Burnt Orange Nation is hosting the week Big XII roundtable this week. We’ve got new editor Dave here to provide some perspective.
1. We start with a review of your team’s non-conference performance.
Offensive MVP: Inconsistent play leaves this area open for interpretation, though one Buff stands out. Rodney Stewart, the true freshman is averaging 5.6 yards a carry, and has two 100+ yard games.
Defensive MVP: The entire secondary. With questions coming into the season, they have proven to be the stronger half, compared to the run defense who are looking gloom, by keeping teams like WVU and FSU contained. Although they still need some work.
Projected Finish: 5-3, 3rd in the North. Missouri is too strong to be stopped, but we’ll win some big games to keep us in the top half.
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?
The Cowboys have shown improvement from the past few years, particularly on the defensive side of the ball. They are running like madmen out of the backfield and have a steady QB. Though it’s the defense that has changed the most and brought them to where they are now. But the rest of their season relies on stopping the Big XII passers, particularly Chase, Colt, and Sam. They better keep playing well in the secondary to stop those boys.
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?
Stoops. Why? He’s the architect. The pieces of Colorado are forming up nicely. Stoops has a way of bringing all those pieces together right when they need to be. (Except for when he played the Buffs last year)
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?
Colt McCoy. He’s accurate, smart, and can scoot when he needs to. Giving us a much needed boost in the passing game, and opening up the rushing attack.
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.
Beck. A strange mix of music that often sounds great and other times just sounds strange. The Buffs are similar with respect to play calling, sometimes we mix things up and it works, if not it turns out to be a messy affair. He also fits in with the laid back style Boulder is known to have.
6. Answer all of the following in no more than two sentences:
(A) Conference’s best quarterback?
Chase Daniel. He’s on fire and it doesn’t look like he plans to slow down anytime soon.
(B) Conference’s best offense?
Oklahoma. They are extremely powerful, and have a pretty good balance between run and pass to keep defenses guessing.
(C) Big 12 South winner?
Oklahoma. Their title hopes were ruined last year, and they don’t want to be stopped this time.
(D) Big 12 North winner?
Missouri. Will anyone in the north be able to hold back their offense?
(E) Big 12 champion?
Oklahoma. They will be able to match the offensive power of Missouri, and get in their face on defense.
(F) Big 12 team you would adopt as your favorite if forced to abandon your own?
Texas. A great team with wonderful tradition and an excellent overall atmosphere.
(G) One prediction that might surprise the rest of us?
The National Champions will not hail from the BIG XII.
Head on over to BON to see responses from around the conference

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  1. Return of the Roundtable
  2. Big XII Roundtable: The winter is coming, beware the North!
  3. Big 12 Roundtable – The Face of the Team