Big Ten Blogger Roundtable - Week 10 Girardi Edition

Before we jump into the fray, kudos to Northwestern alum and class act, Joe Girardi. LTP had the pleasure of working with Girardi, briefly two years ago in the television world, and Joe's reputation of preparation as documented by all media accounts carried over into his prep for television shows. Not surprisingly, when Girardi was interviewing for the gig, Steinbrenner, an NU alum, and Girardi opened the conversation talking Northwestern football, according to the Seattle Times, and the chances of NU going bowling. The only problem with this move is that Darth Vader just became de-masked. If I'm the Luke Skywalker Red Sox, how the hell am i supposed to loathe "my father". Hmmmm....compound that with my Sox winning their second World Series in four years and I feel as if i'm suffering from sports vertigo. What the hell is going on here? On to Northwestern's Darth Vader - the gator-chomp-stealing Hawkeyes.

It's that time of week again - when we whip around the Big Ten Blogosphere for each school's take on the world that is - well, our respective worlds. Hosting honors this week go to Buckeye Lane, an earlier co-host on LTP the week leading into the forgettable Ohio State debacle. This time we welcome him back (the only time we'll welcome him back) and dive into some goodies leading up to the huge game vs Iowa.

Before we jump in, the folks in Bristol have pulled us off of life support and will be airing the Cats on ESPN2, aka the Pam Ward network, this weekend. For many of you, it will be your first chance to see the Cats since the, ahem, Ohio State "game". For the rest of us, we'll be watching to see if Pam realizes Brett Basanez has graduated as she told the same story 9 consecutive times about his special vision training in 2005. The kicker is we're on ESPN Classic for the Indiana game. Win these two and odds are we'll be on ESPN AGAIN for the Illini game (perhaps a Girardi, NU ESPN suit (many NUers) conspiracy?). Anyway, enough about exposure (and with our paltry crowds, we get to be exposed on national TV as a non-draw) and on with this week's roundtable:

1) With the Big Ten season about to be wrapped up, it is a little easier to predict what Bowl games are possible for your school. Tell me what Bowl games would interest you as a fan. Where do you want to go? More importantly, who do you want to play?
We may be a lot of things at Northwestern, but we're not greedy. The answer is "any" and "anyone". If you really want us to be choosy, we'd prefer to avoid Detroit since we played there this year and in the 2003 Motor City Bowl, so anything but that. I'll say (spin the wheel) Insight. We also tend to play iconic teams in bowl games (sans 2003)- UCLA, USC, Nebraska, Tennessee - we simply want a win. I'd love to play any team with a weak pass defense that has little experience with the spread.

2) In honor of Black Shoe Diaries’ question about the Big Ten Moron Coach of the Year Award. Tell me who is the most disappointing player in the Big Ten this season. Also, tell me who is the most disappointing on your team.
This may sound like sour grapes considering we just lost to Purdue, but I was unimpressed with Curtis Painter. I've been touting Purdue as the sleeper team all year long, but aside from and incredible game-winning pass/catch to Dorien Bryant on a 3rd and long scramble in the fourth, Painter looked weak. I've also seen glimpses of him against Ohio State, Michigan and much of the Iowa game. He looked great in one of the four games.

Yikes. Dangerous territory as I try not to single out players, but I'd have to say Corey Wooton and the entire defensive line in general. Wooton has shown glimpses of being a game changer, but I thought he would have more "get to the QB" nose sniffing by now, and at best he is a presence by blocking passes thrown his direction.

3) Ohio State is rumored to be building a giant buckeye nut outside the football stadium. This will lead to the new tradition of “rubbing the nut.” I’m sure Michigan fans will use that against us. I know it is pretty late to start new traditions in the Big Ten, but pitch me a new tradition idea for your school.
The big story of the year at NU has been the lack of attendance. It is leaner than even many of the dark ages years, so anything that will help attendance. Fitz started a "Walk" down Walker Way, I realize in the spirit of the SEC pregame walks, but at 8:30 am, it really doesn't have the zing like it does at 5:30 pm leading into an SEC night game. It will never happen, but I think the single best thing NU could do for atmosphere, attendance and national perception would be just like LSU and mandatory night games. The few times we have them, it is electric (sans Duke 2007) and is the only time we feel "bigtime". It would separate us from the pack in the Big Ten and become a hallmark of NU. The Big Ten won't let it happen, nor will the cranks who bought their houses in the shadows of the stadium (uhhh, pretty sure the stadium was there before you, folks!).

BONUS ROUND
- You are a big-fight promoter - Talk up your team’s mascot and how/why they could kick the living crap out of any opposing team’s mascot - inspired by Oregon’s mascot

Hard to top that. But I've got to say a Wildcat is surely more menacing than a Duck. We'd kick the heck out of the skunk at Wisconsin, we'd eat Chief Illiniwek if he were still here, but I'd hate to meet Purdue Pete or Sparty in a dark alley. However, if we did, I'd trust Willie's Alley-Cat instincts. I've always found it amazing that Michigan did not have a mascot. I mean, what the heck is that stance all about?

- Now you are an agent - Convince me that you have the top 2008 NFL Draft pick on your team -
Look, I love my team, but if I want to have any credibility of being a legitimate agent, I'd lose it by lying. I will tell you that junior DT, John Gill is a beast. He was recently rated by Mel Kiper as the #2 junior at his position and any former college coach/commentator raves about him. Sound technique and performs yet constant double-teams. He will make a GM and coach very happy for years to come.

Daily Poll Results - Bacher To Shine
The NU faithful have spoken when asked how CJ will respond to his less than CJ Purdue performance. Here's what you said:
-60% think CJ will rebound by putting up more than 300 yards
-27% think CJ will pass for at least 4 TDs
-11% think CJ will continue his INT trend
-No one thinks CJ will complete less than 50% of his passes.
Thanks to all who voted.

Bonus YouTube
I'm sure you either saw this on ESPN or several other CFB sources, but for those of you who claim you only have time for this to fill your NU FB fix. The following play makes Stanford-Cal look like Pee Wee football. Greatest. Finish. Ever.