BSD Big Ten Pick 'em Challenge/Tailgate Recipe of the Week/Thursday Night Open Thread - Week One

On your TV tonight:

North Carolina at South Carolina - 6 p.m. ET, ESPN/WatchESPN: Sakerlina looks to exorcise their opening night demons from last year against a rival at BofA Stadium

Florida International at UCF - 6 p.m. ET, CBS Sports Network: Isiah Thompson vs. mmmmmmmBortles (this is my way of telling you I know nothing about college football outside of the B1G)

Oklahoma State at Central Michigan - 7 p.m. ET, ESPNU/WatchESPN: Wait wait wait, hold up - at Central Michigan?! T. Boone couldn't get you out of this one, huh Cowboys?

A whole mess of FBS vs. FCS games - 7 p.m. & 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN3.com: Georgia Tech is the only ranked team on the Tres in this time slot. Paul Johnson isn't happy about it, but then again he's Paul Johnson.

Western Kentucky at Vanderbilt - 8 p.m. ET, SEC Network: lol you aren't THAT desperate to watch football

Michigan at Utah - 8:30 p.m. ET, Fox Sports 1: Khaki cam! (you sick of Harbaugh yet?)

#2 TCU at Minnesota - 9 p.m. ET, ESPN: Ya man is going full on B1G homer for this one, don't @ me

Ohio at Idaho - 9 p.m. ET, ESPN3.com: Just wanted to type "Kibbie Dome" here, thanks for reading

Duke at Tulane - 9:30 p.m. ET, CBS Sports Network: Definitely a football game

UTSA at #22 Arizona - 10 p.m. ET, Pac-12 Network: No I don't get this channel either, or at least I won't until Bucknell joins the Pac-12. Bucknell - Pennsylvania's Pac-12 team!

Colorado at Hawaii - 1 a.m. ET, CBS Sports Network:

Really if I didnt love football i would be asleep

— Mark May (@mark_may) January 25, 2010

This Week's Picks

I respect the hustle, Noel. Readers, you were tearing your hair out over Purdue-Marshall. The good news is that you still have time to pick a winner. Go here and break the tie for next week.

This Week's Tailgate Recipe - Grilled Caesar Salad

Sorry Galen, this is my weekly post now. Let me cook.

I'm starting off this feature with something light, because hell if every other recipe isn't going to be heavy on grease and fat. I'm not usually a big salad guy but I could eat this every day, and it's a quick and easy job at your tailgate. You'll need:

A grill (duh)

As many hearts of romaine lettuce as you wanna eat, usually one per person

Olive oil (to taste)

Kosher salt (to taste)

Chicken breast (optional)

Take a heart of romaine and slice it lengthwise. Leave the stalky part at the bottom for now. Drizzle some olive oil on the exposed center of the heart, then throw on a pinch or two of kosher salt. When your red Coleman grill is searing hot, place the lettuce on the grill flat-side down. Some oil and salt might drip off but most of it should have seeped into the little crevices of lettuce. That's what you're going for, anyways. If you have chicken, you should have been grilling it by now. Obviously.

Give the lettuce anywhere from 2-3 minutes on the grill, lifting every minute or two to make sure it hasn't burned. A little wilting and charring is cool, unless you ain't about that life. Your loss, I guess. When the majority of the colorless meat of the lettuce near the stalk is golden-to-dark brown, it's ready to eat. Cut away the stalk and cut the rest of the heart crosswise. Add the chicken (cut into strips/cubes) if you made it and serve with croutons, or parmesan, or nothing at all. The sweet and salty lettuce doesn't require dressing, or at least I've never needed it.

Enjoy the games and happy commenting. FOOTBALL BACK