Ted Miller

  (2:59 PM)

Howdy... let's roll.. fire away with your questions, comments and criticisms.

Nate (Portland, OR)

I think Autzen will play a factor, but the Ducks are just a better team overall. You seem to really like the Bronco's this week against the Ducks and mentioned the real difference being that the Ducks were at home. Say the Ducks were going on the road to Boise this weekend instead of the other way around. In your mind, who wins this game if it's in Boise?

Ted Miller

  (3:00 PM)

Nate, I'd still pick Oregon, but strange things happen on the blue turf. I just think Autzen is no place for a young offense to get its first real test, that's why I emphasized that point.

Dave (Seattle)

Does Willingham last the whole season at the UW?

Ted Miller

  (3:01 PM)

Yes. New AD Scott Woodward said so yesterday.

Jason Los Angeles

As an Oregon Alum in Southern California. What kind of odds do you see the Oregon Ducks playing in the Rose Bowl come Bowl season?

Ted Miller

  (3:02 PM)

Fairly good... USC in the BCS title game and Oregon getting an at-large pick. But the Ducks might want to root against some of the BCS busters, such as BYU

Nick (LA, CA)

What one area does Harbaugh have to improve to make the biggest effect on Stanford winning games?

Ted Miller

  (3:04 PM)

Overall team speed... skill at WR... better QB play... And, by the way, his kicking butt in recruiting. I'm still rating Harbaugh a buy.

Nathan (Los Angeles)

People talk about how great the SEC defenses are, but they have not faced any high scoring teams. If they were to face a team like Missouri,USC,or BYU there defenses might not look as great as people think. Do you think the SEC is getting too much love?

Ted Miller

  (3:05 PM)

Yes... but let's see what Arizona State does against a good UGA defense Saturday. Just about every time a rugged SEC defense matches up with Pac-10 offense, the Pac-10 offense greatly exceeds what SEC offenses do against SEC defenses. My prime example was the 560 yards ASU had against LSU in 2005, more than double the Tigers season average.

chris jacksonville fl

whait how good usc looks do u think fla could keep it close with them or even beat them i know how usc struggles with a runnin qb an fla has the best at that an a new an fast def

Ted Miller

  (3:08 PM)

I think every one's dream scenario for the BCS title game is USC vs. the SEC champ. Though some folks at Oklahoma and Missouri might call that a nightmare. I love Florida's talent. Probably the close thing to USC in the country. And Tebow vs. the USC defense would be epic.

Bob (Sacramento)

Which player in the PAC 10 would you say is most important to their team?

Ted Miller

  (3:09 PM)

QB Rudy Carpenter for Arizona State. Without question.

Scott (East Lansing, MI)

I flew out to California for the Cal-Mich St game. I was very impressed with Cal's speed, then just dumbfounded when they lost to Maryland. What the hell is going on? Another nose-dive for Cal, or are they real?

Ted Miller

  (3:11 PM)

Join the crowd. Part of that is Maryland has some good players and finally played with passion at home when everyone counted them out. But Cal just laid an egg on both sides of the ball. If the two teams played again this weekend, I'd pick the Bears to win, but that doesn't matter a lick.

Andy (Gainesville, Fl)

Ted, what match up is most intriguing to you this weekend and why?

Ted Miller

  (3:14 PM)

Well... I'm real curious about LSU-Auburn but I'm going to be at ASU-UGA, so I'm going with that. I want to see what Rudy Carpenter can do against a tough Bulldogs defense. And I want to see if UGA makes a statement on the road.

jason cal

why does every convesation have to deal with TIM TEBOW is he all the offense fla has if he is there is no way they hang with usc what do u think

Ted Miller

  (3:16 PM)

Are you kidding me... have you seen Percy Harvin with the ball in his hands? Or LB BRandon Spikes... and DE Carlos Dunlap? Florida is loaded.

Bret (tempe, az)

does asu have a chance? what is the most important factor for them?

Ted Miller

  (3:18 PM)

Of course they have a chance. The ASU OL needs to give Carpenter some time and the Sun Devils defense needs to take a page out of what South Carolina did to the Bulldogs. The UGA OL is really young and looked it last week.

cody (provo, UT)

Where would you put BYU, Utah, TCu in the pac-10?

Ted Miller

  (3:20 PM)

It's still early, so it's hard to say... I rank all three behind USC and Oregon. At this point, I'd have BYU and Utah probably at three and four, pending ASU and Cal getting off the carpet. Not sold on TCU yet.

Steve (KC)

Maclin, Harvin or Crabtree? Who ya got?

Ted Miller

  (3:22 PM)

golly.. that's a threesome... gosh.. why did i hit post... doh... in college, Harvin, in the NFL, Crabtree, with Chase Daniel, Maclin.

Aaron (St. Louis)

Why is BYU always being put behind Oregon? Doesn't anybody remember the 38-8 beating BYU gave them a couple years ago?

Ted Miller

  (3:24 PM)

Ok... but they I'd have to rank BYU behind Arizona, which beat the Cougars in 2006. It's not even a relevant issue in 2008.

Matthew (Fort Myers, FL)

Was Ohio State overrated or is USC that good? Do you think a healthy Beanie could have kept the Buckeyes close?

Ted Miller

  (3:27 PM)

My take: USC was just that good that day and Ohio State was blow away by a team that had a great plan and top-to-bottom talent. We'll find out about Ohio State as the season goes on, but you can't really argue with NFL scouts who will raid the Buckeyes roster this spring.

Aaron (St. Louis)

Then BYU beat them in 2007, so I guess they are ahead of Arizona again. My point is, why does Oregon get the benefit of the doubt over BYU? What have they proven?

Ted Miller

  (3:30 PM)

Oregon crushed Washington; BYU needed a blocked extra point to avoid overtime vs. the Huskies. Oregon won at Purdue; the Cougars crushed UCLA at home; most have UCLA pegged in the bottom half of the Pac-10. I think the Ducks are WAY faster the the Cougars. But, you know, it's just an opinion.

Chris (Atlanta)

What are the chances USC slips up against Oregon State?? GO PSU!!

Ted Miller

  (3:31 PM)

remote. not impossible, but I'd advise against taking an upset pick to vegas

Mark (Auburn,AL)

Do you think LSU quarterbacks will be able to handle the pressure and bull off the win in Jordan-Hare.

Ted Miller

  (3:33 PM)

It's not Jordan-Hare (though I know how tough that place is). It's the AU defense that's going to make things difficult. Might we see another 3-2?

jake, Oregon

What kind of chances do you give Portland St. against WSU

Ted Miller

  (3:35 PM)

Way more than I would have imagined during the preseason. Got a feeling the Cougs survive and maybe regain some confidence.

Dan (portland)

Carpenter is more important to his team than Locker without question?

Ted Miller

  (3:36 PM)

Yes... what have the Huskies accomplished this year with Locker?

Eric (Pullman, WA)

I know WSU is terrible this season, but how can you not consider Syracuse the worst team in a BCS Conference?

Ted Miller

  (3:38 PM)

I'd pay to see the game... story was assigned, by the way... and the argument for WSU is fairly strong based on stats. Running D is a fairly basic measure of quality.

James(Los Angeles)

The Huskies have a lot of young receivers and running backs. Do you think that they can be part of a potent offense with Jake Locker at QB in the next two years? I am not so sure on defense.

Ted Miller

  (3:41 PM)

I've seen nothing encouraging on defense. As for Locker and company, the skill should be better next year with added experience. Still, I heard so much about the young perimeter speed during the preseason I expected to see more.

JIM, Birmingham

Here in Alabama, there is a lot of talk coming from Tuscaloosa that Tuberville may get the boot soon, if he doesn't have a GREAT season (1 loss or less). I am an Auburn grad, and think that Tubs does an excellent job and that he'll be around for many years. Thoughts?

Ted Miller

  (3:43 PM)

Tell me you're kidding? Firing Tuberville would rank as the worst firing in the history of college football. THE WORST. Dude is a great coach, one of the best in the country. What's his record against Alabama again?

Brandon Greenville NC

What are the chances that ECU gets to a BCS bowl game

Ted Miller

  (3:46 PM)

It's probably not fair but the same as their chances of going undefeated...

bret (tempe, az)

Gerell Robinson was a major pick up for ASU in the offseason. Why hasnt DE used this weapon more often? Do you see him playing at all this year? Seems to be a waste of talent to have him sitting there when he could be like a dixon, perilloux, or prior?

Ted Miller

  (3:48 PM)

He certainly passes the sight test and looked good when I saw him in practice. He is behind Michael Jones and Chris McGaha, two very good WRs. I'm guessing he'll get more action as the season progresses. Might even see him against UGA.

Rob (Ohio)

Can someone please point out that there are 110 other D1 fans out there taht would loooovvveee to have Ohio States problems tha past 3 years??? I can take a few LSU, FL, OK, USC jabs but the Mizzou's, Clemson... of the world need to calm down a little

Ted Miller

  (3:50 PM)

Rob, posted for you. The piling on is a bit tiresome. But to be honest Rob, you Ohio State fans are exactly a modest lot, with all due respect.

John, Dallas

Any truth to Saban to Washington Huskies? I'll hang up and listen.

Ted Miller

  (3:52 PM)

take out your calculator and do a cost of living adjustment for his $4 million salary in Tuscaloosa for Seattle. No way the UW can afford him. And he seems really close to getting the Tide back up to standards.

Tom (Madison)

Who is your sleeper team to shake up the Big 10 this year. Last season Ill. suprised a lot of people by knocking off OSU and WI.

Ted Miller

  (3:53 PM)

Purdue... saw a lot to like against Oregon, and Mike Bellotti was effusive in his praise even a few days later. Nice to see ole Tiller get a nice season before he walks off into the sunset.

Stacy, Birmingham, AL

do you think if USC had to play in the SEC they would still be #1?

Ted Miller

  (3:56 PM)

Yes. And USC would have won a handful of national championships during the Pete Carroll Era, even if the Trojans played in the SEC. USC is the nation's top program. The SEC is the nation's top conference. So if USC were in the SEC, USC would be the top program in the top conference.

Mike Slive

Dear USC, We would formally like to invite you to the SEC. You have fufilled the requirements necessary to apply for admission, as such: 1) Beat the mess out of OSU 2) Let a player charged with a felony play in a big game 3) Acquired a big name coach who has won a nastional championship and doesn't let anything get in the way of football Signed, Mike Slive

Ted Miller

  (3:56 PM)

Funny.

Matt (Fort Worth)

TCU's last 13 games vs. BCS: 11-2 including wins over Texas Tech and at Oklahoma when they held those two teams to a combined 13 points. The only two losses were on the road against Tech and Texas, places not many people win games. I challenge you to name one Pac-10 team besides USC with as impressive of a 13 game stretch.

Ted Miller

  (4:00 PM)

Duly noted Matt... fair enough. Then let me confess: I didn't take enough away from the victory over Stanford to be won over. Will admit that I forgot about the win over New Mexico. It's just that Utah won impressively at Michigan and BYU looked unstoppable against UCLA. That's how I made the distinction.

Ted Miller

  (4:01 PM)

Hey gang.. good questions ... but I need to get some lunch. Hope every one's weekend turns out smiley.