9. How do you spell BCS? 10. At what point of the game is the opening kickoff held? The picks Miami at New England (-22) - Welcome back, Bill Parcells. He’s decided to make the Dolphins his fifth NFL team. More importantly, it puts a halt to his third go-round with television. Only William Shatner (”Star Trek,” “T.J. Hooker,” and “Boston Legal”) has enjoyed similar success with three TV flings. The only thing is, Shatner has had costars such as Heather Locklear, Candice Bergen, and Tara Summers.

Advantage, Shatner. Pick: Patriots. Dallas (-10 1/2) at Carolina - First Carrie Underwood, now Jessica Simpson? Tony Romo’s taste in music is suspect. What else is on his iPod? Tiny Tim’s “Tiptoe Through the Tulips”? Alfalfa singing “I’m the Barber of Seville”? What? It’s not their singing talents that attracted Romo to Underwood and Simpson? What was it, their knitting talents? Pick: Cowboys.

Kansas City at Detroit (-4 1/2) - Losers of six in a row, the Lions are reeling, but don’t blame the players. “This is on me,” said coach Rod Marinelli. “I’m the teacher and when a student fails, the blame is on the teacher.” Wow. That’s not what Mr. Barnes told me in math class my junior year of high school. Pick: Lions. New York Jets at Tennessee (-8 1/2) - He doesn’t get much playing time, but if rookie wide receiver Biren Ealy has a problem with time management, the solution is simple.

Give him an “r” and he could be Early. Pick: Jets. Baltimore at Seattle (no line) - Refusing to go past clich No. 1c, Ravens coach Brian Billick insists he’ll go with the players who “give us the best chance to win the game.” That’s fine, except I don’t think any of the Patriots, Colts, Cowboys, or Packers can play for the Ravens. Pick: Seahawks.