yards per carry in a 13-9 win.

It isn’t just the offensive line, but more the offense as a whole for the Vols.  Before this weekend, Northern Illinois faced two directional schools, Minnesota, and Indiana State.  After this weekend, NIU’s defensive numbers improved after facing the Vols.  Yikes.

Even Al Davis is trying to find a way to fire Coach Fulmer.

Starter:

Michigan D-Line (and defense as a whole)

Allowing Illinois to pile up over 500 total yards and 45 points, at Michigan Stadium.

Juice Williams and his 431 total yards is a new Michigan Stadium record. Until further notice, Michigan’s new team rallying cry is “Go Boo”.

Starter:

Kentucky Rush Defense

Gave up 282 yards on the ground (including 218 to Glenn Coffee) in a 17-14 loss to Alabama

Give the ‘Cats credit for a great effort to upset ‘Bama, but after allowing a 200-yard game to Coffee, it’s safe to say that Kentucky’s coaching staff will stick to decaf this week.

Starter:

Kansas State Wildcats

Allowed 454 yards passing and 6 TD’s to Texas Tech QB Graham Harrell in a 58-28 loss

While Texas Tech’s offense is potent, it’s fair to assume that a secondary filled with Gary Coleman clones would have fared better against the Red Raiders passing game.

Starter:

Chris Summers – Purdue

0-2 FG’s plus a missed extra point in a 20-6 loss to Penn State

It’s safe to say that it’s Fall in West Lafayette, and “Summers” is over.

With that being said, the sun is setting on another week in college football. 

Until next time, do your best to avoid being a chump.

The Unusual Suspects

Think back to the preseason. What would you have said to me if I told you that, at around the halfway point, we would see Vanderbilt at 5-0 and atop the SEC East race, Arizona as the leader of the Pac-10, Northwestern at 5-0, Minnesota at 5-1, and Oklahoma State at 5-0 in a four-way tie in the Big 12 South? How about Duke, Baylor, Stanford, and Ole Miss not in last place in their respective conferences?

What’s Up With Maryland?

The Terps lose to Middle Tennessee State. They beat ranked Cal and ranked Clemson. Then they get shut out by a 2-3 Virginia team who just last week was beat 31-3 by Duke. They could probably contend if they found any consistency.

The Sorry State of Washington

Between the two schools, they have one win, and it was over FCS team Portland State. In their last games, they lost by a combined score of 67-17. The two have given up over 40 points seven times in 11 games so far this season.

Washington is in danger of losing its coach, as the rumors have been flying for a while now. Washington State is in year one of a new coach, but if things don’t at least start looking better soon, I hope he doesn’t get too comfortable.

NON-BCS 5-for-5

Ball State, Tulsa, Boise State, Utah, and BYU are the five undefeated teams in the conferences outside of the BCS. All five played this past weekend, and all five are still perfect.

Only BYU and Utah still face each other, so at least one of them will fall eventually. Remember, only one non-BCS school can get an automatic berth in a BCS bowl, but that doesn’t mean the others couldn’t be among those that make up the at-large teams.

Wanted: Kicker for Fresno State

Forget the BCS now, Fresno. You can probably forget the conference championship, too. But what I want to know is what’s up with the kicking game?

At the end of regulation, Fresno State had the chance to win it with less than a minute, and the kick was blocked. In overtime, the kick attempt went wide to the left. But wait, there was a penalty, and the Bulldogs got another try. Kick is up. Wide right? Seriously?

Oh, by the way, even if you struggle a little this year, keep an eye on your coach or you may lose him to a bigger school.

Arizona Flip-Flop

The season started with Arizona State ranked and Arizona with a coach on the hot seat. Now at near-midseason, Arizona is on top of the Pac-10 race and Arizona State has three losses and is heading to USC this week for a probable fourth.

While it may be a bad time to be a Sun Devil, the Wildcat Bandwagon is starting to get full. Don’t forget you get to hang with the Hoff on that wagon.

OK, Now I Believe the Terrelle Pryor Hype

I said I wanted more proof than beating Troy. Minnesota was a nice home win, but I was still wondering, given what little Minnesota did last season and little competition they have had so far this season. Going to Wisconsin and getting the win is all I needed to sell me on this kid.

Vanderbilt Hype, Too

I asked Vandy to prove it, too. I said I would give the Commodores the benefit of the doubt for now, but I wanted to see them beat Auburn. They did. Not by a lot and not in very pretty fashion, but they won. Now Vanderbilt is 5-0 and leading the SEC East.

Shut Up and Play the Game

How many players and coaches and whoever have been caught up and started talking about how they can do this or that, only to be shown up and wrong. Not just wrong, but badly wrong.

Saying how you hate another school (Stanford’s Marinelli), how you can shut out a top five program (Nebraska coach Bo Pelini) or upset the No. 1 team (Baylor’s Smith) isn't too smart. Play the game, get it done, stop putting your foot in your mouth.

You Can’t Punt on North Carolina

Or at least it seems that way. Not when Bruce Carter is on the field. Carter blocked three punts in a row against Connecticut. And that was just the last game.

In the game against Miami, he also blocked one. In his last punt block against UConn, teammate Matt Merletti was able to recover the ball for a touchdown.

Every October, thousands flock from all over Texas and Oklahoma to the Texas State Fair to see what is arguably the best rivalry in football. 

I hear Michigan and Ohio State; USC and UCLA; Florida and Florida State, and many other games that are about way more than just football.  But for the last 10 years, this is the only game that has had National Championship dreams tied to it every season.

This rivalry goes way beyond the Cotton Bowl in Dallas.  Its about not just two schools, but two states that hate each other.  Even before Oklahoma was admitted into the union and state lines were drawn at the Red River back in 1907, the Horns and Sooners were getting it on.

The first game was played in Austin in 1900, the series wasn't moved to it neutral site in Dallas until 1912, mainly for the purpose of recruiting high school players in the area. 

Since moving to Dallas the rivalry has began to get "testy" to say the least.  I don't think there is a team hated more in the state of Texas than Oklahoma.  And when I say hate, i mean hate.  And I think the same is safe to say up north about Texas.  And not just the Longhorns, but the whole state!

Since Bob Stoops took over in Norman, the game has became a little more intense.  Oklahoma has seemed to reap the benefits of big-game chokers like Chris Simms and the few years that OU has been down the Horns have kicked 'em to say the least.

I think this season is the first that there has been no real favorite.  Both teams are undefeated, which is no surprise and not unusual.

Both quarterbacks are playing out of their minds. Sam Bradford has thrown for 18 touchdowns and only 30 incompletions, Colt McCoy 16 touchdowns with only 27 incompletions. 

Both defenses are stacked, though Texas is a bit young and both offenses have been scoring in their sleep. Something's gotta give.

I look for this one to be another classic.  Like Stoney Clark stopping James Allen at the goal line, or Roy Williams high jumping the entire UT offensive line to force a fumble in the end-zone.  Whatever happens one thing will always remain true, I hate Oklahoma. 

I had to say it, its my duty as a Texan.

Here is Jimson's Top 25 Standings AFTER Week 6:

1. Missouri Tigers (5-0) LW: 1

2. Oklahoma Sooners (5-0) LW: 2

3. Texas Longhorns (5-0) LW: 5

4. Texas Tech Red Raiders (5-0) LW: 6

5. Utah Utes (6-0) LW: 7

6. Alabama Crimson Tide (6-0) LW: 3

7. Penn State Nittany Lions (6-0) LW: 4

8. Kansas Jayhawks (4-1) LW: 10

9. LSU Tigers (4-0) LW: 8

10. BYU Cougars (5-0) LW: 11

11. USC Trojans (3-1) LW: 14

12. Ohio State Buckeyes (4-1) LW: 15

13. Boise State Broncos (4-0) LW: 16

14. Vanderbilt Commodores (5-0) LW: 17

15. Georgia Bulldogs (4-1) LW: 13

16. Northwestern Wildcats (5-0) LW: 20

17. California Golden Bears (4-1) LW: NR

18. Michigan State Spartans (5-1) LW: NR

19. Notre Dame Fighting Irish (4-1) LW: 21

20. South Florida Bulls (5-1) LW: 9

21. Connecticut Huskies (5-1) LW: 12

22. Tulsa Golden Hurricane (5-0) LW: 23

23. Ball State Cardinals (6-0) LW: 24

24. Florida Gators (4-1) LW: NR

25. TCU Horned Frogs (5-1) LW: NR