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The ShowGirl

  (11:58 AM)

Welcome to The Show! Archie will be here shortly. Send in those questions now!

Archie Griffin

  (12:02 PM)

Hello everybody, I'm sitting here in New York getting ready to celebrate the Wendy's High School Heisman award tonight. Tonight we get to pick the winners -- one male and one female. It's been a treat!

Keith (Nebraska

Hey Archie! Thanks for chatting with us. I know the high school Heisman has 12 finalists remaining, when with the winner be announced on TV?

Archie Griffin

  (12:03 PM)

The ceremony is taped to air on Sunday, December 11 at 6 p.m. ET on ESPN2. But, the announcement of the winners will go out tonight.

Eric Barnhart (Waynesboro, VA)

Clearly there should never be another 2 time winner of the Heisman trophy like yourself but if there had been over the last decade or so up to now who do you think it should have been?

Archie Griffin

  (12:06 PM)

Over the last decade ... let's see. Well, if I go all the way back, I think Billy Simms would have been one who was worthy -- he won it as a junior. I think Charles White ended up winning it his senior year. Ty Detmer also won it as a junior and then didn't repeat. And Jason White -- I thought he had a great senior season, but he just started off a little late and made it very difficult to win it again, especailly competing against guys like Peterson and Bush and Matt Leinart. All of these guys are outstanding athletes and would be capable of winning it -- but, it's just a matter of one guy each year!

Dustin (Ohio,Cleveland)

Are you going to attend Ohio State's bowl game this year against Notre Dame? Also how do you feel about the success of this Ohio State Buckeye team?

Archie Griffin

  (12:08 PM)

Hello Dustin, I certainly am! I would not miss it for anything, I think it's a wonderful matchup and I really admire the fact that the Fiesta Bowl and the BCS pulled the trigger to make this a possibility. I know Ohio State has been there three of the last four years, but I think it was the right call. It doesn't happen very often, in the history of college football, OSU and ND have only played each other four times. The series stands at 2-2 and this is the rubber match! Thanks for the question. I really look forward to being there!

CRAIG (HOUGHTON LAKE MICHIGAN)

Archie let me say it is an honor to b chatting with u....My question is...Do you think that less visual(on tv)schools with outstanding players that put up great numbers be included along with the "high profile" schools.....GO BLUE LOL

Archie Griffin

  (12:10 PM)

(laughs) Hey Craig. I think any team that puts up the numbers and has the schedule should be included. One of the things that the NCAA tries to do is to level the playing field -- although, that's not always the case because of recruiting budgets and facilites, etc. But, if a school has the stars and the record, they can be considered. Now Craig, with that said ... go BUCKS!

Matt (Dallas)

Ok....tell me why Vince Young does not deserve to win the Heisman. I know Reggie Bush is absolutely ridiculous, and I have zero problems with him winning the award -- just play devils advocate.

Archie Griffin

  (12:13 PM)

Matt, I can't give you a reason why Vince does NOT deserve to win other than there is a lot of outstanding talent out there. Vince Young is an amazing talent and still could win the Heisman, you never know how the voting will go. If Vince wins it, he'll deserve it. If Reggie wins it, he'll deserve it. If Matt Leinart wins it, he'll deserve it. All three of those guys are just so talented. Vince has done so much for Texas, that program would not be where they are without Vince at QB. Look no further for Vince's worthiness than that last run he put together against Ohio STate! Vince is outstanding, but my point is, any of the guys may win the Heisman this year are all very deserving.

Erin (los angeles)

Archie- what do you think about both Mack Brown and Vince Young stumping for Young to win the Heisman? Classless or necessary? Or maybe a bit of both? What about Brown's comment about needing one Heisman for running backs and another one for quarterbacks?

Archie Griffin

  (12:16 PM)

Erin, that's a very good question. I don't believe that their needs to be one for each position, I think the Heisman should be how it always has been -- THE Heisman Trophy. And I don't htink that will ever chage. As for Mack Brown's actions, that's a coach trying to get his player some recognition. But, Vince is what he is. He is an outstanding football player, and he has a shot at the trophy. Mack's job as a coach is to do everything he can do promote his players. I wouldn't say it's classless, it's a coach going to bat for his player and I'm sure that makes Vince and the rest of Mack's players feel good, whether Vince wins the Heisman, or not.

Scott (Dayton)

Mr. Griffin...let's settle the debate. Who is the best college running back of all time? You, Barry Sanders, OJ Simpson, Bo Jackson, Reggie Bush, other? Thanks for your time!

Archie Griffin

  (12:18 PM)

Scott, I thank you for including me in that group. I have no idea who is the best college player of all time, I don't think much about that. I'm just absolutely so glad that I had the chance to play D-I college football with the people that I played it with. But again, all those names had such impressive college careers and I thank you again for the inclusion. Thanks Scott -- Go Bucks!

mike (dayton, ohio)

does A.J.hawk deserve consideration for the Heisman? even though I know it's a moot point

Archie Griffin

  (12:21 PM)

Mike, I do feel that AJ deserves consideration. I think he has received quite a few votes for the trophy, I haven't seen the results yet, but I know he has gotten some votes. I'm happy to see that AJ won the Lombardi award. He is a fabulous player and I love that he is a Buckeye and I know that he has a tremendously bright future ahead of him. There are some other positions that have votes also -- unfortunately, this year, I think the Heisman Trophy Memorial only brought three in -- the three players that had the most votes -- because they didn't want to give anyone a false impression of what might happen. But those other positions are out there and they have received a few votes.

Tim (Columbus OH)

Is it appropriate for more than the top 3 Heisman candidates (Young, Bush, Leinart) to go to NYC for the ceremony? Would it still be concidered an honor or just a slap to invite more than that?

TIM (TOLEDO)

HEY ARCHIE, GO BUCKS!! IF YOU COULD ADD TWO MORE PLAYERS TO JOIN THE THREE FOR THE HEISMAN, WHO WOULD THEY BE?

Archie Griffin

  (12:23 PM)

It would be an honor to be one of the top five invited. My sophomore year, I finished fifth. If they did it the way they do it today (usually invited five) I would have enjoyed coming to New York. I think the invite and the ceremony and the wonderful city is just a great experience. And, I think it could serve as a motivator. If I had to add two more to the invitation list, I'd probably add Brady Quinn and A.J. Hawk. That's probably what I would do. It is an honor.

michelleburton(stl,mo)

Are you still involved with the Ohio State program

Archie Griffin

  (12:25 PM)

Hey Michelle, yes, I am still involved at Ohio State, I'm not longer the assosciate athletic director (I was in charge of football and another 16 sprots) but I left that position about two years ago. I left the ADepartment and moved over to become the President/CEO of the Alumni Association at the university. So I'm still very involved with OSU, just not in the athletic department anymore. Thanks for asking.

Daniel (Pickerington)

Hi Mr. Griffin, this year the Fiesta Bowl will not only play host to two distinguished football teams, but also two brilliant coaches in Charlie Weis and Jim Tressel. Do you think either one of their coaching styles is superior, and will therefore give their team an edge come January 2nd?

Archie Griffin

  (12:27 PM)

Daniel, you made a very good point, both of those guys are OUTSTANDING coaches, but when it comes to this game, they will both do a wonderful job when given all of this time to prepare. I love how Jim prepares our team for the bowl games and Charlie has prepared the Pats for the Super Bowl. I think we are in for a wonderful matchup in all dimensions come January 2.

Chris (Swansboro, NC)

Archie, do you feel that Oregon should have been the matchup against Ohio State in the Fiesta Bowl with only a single loss to the top team in the nation? I know in either case the bucks will come out on top..lol. Also if it was up to you, would you rather see a playoff for the national championship or stick with the bowl games?

Archie Griffin

  (12:32 PM)

Chris, I know exactly how you feel about Oregon, with the Ducks only losing one game ... to USC, no less. However, I think that, from a national standpoint, they've looked at the matchup and realize that OSU and ND is jsut something that doesn't happen too often and, you have to realize that the BCS is about TV and ratings too. This was something that they just coouldn't pass up. Notre Dame gets special consideration for whatever reason. The following of this game will be truly outstanding. As far as a playoff, I think everybody would like to see that, sure, but the bowl games have been so good to college football that a playoff just wouldn't work. If you do away with the bowl games and have all playoffs, in essense, what they will be doing is making a playingfield of competition that is UNlevel. If you get selected to play in that playoff, you will have more opportunities to practice -- coaches love that! The love every chance they get to get out there and play and practice and get better. So, while I think playoffs would be very exciting, the bowl system just has so many advantages and opportunities for a lot of teams to get more time on the field.

Eric (Richmond, Va)

Hey Archie who are you going to vote for, or who have you already voted for in the Heisman?

Archie Griffin

  (12:33 PM)

I have already voted, the votes had to be in by Tuesday or Wednesday. I never tell who I vote for, though.

Mike (Columbus)

Archie, having played in the NFL and won two heismans at Ohio State, which one of the three heisman finalists do you think will go on to have the best NFL career? GO BUCKS!

Reef Trenton NJ

Hey Archie its a great great honor to be chatting with u.. alot of people seems to think that people that when the heisman dont do good on the next level (nfl) how do u think Vince Young Or Reggie Bush will do in the nfl with or without the heisman

Archie Griffin

  (12:36 PM)

That's a very good question. You never know who is going to make the best pro. A lot depends on circumstance -- what team you go to, what sort of offense they run. The schemes. It seems to be tougher for QBs than it does for RBs. It takes time for quarterbacks to learn a totally new system. Very rarely do you see a QB jump in and succeed immediately. THe learning curve is greater at that position. For an RB, if you go to a team with a great O-line and a coach who likes to run the ball, you could be very well off, but if you land in a passing offense, you may have to make more adjustments.

Archie Griffin

  (12:36 PM)

Keep in mind that the Heisman is an award for college players and their success in their college career. It doesn't have to translate to the pros. Don't forget that.

Joe (New York, NY)

I've always wondered. Do you get two votes? GO BUCKS!

Archie Griffin

  (12:37 PM)

(laughing) Joe. Great question, I get asked that all the time. I have been lobbying for two, but they have not allowed me that yet ... but I'll keep trying!

Archie Griffin

  (12:42 PM)

Thanks for all the questions and support everybody. I really apprectiate you logging on to join me today. This is a great honor for all of the Heisman nominees, both at the college and high school level. Just a great group of very talented and deserving people.

Archie Griffin

  (12:42 PM)

Wish I had more time to spend answering your questions. I have to get going for preparations for the high school ceremony here tonight in NYC. Thanks again, everybody. Take care!

The ShowGirl

  (12:44 PM)

Thanks Archie! Great questions everybody. As Archie mentioned, the Wendy's High School Heisman ceremony is tonight and will be broadcast on Sunday, December 11 at 6 p.m. ET on ESPN2. Tune in to see the winners (one male and one female)!

The ShowGirl

  (12:52 PM)

The winner of the 71st Annual Heisman Memorial Trophy Award will be announced live on ESPN in a special presentation from The Nokia Theatre in Times Square, at 8:00 p.m. ET on Saturday, December 10, 2005.