Ted Miller

  (2:59 PM)

Live from the UCLA Spaulding Field media room... it's me. (Sorry about the anticlimax) Fire away.

Ray (Vacaville, CA)

How much of USC's offensive struggles this fall have been because of the defense they are facing in practice rather than the inexperience of the offensive line and the quarterback battle?

Ted Miller

  (3:01 PM)

Probably a lot. That's a really good -- and really deep -- crew on D. Still, Ohio State's defense isn't chopped liver. I'm not expecting spectacular out of the gate.

Darryl Smith Carlsbad, California

Ted - - - based on what you've seen and heard, who do you believe will be the starting quarterback at Cal??

Ted Miller

  (3:02 PM)

A week ago I thought Longshore was a near-certainty. But all I've read in the past week (since I left the Bay Area) is how well Riley is playing. I'm still guessing Longshore, but Riley appears to be on the upswing.

Mark (East Lansing)

Tough first game of the year for both Cal and MSU. Who do you think comes out of that with the win?

Ted Miller

  (3:05 PM)

A tone-setter for both teams... I like the Bears at home. Cal surely will be eager to get rid of the bad taste of last season's second-half slide.

Vamsi (LA)

Ted, when do we get your best-case/worst-case on Stanford? I've been waiting anxiously for this one. I've heard a pretty broad range of predictions for us, but the combination of 20 returning starters and the return of Harbaugh's EUTM has to give us a boost right?

Ted Miller

  (3:08 PM)

Stanford has closed practices so I wasn't able to really look at the Cardinal, but for some reason I think they could be a real surprise. I think the defense is going to be fairly salty and I've got a hunch that Jim Harbaugh is going to turn out to be a great hire. Can the offense pass the ball? Or score? Not sure. Best case would be perhaps 6 or 7 wins (I'll have a best-worst for Stanford this week). Worst? 2 to 4.

Gabe, PDX

How electric is Autzen going to be Saturday night against the Huskies?? Final Score?

Ted Miller

  (3:09 PM)

I love going to Autzen -- reminds me of the SEC. It will be electric. Final score? I'm going to wait on that. Can't wait to watch both QBs -- how much will Locker improve? And is Costa equal to his hype?

brandon, michigan

do you think there is any team in the pac-10 that can knock off usc and win the pac-10

Ted Miller

  (3:11 PM)

No.... I wish I could answer differently but I was at USC's practice yesterday. Golly. Athletes freaking everywhere. Of course, a couple were in a golf cart watching with braces on.

Joseph (Modesto, Ca)

The next big stars in the Pac 10, Jahvid Best and Michael Calvin. Mark it Down Ted!!!

Ted Miller

  (3:11 PM)

Duly marked. You might be right.

GutsyGator, Pensacola, Fl

Ted - What do you think of the UT/UCLA match up and who do you think wins?

Ted Miller

  (3:13 PM)

I think it will be a long night for UCLA, though the Bruins defense should be up to the task. My impression is UCLA will struggle to score against any decent defense, and the Vols will be more than decent.

Matt, Eugene

Ted, whats your honest thoughts on SI's preseason ranking of the beavers at 18?

Ted Miller

  (3:14 PM)

A little high... but a nice sign of respect for the program. Now the task is to live up to that. Recall: SI touted the Beavers before and things didn't go according to plan.

James (Nashville)

Would USC win as many Pac 10 titles if they had to play a conference championship game?

Ted Miller

  (3:16 PM)

No... But it would be close. Pete Carroll and company tend to do well on big stages, so conference championship games would be different than the flat performances that have led to previous losses.

Jason (Atlanta)

Do you get the sense from Coach Erickson that he's happy at Arizona State, to the point where he may actually stick around a while? Or do you think he'd still consider other offers from an elite program?

Ted Miller

  (3:19 PM)

I think this is Dennis' last stop. For real. He is what 61.

Nathan (Boston)

Do you think people might be over-ranking the Ducks based on Chip Kelly's role? Dixon was a senior last year and they did well when Dixon, Clemens and Harrington were seniors and so-so the other years. Mark them down for two so-so years and a great one in 2010.

Ted Miller

  (3:21 PM)

It's possible. Experience at QB tends to be important anywhere but particularly in the Pac-10. Yes, I drank the Kelly-Costa punch, but I'm aware that it's a risky position.

Johnny (Phoenix, AZ)

If the Pac 10 were to ramp up to 12 in order to have a championship game, what schools would be considered? Fresno State, Utah? Is that even remotely a possibility?

Ted Miller

  (3:23 PM)

I've heard little to suggest that's an option. Fans talk about it, but college and conference administrators don't.

james (lakeland, fl)

why isn't USF getting more publicity than they are. they are potentially the best at all of the skill positions on offense and their D is still loaded and as fast as any in the nation. what's the deal

Ted Miller

  (3:25 PM)

Guessing some folks watched the Sun Bowl. Of course, a national ranking in both polls seems like a sign of respect to me.

Ben (Ca)

Do you agree with Maisel (and myself) that ASU is overrated? They were exposed by every truly quality team they played last year and, while you have to admire the comebacks they made, got more than a little lucky in a number of their wins. I also don't see much dominating talent on that squad.

Ted Miller

  (3:27 PM)

To me ASU has all the pieces... other than a questionable offensive line, which is a big issue. If that line exceeds expectations, the Sun Devils are a top-15 team. If the line is no better than a year ago, they won't be one -- but they'll still finish in the top half of the conference.

Andrew (Athens, GA)

Will Justin Roper be the starter at Oregon this season

Ted Miller

  (3:28 PM)

He certainly came on of late... My guess though is Costa is the man, unless he gets hurt. Of course, if Costa struggles like he did in the scrimmage Saturday, things might change.

Kevin (Whittier, CA)

Besides OSU, I dont think USC will have trouble with anyone else. What do you think?

Ted Miller

  (3:31 PM)

If the Trojans handle Ohio State -- and stay reasonably healthy -- my guess is they will be a front-runner to play for the national title. But Sept. 13 is a big date.

Ted Miller

  (3:32 PM)

Got to run gang... Thanks for the questions.