Tuesday, September 05, 2006

Blogpoll Roundtable #2: Surprise

1. What team best met your overall expectations of them in their opener?

The Pitt Panthers. I expected Pitt to be a surpise contender in the Big East this season. They responded with an easier than expected victory over Virginia in the season opener. Certainly, Virginia is not in the same class as West Virginia and Louisville, but a 25 point drubbing of a BCS foe is always a good way to start the season.

2. What team jumped off the map and surprised you the most? (Bonus points to anyone who can make an argument for someone besides Tennessee.)

Kansas State, in a bad way. Even while they were busy finishing 4-7 and 5-6 over the past two seasons, the Wildcats still devoured the cupcakes on the schedule (beating Western Kentucky, Louisiana-Lafeyette, Florida International, and North Texas by an average of 23.75 points). A one point win over Illinois State is probably not how Ron Prince envisioned his opening game as Kansas State coach.

3. What team best moved themselves into a position to surprisingly contend for a national title?

Gotta go with Tennessee. The Vols did all they could to erase any memories of last season's 5-6 record. Cal was never in the game and Erik Ainge looked like last year never happened.

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