This week's roundtable discussion is being hosted at Rock M Nation. As always feel free to add your own answers and let me know where you think I'm off. Check out Rock M Nation later this evening for the roundup.
1. The game between Texas Tech and Texas got the Big 12 in the national eye early in the season. If your team was approached with this opportunity (or for Tech and Texas, approached again), would you accept and reap the benefits of the exposure, or decline because of the potential pitfalls of playing a conference foe so early in the season?
I don't think that you have to play conference games early in the season to get exposure; you just have to play someone worth covering. Oklahoma State had no problem getting media attention by opening the season with Georgia. Oklahoma had plenty of coverage for the BYU game and will get even more for Miami. Nebraska was talked up heavily leading up to their tilt with Virginia Tech. If you don't schedule the directional schools for the poor, blind and mentally week then finding exposure won't be an issue.
This game, while entertaining, was bad for the conference because the late season drama that put the Big 12 Conference in the national spotlight won't happen again because one of the biggest games on the calendar has already come and gone and that's where it hurts. Late in the season when Texas and Texas Tech are fighting for national rankings and a possible BCS birth instead of playing each other the Longhorns are going to be playing Central Florida and the Red Raiders are off. The voters will have to be reminded of this game instead of having it fresh on their minds.
2. Some of the Big 12 teams are starting to become known quantities, but there are still a few teams that most of us can't quite measure. Which team in the Big 12 do you consider the biggest enigma right now?
I can't figure out Missouri. At times they look every bit as good as we've seen over the past two seasons but then there was that whole Bowling Green debacle. We'll find out soon enough though. After a trip to Nevada this weekend the next three for the Tigers are Nebraska, Oklahoma State and Texas.
3. What did you learn about your team in Week 3, and what questions has your team failed to answer at this point of the season?
It appears that Oklahoma has found another receiving target in Brandon Caleb. That is a big necessity for the Sooners who have the nation's leader in touchdown receptions in Ryan Broyles but needed another option to keep the pressure off. I would still like to see them use the tight end though and am hopeful that will come in the near future.
4. There aren't exactly a whole lot of marquee matchups in Week 4. Which Big 12 game this week not involving your team piques your interest the most?
The only game on the schedule featuring a Big 12 team is Texas Tech at Houston. The Cougar offense had their way with Oklahoma State and even though they surrendered 35 points to the potent OSU offensive attack but mounted a comeback by scoring three fourth quarter touchdowns to win 45-35. Texas Tech could be in for a dogfight. All the other games with Big 12 schools are dogs and should offer free admission.
5. Give us your Offensive Player of the Week, Defensive Player of the Week, and Surprise (team, individual, coaching decision, etc. Whatever you want it to be...) of the Week.
Offensive Player of the Week: Landry Jones (QB Oklahoma) - 25-37, 336 Yards, 6 TD's, 2 INT's
Defensive Player of the Week: Donald Booker (LB OSU) - 10 total tackles, 51 yard fumble return for touchdown.
Surprise of the Week: Texas Tech Defense
6. Power Poll! Rank the teams from 1-12 based on which team would win on a neutral field.
- Texas
- Kansas
- Oklahoma
- Texas Tech
- Nebraska
- Missouri
- Oklahoma State
- Baylor
- Texas A&M
- Iowa State
- Kansas State
- Colorado