Big Ten Bloggers Roundtable Week 6: Real Test Week

You know what? Screw your team. I hate your team right now; I'm an Iowa fan, and I have anger in my heart. Name your top conference rival, and assess their season to date. If you haven't played them yet (and I don't think anyone has), how are you going to do when that fateful day comes?

IU is definitely Purdue's biggest conference rival. I'd say their season-to-date has been strong. I remarked to an IU fan a bit ago that I had seen this story before...IU has started the pre-conference season well before, but then floundered once the meat of their schedule came about. The loss to Illinois made it seem like the same old story was unfolding...but the convincing win over Iowa made me think that the Hoosiers might reach their goal of "playing 13". Even though it seems like Iowa's down, it's always tough to beat an opponent on the road in a convincing fashion.

I think that while IU has gotten better, so has Purdue. I think our Boilers will beat the Hoosiers again at the end of this season. But, IU will probably still get the 6-wins needed to play in a bowl game.

If your season to date was an album (or CD, for all you young hippety-hoppers), what would it be and why?

"Unfinished Business" by Epmd. Our Boilers have started something pretty well, but still have a lot of work that has yet to be done.



If you had three minutes alone in a locked room with any coach from your team and you could bring any item along, which coach would you choose, what would the item be, and why would you choose that item?

I would like to have a few minutes with Coach Tiller...and I'd bring a hand-written card on Purdue cardstock that I received from him in response to a note I wrote to him after Purdue beat Notre Dame in 1997. Why? Because at that time, Coach Tiller seemed to be on fire and believed anything was possible for his new program. At times in the last few seasons, it seems he's believed that Purdue and this program are "stuck". If he had brought that attitude into the program 11 years ago, Purdue would still be a 4-5 win/season team.

Your best friend Harry has a brother Larry. In five days from now he’s gonna marry. He’s hoping you can make it there if you can coz in the ceremony you’ll be the best man.

Subquestion A: Larry is obviously a loser. He has so few friends, he has to ask his brother’s best friend to be his best man. What Big Ten team does he favor when not playing with Lord of the Rings figurines?

First off, I'd probably ask Harry why he wasn't the best man. I don't have a lot of money- I'm married, got a kid, Harry's single, makes a lot of money...His wife won't nag him about having to spend the weekend away and he can afford his tux rental without having to get a second job. Larry is probably a Wildcat...to me, they've always seemed to be one of the programs/schools that didn't make a ton of sense in the Big Ten (you know, large, public schools, big student bodies...). Larry's kind of socially-awkward, Goth or Emo (whatever the hell that is) since he's a drama major...hell it's amazing he's getting married.

Subquestion B: Five days from now is Saturday. Your team is on the road. Do you (A) stay home and watch the game; (B) road trip, or; (C) say “neato,” check your libido, and roll to the church in your new tuxedo?

It probably depends on where the road game is. I've never been to Iowa City for a game...and since the Hawkeyes seem down, I might go so I could take in a road win.

More than likely, I'd probably stay home and watch the game...I think it'd be good to watch some games and catch up on who's "for real" right now in college football. Plus, Mrs. Boilerdowd and Boilerdowd Jr. would like to spend a nice day together- you know, Bed, Bath & Beyond, Home Depot...if we have enough time. Later, after the little one's in bed, I'll throw in the Sisqo CD...wife will fall asleep, and I'll be up until 3:00 am writing my Purdue review.

(Am I even allowed to answer these questions? It looked like fun, so I did it...J, are you supposed to be in charge of this??)

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