It's a new blog feature as I have joined the Big Ten Bloggers roundtable! Here are this week's questions.
1. Now that two weeks of play are behind us, what is one encouraging surprise and one downing disappointment from your team? (Easy answer to the latter part of the question for Michigan bloggers)
For Purdue I think the most encouraging sign is the defense has actually stopped someone. Yes we've only played Eastern Illinois and Toledo, but this is most the same defense that gave up 35 points to a very, very bad Indiana State team last year. Any encouragment there is sorely welcomed.
I really don't have a disappointment so far as things have gone exactly as planned according to the competition we have faced. My tune may change after tomorrow when we face a Central Michigan team that could easily be qualified as "frisky".
2. A look at the current Big Ten standings shows things dead-locked record-wise for the most part. Once conference play actually begins, which two or three teams pull away from the rest of the pack?
I really think there is a big level of separation between Wisconsin, Penn State, and Ohio State right now. Those three look head and shoulders above everyone else with Michigan State, iowa, and Purdue in the next group. Of that group of three I think Purdue actually has the best shot of breaking into the top three. The Boilers don't have to play Wisconsin, and they get Michigan State, Iowa, and Ohio State at home. If the Boilers somehow get 2 of 3 games between Michigan, Ohio State, and Penn State they have a real good chance to surprise the conference.
3. Has your team ever played in a game that was just downright boring and impossible to watch? I ask this because going into the Michigan-Notre Dame game, looking at it on paper, it is shaping up to be one of the ugliest we may see all year.
Probably the Illinois game during the 2005 season. We had already lost 6 games and weren't going bowling for the first time in nine years. We were still the better team and rolled over the Illini 37-3, but it was an empty victory even on senior day because we had nothing to play for but pride. Since we started that year int he top 10 and it was the first time we actually played like we deserved the ranking it was very hollow. You were left with the feeling of, "Where the heck was that all year?"
1. Now that two weeks of play are behind us, what is one encouraging surprise and one downing disappointment from your team? (Easy answer to the latter part of the question for Michigan bloggers)
For Purdue I think the most encouraging sign is the defense has actually stopped someone. Yes we've only played Eastern Illinois and Toledo, but this is most the same defense that gave up 35 points to a very, very bad Indiana State team last year. Any encouragment there is sorely welcomed.
I really don't have a disappointment so far as things have gone exactly as planned according to the competition we have faced. My tune may change after tomorrow when we face a Central Michigan team that could easily be qualified as "frisky".
2. A look at the current Big Ten standings shows things dead-locked record-wise for the most part. Once conference play actually begins, which two or three teams pull away from the rest of the pack?
I really think there is a big level of separation between Wisconsin, Penn State, and Ohio State right now. Those three look head and shoulders above everyone else with Michigan State, iowa, and Purdue in the next group. Of that group of three I think Purdue actually has the best shot of breaking into the top three. The Boilers don't have to play Wisconsin, and they get Michigan State, Iowa, and Ohio State at home. If the Boilers somehow get 2 of 3 games between Michigan, Ohio State, and Penn State they have a real good chance to surprise the conference.
3. Has your team ever played in a game that was just downright boring and impossible to watch? I ask this because going into the Michigan-Notre Dame game, looking at it on paper, it is shaping up to be one of the ugliest we may see all year.
Probably the Illinois game during the 2005 season. We had already lost 6 games and weren't going bowling for the first time in nine years. We were still the better team and rolled over the Illini 37-3, but it was an empty victory even on senior day because we had nothing to play for but pride. Since we started that year int he top 10 and it was the first time we actually played like we deserved the ranking it was very hollow. You were left with the feeling of, "Where the heck was that all year?"