Each weekend in 2008, I'm going to prove to you either that I'm a brilliant sports mind or that I'm a complete idiot.

I'm going to offer my weekend sports picks, as if I were going to actually play the ponies. Well, not horses. I mean games, preferably with balls, gloves and pucks. These picks will be against the spread only, just as if I were in Vegas.

No real money exchanges hands. I'm actually rather averse to sports betting, only because I know how volatile it can be.

Plus, I'm poor. So, go suck it.

This will be a weekly event, and I'll tabulate how I do for not only my complete embarrassment but also to reinforce why I should never gamble.

Game 1: San Diego at New England

I'd be an idiot if I told you that I guaranteed the Chargers would make it to the Super Bowl. However, I think San Diego is playing really well right now.

On the other hand, I have to balance it with the fact that the Chargers just happened to match up against the Colts really well.

Depending on where you look, the Pats are a 14 to 14.5-point favorite. To me, it's way too much. Yes, I know Norv Turner, one of the worst coaches in NFL history is coaching the Chargers. Yes, I know the Pats are 17-0.

However, the NFL is a play-'em close league, and I love San Diego's secondary. Give me San Diego to at least stay within 14.

Game 2: New York at Green Bay

The Giants and San Diego mirror each other in one way: Their defenses seem really hungry and capable. Good secondaries. Playmakers.

The idea that cold weather in Green Bay gives the Packers a big advantage, to me, is ridiculous. Most of those players aren't even from Wisconsin, and I actually think cold helps the defense.

I'd love to see Favre beat New England in a Super Bowl, but I honestly think it'll be youngblood Eli Manning versus Tom Brady in the Super Bowl. I think the Giants cover the 7.5 or 8 and win this sucker outright.

Game 3: Oklahoma State at Iowa State

The Pokes head to Ames to face probably the worst or second-worst Big 12 men's team. However, OSU is pretty bad as well, having missed 15 free throws in a loss to Baylor in Waco.

Not sure if super-frosh James Anderson will play, but with Iowa State a 1-point favorite, it won't matter, Hilton is one of the toughest places to play in the Big 12, and I love the Cyclones to win, hence cover.

Game 4: Texas Tech at Oklahoma

I'm not convinced Tech's a good team at all. OSU drubbed them in Stillwater last week by 19, and Bobby Knight did get his 900th win. However, the Sooners are without their super-frosh Blake Griffin, and Oklahoma's home crowd is possibly the worst in the country.

However, OU's a 7-point favorite in this game, 6.5 by one book. Give me the Red Raiders to cover but lose.

Game 5: Seattle at Dallas

In a matchup between one of my two favorite teams (the Mavs ... the other is the Clippers) and Oklahoma City's future team, I'm struck by how many times a lesser team has been able to hang with the Mavs in Dallas.

Dallas has lost a couple tough ones this week, including a 122-120 heartbreaker to Sacramento at Arco, and I think the little Mavs will press. Seattle is a 15-point dog, and I like them to cover.

So, I've picked four dogs and one itsy-bitsy, slight favorite in Iowa State. Again, no wagering allowed, and -- no -- I will not put my money where my mouth is.

However, feel free to laugh if I lose all five of these suckers.