Ivan Maisel

  (2:02 PM)

Hi, everyone. Hope everything is going well. Let's go.

len (oakland)

Ivan, will USC run the table?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:02 PM)

Yes. Yes, 12 times yes.

Chris (Tallahassee, FL)

Could FSU really be as dominant as they appear? What does Preston Parker bring back?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:04 PM)

I like what Bobby Bowden said this week. I'm paraphrasing, but he said, "We qualified for the I-AA playoffs. I don't know about I-A." They look like Florida State again, but until they make those kinds of plays against the Wake Forests and the Clemsons, I'm not ready to say they're back. Let's see what happens Saturday.

John (Winterville, NC)

Who is the better non-bcs program ECU or BYU?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:05 PM)

I trust BYU more, if only because they won last year and picked up where they left off. I want to see both of them win decisively on the road. They struggled at Washington and at Tulane, respectively.

Dan (knoxville)

What is the issue with Beanie? Will he play this year?? Are the Bucks completely out of the title and if so where do you see them going? Maybe Capital One against the Vols?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:07 PM)

Toe injuries linger. We're all dependent on our big toes, I admire Tressel for not playing Wells on Saturday, not that it would have mattered. I am reluctant to say that Ohio State is completely out of it, but they are going to have to improve a lot to convince voters that the Buckeyes are for real. But they could easily win the Big Ten and end up in the Rose Bowl.

Dan(Dallas, TX)

Could this be the week Auburn's offense clicks? Franklin had a slow start at Troy too before they started to light up the scoreboard.

Ivan Maisel

  (2:09 PM)

I am covering the game at Auburn on Saturday. I spoke to Tommy Tuberville on Monday and I was surprised at how unworried he sounded. If his guys stop making mistakes, he said, the offense will work. That sounds too simple, but that's what happens until players feel comfortable with a new offense. I can't imagine that this is the week the Tigers would get comfortable. Not against LSU.

Rich ( New York, NY)

Who is the best team not in the top 25?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:10 PM)

I am real curious about North Carolina and Boise State. Both have tough games this week. The Tar Heels play at home against Virginia Tech, and the Broncos go to Oregon. Let's see how they do. Of course, if they do well, they'll go into the top 25, so that may not be the answer to your question...

Daniel Kittrell(Greenville NC)

If ECU and BYU both run the table.. Who gets the BCS nod? I think ECU because they will have had more quality wins..

Ivan Maisel

  (2:12 PM)

If they both run the table, they both could get BCS bids. The rules state that the higher ranked team, if both are in the top 12, would get an automatic bid. The other team would go into the at-large pool. The commissioners of the major conferences would throw a fit, but if both teams are undefeated, the system would look really bad if it didn't accommodate them. And I say that as a non-playoff guy.

Shane (WV)

Can WVU rebound after being held without a touchdown at ECU?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:13 PM)

Colorado is another team that is on the rise but young enough that it gets easily distracted. I am very curious about the game Thursday night. The Mountaineers must deal with travel and altitude. the Buffs have to deal with a system that stresses a defense. I remain skeptical of WVU. I'll be watching closely.

Bob: Savannah, Ga

Ivan: Concerning UGA's drop from #2 to #3 - its sad that style points matter so much. Did any of the voters take into consideration that South Carolina has the #9 ranked defense in the country? I'd like to see how Mizzou or Oklahoma would fair ...

Ivan Maisel

  (2:18 PM)

Let's try that again. I deal with this issue to a degree in I-Formation today. The SEC has eight teams in the top 30 in total defense, but with So. Carolina as an exception, no one in the SEC has played anyone. I think Georgia, Oregon and Auburn all had big road wins for which they didn't receive enough credit. But Oklahoma went on the road and won by 40. That's impressive against anyone.

Woodbridge, VA

Who do you like Arkansas or BAMA on saturday? Why?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:18 PM)

I like Alabama. I don't trust Arkansas in that offense yet.

Tony S. York, Pa

Ivan, how are you? Why do May and Forde from ESPN keep pounding on the kids from Notre Dame they are 2-0 and have a good shot this weekend against MSU. They never claimed to be title contenders, just claimed they are better than 3-9 last year! Agree?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:20 PM)

I think ND deserves credit for going 2-0 against anyone, and I have been surprised that there has been little clamor from Irish fans for the team not reaching the top 25. The fact is, neither San Diego State nor Michigan is great shakes. But as you point out, that shouldn't matter. ND deserves praise for winning two games, period, after last season. That said, if the Irish win this weekend, I'll be very impressed. I think Michigan State is pretty good.

Clay (Oakland, CA)

Which units do you favor in head to head matchups: Big 12 offenses or SEC Defenses?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:21 PM)

I keep hearing that defenses win championships. But the Big 12 teams may test that. I want to see SEC defenses against teams their own size.

Jack Louisville Ky

So tonights game you going to watch Uofl against K-state? You think Uofl's defense can get up with K-state offense?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:22 PM)

I am pumped to watch K-State's quarterback. I don't think Louisville will stop him. K-State is a dark horse in the Big 12 North.

Nathan (exchange student in Finland)

Oregons playing BSU this week, who wins? And why did Oregon move down in the rankings after beating Purdue?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:23 PM)

Oregon wins. The Ducks dropped in the rankings because they trailed Purdue by 17 points before winning in double overtime. As I said earlier, that's a tougher win than people think but the Ducks were penalized for it.

Zak (Oregon)

Ivan-- Using the PAC-10 results from last weekend, a lot has been said about a weak conference other than USC. How much of that is true, and how much of that can be chalked up to overall parity across college football?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:26 PM)

I swore I would go the entire season without uttering that six-letter word. I'm not going to start now. And I don't think it applies. I think the Pac-10, after USC and Oregon, has some real issues. And if Oregon cant' keep a quarterback healthy, it won't stay up there, either.

Joshua ( Atlanta, GA)

I know about so called, "style points", but are you to tell me that Georgia could run the table and barely win their games and still be kept out of the BCS champ game. What if OU doesn't lose a game, wouldn't Georgia's strength of schedule outweigh Oklahoma'? What does Georgia have to do to get to Miami?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:28 PM)

Let the record show that on Sept. 17, someone fretted about their team running the table and being left out of the BCS Championship Game. There are way too many variables, Josh, for you to worry about that. You can win every game and not win them impressively enough and get hammered by the voters. Let's wait and see what happens. If Georgia goes 13-0 and beats Florida, LSU, Auburn (one of the latter two twice), I think the Dawgs will come out just fine.

Dan (Kansas City)

You make a mention about being excited to see Josh Freeman in tonight's game. What are some of the reason's he is not mentioned among the country's top quarterbacks?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:28 PM)

The biggest reason is the last two seasons he has remained more potential than performance. That looks as if it's changing.

derek greenville, nc

ivan, can the vols defense contain tebow and the mighty gator offense with a healthy harvin or will the gators score at will and force a run heavy vols offense to pass?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:29 PM)

I thought Florida looked pretty stout against Miami. But the Gators do need a healthy Harvin. They are too one-dimensional with Tebow. If he is as healthy as he says he is, the Gators will be too good for the Vols.

Nick (LA, CA)

Can Jim Harbaugh turn it around at your alma mater?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:30 PM)

When you go 4-8 and beat USC and Cal, that's called turning it around.

Ivan Maisel

  (2:30 PM)

Seriously, I think he's capable. The question is, if he continues to progress, how long does he stay there?

Trey (San Diego, CA)

Ivan - Tell that to the '04 Auburn team who didn't beat Bama in a "pretty" enough fashion and sat at no. 3 behind USC & OU.

Ivan Maisel

  (2:31 PM)

Good point. That was a travesty.

Dennis; Denver

Vowing to go all college football season without mentioning the word "parity" is pretty predujiced for a reporter, isn't it? It's a fact and the results show it. Are you going to report or just reflect your bias?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:32 PM)

I think it is a cliche and a crutch for reporters who can't find something else to write.

Matty, DC

Ivan -- What do you think about Vandy? Can they beat Ole Miss and 2 others and make a bowl, finally? Also, do you think DJ Moore is 1st round talent?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:33 PM)

I like Vandy a lot. I wrote about Chris Nickson last week in the I-Formation. I hope the Commodores go to a bowl game, just because it would be a great story. I don't know enough about Moore to make an intelligent statement. Sorry.

Mac (Richmond, VA)

Who do you have winning the ACC Coastal?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:33 PM)

I went out on a limb before the season and said UNC. I guess we find out Saturday how smart I am. Their schedule sets up nicely if the Tar Heels beat VT.

Jason (Columbus, OH)

Ivan. I am a born and raised "yankee" from Ohio. I am suppose to go visit some friends in Georgia next football season (2009). I'll get two weekends down there and I am planning things now. Which two colleges do you recommend me heading to for a taste of true "Southern Football Atmosphere". And you are allowed to be bias on your pick! Thanks.

Ivan Maisel

  (2:34 PM)

I would go to Athens since you'll be in the neighborhood. And I would go to Auburn, because it's only 30 minutes west of the Ga. border. Those two will give you all the flavor you need.

TJ, Vermillion,SD

what do you think about Nebraska this year?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:35 PM)

I am impressed, more than I thought I would be. The defense looks pretty good. I will probably go to Oregon at USC on Oct. 4, but Missouri at Nebraska looks pretty good, too.

Ivan Maisel

  (2:36 PM)

Thanks, everyone. I've got an interview at 2:45 that I have to get ready for. Talk to you next week.