Shock The World!

We have been hearing the fans, players, coaches, etc talking about “Shock The World“.  My question is: What would it take to really do that??

I don’t think a 9-3 or even 10-2 season really meets that criterion.  Everyone knows that we have talent, but we don’t have a lot of proven talent.  John Simon, Nate Williams, Mike Brewster, Devier Posey, Boom Herron, and Mike Adams aren’t going to be taking anyone by surprise this year.

On the flip side an All B1G season from Joe Bauserman is shocking the world…  Or a 1000 yd season from Jordan Hall.  How about 120+ tackles from Andrew Sweat?  These are guys that we have all heard about as we follow recruiting, and listen to all the hype about these guys as they work their way up the depth chart during spring practice, but are not household names across the college football landscape.

To me shocking the world is continuing our streak of Big Ten championships.  Winning at Nebraska, going 11-1 or 12-0 during the regular season.  Getting revenge on Wisky, and capping it all of with a BCS berth.  Those things would be surprising to most.  I think deep down inside all fans have a feeling that those things are doable, but know the other side is there as well.

This is what makes going into this season so exciting.  Over the past 6 or 7 years we have pretty much known what we were going to get.  There was a position or two here or there that we were pleasantly surprised with, but we knew who the starter were, what the backup could provide, and what plays we were going to run.  Now there is the uncertainty about play calling, how good or bad the QB play is going to be, or even wondering if the young guys will show up when the lights come on.

All questions that none of us can answer, but taking a look into the crystal ball and the future, most talking heads don’t believe we will shock the world.  I have heard 9-3, 8-4, and from a select few 10-2.  Now wouldn’t it be fun to go out and “Shock the World” and finish in the top 10 for a 7^th straight season?

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JHxLWbFOFLI?rel=0&w=500&h=311]

With all that said.  We all look forward to a fun and exciting 2011 football season, with many wins, big plays, young guys making a name for themselves, All-Americans playing like All-Americans, and hopefully in the end we will Shock the World exceed expectations.

Either way the tBBC will be here to cover it all!