College Football Roundtable, Week 3

Yeah, yeah, I know. Week 4 is almost over. I was busy with friends and football. Here's what we have for the roundtable for week 3, and look for the link to week 4 soon enough.

1. What did you like about your team's performance this week?


Norm (Michigan): Shoelace. The offensive line was solid once again. Shoelace. Beating Notre Dame in their own house. Shoelace...and Shoelace. I think that just about covers it.


Doug (Michigan State): I don't know that it's possible to NOT get excited about having a 183 yard rusher, and the 3rd 100 yard rushing performance in 2 weeks. Baker is explosive, and he should be able to carry us for a season with Caper and Bell subbing in fairly consistently for fresh legs. This takes the pressure off Cousins, and as we've seen, he's had solid outings because the run game has been so effective. Right now, MSU is 11th in the nation in rushing yards-- not too shabby.


Joe (Wisconsin): We can play good old Wisconsin football. We can run effectively, and the defense seems to be able to make up for our offensive mistakes. Our kickers can do the job as well. 


2. What didn't you like about your team's performance this week?


Norm:  Almost everything else not named Shoelace. The running backs need to contribute more to Michigan's offense down the road. The defense gave up too many big plays and nearly gave the victory back to the Irish with stupid penalties at the end (thank you Dayne Crist for throwing that last pass over the endzone). The kicker sucked...and that description is about as polite as I'll get.


Doug: There wasn't a lot to complain about last week, but giving up 265 passing yards to FAU is never a good sign. We held them to under 50 rushing yards, which is good, but that kind of pass defense will get destroyed in the Big 10.


Joe: Our special teams, besides the guys that actually kick the ball, are special with a capital "Durrrr." We're short kick returners, and our kick coverage teams have been an issue for a few years. I'd advocate for the firing of the special teams coach if we HAD one. Instead, Bielema thinks he can make it work himself. It's clearly not.


3. What Big 10 team looks stronger to you this year than you thought?


Norm:  I have two: Wisconsin and the team that shall not be named. Both teams have defenses that are stout and will cause problems for anyone they face. I can't wait until these two face each other, it's going to be a battle.


Doug: Without a doubt-- Michigan. Who would've thought the guy with a 38% completion percentage last season would be a heisman front runner? I mean, it's hard to read into at this point because they haven't played full-strength teams (just teams that were good last year and lost some good players), but I definitely picked them to lose to UConn, so they're already way better than I expected.


Joe: Michigan can score points, which I thought was going to be an issue, and Ohio State seems to be more than we expected, which is usually not the case. 


4. On the flipside again, which Big 10 team looks weaker than you thought?


Norm:  That's hard to say, really. I tend to think all teams in the Big Ten are weaker than those in other BCS Conferences (except the ACC and the Big East-those teams suck).


Doug: Penn State and Minnesota. Penn State is always decent, and Bolden looked good in his first week... Against a horrible school. Then they came out and laid an egg at 'Bama. How many red zone turnovers? It was ugly. Minnesota was at least decent last year, and I think we're seeing what happens when Eric Decker leaves your offense. They lost to USD and had a hard time with MTSU... Enough said.


Joe: You have to say Minnesota after they lost to what amounts to a Division II team. They did that a few years ago as well, so that should be proof enough a new stadium does not a football program make. 


5. Can your quarterback tie his shoes, or does his mommy have to do it for him? :)


Norm:  Of course he can. Now is there any defender out there quick enough to catch him and make him tie his shoes? There's still plenty of football left to be played but so far, the signs point to 'NO'.'


Doug:  Kirk Cousins doesn't need to be a trend-setter. He goes out and takes care of business with his shoes tied, like any sensible football player would do. Stay safe kids, tie your shoes.


Joe: Scott Tolzien shows leadership in a lot of instances, and he also shows the younger players that tying their shoes is preferable to not tying their shoes. I can just imagine Robinson being caught by one of those flapping shoelaces and losing an ACL or Achilles. I'd be scared if I were a Michigan fan, but I suppose if I was a Michigan fan, I'd have bigger things to worry about.