I missed Round 1. You can find links to all the blogpollers responses at Every Day Should Be Saturday. If you are curious as to the blogpoll, go here.
1. What’s THE critical game of the season on the national scene? We’re looking for the one that will influence the most outcomes in a single span of sixty minutes. Please try to diversify your answers and think of something other than Ohio State-Texas, for example.
Okay, I really don’t think the OSU-Texas game would be it. The way I interpret this, it would mean a game later in the season that really will effect the possibility of making a BCS bowl or winning the conference, or some other factors.
Once upon a time, you could invariably say Miami-FSU and be right 90% of the time. Both teams usually in national contention, the game was middle to late in the season, and the loser was essentially out unless a lot of other things happened. No more. The ACC, in its pursuit of maximizing BCS possibilities makes this an opening weekend game. It no longer takes on the importance. It loses the national appeal. It may still matter in Florida, and those trying to choose their bandwagon, but it is otherwise meaningless.
The Iowa at Ohio State game on September 24 could be huge. Both teams, along with Michigan, are expected to be in some order at the top rungs of the Big 11. The problem is the game is too early. It might be looked back upon as having greater importance come November, but that week it will just be a really good match-up.
Runner-up: Georgia at Tennessee on October 8. I think that could be the game to decide who wins the SEC East. Problem is, that is all it decides. It’s the trade-off of those championship games.
Winner: Texas vs. Oklahoma. It’s got a lot of the elements of the other games mentioned, plus it has the added element of whether Texas and Mack Brown finally break through. That just looms larger every year. Texas keeps getting all the talent (not that Oklahoma is really pulling dregs), but they are still second fiddle to Oklahoma and Bob Stoops.
2. What’s the most critical matchup for your team? Again, we know we’ll hear OSU-Michigan from you Wolverines, but we ask you to think in terms of multiple scenarios here.
Okay, the obvious and optimistic answer is Pitt at Louisville on November 3. Everyone is predicting Pitt and Louisville will battle then and there for the Big East and its BCS bid. My thought is that the games still have to be played to get there.
For Pitt, the biggest game will be its first. September 3, hosting Notre Dame. Both teams with new coaches — alumni — that are shaking things up. Coach Dave Wannstedt has provided huge energy to the Pitt fans. The recruiting scores of the last week have us sky high with hope and anticipation. Last year, Pitt won a barn burner in South Bend. This game is nationally televised at night. Pitt hasn’t beaten ND in Heinz Field yet. The last win at home was in 1999 to close out old Pitt Stadium. This game will tell us right at the start, whether Pitt deserves the hype this year, or whether expectations need to be tempered.
3. What’s your wingnut upset prediction of year? No hedging here; we know everyone has a paint-chip eating, lunatic pick lurking somewhere in their brain. Go ahead and tell us what it is.
Wyoming over Florida in the Swamp on September 3. Why not? If there is a time for Florida to struggle in game conditions with a totally new system, it’s in the beginning of the season. Wyoming is as close to up as it gets, so this one almost makes sense.
Bonus additions: Upsets that don’t reach wingnut proportions.
September 3, Bowling Green over Wisconsin in Madison. Early in the season is the best chance for this sort of thing, and BGSU is pretty good while the Badgers will be down.
October 20, Maryland, at home, over Virginia Tech. High expectations for VT, along with the time of the year where VT has hit their swoon makes this one look like a sure bet.
Feel free to share your thoughts on the questions in the comments.
