Buzzmaster

  (2:15 PM)

Hey everyone, we had some quick technical difficulties, so I'm going to post Tim's transcript so far:

Buzzmaster

  (2:16 PM)

DaMon (Atlanta, GA): Will and can Louisville rebound with Krag's in ?

Tim Griffin

  (2:16 PM)

DaMon: Always have liked Kragthorpe, who I knew from his days at Texas A&M. His brother is a sports columnist at a Salt Lake City newspaper, for another piece of trivia about him. I know he had to clean house with some of Petrino's old players last season, but I think they are steered in the right direction. I think they take advantage of a favorable schedule and head back to a bowl game of some kind.

Buzzmaster

  (2:16 PM)

Adam (Denver Co): Any chance you can talk more about the SEC? Evidently thats the only conference playing this year..How about a little BIG 12 talk here?

Tim Griffin

  (2:16 PM)

Adam: Glad to talk about something near and dear to my heart. Did you see either of the games last night. Very disappointing night for new Baylor coach Art Briles in his opener. The five turnovers were just killers for him, although freshman QB Robert Griffin looks like he'll be playing a lot by the end of the season. And Iowa State looks like they reincarnated the old Green Bay Packer secondary of Willie Wood and Herb Adderley (I know that reference might be a little dated for some of you guys) with all of the interception yardage in an easy victory over the Jackrabbits of South Dakota State. I love that nickname.

Buzzmaster

  (2:16 PM)

Mike (Lexington, KY): What are your thoughts on the NCAA's new emphasis on excessive celebration this season? Do you expect it to be a factor and will it be applied consistently from game to game, conference to conference?

Tim Griffin

  (2:16 PM)

Mike: Absolutely do not like it. I think that that celebration is a big reason for the excitement of college football. Within reason, they should let players be excited young men and have their fun when they do something good. And like you said, I expect it to be applied differently in some conferences to others. Which I do not like.

Buzzmaster

  (2:17 PM)

Pick one SEC game that you are looking forward to, and the impact it will have on the conference/BCS.

Buzzmaster

  (2:17 PM)

And take it away, Tim!

Tim Griffin

  (2:18 PM)

Guys: Sorry for the technical difficulties. I was steered into the wrong room and was stuck - just like something from Alice in Wonderland. But I'm ready for some hot opinions about the Big 12 and other college football.

Will J (Portland, OR)

Tim, Sammy Stroughter is back with a vengence. He is one of the most dynamic players in CF, when he's healthy.

Tim Griffin

  (2:19 PM)

Will: Agree with you. When healthy Stroughter would be one of my most talented players. And he's also a member of my All-Name team, too. He just sounds like a football player.

Ken (AL)

Do you think Jesse Palmer can get a big boy tie before the next ESPN telecast? That tie looked like the one I wore in elementary School.

Tim Griffin

  (2:21 PM)

Ken: I'm never going to make any comments about the dress of my fellow ESPN employees, although I think he's joining this joining the Fourth Estate thing a little too much to heart!

Brian J. Patrick (Ohio State).

Are more college programs starting to recruit on campus? We were on the Oval after class and the these guys approached and stated, "Everyone plays football this summer or things start happening! We were surprised the football team was interested in 140-150 pound weaklings. Sincerely, Brian J. Patrick Economics Major patrick.64@osu.edu The Ohio State University

Tim Griffin

  (2:22 PM)

Brian: Scholarship limitations being what they are, you can never enough players to join your team from the campus. Ask Bo Pelini. He's restarted the Nebraska walk-on program with a vengence, I hear.

ray gordon REID New oreleans louisiana 70112

TO TIM QUESTION AT 2.20 PM HI TIM GRIFFIN ALABAMA OR CLEMSON

Tim Griffin

  (2:22 PM)

Ray: How about Clemson, very close. Should be a good game.

Kevin (atlanta)

Was Baylor that bad or is Wake as good as they looked last night?

Tim Griffin

  (2:24 PM)

Kevin: Think it's a little of both. Baylor was very disappointing with the five turnovers, although the Griffin kid looks like he can play a little. But Wake Forest surprised me. Very efficient. Skinner was on fire early and I was really impressed by the job their offensive line did.

steve (houston)

I've read that some think that Maclin is a better pro prospect than Crabtree because of his versatility/return ability. Do you think Crabtree can return kicks in the NFL? Will he this year?

Tim Griffin

  (2:26 PM)

Steve: I think both of those guys are going to be dynamite at the next level. Imagine Crabtree after working at receiver for four or five more years. And Maclin is an impact who can turn a game around every time he touches the ball. Mike Leach has told me that Crabtree could return kicks this season because they are such a big part of the game. But I don't think he would be used in the NFL because most franchises shy away from using their best players on special teams because of the injury risks involved. And I think Crabtree could develop into one of the better players for the team that drafts him.

Nate (Madison)

How dangerous is Fresno St to Rutgers this weekend and when they host Wisconsin in a couple weeks. As a Badger fan I'm worried about our inexperience and lack of depth at QB, WR, and DB. Also the lack of a true game changer or homerun threat at RB or WR.

Tim Griffin

  (2:28 PM)

Nate: You guys in Madison should know about how dangerous the Bulldogs can be from a few years ago, shouldn't you. I think Fresno beats Rutgers this weekend. And I think they might be a big challenge for the Badgers - mainly because of the fears you mentioned and Bret Bielema's lack of depth at several critical positions.

Chad (Savannah, GA)

The LSU game was just moved up to 10 AM CDT. Will this change effect the Tigers?

Tim Griffin

  (2:29 PM)

Probably not the Tigers, who I believe could play in the middle of the night if you asked them. But how about the revelers? Something tells me the Bloody Mary consumption around Tiger Stadium has just skyrocketed!

Richard (Atlanta)

What are your impressions of Paul Johnson's triple option last night?

Tim Griffin

  (2:30 PM)

Rich: Didn't get to see much of the game because mine was on at the same time. But Johnson's triple option is so different from what a lot of other teams are running these days that it's always going to be difficult for other teams to defense.

Nate (Madison)

Oh I remember that game from a coupld years back. David Carr and Bernard Berrian

Tim Griffin

  (2:31 PM)

Nate: You're right about David Carr. He should have written Barry Alvarez a big thank-you note for all that money the Badgers made for him when he signed that contract with Houston.

Chris - Ohio

Tim, give me three games this season that have the possibility of being a huge upset, ala Ap. St. last year.

Tim Griffin

  (2:33 PM)

Chris: You said possibility, so I'm going to take a few liberties. How about Oregon State over USC (if the Trojans beat Ohio State) How about Colorado over Texas And how about TCU over BYU (if the Cougars appear bound for a BCS game with a big start) Are those huge enough for you? Don't think we'll see many Appy State-like games this season

Nick (SLC)

Utah over Michigan?

Tim Griffin

  (2:34 PM)

Nick, I'll take the Wolverines but just by a hair. I wouldn't bet on this game. Should be an interesting one to watch.

Will J (Portland, OR)

Fresno St. is one of those teams that a BCS conference team shouldn't schedule a game against, especially in Bulldog Stadium. There is way more to lose than gain by playing them.

Tim Griffin

  (2:35 PM)

Will; I agree with you. Most BCS-level teams try to stay away from the Valley if they can help. Maybe this is the payback of one of those two-for-one or three-for-one scheduling deals, I don't know.

Chad (Savannah, GA)

I am from New Orleans Tim and have about a dozen friends and family members coming up here to evacuate but most won't leave until after the LSU game is over. Let's hope and pray we don't have a repeat of 3 years ago.

Tim Griffin

  (2:37 PM)

Chad: My hopes and prayers are with you. Hopefully, you know that not all people from San Antonio want to steal your football team away from you guys. Couldn't imagine the NFL without the Saints. Kind of like going to the Quarter and not getting a Lucky Dog

Tim Griffin

  (2:37 PM)

Chad: My hopes and prayers are with you. Hopefully, you know that not all people from San Antonio want to steal your football team away from you guys. Couldn't imagine the NFL without the Saints. Kind of like going to the Quarter and not getting a Lucky Dog

Chad (Savannah, GA)

Should SOS be a major component in the BCS? I believe that teams that play in weak conferences and play weak OOC schedules should be penalized.

Tim Griffin

  (2:38 PM)

Chad: Absolutely believe that schools should be rewarded for playing a tough game and penalized for scheduling a mulligan. No way in the world should OU be playing Chattanooga tomorrow night.

Kevin (ATL)

Do you feel the Vols are a sleeper pick this year? All 5 offensive lineman back, all the recivers back, and a great running attack. And arguably the best secondary in the country.

Tim Griffin

  (2:39 PM)

Kevin: Absolutely do. I think they take some of the steam out of Rick Neuheisel's rebuilding job from his first game. Something tells me a lot of USC fans will be laughing about this one.

Chad (Savannah, GA)

Next time you're in New Orleans skip the Lucky Dog and go to Central Grocery on Decautur and get a Muffaletta.

Tim Griffin

  (2:39 PM)

Chad: Only do the Lucky Dogs after a couple of cold ones. I actually always make time to go to Mother's. Somebody told me the new one after Katrina is almost like the old one.

Matt (Chicago)

Do you think Michigan is being overlooked just a little bit? They still have a ton of talent on that team and Coach RR has won before with a not great running QB in King, etc. I think they get 7-8 wins easy.

Tim Griffin

  (2:41 PM)

Matt: I agree they have some talent, but it was recruited to play a different scheme from what Rich Rod plans to implement. Look at the transformation when Mack Brown took over at Texas or Pete Carroll at USC. I think the Wolverines are looking at seven or eight wins and a trip to San Antonio for the Alamo Bowl.

Trevor -Iraq-

Ya know I have placed many posts and none of them are ever responded too. I am over here in Iraq busting my butt and I get ignored. not cool at all.

Tim Griffin

  (2:42 PM)

Trevor: God speed to you getting home. Fire away.

Tommy (MI)

Better breakout Season, Tebow, White, or Sanchez?

Tim Griffin

  (2:43 PM)

Tommy: What's your definition for a breakout season from Tebow? 50 touchdown pass and 30 TD runs?

bill (dallas, tx)

I would not CU over Texas as a huge upset this year. If that is correct, then I would say a big upset for 2008 would be Texas over OU or Missouri based upon the press projections?

Tim Griffin

  (2:44 PM)

I don't think Texas over Missouri will be that big of an upset. Missouri hasn't won in Austin since 1895. They'll have the largest crowd in the history of football in the state of Texas for that game. But Texas could be coming into that game with an 0-2 record, remember those games with Colorado and OU that precede it.

Tim Griffin

  (2:45 PM)

I don't think Texas over Missouri will be that big of an upset. Missouri hasn't won in Austin since 1895. They'll have the largest crowd in the history of football in the state of Texas for that game. But Texas could be coming into that game with an 0-2 record, remember those games with Colorado and OU that precede it.

Kevin (ATL)

How can you have a breakout season when you won the Heisman last year?

Tim Griffin

  (2:45 PM)

Kevin: Agree with you, unless "Superman" starts jumping over building with a single bound.

Trevor -Iraq-

What is your take on Texas A&M this year?

Tim Griffin

  (2:47 PM)

I like Texas this year because the game is in Austin. But how about the way that A&M has dominated in the trenches both times in recent years. That's not a good sign for UT's strength and condition. I look for that to change this season, however. UT 27, A&M 17

Bill (dallas, tx)

Well if 0-2 Texas beats an undefeated Missouri team, that will be a killer for the Tigers NC hopes.

Tim Griffin

  (2:48 PM)

Bill: That would hurt but not kill Mizzou's NC hopes. Didn't LSU have two regular-season losses last year?

Brad (Gadsden,Alabama)

Will Julio Jones win Freshman of the Year?

Tim Griffin

  (2:48 PM)

Brad: Think there's a great chance. I know my colleague Chris Low is really high on him.

Nate (Madison)

Do you think the B10 ever adds another team? I know it matters on more then just football because of other sports. But who would be your leading candidates if they ever did?

Tim Griffin

  (2:51 PM)

Nate: I've written some columns about this over the years. I think they definitely have plans to add another team and the Big Ten Network really plays into that equation. I still think that Notre Dame has an open invitation to come. If they say no, how about a nearby school like Missouri or Nebraska or maybe Syracuse or Rutgers. But for really out-of-the-box thinking, how about a school like Texas or Florida. If the Longhorns or Gators joined the Big Ten, imagine the way it would pump the conference's network in a large remaining state. Not saying it would happen, but it is kind of fun to speculate that way.

Johnstone (Bucktown)

Do you think that the agreement between ESPN and the SEC will push conferences such as the Big 12 to look for a similar type of deal to play all of their games as well? Or will they go the Big 10 route and start their own network?

Tim Griffin

  (2:53 PM)

Johnstone: Don't know how eager the Big 12 is to start its own network. Also, the league doesn't have a huge population base to draw from, which would negate its potential value. And before the Big 12 gets a carriage deal like the SEC commanded, they are going to have to be much better on a national basis for several more years - at least

Mark (SA)

Will McGee at A&M improve as a passer this year? So far his passing has looked pretty weak except for a few games.

Tim Griffin

  (2:54 PM)

Mark: People forget about all the passing numbers that McGee piled up at Burnet when he was throwing to Jordan Shipley. He's better suited to a pro-style offense than an option one. If he can stay healthy, I think he posts some good numbers. I know my old colleague from the SA newspaper Brent Zwerneman has even speculated about an NFL career for him if he has a big senior season.

Dennis; Denver

Gary Pinkel said in an interview that every team in the Big 12 North would be better this year than last. It wasn't just hyperbole, he made clear he had never said that before. Do you agree?

Tim Griffin

  (2:55 PM)

Dennis: Yes I do think that's a possibility. Every team has better personnel. Should make for an interesting race.

Chad (Savannah, GA)

ND won't join a conference as long as NBC and the BCS keep giving them a sweatheart deal that is only represenative of the ND of 20 years ago. NBC is upset that they cannot get major CFB so they keep throwing money at ND.

Tim Griffin

  (2:57 PM)

Chad: I know that's true, but what if they start continually losing? NBC is going to want to pay for that forever. And no school better matches the geographic footprint of the Big Ten than Notre Dame. It's a similarly based research school. Already has titanic matchups with Michigan, Michigan State and Purdue. Imagine yearly battles with Ohio State, Penn State and Wisconsin.

bill (dallas, tx)

Texas or Fla to Big 10 will not happen - would kill travel base for fans based upon distance. Seem to remember Pac 10 courting Texas a few years back and same reason - distance of games.

Tim Griffin

  (2:59 PM)

Bill: Why not? Remember, I was thinking outside the box. Imagine 15 to 20 years from now when you're getting about 700 television stations on your Black Berry. Think about what the addition of either school would do to the national clout of the Big Ten. It would push it right up there with the SEC's as the nation's strongest - even if it turned into a commuter league.

matt (waco)

so tim, what do you think are baylor's chances of getting to a bowl this year??

Tim Griffin

  (3:00 PM)

Matt: After last night, not good. I think the Bears finish 3-9, but Griffin impressed me. Next time, however, one question usually serves the purpose of getting me to answer.

bill (dallas, tx)

Tim, this sure is fun to do again...

Tim Griffin

  (3:01 PM)

Bill: I agree. Sorry I didn't give my regular readers of my blog more advance notice. I'll do it next time.

Chad (Savannah, GA)

Tim I agree that ND is the logical choice for the Big 10. It would bring more credibility to the only league that doesn't either play a champ game or play everyone in conference but I don't see ND doing what is best for CFB, I see them doing what is best for their pocketbook.

Tim Griffin

  (3:02 PM)

Chad: You are probably right. Notre Dame struck out on its own with the NBC deal. Can't see them having much compassion for anybody else.

Don -Stafford, VA

Do you think that Georgia is overrated this year? Everyone is saying they may have more talent than any georgia team before, but how can they win with their schedule?

Tim Griffin

  (3:03 PM)

Don: Do think there could be a chance. The schedule for the Dawgs is going to be a meat grinder. I'm anxious to see how they play in the desert against Arizona State. They won't find much sweet tea being served down there.

Troy (Theodore, Alabama)

You said that the SEC is the strongest conference. Do you think that a team from the Big 12 could take on and win against any team from the SEC?

Tim Griffin

  (3:05 PM)

Troy: I think the teams at the top of the Big Ten and Big 12 are virtually interchangable. Give them a chance and I think a team like Oklahoma or Missouri could stand toe-to-toe with just about anybody from the SEC.

Tim Griffin

  (3:05 PM)

Guys thanks for the questions . Talk to you real soon.