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Pat Forde

  (2:07 PM)

I'm here! Let's roll!

justin wv

Pat, can wvu turn it around tonight? If not how many losses will it take til eer fan start asking for a new coach? go eers!

Pat Forde

  (2:08 PM)

Justin: Big, big, BIG game tonight. For both sides. I think WVU has the speed, but Colorado could hurt the 'Eers through the air and has homefield and altitude advantage. I'll take CU in a (small) upset.

Brad (Gadsden,Alabama)

Who you got LSU or Auburn?

Pat Forde

  (2:09 PM)

Brad: I'll take LSU. Neither team will score much, but I believe LSU might have the best offensive line in the country and that will pave the way for a ffew more points than Auburn scores.

Channing Louisville, KY

Pat, with a good win last night for the Cards against K-State and a team that is finally starting to show promise, has Krags got himself off the hot seat?

Pat Forde

  (2:11 PM)

Channing: You know how the hot seat works -- some weeks it's cool, some weeks it's scorching. Nevertheless, that was the biggest win of Kragthorpe's tenure. Not only did the Cardinals look good, they won a significant intersectional game on national TV against a decent opponent -- early in the season. That builds confidence and hope for the rest of the way. I thought the hot seat talk was premature before and I definitely think so now.

Lou (Bethesda, MD)

Pat, please dispel the notion that an undefeated Big Ten team would lose out to a 1-loss SEC/Big XII team for a BCS championship spot. Please.

Pat Forde

  (2:12 PM)

Lou: I don't see that happening at all. It's early and there's an awful lot to sort out, but the Big 12 is a really good league and if anyone gets through it undefeated, there's a great chance that team will play for all the marbles. Right now I'd say Oklahoma and Missouri have been better than anyone in the SEC. But again, it's early.

Mike (Harrisburg, PA)

What does Penn State have to do to make believers out of people like yourself? I say they're legit

Pat Forde

  (2:13 PM)

Mike: Considering that I put Penn State eighth in my last power poll, I'd say the Nittany Lions have my respect.

Corey (Michigan)

Pat, i'm a huge irish fan. I'm shocked nd is 8 point underdog to msu. i am worried about ringer racking up some big numbers against the irish. what's ur prediction on the game? and if nd does win, is it conceivable that they could be unbeaten heading into usc?

Pat Forde

  (2:15 PM)

Corey: Eight points sounds like a lot to me, too. I'd favor Michigan State and take the Spartans by a field goal or less, based primarily on home-field against a team that hasn't been on the road yet. (See: Kansas State at Louisville last night.) Ringer will be the key.

CC (Atlanta)

You misunderstood Lou's question... he's asking if a 1 loss SEC/Big 12 team would make the NCG over an undefeated Big10 team. Just think of who someone like UGA would have beat to go 12-1 versus PSU to be 12-0. Even w/ the loss UGA's resume would be more impressive.

Pat Forde

  (2:16 PM)

CC: OK, my bad. Look, I don't know. It's mid-September, not really the time to agonize over what things will look like in early December. But I'd say the Big Ten is well in arrears of both the SEC and Big 12 at this point.

Stan (Portland, OR)

Pat - Do you have an educated guess why there is such a large discrepancy between the Oregon AP ranking (17) and the USA/Coaches Poll (12)?

Pat Forde

  (2:17 PM)

Stan: I really don't. Good question. I almost always tend to vote more in line with AP than the Coaches, but I have Oregon much higher than that. Even the struggle at Purdue was by no means a bad win.

Jackson (IA)

Pat...you're not expecting MSU to fumble 14 times are you? Please don't tell me you saw anything impressive in Michigan beating Michigan last weekend...

Pat Forde

  (2:18 PM)

Jackson: If you read my column from the ND-Michigan game you'd know that answer, but I'll repeat it: no. Notre Dame did not impress me. But Michigan State ain't USC, either. I see a close game with Michigan State winning.

Mark (NC)

VT or NC? Why?

Pat Forde

  (2:20 PM)

Mark: I like NC. Tar Heels were my pick to win that division before the season began, they're playing at home, they've had two extra days to get ready and they have the much more explosive offense. But UNC is still young enough to beat itself, and Va Tech thrives on teams that make mistakes. If UNC doesn't turn the ball over and get kicks blocked, it will win.

Fulmer (Rocky Top)

Percy, Percy, Percy....if he is 100% healthy now, I'm not sure any defense can stop him. If I lose to FL at home will the outrage from alumni/fans force my retirement?

Pat Forde

  (2:21 PM)

Fulmer: You will not be forced out in September, I'm sure of that. Your contract has you in place for a long time. But a 2-4 start (a distinct possibility) would be less than pleasant.

cody (provo, UT)

what does blocking three field goals in four games say about BYU special teams? For real or fluke?

Pat Forde

  (2:22 PM)

Cody: Doesn't sound like a fluke to me. They're doing something right. BYU is legit, I believe. Could be quite a season-ender vs. Utah in late November.

Amy: Bird City, Kansas

Please quit answering questions from folks who use phony name like Fulmer. It's stupid.

Pat Forde

  (2:23 PM)

Amy: Sorry. But what if your real name is Frank? How am I to know?

Stacy (Austin, TX)

Is there any way the rescheduled Arkansas game helps Texas?Like maybe a win against Arkansas propels them into the Big 12 schedule???

Pat Forde

  (2:25 PM)

Stacy: I don't think it helps Texas much. I'd rather have a week off to get ready for visiting Colorado than a week off to prep for Rice. I don't think Arkansas is that good, but it's quite a guantlet the Horns are looking at: Hogs, Buffs, Oklahoma, Missouri, Okie State, Texas Tech all in a row. That's six '07 bowl teams in six weeks.

Joshua ( Atlanta, GA)

Ok Pat, #1 USC, #2 Oklahoma, and #3 Georgia all run the table and finish the season undefeated. Only two teams get a invite to Miami for the BCS champ game. Who goes and why?

Pat Forde

  (2:26 PM)

Joshua: Don't know. Let's see how it plays out and how they look. But if it comes to that, it will be the greatest example yet (or at least since 2004) of how stupid the system is.

Matt (NYC)

Is it true that you said Arkansas had a "zero" percent chance of beating Bama at home? Everyone knows you HATE Petrino, but how about a little objectivity in football? You're making yourself look silly.

Pat Forde

  (2:26 PM)

Matt: I never said that.

Nathan (exchange student in Finland)

Oregon vs BSUOregon is down to there 3rd string QB's, but they both have playing time...Who wins?

Pat Forde

  (2:28 PM)

Nathan: I like Boise, but I like Oregon more playing at home -- even with the QB issues. This will be the ultimate test of Chip Kelly's quarterback depth. It cost the Ducks last year but they seem better suited to handle it this year.

Mike (Princeton, NJ)

Say something nice about ND. And it can't be backhanded or smarmy.

Pat Forde

  (2:29 PM)

Great campus.

Zak (oregon)

Pat-- love your stuff... yesterday, Maisel said he was trying to go the entire season w/o uttering the word "parity"... is there parity, is that a cop-out for writers with nothing else to say (Maisel's take) or has balance affected the game?

Pat Forde

  (2:30 PM)

Zak: I like Ivan's take on that. It's a cop-out. I believe there are probably the same number of very good teams as usual out there; we just don't know who they are yet because we've only played three weeks.

Drew (Greensboro, NC)

Which game on Wisconsin's remaining schedule poses the biggest challenge - UM, OSU, PSU, Ill., or MSU? Why?

Pat Forde

  (2:32 PM)

Drew: I'd say Ohio State if Beanie Wells is 100 percent; Penn State if he's not. Both of those are in Camp Randall, which helps. The schedule sets up well for the Badgers -- if they're good enough to take advantage.

Todd Knoxville

Does UT have a chance to beat UF

Pat Forde

  (2:33 PM)

Todd: A chance? Yes. A good chance? No. I think we'll see John Chavis test Florida's offensive line the way Miami did with a lot of blitzes and pressure, but I'd figure the Gators handle it a lot better this time after two weeks to work on it.

Clay (Oakland, CA)

Does Mizzou have a punter on the roster?

Pat Forde

  (2:34 PM)

If so, he better not be on scholarship. That would be a waste.

Josh (KC)

As a college football fan, I'd love to see a playoff. That may never happen. So, in the current system, I'd love to see all conferences play a championship game like Big 12, SEC, ACC, for example. Your thoughts on that happening?

Pat Forde

  (2:35 PM)

Josh: I'd kind of prefer the opposite take. Let's eliminate conference championship games and use that first weekend in December as the first round of a playoff. (Eight or 16 teams.)

Chris Raleigh, NC

Will Matt Grothe be in the running for the heisman trophy if the bulls go undefeated?

Pat Forde

  (2:37 PM)

Chris: An undefeated season would certainly give Grothe a shot -- if he's playing well. But after what happened the second half of last year I wouldn't start talking undefeated just yet for USF.

Jeremy (Bloomington,IN)

Pat, Should the Hoosiers be worried about Ball State this weekend? We're 4-0 all time against them, but the Cards are getting votes in the Polls now....

Pat Forde

  (2:38 PM)

Jeremy: Yes, the Hoosiers should be worried. Nate Davis to Dante Love is one of the most underrated passing comnbinations in the country. Expect a lot of points on the board.

CT (Illinois)

Pat--Can Iowa win 10 games?

Pat Forde

  (2:39 PM)

Sounds like a stretch to me.

Brad, (Mount Pleasant,MI)

Pat-Do the Chippewas have a chance to beat Purdue this saturday?

Pat Forde

  (2:40 PM)

Brad: If Purdue is a bit beaten up or lets down after that OT game against Oregon, it could happen. They played a heck of a game in the Motor City Bowl last year and I'd expect a similarly competitive game this time around.

Ben (Boston)

Why do you let Missouri slide for throwing the ball up 45 with 9 minutes left, yet rip Ohio St for running the ball up 20 in the opening drive of the 3rd quarter?

Pat Forde

  (2:41 PM)

Ben: Congratulations on your selective perception. I said that Beanie Wells' injury could have been prevented had he not been in a game that was over. Who was throwing the ball for Missouri in your instance? I'd wager not Chase Daniel.

E (Chicago)

hey pat, big fan. do you think richrod can right the ship in ann arbor sooner rather than later (i.e. the irish). thanks.

Pat Forde

  (2:44 PM)

E: I think it'll be a long year in Ann Arbor, but I expect a pretty significant turnaround starting in year two. That's generally been his M.O. I think he's a really good coach who will do well there -- if he doesn't put too much pressure on himself. He sounded almost overly defensive after the ND loss, like people were questioning whether he knew what he was doing. He's got a free pass this year; use it.

Matt (Cedar Falls, IA)

Are my 3-0 Huskers for real? Will Pelini get the job done? Do we have a chance in the Big 12 North?

Pat Forde

  (2:46 PM)

Matt: We don't know yet -- they haven't played anybody. That will change with Virginia Tech and Missouri back to back, but even then they're still at home. I know this, Pelini got the ultimate first-year schedule -- no road games until mid-October.

Brian (Irvine, CA)

If they stay healthy, are there any teams that stand is SC's way to the national championship?

Pat Forde

  (2:48 PM)

Brian: I don't see any on USC's schedule. If Oregon gets healthy at QB it might be able to give the Trojans a game, but it would be in the Coliseum. Same with Cal and Arizona State. Looks pretty much like a stroll to me.

R. Bozich (Louisville, KY)

I think Amy's suggestion to stop taking questions from "phony name" people is anti-American. LOVE IT OR LEAVE IT.

Pat Forde

  (2:48 PM)

hahahaha.

Mikey (Ormond Beach, FL)

Who do you have in the Wake/FSU game? Seems like most of the experts are picking Wake.

Pat Forde

  (2:50 PM)

Mikey: That's a very interesting game to me. I have a sneaking sense that FSU is better than the past couple years, in part because of the QB change to Ponder. But they have to prove it, and Wake has had FSU's # the past two years. Wake has better coaching, Noles have better talent.

Andrew (Ohio)

How much does Alabama win by this week?

Pat Forde

  (2:51 PM)

Andrew: How does 7-10 sound? Bama is better than Arkansas, but the extra prep time for Petrino is dangerous -- he's really good at game-planning.

Darryl (Oakland, CA):

Wouldn't USC stroll in ANY league. Do you seriously think that anyone in the SEC would come within two scores of USC?

Pat Forde

  (2:52 PM)

Darryl: Within two scores? Yes. Beat 'em? No. Remember, I picked USC #1 before this season started.

Trey (Dallas)

Pat, what do you think about the new Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin?

Pat Forde

  (2:54 PM)

Trey: I haven't seen him yet but have heard raves. Pat Jones, the old Oklahoma State coach, said Griffin is a "two-play guy." You watch two plays on film, shut off the DVD and go offer him a scholarship.

Ben (Atlanta)

Pat,I think Knowshon Moreno will have a big day against ASU. That is big time too in keeping a great passing attack on the sideline. UGA or AZ St? UGA has to play better than last week.

Pat Forde

  (2:57 PM)

Ben: I like Georgia. I think ASU was obviously looking ahead last week, with disastrous results. They'll bring their A game -- but Georgia's A game is better. I agree that Moreno should go off.

Jack- Topeka,KS

What do you think of OU's defense without Granger? Is there enough depth at his position?

Pat Forde

  (2:58 PM)

Jack: Yes, there is enough depth. He was part of a four-man rotation among three spots anyway. So they'll be a little thinner but hardly desperate. I think Oklahoma should be fine.

Blake (Abilene, TX)

Would it be inprobable if the current cordinators move on to see Mike Stoops return to OU and Greg Robison return to Texas?

Pat Forde

  (2:59 PM)

Blake: I think Texas has a better D Coordinator than Robinson in Will Muschamp. Stoops might be another story. But the guy in Syracuse is toast, regardless. Not sure about the guy in Tucson.

Nick H. (FL)

Forde - you don't think Florida could beat USC? USC struggles with running QBs and Florida has a ton of speed and a newly stout defense.

Pat Forde

  (3:01 PM)

Nick: If they played today? No, I don't think Florida would beat USC. If they play in January? Let's see what shape both teams are in first.

Pat Forde

  (3:01 PM)

All right guys, that's it for me. Back to the Ryder Cup. Enjoy the weekend games.