I took the family to Toledo on Friday night to watch Boise State pick apart a solid Rockets team that nearly beat Ohio State. It was the first time I’ve been to the famous Glass Bowl, and I was expecting a giant Cinderella slipper or something. Nice stadium, but just a lot of bricks.

The experts insisted scoring would be down in the NFL in Week 1 because the offensive lines were out of shape, players were learning new systems, and the league was introducing a new football with no air. The experts were wrong. I did some quick math (always dangerous) and discovered that 16 opening-week games netted a total of 742 points, an average of 46.4 per game. Last year, Week 1 totaled 585 points, or 36.6 per game.

What does that mean? It means that sports are as predictable as a politician’s past. It means that if you took the “over” you won 12 of 16 bets last week. It also means that the over-under numbers likely will be inflated today, which means you should take the under.

But always consider the matchups, weather conditions and the quarterbacks’ horoscopes. Just don’t overthink anything before you call your bookie.

Juan Francisco might be the Reds’ answer at third base. The 240-pounder looks like a young David Ortiz at the plate (he gets his money’s worth), and his defense looks solid.

So, what do you do with Yonder Alonso the next two years (until Joey Votto leaves)? Maybe the NL will add the DH.

The Big Ten is healthier when Penn State is strong. Unfortunately, no big-time college football program has less momentum than the Nittany Lions. A 14-10 win over Temple won’t cut it.

This season has got to be it for Joe Paterno, right?

Michigan’s football players get to keep the cool “legacy” jerseys they wore in their amazing victory over Notre Dame last week. When asked about the possibility of making a quick buck by selling the keepsakes, Wolverines captain Ryan Van Bergen took a jab at That Team Down South.

“I think some school has probably made that a point that you’re not supposed to do that,” Van Bergen told The AP. Good to see the Michigan-Ohio State rivalry gaining some steam again.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2163 or bkollars@DaytonDailyNews.com.