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Big Ten Bloggers Roundtable

Your hosts may be found over at Maize n Brew.

1. We’re two weeks in and everyone in the Big Ten, minus the two Michigan schools and Illinois, are undefeated. This week marks the end of your early “tune-up” or serious OOC play. Are you satisfied with the way your team has played against the cupcakes on your schedule, or happy with the way they’ve competed against serious competition?

Ever since the third quarter of the Utah game, I’ve been pleased with the defensive effort. However, the offense has been pitiful against both Utah and Miami. Overall play is going to have to improve, or this team is destined to be Notre Dame 2007.

2. You knew this was coming. This week’s OMG Game of teh Century!!!!1!!1!! until next week’s OMG Game of teh Century!!!!1!!1!! is Ohio State versus Southern Cal. Who are you pulling for and why? Further, if you’re pulling for one particular team tell me why they’ll win, or won’t. If you’re like me and will be attempting to cure a sunburn from over exposure to the sun during the Michigan Notre Dame game by drinking large quantities of whiskey instead of watching the game, state your excuse.

I’m pulling for Ohio State, because I’m a pretty big believer in conference loyalty, and I’d love to see the Big Ten win a statement game. Also, my dad went to Ohio State, and I’ve always liked them as one of my favorite teams, and even cheer for them in most Big Ten matchups, because it gives more meaning to The Game for each team to be good.

3. Besides the above mentioned Game of the Century, there are actually some decent match ups this week in the Big Ten. Purdue v. Oregon; Wisconsin v. Fresno State; Michigan v. Notre Dame; Michigan State v. Florida Atlantic; or Iowa v. Iowa State. I said decent. I didn’t say they were all good. Pick the best game from that group, pick the worst game from that group, and Minnesota and Illinois bloggers must post an apology for scheduling Montana State and Louisiana Lafayette respectively.

If you like offense, I think the Purdue-Oregon game might be pretty entertaining. Of course, Oregon’s defense isn’t that bad, so it might be the Ducks doing all the scoring. If, on the other hand, you hate offense, Michigan-Notre Dame is the matchup for you. The worst matchup is probably Iowa-Iowa State because I simply couldn’t care less about the outcome, and neither team is particularly exciting at this point in the year.

4. Out of Conference scheduling is always something that draws the ire of journalists and bloggers alike. You all know how weak your OOC really is. Admit it. You’re sad. So fix it. Pick two teams out of conference you really wish your school would schedule. Nursing colleges and the Center for Veterinary Sciences are verboten. Pick two major conference middle to heavy weights or two heavy weight non-BCS conference programs to add to the schedule. (Please note you get to keep your two patsies per season).

This year, I would be happy playing 4 crappy out of conference teams (I’m lookin’ at you, Northwestern and Indiana) while the team can, like, learn to play football. Of course, this year isn’t going to be an easy one, and the Wolverines already have a mid-major heavyweight (Utah) and a tradition-rich program with lots of five stars (Notre Dame, and thankfully Charlie Weis sucks). However, assuming we aren’t locked in to the Notre Dame game for all time (which we are), I would love to see home-and-home series with teams like Georgia, UCLA, and other teams that are near but not always at the top of BCS conferences.

5. All college football fans love to tailgate. Even you, you mothers’ basement dwelling bloggers, you. Name your beverage of choice on game days. Alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverage, your readers need to these things about you, to judge you. Confirm all their suspicions.

I don’t drink before games, but afterwards, it depends on the situation. If it’s on someone else’s dime, I’ll drink whatever’s available. Otherwise, I’ll either go for a PBR-type (cheap and not quite terrible) or Oberon-type (not cheap but better than PBR) beer. After a game that I go to, I’ll often need to hydrate with Gatorade or water before starting the heavy lifting.

Bonus Question!

6. Rivalry games dot the schedule this week. If your team is playing in a rivalry game, say something nasty about your opponent then predict a lopsided score to infuriate the opposing fanbase. If you’re not playing a rival, then start a rivalry by saying something nasty about your opponent and then predict a lopsided score to infuriate the opposing fanbase. Or just give me a non-offensive prediction and a reason to watch.

lolCharlie Weis is fatlol. Michigan will win by a score of Charlie Weis’s weight-Rita Rodriguez’s dress size.

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5 Comments so far

  1. Anonymous says...

    After reading about your love for o$u I may not be able to handle this blog on a daily basis anymore, just kidding, but seriously. Hate is hate man, you can’t root for them.

  2. kowisja says...

    so says someone without the balls to post with a name.

    PBR is awful. PBR with popcorn is worse. It’s like something straight out of Wrigley Field.

    And that score may be possible. Looking at that European hockey game where a woman’s team scored 82 goals in 60 minutes, any scoring feat, no matter what the weight does seem possible.

  3. susieandrew says...

    The Euro women’s hockey team is, I believe, Bulgaria which, IIRC, was outscored 153-1 in three games. Youch.

  4. Jeremy says...

    Describing Oberon as “not cheap but better than PBR” is a disrespectful understatement. To paraphrase the notorious Jules Winnfield, PBR and Oberon ain’t the same ballpark, ain’t the same league, ain’t even the same fuckin’ sport.

  5. Tim says...

    Whatever, losers, PBR rulz.

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