Big 12 Roundtable - Getting Personal
What did you learn, if anything, about your team on opening weekend? More specifically, did you see anything that brought complete elation or utter disappointment?
I learned that the Texas Tech offense is going to be just fine. That brought me great peace of mind, especially considering 4/5's of the offensive line was replaced and 3/4's of the starting receivers. It's nice to know that the offense is going to click.
Specifically, the play of Michael Crabtree made me incredibly happy. He overpowered defenders close the goal line and was so shifty and exciting in the open field. He is the complete package.
20 years from now, someone will ask you "Where Were You When Appalachian State beat Michigan?". Describe what you were doing at the time, your reaction.
I was at home, on Miller High Life number 4, and a buddy called me that the score was close. I think I immediately turned to ESPNews for highlights and reaction. As news came down the pipe, I immediately went to DTN, I had to tell someone. The next thought that popped up in my mind was if this could happen to Texas Tech against SMU. I now realize how silly that notion was.
Given the big event of this past weekend, what's the worst you've ever felt about your team?
The first half of last year's Insight Bowl against Minnesota. I'm sure there are more disappointing games (I recall some losses to UNT in the late 90's that were depressing because it was the stinking Mean Green), but I couldn't have been more disappointed after that first half. I had counted on Texas Tech completely dominating that game and it was embarrassing, utterly embarrassing. Thankfully, things turned out well, but at that moment in time, I was at an all-time low.
Take a classic - like Homer's Odyssey, Lord of the Flies, Little Women, or, heck, even the latest Simpsons Movie and tell me how it relates to your team this season.
I got nothing. I started to go with King Henry IV and Coach Leach as Falstaff, but I couldn't get any further than that. And yes, I do believe Coach Leach to be a little like Falstaff (but not corrupt in the very least) as he may be the smartest of them all.
It wasn't just by accident you got here. Somewhere, some time, there was someone who influenced you to become a fan of your team. Tell that story.
Me, finding my way to Texas Tech was not a singular event, it was the culmination of a number of events that led me to Lubbock. At that time in my life, it was absolutely the best thing that ever happened to me. I didn't necessarily grow up a Red Raider fan, my family was all Aggies, but without a doubt, Texas Tech is the school I love. I can also say that without Texas Tech, I probably would not have gone on to law school, and I believe it was a spring-board to my future education.
Give us your nominations for the offensive and defensive players of the week within the conference.
Offensive Player of the Week: Call me a homer, but Graham Harrell was freaking awesome against SMU. He was efficient and he led his offense to 6 touchdown. That's good.
Defensive Player of the Week: This is easy, I watched Missouri strong safety Pig Brown make some huge plays on Saturday. He was outstanding.