Don't Be Mad Dallas: Comet Corner Picks Against Buckeyes

Filling out an NCAA bracket is not for the faint of heart. Winning one is next to impossible. I figure my odds this year are about the same as Charlie Sheen making it through the Gettysburg Address without comparing Abraham Lincoln to a warlock.

For those of you who enjoy wagering a dollar or two just remember that these selections are for entertainment purposes only. I usually send them along to my friends in Las Vegas so they can have a good laugh for the day.

Our top-seeded Ohio State Buckeyes () somehow have one of the toughest roads to the Final Four. OSU must get by teams such as Kentucky, Syracuse and North Carolina just to have a shot at the title. Kansas has a much easier road while Duke and Pittsburgh will have to avoid upsets.

Speaking of upsets, I usually go with at least one longshot to make the Final Four. Not this year, my friends. Picking longshots in an NCAA bracket can be hazardous to your health unless you’re picking them in the first round of action.

In the East Region, I have Ohio State beating George Mason in the second round and then squeaking past Kentucky in the Regional Semifinals. The Buckeyes will then face Syracuse (The Orangemen will upset North Carolina) in the Regional Final to advance to the Final Four. Kentucky will beat West Virginia, Syracuse will beat Xavier and North Carolina will get past Washington in other games.

In the West, Duke will take down Michigan, Texas will edge Arizona, Connecticut will topple Cincinnati and San Diego State will sideline upset-minded Penn State. Duke then tames Texas and San Diego State eliminates an exhausted Connecticut team.  San Diego State will then delight millions of Duke haters by stunning the Blue Devils and advancing to Houston for the Final Four.

In the Southwest, I have Kansas breezing to the Final Four after beating Boston U, UNLV, Louisville and Notre Dame. Louisville will beat Vanderbilt in the third round while Purdue will pound Goergetown and Notre Dame will get past Texas A&M before toppling Purdue in the Sweet Sixteen.

On to the Southeast, where Pittsburgh will take down Old Dominion,  Kansas State and BYU to get to the promised land. BYU will edge St. Johns and UCLA to make it to the regional final contest.

The Southeast is ripe for first-round upsets – Old Dominion will beat Butler and Utah State has a shot at Kansas State. The most overrated team in the field is fourth-seeded Wisconsin, which will be shocked by a high-scoring, 13th -seeded Belmont team in the opening round of play.  And I like UCLA to make a run by knocking off Michigan State and Florida.

And now the moment all of you have been breathlessly awaiting. Ohio State will edge Syracuse in a shootout while Kansas will get past Pitt. While I have been an Ohio State fan for decades, I have to go with Kansas to win the Big One over the Buckeyes.

But don’t tell Lauderdale. I don’t want anyone that big mad at me.

That’s right, Kansas fans, you have now been officially jinxed.

Of course, knowing too much usually hurts you when it comes to the brackets. Picking teams by which colors they wear or which of their mascots seem more attractive usually works just as well as comparing RPI ratings and listening to Dick Vitale on your iPod.

Me? I’m just waiting on a call from Charlie Sheen. I like to go with the guys who are winning.