The first BTB Roundtable of the year is hosted by the marginally talented and occasionally funny guys at Black Heart Gold Pants. After being around for one year I still don't know what that means but hats off to them. Seriously, these guys are a must read for Big Ten fans and are actually pretty funny.
Anyway, the BTB Round table works like this. BHGP presents us with a set of questions. We answer, as does every other Big Ten Blogger who wants to participate. BHGP then looks at all posts, give a comprehensive synposis and will then throw a party (likely including lemons).
Here goes with the first installment in the 2008 season.
1. Week 1's in the books. What surprised you about your team? Are you optimistic? Disappointed? (NOTE: Purdue does not apply here, so these fans must talk about Wake Forest instead)
Excited, but I'm not sure I can sincerely be optimistic. My favorite team is 1-0 which is exciting. You may remember that last season was a struggle so winning the first game is great. But when we had a chance to put the game away in the third quarter we allowed a 91 yard TD to let Northern Illinois back into the game. The Huskies gained confidence and it took us a last minute touchdown to put them away. So I'm pleased but the win doesn't make me overly optimistic.
Not seeing any of the freshman wide receivers play a snap really surprised me. I have not seen an explanation other than they weren't ready but they will be. Not sure what this means, but I'd really like to see them cause we can't throw to Decker on every play.
2. Beanie Wells' foot is definitely the top story in the conference. What's #2?
The win on Saturday night was the Gophers’ first fourth-quarter game-winning touchdown since Nov. 18, 2000. Which was a 27-24 win over Iowa. That is almost eight years since a fourth qtr game-winning TD. I know everybody would be talking about it were it not for some running back at OSU.
3. Admit it: you loathe DickFraudROFL (né Rich Rodriguez), but when Michigan scored that last touchdown, you were rooting for them to make the 2-pt. conversion.
I was not. I wasn't actually watching at that point but when I tuned in a few minutes later I was sincerely rooting for Utah. I enjoy watching Michigan lose and seeing them struggle this year will make me happy.
4. Is this weekend's slate of games actually less interesting than last week's?
For Gopher fans this is a more exciting week as Bowling Green is a good test and is favored. But yes, this week is pretty bad. Alabama vs. Clemson, Tennessee vs. UCLA, and Missouri vs. Illinois are better match ups than anything this week. But this is the nature of non-conference college football.
5. Don't you hate pants?
Just black pants. And red pants are kind of ugly too.