ESPN College Football

Posted by ESPN.com's Ted Miller

There is no finish line. So keep writing.

Gerald from Atlanta writes: The same thing that the Pac-10 is saying against the SEC right now, the ACC spent the 90s claiming that the SEC was inferior to their hero FSU. Except, of course, when the SEC played FSU (and Miami) in national title games. Result: SEC 3, FSU (and Miami) 0. I am not saying that the SEC champions would beat USC. Instead, I am saying that the Pac-10 needs to worry about its own problems - which is not having a single program that competes for national titles and BCS games on a regular basis.

It isn't just that these programs can't beat USC. It would be perfectly fine if Oregon, Oregon State, Cal etc. would lose to USC while beating everybody else. That was how it was for Nebraska, FSU, Tennessee, Colorado and Florida in the 1990s. Colorado could beat everyone but Nebraska. Nebraska could beat everyone but FSU. Florida could beat everyone but FSU. Tennessee could beat everyone but Florida. FSU could beat everyone but Miami. Guess what: they all still won national titles because they had the talent and coaching to. No other team in the Pac-10 but USC has the talent and coaching to contend for titles.

That is not the SEC's problem, because if it wasn't the SEC winning those title games, it would be somebody else. Truthfully, the SEC's run is only due to FSU and Miami being down. I say that Miami will be back within 2 years, and that will knock Florida, LSU and the SEC back down a peg just like Miami did in the 1980s. But if you are going to pretend that this happening will help the Oregon States and UCLAs of the world, then you are deluding yourself. Miami will become just another team that Pac-10 fans will call overrated until they turn Bruin blue in the face.

Ted Miller: Lots of stuff there, Gerald. Interesting stuff.

First, the point with USC is that more than a few folks -- and not just in the Pac-10 -- would be eager to see what would happen if the Trojans and the SEC champ crossed paths. College football is worse off that this hasn't happened.

Second, you wrote, "... the Pac-10 needs to worry about its own problems -- which is not having a single program [other than USC] that competes for national titles and BCS games on a regular basis."

Fair point. Not completely accurate, but fair.

Washington was in the national title hunt in 2000, a season that saw three Pac-10 teams finish ranked in the top-seven. Oregon should have played Miami for the title in 2001 -- the Ducks finished No. 2 -- and was ranked No. 2 before Dennis Dixon went down in 2007. California was ranked No. 2 in 2007 but imploded and, despite being ranked No. 4 in 2004, got shut out of the BCS.

USC, UCLA, Stanford, Washington State, Oregon, Oregon State and Washington each have played in BCS bowl games, meaning 70 percent of the Pac-10 has played in a BCS bowl game, a higher percentage than the SEC.

But it's true that the Pac-10, unlike the SEC and Big 12 and often the Big Ten, doesn't consistently have a second team in the national title hunt, and that lack of a consistent, nationally respected foil for USC hurts the conference's perception.

And I agree with the Miami-FSU point.

Nelson from Eugene, Ore., writes: Hey Ted, What do you think are the pros and cons of a Chip Kelly Administration compared to that of Mike Bellotti?

Ted Miller: Golly, Nelson, aren't you an eager beaver.

Er, eager Duck. Sorry.

Don't you think it's a little early, considering Kelly is still the offensive coordinator and Bellotti the head coach, to assess pros and cons?

In general, though, I was surprised by the seeming abruptness of the decision. I didn't think Bellotti was so close to hanging it up -- if he, indeed, is -- but Kelly has been such an outstanding success running the Ducks offense I certainly can understand the administration's eagerness to lock him up.

It's been uncomfortable watching some of Bellotti's long-time assistants get pushed out the door, but that's the nature of the business.

My guess is that Kelly, after perhaps a few growing pains, will become an outstanding head coach, which is how I would rate Bellotti.

Ryan from Atherton, Calif., writes: Rivals.com did a preseason poll for next season recently and had Cal ranked at #12. Do you think that they deserve a #12 ranking going into next year? Also, who do you think will be Cal's quarterback next year? Whenever I go to the games, Riley seems like the fan favorite but I think that Brock Mansion will be the real deal. Finally, do you think Jahvid Best has a legitimate shot at winning the Heisman trophy next year?

Ted Miller: No. 12 makes sense to me. The Bears biggest question mark is at linebacker, but otherwise there are a lot of pieces in place for a top-10 run next fall.

As you note, though, quarterback is an issue. Kevin Riley regressed as the season went on, but that might have been because of the merry-go-round with the starting job. Experience is a huge benefit for quarterbacks, so Mansion will have to be clearly better to win the job.

If Riley regains his confidence this spring, and he and his receivers develop a better rhythm, the Bears will be contenders.

As for Best: Yes. Particularly if Cal is ranked in the top-10.

Drew from Baltimore writes: Ted, Arizona State had an abysmal year no doubt, but in your opinion will things improve next year? It seems the last of Dirk Koetter's players have departed and Dennis Erickson has had one solid recruiting class(2007) and one excellent class (2008) and they're still in the game for good talent this year. ASU seems to have a lot of talented youth. What are the chances they're back in the bowl hunt next year?

Ted Miller: My guess is the Sun Devils will rebound and play in a bowl next year, though I suspect it would be from the middle of the Pac-10 pack.

The defense should again be solid, but the issue is offense.

Arizona State: 1. Will break in a new quarterback with no real game experience; 2. The offensive line returns four starters but that's not necessarily good news.

What is known suggests six wins is doable. What an optimist might see behind the scenes could make seven or eight wins a reasonable hope.

Angel from Seattle writes: Saw this on the Seattle Times Husky Football blog comment thread and would like to hear your response: "[USC safety Taylor] Mays is a freak of nature with his size/speed combo. BUT the more I watch of him, the more I have to question why on earth he is an All American? What does he do back there?"

Ted Miller: Mays is proof stats aren't everything.

Know how the Cover-2 defensive scheme is so popular? That's what USC runs, only Mays stands in for two safeties who split the field and make sure nothing goes over their heads.

Think having one guy play two positions helps a defense?

Mays didn't have impressive statistics because he basically had deep responsibilities for the Trojans defense, while strong safety Kevin Ellison moves up for run support and intermediate routes.

Was Mays effective?

Well, the Trojans ranked No. 1 in the nation in pass defense, surrendering six touchdown passes all season (fewest in the nation) and opponents averaged 4.57 yards per completion (lowest in the nation).

And when receivers did enter Mays' territory, they paid for it. He's a heck of a hitt
er.

But I will say this: Taylor needs to play some catch. Saw him drop a couple of easy picks this year.

Discdude from parts unknown wrote: Can we get an honorable mention for Tedford's bowl record too? 5-1. And you know why Cal lost that one year, just like TTech did this year.

Ted Miller: We aim to please.

And an honorable mention goes to California coach Jeff Tedford for his 5-1 bowl record.

Sweatervested1 from Mobile, Ala, writes: Ted, I would like for you to issue me an apology for the way I have been treated this year on the Pac-1 blog. What happened to friendship?

Ted Miller: Mr. Sweatervested, you know we all love you. I have nothing but love for all things from Mobile and the surrounding area.

And I am truly sorry about your Alabama Crimson Tide. I was impressed, however, by how hard the Tide fought in a Sugar Bowl against Utah where they were physically overmatched. Those guys showed some real spunk.

And, speaking of friendship, didn't you promise to ship me some shrimp?