Buzzmaster

  (4:14 PM)

Hey everyone, Graham will be here at 4:30 p.m. ET to chat!

Graham Watson

  (4:31 PM)

Hey everyone. Let's begin the chat.

Kenneth (South Bend, IN)

I have been watching Notre Dame press Conferences and reading articles coming from direct sources. Things sound and look like ND may be as good the '06 team (not quite the '05 team) but with the defense being the great unit and the offense doing enough to get by. Do you at all agree to that

Graham Watson

  (4:33 PM)

I don't know what to think of Notre Dame because there are so many questions on offense. I like the defense and I think it has the team speed and talent to execute Teneta's system, but the offense was so bad last season that it's difficult to predict it being dramatically better. I have a really tough time believing that it with be 2006 better.

John (Santa Barbara, CA)

What makes you think Fresno State can pull off a WAC title when Pat Hill has never won one outright and has only tied for one a single time in 11 years?

Graham Watson

  (4:34 PM)

So, just because he's never won one automatically disqualifies him from winning one ever? Flawed logic. Fresno State has a really good team this season, and its more seasoned than Boise State. Sorry, just is. And heck, the coaches in the conference even believe Fresno State is going to take the crown. There's a lot of talent there. Sorry.

John [Las Cruces]

Chase Holbrook is one of the top 5 quarterbacks in the nation in my opinion. What's with everybody overlooking him??

Graham Watson

  (4:36 PM)

I think because he was injured last season and didn't put up the some numbers as he did the year before. I think Holbrook can throw for 5,000 yards this year and capitalize on some teams oberlooking them.

John(San Jose)

Tell me why shouldn't all FBS division teams be able to compete for a the national title?

Graham Watson

  (4:37 PM)

They do compete for a national title... App. State won it last year... And if you mean the I-A national title it's because there are about three, maybe four, FBS teams that could hang with the major conferences, and none that would be able to recycle the type of talent to do it on a regular basis.

Josh (Friendswood,Tx)

2 years do you see Alabama as a national contender?

Graham Watson

  (4:40 PM)

A national contender? That's a stretch considering that there might still be a lot of talent left at Florida, Georgia and LSU. Obviously, you can never count out Saban and a kid from Southlake Carroll

Obama Wins (Reno, NV)

I like your blog and your articles. I have to disagree with one thing in a recent story though. I believe Fresno State will win against Wisconsin on Sept. 13. The Bulldogs rarely lose home games that have been circled on the schedule for a looong time... and this is one of those games. Any chance you'll cover that one for espn.com?

Graham Watson

  (4:42 PM)

I'll give you that it's a toss-up. If te game was at Wisky, no way. But at home, with FSU's crazy fans, I think they have a chance. I'm just not sure FSU's talent is a deep as Wisconsin's. And P.J. Hill is just freaking good.

Pfaff (Denver)

Is 2008 Ohio State going to be punished by what happened in 2007 and 2006?

Graham Watson

  (4:43 PM)

You mean by not getting to go to the national title game? I don't think so. If they are one of the two best teams then they'll go. I will say if it's close I do believe some voters might hedge toward giving another team a shot.

Pfaff (Denver)

In response to Obama Wins... I think the Wisco-Fresno State game is like the tree falling int he forrest where nobody hears, since the eyes of America will be placed solely on Souther California. Graham, should they just cancel all other games so we can all concentrate on Ohio State-USC? (p.s. I hope Obama Wins is right about his name)

Graham Watson

  (4:45 PM)

Ha! I have to agree that all eyes will be on the OSU-USC game. I think Akron even moved its game to allow its fans (and probably players) to watch that game. I, however, will be watching both if I'm not in Fresno.

Bill (Sacramento, CA)

Is Oregon a national title contender this year?

Graham Watson

  (4:46 PM)

No, I don't. I think they'll be OK. probably Top 25. But there are a lot of teams with a lot better talent out there. Oregon might have missed its boat last year.

Ron (New Mexico)

Name your Top 5 Non-BCS QB's.

Graham Watson

  (4:47 PM)

Max Hall Tom Brandstater Dan LeFevour Nate Davis Rusty Smith ** I do like David Johnson as my darkhorse.

Nick (FL)

I have never met a woman named Graham. Are people often surprised that you are female if they've seen your name before meeting you?

Graham Watson

  (4:48 PM)

All the time. I get a lot of Mr. Watson emails...

Josh (Friendswood,Tx)

Isnt notre dame overrated? 2 votes for the ap top 25 after that horrid season.

Graham Watson

  (4:50 PM)

What's two votes? I mean, really. those votes could have come from reporters who support the team (yes, that happens). Notre Dame will have to earn it's way back into the hearts of the majority of voters, and that means starting the season like 5-1 with the schedule they have.

Nate (Salt Lake City, UT)

Graham- Everyone is talking about BYU as a possible BCS buster, and Utah as a very close second. After visiting media days and fall practices for both teams, how do you stack the two up?

Graham Watson

  (4:52 PM)

When I visited both practices - both during the first week of camp - BYU was running like it was the eighth week of the season. Utah was running like it just started camp. Granted, it had just started camp. There's definitely a different feel around the two camps. There's no meandering at BYU. Everyone is focused and drills go quickly. Even the freshmen seem to fall in line. It's very efficient.

Ron (New Mexico)

Brandstater over Holbrook??

Graham Watson

  (4:53 PM)

Across the board, tangibles and all, es. Brandstater is a better leader and has a better presence on the field. However, I'm not sure there's many QBs in the country that could match Holbrook's arm strength and accuracy.

Scott (Reno)

I think you're down on Nevada Graham, no way Boise is the 2nd best team in the WAC. If anything, they're the sleeper, not the Pack.

Graham Watson

  (4:55 PM)

Down on Nevada? Did they not have a big story on the front of the college football section? I really like Nevada. I was pointing out that Boise State is the media poll favorite. Nevada is the sleeper of the group.

Dan (San Jose)

If Fresno didn't lose a football game until September of 2009, will they have a BCS trophy in their trophy case? Have they provided enough non-conference leverage?

Graham Watson

  (4:57 PM)

I think, and several coaches have agreed with this, you need two solid seasons before you start getting considered for the national championship. And I mean two BCS bowl seasons in a row. That's super tough for a non-BCS because that more than likely means that it hasn't lost a game in two years. It's ridiculous, but it's the way things will be until the system is looked at again in a few years.

Rick (Albuquerque)

When you were covering Mizzou, did you pay much attention to the non-BCS schools?

Graham Watson

  (4:58 PM)

Of course. Missouri played a handful of them every season and I covered the entire Big 12, so non-conference was the time to really see what was shaking in the non-BCS. I was also a Harris Poll voter, a Heisman voter, a Davey voter, a Lombardi voter, a Billetnikoff voter, etc. I had to pay attention to everyone.

Snake (St. Louis, MO)

Graham, thanks again for taking my question. Cloudson, as usual, is wondering about Mizzou football. Mizzou could take the field this year with 8 freshman. Gary Pinkel has never played more than 5. Jeremy Maclin says it is a sign of the depth of the incoming class, and I agree, but could it also be a sign of trouble, ie, lack of depth?

Graham Watson

  (5:00 PM)

Hey Cloudson... No, I think they really have a lot of talented freshmen. These aren't gong to be starters, but they'll fill in on the second string. I actually like this idea because Mizzou has a chance to be really down next year. Getting some of these guys in early lays a good foundation for next year.

Dan (Denver, Colorado)

Will Wisconsin win the Big 10? The Badgers have a very favorable schedule with Penn State and Ohio State at home. I think they can do it with PJ Hill and Travis Beckum returning, and with a senior dominated defense. What's your opinion?

Graham Watson

  (5:02 PM)

I've made it no secret that I think Ohio State is the class in that conference at least on paper. Now could Wisconsin sneak up on them, yes. But they'll have to win some tough road games at Michigan and Michigan State. Look out for the Spartans.

Josh (Friendswood,Tx)

How long till florida state turns it around.

Graham Watson

  (5:04 PM)

I don't think it will be too long. I think the recruiting has been better, but I think the commitment needs to be better. Somewhere the commitment went out of this team and Bobby needs to find that before he can get this team back on the national stage. Won;t be this year, but I think it's heading in that direction.

Jeremy (Toledo, Ohio)

One question: Pitt....are you buying or selling the 25 ranking? I know they have a tough running back and young talent, but we are talking about a 5 win team here right?

Graham Watson

  (5:06 PM)

I don't think there's anyone in the country more opposed to Pitt being No. 25 than me. They've had three straight losing seasons. Yes, they have talent, but so does Notre Dame and you don;t see them in the Top 25. Pitt? Yeah, no.

Greg (Crystal Lake, IL)

Graham, do you think Mack Brown will have Texas sharp for the season opener, especially in the light of what happened to Michigan last year, and how most people are saying if ther'es another upset like that this year, it'd be the Texas vs. Florida Atlantic?

Graham Watson

  (5:07 PM)

I think Mack has his team sharp unless it's playing Kansas State... Seriously, I like FAU, but I don;t think they have the horses to beat Texas especially after their coach talked down Texas' toughness. This game might even get a little violent because you know that article is posted up in the locker room.

Pepe's Tacho Shop (Parking Lot)

Have you heard of this kid at Fresno State by the name of Ryan Matthews? Hear he has some talent...

Graham Watson

  (5:09 PM)

You hear right and he's well respected around the conference. Luke Lippincott was talking him up during media days. Matthews rushed for 900 yards last year and I expect him to get over 1,000 easily. Yet another reason why Fresno State will win the WAC.

Chauncey (Phoenix, AZ)

WAC road trip game of the year?

Graham Watson

  (5:10 PM)

Well, from Arizona, anywhere is a road trip. But I'd say the Fresno State/Boise State game is a must-see.

Gordon Kayser Garland, Tx.

As an OU fan, I am concerned about the TCU game. For more than a decade they have been a quality team. They beat us in Norman when we had Adrian Peterson and we are 3-7 against them lifetime. They lost to Texas last year in austin but were up 10-0 at the half. 5 turnovers by a freshman QB did them in. They won there bowl game again and are 5-1 against Big 12 teams. I have heard nothing about them in the press this year and that scares me. What do you think?

Graham Watson

  (5:12 PM)

OU concerned about it, too, which is probably why it has a bye week before it and after it TCU is a crap shoot.I like tem in the Mountain West, but I don;t think they're as good as the team that have played with OU before. OU is the class of the Big 12 (sorry Missouri). Unless OU absolutely comes out flat against TCU, this should be a walk. Now, if they come out even a little flat, I'd expect some fight from the Horned Frogs.

Brad (Gadsden,Alabama)

What is the best game?

Graham Watson

  (5:14 PM)

Send me this question after some games have been played. Games are going to mean something different to each team every week. It's easy to pick Florida/Georgia or Missouri/Kansas or Auburn/ULM (I kid). No one knows whether those games will mean anything at the time they are played.

Graham Watson

  (5:14 PM)

Send me this question after some games have been played. Games are going to mean something different to each team every week. It's easy to pick Florida/Georgia or Missouri/Kansas or Auburn/ULM (I kid). No one knows whether those games will mean anything at the time they are played.

Graham Watson

  (5:14 PM)

Send me this question after some games have been played. Games are going to mean something different to each team every week. It's easy to pick Florida/Georgia or Missouri/Kansas or Auburn/ULM (I kid). No one knows whether those games will mean anything at the time they are played.

Graham Watson

  (5:16 PM)

Wow. Got bumped from the server for a sec there... Sorry. Back now...

Brian (LA)

What kind of shot do you give UCLA to knock off TN?

Graham Watson

  (5:18 PM)

I think Tenn is tough and though I think Craft is a fine QB, I think UCLA has been through too much this preseason to be ready for Tenn the first weekend.

Hardley (New York)

Can Rutgers start off 4-0 on the way to Morgantown?

Graham Watson

  (5:19 PM)

Loaded question since I like Fresno State to beat them. And a lot of people think North Carolina can be a force in the ACC. It's some tough going for Rutgers during the non-conference.

Dr. Tom (Hastings, NE)

Prediction for the Big 12 North? How about Missou, Nebraska, Kansas, Colo, Iowa St & Kstate.

Graham Watson

  (5:20 PM)

MU, KU, CU, NU, ISU, KSU

Seth (Edinburg, VA)

Hey Grahm, im a big UVA fan, you think we have a chance of upsetting USC week 1, and what do you think our odds of winning the ACC title are?

Graham Watson

  (5:22 PM)

Virginia won't upset USC and it won't win the ACC. Sorry. It's a new QB, a new line, almost an entire new defense... I hate to use rebuilding, but that might be Virginia's fate this season.

Scott (Reno)

How about, where did Nevada/Boise rate as you for game of the year last year? That one came out of no where.

Graham Watson

  (5:24 PM)

Great game. Not a lot of defense, but a great game. I thought both teams played as well as they could - at lest on offense. Might see something similar this season since Nevada is gunning for the Broncos to avenge the loss.

sylvain (calgary)

Ok I guess it must be hard to believe there are die hard canadian college fans but we exist!!!! Please answer this question since you don't like osu q's...Do you see Georgia or Florida being knocked off by an unsuspecting SEC team?? ALA South Carolina 2006 (almost pulled it off)

Graham Watson

  (5:25 PM)

I can see both teams getting knocked off by an SEC team, but I'm not sure it will be one of the lower teams. I will say that if any team could pull that off it's SC because Spurrier is a football genius and the SEC is one of the few conference where the whole on any given day cliche actually applies.

Ryan

comment if you will on the job Gary Pinkel has done with the Missouri program.

Graham Watson

  (5:27 PM)

Shoot, five years ago they wanted to run him out of town and now he's running the place. I have said this a gazillion times... When history looks back on Missouri's success - if it sustains success over a long period of time - it will point to the recruitment of Chase Daniel. That kid changed the Missouri program both on the field and off it. He made Mizzou believe it could be a contender. I firmly stand by that statement.

Darryl (Oakland, CA):

Is there a more talented team than Cal not in the top 25?

Graham Watson

  (5:29 PM)

Is this a serious question that you asked 12 times? While Cal is super talented, it has a lot of youth that has yet to prove itself. Oh, and there's this team called USC in its conference. Not to mention Georgia, Oklahoma, Missouri, Florida, etc. that are more talented than Cal.

Graham Watson

  (5:30 PM)

OK. Last couple questions. Looking for some good ones.

Brian (LA)

How much of a difference do you think Chow and Neuheisel make on the offense this year given the lack of talent on the oline and the lack of experience at QB?

Graham Watson

  (5:32 PM)

I think both are proven coaches and getting them together makes UCLA a team to be feared regardless of what's happening with the QB situation. Give Neuheisel time to get some of his recruits on board and I think UCLA will revert back to the UCLA I grew up with (you'll have to guess on that time frame).

Pfaff (Denver)

Graham, please fill in the blank. "If I were going to Vegas, I would put all my money on _________ to win the BCS this year"

Graham Watson

  (5:33 PM)

Missouri because you'll probably get the best value. Georgia if you want a better chance at a sure thing.

ethanking (Grandview Mo.)

In the first round should I play cotchery calvin Johnson?

Graham Watson

  (5:34 PM)

Cotchery. Look who's throwing to him now.

Graham Watson

  (5:35 PM)

OK. That's it. Gotta get back to the grind. Have a good day everyone.