BTB Roundtables: Week Three

First a few notes.
1) I did omit Alabama in my poll. This was an egregious error, and can be attributed to uh...stupidity.

2) If you head on over the The Daily Gopher, you'll see a little sidebar with the BTB pick'em results (scroll down...way down). The standings show Beauford Bixel kicking ass and chewing bubble gum.

On to the roundtable questions!

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?

The conference as a whole should be pretty upset with the way they've played their cupcakes. Sure - we've got a good record, but in every match up that could be considered "tough" so far, the Big Ten has fallen flat on their faces. MSU vs. Cal, Illinois vs. Mizzou, and even Michigan vs. Utah didn't help alleviate the notion that the Big Ten is a weak conference nationally. The debacle in Ohio didn't help either. I think you're seeing a narrowing of the gap within the conference, however, with Minnesota, Northwestern, Purdue, and even Indiana appearing to be much improved from last year (maybe not Indiana...we'll see). However, the traditional big dogs of the conference all appear to have some significant flaws that were exposed during their cupcake performances. Wisconsin let Marshall hang around waaay too long, Ohio State needs no mention, and Michigan is in an obvious 5 alarm rebuilding situation. Only Penn State has been consistantly putting their cupcakes firmly in their bellah - and as such, they get the 2nd highest ranking of the BXI schools in my poll (suck it, Champ).

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.

You know when you're really, really hung over, but you have to be somewhere important enough not to vomit? You pull the "gasp, pant, swallow, gasp" routine and try not to sweat all over the place, hoping that nobody smells the booze? Yeah - that'll be me rooting for Ohio State this weekend, except I won't be hung over. The main reason is that I spent most of yesterday in the car driving from LA to San Diego listening to LA sports talk radio. USC fans are incredibly obnoixious - something I never really realized. After hearing them bash Ohio State and the Big Ten for 5 hours yesterday, I'm ready for Ohio State to lay some wood against USC.

Everybody and their mother is picking USC to wipe the floor with the Buckeyes, and I just don't see it happening. If Beanie is really 100% (if, if, if, if) then the Buckeyes will have a good shot of keeping it close enough to win on a field goal or something. The Ohio State defense is much, much better than they showed against Ohio. If they can limit the big plays, and keep it within 7 for the game, the Buckeyes will be in good shape. I really think the "USC players are overconfident" arguement is weak - but hey - it can't hurt...

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.

Best game is easily Wisconsin vs. Fresno state. Once again, we get a Big Ten team traveling west early in the season, which is death. Fresno are giant killers, and frankly, Wisconsin doesn't impress me much. If they can get PJ Hill going, and control the game on the ground, Wisky's got a good shot. If not, this could be a big upset of a waaay to highly ranked top ten team.

Worst game is Michigan vs. Notre Dame. It's an intriguing matchup, but nationally the implications are squat. I think that if there is one game on the schedule that the Michigan defense should be able to dominate - it's this one. However, if the offense can't move the ball, that's going to mean very little.

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).

College football as a whole needs an entire philosophy change when it comes to scheduling. Every major BCS power should have to schedule other BCS powers for their OOC games. Oklahoma, Texas, Florida, Georgia, Miami, FSU - these are all teams that are screaming for a home at home with big time Big Ten schools. Ohio State should be commended for their scheduling - they're the only team that really gets it. I have more thoughts on this that will probably turn into an entire post at a later time.

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 know these things about you, to judge you. Confirm all their suspicions.

I love tailgating, but I'm usually too nervous to drink much. A few cheap lite beers, some Big House chicken (courtesy of Champ's fam, thanks very much), throwing the ball around a bit, and waiting in line at the porta-potty is my idea of a great tailgate. It's not about drinking - I'm too old for that crap - it's about enjoying the time with friends, family, and friends you consider family. Shit, I'm about to cry...

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.

What can I say about Notre Dame that hasn't already been said? They're the only fanbase more self-ritous than Michigan fans, and as such, they deserve a special ring of hell. I hate Notre Dame, I hate gold, I hate Rudy, I hate Touchdown Jesus, I hate Coach Frontbutt, I hate Leprechans. Michigan wins 38-0, just to keep things on an even keel.

Thanks go to Dave at Maize n Brew, who will undoubtedly die of sun exposure and whisky this weekend.