Big 12 Roundtable, Week 5: Conference Play Preview

by Peter Bean on Sep 30, 2008 10:44 PM CDT in Football Comment 32 comments

I signed up in early August to host this week's Big 12 Roundtable, which I've done a terrible job participating in to this point in the season, but which I love conceptually. I picked this week for obvious reasons: Non-conference season is in the books and the most exciting conference in college football is ready for head-to-head play.

Below are this week's six Big 12 Roundtable questions, which I hope every blogger of this conference will answer. Please post a link to your post in the comment section below. (If you blog the entire conference instead of any particular team, tailor your answers in any way you like to comment on the topics at issue.) BON readers: jump in with your own answers in the comments, as well.

1. We start with a review of your team's non-conference performance. Take the format of my Week 5 Big 12 Report (North Division post here, South Division here) and give us your Offensive MVP, Defensive MVP, and Projected Finish. (Limit 125 words max on each.)

2. Oklahoma State is one of two Big 12 teams not represented by bloggers. Don your oversized Cowboy hat for a day and give us your take on Mike Gundy's team. Are they same old same old (above average offense, putrid defense)? Or something else?

3. Your team has reached the Big 12 title game, but in a cruel twist of fate, your coach is declared ineligible and you have been asked to select among the other 11 coaches in the conference your team's game day maestro. Who do you select and why?

4. Same situation, but different replacement: Assume this time that it's your quarterback who can't participate in the Big 12 title game. Which other quarterback from the conference would you select to lead your team for that game?

5. Imagine it is July 2008 and you receive an email from the conference's director of public relations, who informs you that the Big 12 has officially partnered with Austin City Limits Music Festival 2008. To promote the partnership, the conference has asked you to choose one of the festival's participating bands as metaphor for your football team and explain it. Go.

6. Answer all of the following in no more than two sentences:

(A) Conference's best quarterback?
(B) Conference's best offense?
(C) Big 12 South winner?
(D) Big 12 North winner?
(E) Big 12 champion?
(F) Big 12 team you would adopt as your favorite if forced to abandon your own?
(G) One prediction that might surprise the rest of us?

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Comments

Some answers with my coffee

1) Offensive MVP – No question is Colt. Hes playing out of his mind.
Defensive MVP – Here Im going to go with Sergio Kindle. I think his presence on the pass rush has really opened up opportunities to get the the QB. We had zero sacks in our first game, and after there more, we are now leading the nation, Sergio’s presence on the outside has a lot to do with that.
Projected Finish – (7-1 in Conference) This is probably a product of being a student from 1999 to 2004, but I just never feel confident lining up against Stoops. Missou Im glad we have at home, and I think that will make the difference, and Tech still has no way to stop us.

2) I think they are a step above what we have seen in the past. This would be a great year for us to pick to be on the opposite side of the ball, and put them away early. I dont see them giving up huge leads, as their offense can seemingly score at will. Conference play will be the real test to see if they really have improved, or if its the same old smoke and mirrors show.

3) Any chance to get Mike Leach in burnt orange Im all for. I would pick him just for the post game interviews. Cant get enough Mike Leach.

4) Chase Daniel. The kids a competitor.

5) Ehh… Ill go Robert Plant and Allison Krause. All these years you know what to expect from Texas football, but theres something new this year. An injection of young blood, some new ideas, and for the first time in a while, you think the same old could be something new and exciting. Robert Plant’s work is known to anyone with a pulse, but now hes got this young hot chick in the act, and you kind of tilt your head thinking, this could be really interesting. I dunno, thats all I got.

6) A) McCoy, the numbers dont lie, hes playing like the best QB on Earth right now.
B) Missouri – They are getting over 8 yards per play
C) Oklahoma
D) Missou
E) OU
F) KSU – Was still my favorite stadium to go to as a Longhorn. Great fans. Also a talented young QB with a frustrating coaching staff, would make for an easy transition.
G) OSU to play MNC spoilers to OU, if Les Miles can do it, why not Mike Gundy?

by BoddickerIsClutch on Oct 1, 2008 8:28 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Oooh this is fun...

1.Offensive MVP – QB Colt McCoy – Duh.

Defensive MVP – LB Roddrick Muckelroy – Has been an absolute rock cleaning up almost everything in his area. His contributions have allowed the young secondary to continue to grow without having to be in on every play.

Projected Finish – 2nd in Big XII South – I just can’t pull the trigger… yet. Beat OU next week and it’s time to start thinking big.

2.Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to see the Pokes play at all this year, so I’m not exactly qualified to answer. However, until they prove to me that they can stop a living, breathing Big XII offense, I’ll have to say same old Cowboys. However, they’re getting it done differently this year. With Adarius Bowman’s departure, the offense has become much more focused on the running game, and the results have been devastating. Kendall Hunter, Keith Toston, and Beau Johnson are combining for a staggering 6.45 ypc, and 340 yards per game. Wow.

3.Big Game Bob – No other coach in the league can match his resume.

4.Chase Daniel – Always seems to be in absolute control of his offense (probably since he’s run it since middle school); the ball always gets where it needs to go. He has adequate mobility and is an excellent leader.

5.Umm…. pass.

6.
a) Chase Daniel – Same reasons as above. Not at all a knock on Colt, I just love the way Daniel orchestrates his offense.
b) Oklahoma – Deepest, most talented group in the league. They’re attack is so multiple and versatile that it’s nearly impossible to stop when everything is clicking. Sam Bradford is as steady as any signal caller in the conference.
c) Oklahoma – ^
d) Missouri – Any team with Chase Daniel and Jeremy Maclin on the field together should not lose to anybody in the Big XII North.
e) Oklahoma – See 2007.
f) Oklahoma – Their offense is a thing of beauty.
g) Colorado will screw up Texas or Missouri’s National Championship dreams. They helped mess up OU’s run last year.

by Sweed4Heisman on Oct 1, 2008 11:04 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Oklahoma State

I forgot to mention WR Dez Bryant and TE Brandon Pettigrew. Worry too much about their ridiculous running attack, and prepare to watch #1 and #87 walk into the end zone. Bryant is a big play waiting to happen and Pettigrew is a prototypical NFL tight end.

by Sweed4Heisman on Oct 1, 2008 3:08 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

b)Their attack is so multiple...

… geez, it’s like 3rd grade all over again…

by Sweed4Heisman on Oct 1, 2008 3:39 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

1. Offensive MVP- Colt McCoy, Defensive MVP- Sergio Kindle, and Projected Finish- 2nd in the South Division. I don’t need to add to posts above. They nailed it.

2. Oklahoma State- Who cares?

3. Bob Stoops. No question. He will probably go down in history as one of the best, as much as it pains me to say this.

4. Sam Bradford. Even though he is a somewhat slow, white QB, he is uniquely talented and it is fun to watch his career.

5. John & Tom Fogerty, UT & A&M: All In The Family
   Tom Fogerty and John Fogerty began playing rock and roll in high school, but had separate groups. Eventually Tom joined John’s band, which later became Creedence Clearwater Revival. Both brothers shared lead vocal and song writing duties, but that changed. Long-standing festering animosity with his brother, led Tom to leave the band .
   UT and A&M. Basically brother institutions, but the rivalry and animosity is there. UT, like John, is the older brother that acquired fame and wealth through talent and recognition. Tom, like A&M, is the less-talented sibling who toiled away in his brother’s profession, never achieving the fame and acknowledgement he so desperately wanted. Tom died in relative obscurity.
   UT continues to thrive, landing in the top 25 teams nationally year after year. After the hiring of Franchione, A&M started on a path to a very slow and painful death.

6. Conference’s best quarterback- Chase Daniel
Conference’s best offense- OU
Big 12 South winner- OU
Big 12 North winner- Missouri
Big 12 champion- OU
Big 12 team you would adopt as your favorite if forced to abandon your own- OU
This is our biggest rivalry, but they are tough, talented competitors.
One prediction that might surprise the rest of us- Baylor may be a spoiler for a team this year.

by dimecoverage on Oct 1, 2008 11:54 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Rock M Nation checking in...

http://www.rockmnation.com/2008/10/1/625732/big-12-roundtable-week-5

http://www.RockMNation.com
Chance McDanielson for Heisman

by RPT on Oct 1, 2008 12:11 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Toughness

Should not be a question of Colt McCoy. After the 2007 OSU game there shouldnt have been any questions of his toughness.

For Reference:
2nd and 6 at OKST 36 Timeout TEXAS, clock 00:23.
2nd and 6 at OKST 36 Colt McCoy pass incomplete to Jordan Shipley.
3rd and 6 at OKST 36 Texas penalty 5 yard false start on Cedric Dockery accepted.
3rd and 11 at OKST 41 Colt McCoy rush for 14 yards to the OKSt 27 for a 1ST down.
1st and 10 at OKST 27 Jamaal Charles rush for 4 yards to the OKSt 23.
2nd and 6 at OKST 23 Timeout TEXAS, clock 00:02.

by BoddickerIsClutch on Oct 1, 2008 1:34 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs

McCoy isn't mentally or physically tough?

Here’s a tip: Watch more football. You’ll be completely wrong less.

by Meekrob on Oct 1, 2008 2:11 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs

I further explained myself when Shadow came to RMN to ask me about it:

http://www.rockmnation.com/2008/10/1/625732/big-12-roundtable-week-5#9117889

Misperceptions from first judgment are a part of life. For example, just from first judgment, I assume you are a condescending douchebag. However, I know this is probably not the case. I reserve the right to change my mind on you the same way I have on McCoy (if you follow the link, you’ll see why I said those things about McCoy before the season and why I have since started to come around on him).

http://www.RockMNation.com
Chance McDanielson for Heisman

by RPT on Oct 1, 2008 4:02 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Let the record show

You’re the one who resorted to name calling.

Who’s the douchebag? The person who doesn’t bother to write new material because what was “true” then is true now? Or the person who calls them out on it? Your original opinion wasn’t even justified, but I’ll address that on your (apparently half-assed) blog where the argument was made (though not until after cajoling).

by Meekrob on Oct 1, 2008 4:25 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Fair enough

I apologize for my phrasing in responding to your comment. I’ll admit I stepped out of line in trying to make a point.

The point I was trying to make before my temper got the best of me is that the question was similar to one I had before the season, and that the majority of my response stood. I pulled the whole quote so I would be able to juxtapose my thoughts before the season with my thoughts now to better describe how my thinking had changed in the first four games. The only problem was, outside of McCoy and Robinson stepping up, not much has changed.

I do feel the original opinion was justified. This is where I welcome you to RMN to address me, much like Shadow did.

Again, my apologies for the turn in discourse.

http://www.RockMNation.com
Chance McDanielson for Heisman

by RPT on Oct 1, 2008 4:31 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Don’t give in. You’ve got backup now. ;-)

Rock M Nation
Thrust nunchuk upward!

by Bill C. on Oct 1, 2008 6:46 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Haha...

I stand by my McCoy statements.

I don’t stand by my vulgarity.

http://www.RockMNation.com
Chance McDanielson for Heisman

by RPT on Oct 1, 2008 9:44 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm going to be a complete homer

1. Colt McCoy (duh) and Muckleroy. Projected finish: 8-0, 1st in Big 12 South

2. Okie St. – same old, but dangerous enough to catch you sleeping

3. Mack Brown’s clone.

4. Colt McCoy’s clone.

5. Pass.

6. a. Colt McCoy
b. Texas Longhorns
c. Texas Longhorns
d. Misso… Texas Longhorns
e. Texas Longhorns
f. Texas Longhorns’ clone
g. The Texas Longhorns will defeat their clones for the Big 12 title.

by TheElusiveShadow on Oct 1, 2008 2:44 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs

I won't pick the whole thing . . .

my list wouldn’t vary much from the others. But . . .

Big Game Bob? Say what?

Did you watch the last two Fiesta Bowls? Did he turn over coaching duties at halftime of last year’s Colorado game? Back-to-back losses to Okie Lite (2001-02), once with the Big 12 South on the line? What was the final score when LSU and the Sooners played for the ‘03 BCS national title? (Let’s not even discuss USC-OU a year later; Trojans had a better team, but 55-19 better?)

I think Stoops has been a great coach (‘cept he closed his eyes and then tried to cover up the Bomar-car dealership thing). But he hasn’t done it with a bunch of 98-pound weaklings. He’s bested Mack Brown head to head, though usually with better players. The great ones win when they have better talent.

by edsp on Oct 1, 2008 3:22 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

haha...

Yes, I’m well aware of our buddy Bob’s recent struggles in big games, and that’s exactly why I couldn’t resist using that name.

And no, he hasn’t exactly been winning with scrubs. The talent level during his tenure would rival that of any program within the same time frame

by Sweed4Heisman on Oct 1, 2008 3:37 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Picking Stoops

Is like picking Switzer, he has a great record, but he comes with too much sleaze.

by Wells on Oct 2, 2008 7:27 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

If anyone is interested in Kansas

You can find them here.

by hiphopopotamus on Oct 1, 2008 4:40 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Non-SB Nation Texas Tech answers

Heeere

After all is said and done, more is said than done.

by ayleein on Oct 1, 2008 5:58 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

uh, really?

Todd Reesing and Gary Pinkel? Like, seriously? That’s who you want? In that case, are you sure you don’t want Stephen McGee and Mike Sherman instead? Whatever. To each his own, I suppose. Also, in question 1, you predict Texas Tech to finish 2nd in the Big 12 South and then in Question 6© pick Tech to win the South. Not sure how that works.

by billyzane on Oct 1, 2008 7:03 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Oops. I wrote my answers at different times.

After all is said and done, more is said than done.

by ayleein on Oct 1, 2008 7:56 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not everybody...

…is going to pick people from Texas. Get over it.

We'll carry the banner high!

by TB on Oct 2, 2008 8:00 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

the state or the university?..

Reesing is FROM Texas, so it must mean the University of Texas. In that case, he wasn’t questioning the fact that they weren’t from UT, but that there are better QB’s than Reesing, and Gary Pinkel as his big game coach. Pinkel has stunk it up in the second half of the season before, and IMO, that’s the logic used. So calm down, take a deep breath, and realize, that while we are at a UT site, most fans can accept that the answers aren’t all from UT. If you read other choices, you can see that.

by vy til i die on Oct 2, 2008 8:42 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Dude...

It’s got nothing to do with the fact that they’re not from Texas. I don’t know where in the world you got that from my post. I’m really not a huge homer, if you’ve ever read any of my stuff here. That was a knee-jerk reaction on your part based on no evidence.

All I was saying is that Reesing is like the 4th best quarterback in the league, at best, after Bradford, Colt, and Daniel and probably after Harrell too. If I were a Tech fan, I’d pick either Bradford or Daniel, probably. Reesing makes no sense to me.

And what makes even less sense to me is Gary Pinkel. You need him for one game, and Pinkel is the exact opposite of the type of coach you’d want for that job, in my opinion.

by billyzane on Oct 2, 2008 11:49 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs