ESPN College Football

Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg

Your questions, my answers ...

Brian from Batavia, Ill., writes: Adam, There may be a couple of things left off the scoring that are important to a college football program, other than wins. One of the biggest things would be coaches! The ability of college programs to foster coaches that have gone on to win national championships is very important. I know for a fact that Ohio States coaching tree is very large. Just to name a few;Nick Saban Petey Carrol Glen Mason Ron Zook Larry Coker Walt Harris Lou Holtz Urban Meyer Lovie Smith Bo Schembechler Do you think they should have added this into the points systems? Also if so how would they score it? and how would you see the results change?

Adam Rittenberg: That's an interesting idea, Brian. I'm not nearly as smart as the guys at ESPN Research, but it might be tough to settle on an across-the-board points system for coaches in the Prestige Rankings. Most of these guys make tons of stops before finding their destination jobs. Should Pete Carroll also count for NC State's and Arkansas' Prestige Rankings because he also spent time there? Also, it's tough to penalize a staff like Penn State's for having tremendous continuity among Joe Paterno's assistant coaches. It would be interesting to see how the results would change if the coaching component was factored in, but it might be a little unfair to some programs.

Reese from Columbus, Ohio, writes: Are some underestimating Terrelle Pryor's ability to improve his passing ability in the offseason? There are many that say he's just an athlete. Hasn't the kid shown the ability to adjust and the drive to improve throughout his career?

Adam Rittenberg: I agree with you, Reese. Let's see what this kid does with a full offseason to improve an obvious weakness in his game. People see Pryor make one fairly nice touchdown grab in the Fiesta Bowl and think he should move permanently to wide receiver. That's nonsense. He can dominate the college game with moderate improvement in his passing. He doesn't have great touch right now and can't yet make all the throws, but he throws the deep ball decently and can improve in those other areas.

Jon from Parts Unknown writes: Why is Iowa having a hard time with recruiting? Sure they got a few good recruits, but they are quite possibly the strongest team in the big ten right now so could you please give me a reason for iowa's recruiting woes. Thanks in advance.

Adam Rittenberg: No problem. I wouldn't be so hard on the Hawkeyes' class. Just because it's a small group doesn't mean it's a bad recruiting haul for Kirk Ferentz. But I do think the team's off-field problems last summer impacted recruiting a bit, and Iowa always needs to expand its recruiting reach beyond state lines. Still, running back Brandon Wegher and wide receiver Keenan Davis look like very solid prospects, and other players certainly could develop. It's not the Big Ten's strongest class by any means, but Iowa has so many key players returning next fall, it doesn't matter too much.

Mike from Charleston, W. Va., writes: I disagree with you on this hire,has been fired at almost every job he has had.He is very well spoken,i will give you that.Its a bad hire for Rich at UM at this time.Remember in life,timimg is everything,this is not the right time for him.Rich does not need anymore uncertainty at this time.

Adam Rittenberg: Mike is referring to Michigan's hire of Greg Robinson as defensive coordinator. I understand your point about Rich Rodriguez not needing more uncertainty right now, but Robinson provides more stability than unrest. Aside from the Syracuse head-coaching position, Robinson has excelled almost everywhere else he's been. Rodriguez clearly didn't see eye-to-eye with Scott Shafer and needed someone who brings experience and demands respect in meetings. Try not to judge Robinson based solely on the Syracuse years. He was horrible and so was the team. But if you take a step back and look at the whole picture, he's a pretty solid hire for Michigan.

Adam from El Michigan writes: Hey Adam, just wondering who Michigan was going to schedule for there 12th game. Thought you might have heard what inferior opponent they would lose to this year.

Adam Rittenberg: Always good to hear from my readers in El Michigan. Right now, Michigan still hasn't filled a game for Oct. 17. I'm sure the Wolverines will be disappointed to know that Appalachian State is tied up that day (at Wofford). No idea yet on who the Wolverines will schedule. It could be a FCS team.