The Big Ten Network aired its "Big Ten Football Tour" show about U-M on Friday night. Mixed in with the analysis was this comment from anchor Dave Revsine: "Talking to people around the Big Ten, that's the biggest question you get: 'How much better is Michigan going to be?' "

Often the hardest thing to say is "I don't know." Definitive opinions carry a street value. That's why it's refreshingly fair to find a celebrity athlete possessing the intellectual depth and discipline to keep asking questions and keep digging for information. Tigers centerfielder Curtis Granderson gets it.

Hey, what can you say about the Lions' big win Saturday over Atlanta? So far Jim Schwartz is keeping up with the pace Rod Marinelli set last year? Nah, as WXYT's Dan Miller and Jim Brandstatter reminded us in Saturday's broadcast from Ford Field, it's just an exhibition game.

Lions defensive end Cliff Avril, whose "Life of a Lion" journal entries chronicled his rookie season last year, has returned as a Free Press correspondent. Avril was among the few bright spots for the Lions last year. Used primarily as a pass rusher, he played in 15 games and started four, finishing with 23 tackles, five sacks and four forced fumbles.

Kicker Jason Hanson knew exactly what his 47-yard field goal attempt meant as he stepped onto the field with 3 seconds left. Everything. And nothing. Hanson nailed the kick as time expired to lift the Lions past Atlanta, 27-26, in the exhibition opener Saturday at Ford Field. Afterward, in a happy locker room, Hanson boiled down his kick in two ways.

Lions multipurpose running back Aaron Brown did a little of everything in Saturday's exhibition opener against Atlanta. The rookie ran 32 yards for a touchdown. He caught a pass for a 45-yard TD. He ran back a kickoff 32 yards. He did a backflip. He incurred a couple of penalties and some criticism from coach Jim Schwartz.

First glitch: The first microphone didn't work, and the second mic kept cutting out on the national anthem singer. The fans picked up the slack, though, singing along loudly and finishing with applause. First flag: Lions defensive tackle Landon Cohen, perhaps eager to make an impression, jumped offside on the second snap.

Lions coach Jim Schwartz was careful when he announced the quarterback rotation for today's exhibition opener against Atlanta. He never used the word "start."

You'd think that with the solid season he is having, Tigers supersub Ryan Raburn wouldn't have a problem with confidence. But before Friday night's series opener against the Kansas City Royals at Comerica Park, manager Jim Leyland lamented the fact that Raburn sometimes underrates his performance.

One out when winning run scored. E: Y.Betancourt (11). LOB: Kansas City 4, Detroit 8. 2B: Granderson (14). HR: Inge (23), off R.Colon. RBI: Inge (65). CS: Bloomquist (4). S: B.Pena.