Do you enjoy watching Big 12 games?

[MgoMatt]

Personally, I don't.

Mainly, because nobody plays defence. In the Okla-OSU game last night, there were no punts in the 2nd or 3rd quarter by either team. And Oklahoma scored TD's on 6 consecutive drives, despite having starting field position range all across the board. The game seemed more like basketball to me than football.

Watching Big 12 games are like playing football video games with the difficulty on easy. Everyone scores a TD on every drive, you always go for it on 4th down and always get it, and the winner of the game is determined by who has the ball last, or who happened to throw an interception.

Personally, my favorite game of the year was Penn State - Ohio State (besides Michigan - Wisconsin) since it was a game of FIELD POSITION and DEFENSE. The Big 12 cares about neither.

[Wolvrin704]

I'll admit that I do. While I love defense it makes for a boring game. Just like a pitchers duel in baseball. I love to watch an offensive slugfest ala UM/OSU 2006.

[GoDeepHammer]

It's a good watch, when Michigan isn't on. It's fun to see some of the scores that are put up there.

[amazinblue]

I enjoy seeing what other conferences can do. So, the Big 12 has been interesting to watch, since Texas Tech, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Texas, and Missouri have captured a lot of attention in the polls this season.

I do agree with the comments about defense, or lack thereof. And, I think balance - O & D is a criteria for a team to really be considered championship caliber.

[GoGreen23]

I enjoy seeing what other conferences can do. So, the Big 12 has been interesting to watch, since Texas Tech, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Texas, and Missouri have captured a lot of attention in the polls this season.

I do agree with the comments about defense, or lack thereof. And, I think balance - O & D is a criteria for a team to really be considered championship caliber.

There's that old quote, "Offense wins games, defense wins championships." But with those high scoring offenses in the Big12 any defense is going to look suspect or be non-existant. If your opponent is scoring 40+ points a game, you are going to need to do the same thing, I think that may be one of the reasons defense is not accented in many Big12 games, the offenses are just overwhelming.

I guess it could be said that their offenses are only that way because of the "bad" defenses down there. Bowl Season should clear up any doubts about that though.

[Wolvrin704]

There's that old quote, "Offense wins games, defense wins championships." But with those high scoring offenses in the Big12 any defense is going to look suspect or be non-existant. If your opponent is scoring 40+ points a game, you are going to need to do the same thing, I think that may be one of the reasons defense is not accented in many Big12 games, the offenses are just overwhelming.

I guess it could be said that their offenses are only that way because of the "bad" defenses down there. Bowl Season should clear up any doubts about that though.

Just like I've been saying for awhile. With todays high powered offenses the defenses can't stop them, they can only hope to slow them down or cause a turnover. The offenses have to be high powered as well in order to outscore the other team. Thats why the whole B10 power offense and defense doesn't do as well in bowl games unless a team is balanced offensively.

[bigboyBlue]

What amazes me is how these other schools have arisen over the last two years (Ok state, TTech, Kansas, Mizzou), yet their recruiting for the last few years is miles behind that of Texas and Oklahoma, which have had consistently ridiculous classes. I guess it shows that stars aren't everything....either that, or Texas, where most of these schools recruit a lot, is talent rich enough that even the 3-star recruits can be studs. You're right, Bowl season will only tell.

Interesting fact: Colt McCoy was a 3*!!

[amazinblue]

Just like I've been saying for awhile. With todays high powered offenses the defenses can't stop them, they can only hope to slow them down or cause a turnover. The offenses have to be high powered as well in order to outscore the other team. Thats why the whole B10 power offense and defense doesn't do as well in bowl games unless a team is balanced offensively.

Wolverin704,

What I'd like to see in a team is an offense that's awesome - moving the ball through the air and on the ground, and a D that's solid. Making the opponent earn every yard they gain - and paying for it in the process too.

The advantage of the current "spread" like offenses at many leading schools is that they throw more at the D than the D can handle, they find mismatches and exploit them. If the D can't adjust immediately, they'll be down by 20+ points at halftime.

Personally, I like to see some offense, but don't need to see 60 point games every Saturday. So, with Oklahoma (for example) - I don't know if their offense is that good, or if their opponents D's are that bad - my guess, it's a little bit of both.

I'm imagining Michigan having a high octane, very flexible, balanced offense in a season or two, and a stifling D that closes opponents down.