Steve Muench

  (2:18 PM)

Sorry I am late and I will stay on a bit longer than usual in an effort to make it up to all of you.

Daniel (Kansas City)

I do not think the KU v. South Florida game is getting the coverage it should. I recognize the USC v. OSU game as the best, but isnt this second? And who you got?

Steve Muench

  (2:21 PM)

I definitly think so though I'm guessing there are a few die hard Notre Dame and/or Michigan fans that are excited about that one. There's also Fresno State and Wisconsin. As far as the KU USF game, I loved the Jayhawks earlier in the week but after taking a closer look I think the Bulls win in a close one. Should be a great game.

Brad (Gadsden,Alabama)

Steve, Can Miss. State upset Auburn?

Steve Muench

  (2:22 PM)

They sure could. I mean they did last year but I really doubt it. I am driking the Kool Aid when it comes to Auburn QB Chris Todd in that scheme. In last year's game, Cox and Burns throwing a combiend three picks really sunk the Tigers. Don't see that happening again.

Pete (Oxofrd, MS)

Steve, what are your impressions on Jevan Snead and the Rebels? How do you see their season panning out?

Steve Muench

  (2:25 PM)

In a word; Wow. He's got some work to do in terms of reading defenses, footwork and taking fewer chances but what young quarterback doesn't? And his arm strengh, size and mobility are all prototypical for an NFL quarterback. AND I can't wait to see what Houston Nutt does with him. Did you see that double reverse pass against Wake?

Doc (TN)

How big was last night's win for UNC? Is this a sign of things to come in the next few years under Butch? Or, is Rutgers just that bad?

Steve Muench

  (2:26 PM)

It's a good sign but this Rutgers team isn't playing on the same level as it has the past two or three seasons so let's wait and see.

Steve Dallas, TX

Any chance my Sooners get upset by Washington?

Steve Muench

  (2:27 PM)

I don't think so. Washington QB Jake Locker is a great talent but he just doesn't have enough weapons around him.

J.B. (Dunmore, PA)

Charlie Weis and Rich Rodriguez are considered to be good offensive coaches but I can see tomorrow's game being an ugly 13-10 type of game. Rodriguez gets a pass because it's not his recruiting class but when (if ever) will Notre Dame fans get to see this offensive guru? (For the record, I enjoy watching both programs struggle.)

Steve Muench

  (2:30 PM)

I love the full disclosure at the end. At least you are honest. I agree that Rodriguez gets a pass. I think he's going to be just fine once he gets a mobile quarterback. Weis is a little more interesting. I like that he relinguished the play callling this year because it allows him to focus on head coaching. And I think they are making strides in terms of recruiting BUT they have got to build a stronger offensive line.

Chad (Savannah, GA)

I know you probably don't condone gambling but the bet of the week has to be Under 37 for the ND vs UM game, right?

Steve Muench

  (2:31 PM)

If I were a betting man and I am not, this would be fairly attractive yes.

eddie (tampa)

if USF beats Kansas tonight they will be in national championship game

Steve Muench

  (2:32 PM)

says eddie from Tampa.

Bobby, NY

Just how bad will Syracuse get beat on Saturday?

Steve (Syracuse, NY)

How bad does my Cuse do against Penn State this weekend?>

Steve Muench

  (2:33 PM)

I don't think it's going to be very pretty. Syracuse has a lot of work to do before it can compete in the Big East let alone against a Big Ten powerhouse like Penn State.

tom (souyh bend, in)

what are the chance of MICHIGAN coming into south bend and getting a win?

Steve Muench

  (2:33 PM)

It's a toss up to me so I'd say 50-50.

Tim (Athens)

Why has USC produced so many top 2 round busts since 2000? (Jarrett, White, Leinart, Cody, Williams, Colbert, Rogers, Claridge, Soward). Palmer and Bush are quickly approaching BUST status as well.

Steve Muench

  (2:35 PM)

Slow down with Palmer and Bush. I don't think either is approaching bust-status just yet. Did you see Bush last week? As far as the second round picks I couldn't tell you but I will say this. USC has had so many players drafted that some are bound to not work out.

Nick (SLC)

Eddie is very optimistic.

Johnstone (Bucktown)

Did you catch Ryan Broyles debut for OU this past weekend? Kid put up 141 yards against a good Cincy secondary. This kid is going to be a star....

Steve Muench

  (2:37 PM)

He's clearly got the goods to be an outstanding Big 12 receiver if he continues to work at

Nubbs (Big Rock Road, MN)

Steve, what's your take on UNC's Brandon Tate? guy really looked impressive last night.

Steve Muench

  (2:38 PM)

Very impressive and he can do it all; return kicks, run the ball and make plays downfield. Great blend of speed, shiftiness and strength.

CC (Atlanta)

Can the Gamecocks hang with Georgia? I don't see it. UGA has too many weapons.

Steve Muench

  (2:40 PM)

Like the Aubrun-Ole Miss game this is another matchup that has the higher ranked team looking to avenge a loss from last year. But I agree with you. I just don't think the Gamecocks have the consistenct or weapons on offense to pull it off this time around.

Chris (Chicago)

Do you think Laurinitis will be a play maker in the NFL or just a LB who gets a ton of tackles.

Steve Muench

  (2:41 PM)

You had to ask. I know I am going to get blasted for this by Ohio State fans but I think he's a bit overrated at this point. He just doesn't get off blocks as well as I had hoped and he's a bit hesitant at times. That said, he's capable of improving in those areas and I defintily think he could be a playmaker in coverage.

Chad (Savannah, GA)

I see Auburn at a serious disadvantage having to play Mississippi St this weekend and possibly exposing weeknesses plus injuries while LSU plays a cupcake. What do you think?

Steve Muench

  (2:43 PM)

I just don't see it. I see Auburn playing well and wining comfortably this weekend.

Chris (Chicago)

No, Im an Ohio State fan and I agree completely. That's why I asked, thanks.

Steve Muench

  (2:43 PM)

wow feeling the love from Ohio State fans. Eerie.

Kyle (Evansville, IN)

If the Cubs and Red Sox make it to the World Series, who do you have winning?

Steve Muench

  (2:44 PM)

I'm not going to lie I am a Sox fan so... And I shouldn't even be answering that question.

Steve (Raleigh, NC)

A lot of sports reporters are thinking Tulane has a chance to upset ECU based on the fact they're in conference and see more of each other. What do you think?

Steve Muench

  (2:47 PM)

ECU head coach Skip Holtz knows his team isn't accustomed to this kind of success making it more vulerable to a let down upset loss. From what I understand he's done an excellent job of reminding his players that wins against Va Tech and WVU won't mean nearly as much if they lose to Tulane. That and the strong play of QB James Pinkney makes me think he Pirates are going to get the win.

Chad (Savannah, GA)

I didn't say Auburn would lose. I think they win but I think playing a SEC opponent could cause some injuries for AU and could expose some weakness that LSU would exploit the following week.

Steve Muench

  (2:48 PM)

Oh Ok. Look as far as injuries go Iwho knows what's going to happen. As far as the weaknesses go, I think the Tigers will look like the No. 9 team in the country so I'm not really buying that either.

Jeff (LA)

How is Carson Palmer a bust? USC has also produced Mike Patterson, Troy Polamalu and Lofa Tatupu recently in the top rounds. That is four pro bowlers I believe.

Steve Muench

  (2:49 PM)

Good point. By the way, I didn't say Plamer was a bust.

Jeff (LA)

Steve, how do you see the Wisconsin-Fresno State game playing out?

Steve Muench

  (2:51 PM)

I really like Fresno State this week. I think their run defense is just strong enough to force the Badgers to make more plays though the air than they are comfortable with at this point. In addition, Bulldog RB Ryan Matthews has a great blend of quickness and balance. I think Fresno State junps ahead in the first half and protects that lead in the seocnd half ulitmately winning by around seven points.

Will J (Portland, OR)

Who will win the Oregon v. Purdue game? Is this a game which could help Painter's Heisman hopes?

Steve Muench

  (2:53 PM)

I like Oregon but it's an excellent opportunity for Painter to make an impression with Heisman voters and NFL scouts. That Duck secondary is talented and Oregon has shown it can get to the quarterback thus far.

Ryan (Blacksburg)

I don't get it. ECU barely scrapes by VT, but pummels WVU, yet WVU is still ranked and VT is out of the top-25, even after a week 2 victory. Why?

Steve Muench

  (2:54 PM)

Don't ask me. I was stunend when Clemson dropped out of the top 25 after losing to Alabama in the season opener. Harsh.

Angelo (Cleveland)

Us Buckrye fans are happy no one is giving us a chance that way it will so much swetter when we shock the Trojans

Steve Muench

  (2:55 PM)

If it happens Angelo, feel free to talk trash. That's what it's all about.

Cosmo (Anytown, USA)

What percent chance would you give Penn State of getting out of away night games with Wisconsin and Ohio State with a 2 - 0 record?

Steve Muench

  (2:56 PM)

I think they will beat Wisconsin but Ohio State is going to be a far tougher game because of the Buckeyes' defenisve front.

Cosmo (Anytown, USA)

I'm sure OSU grads everywhere are cringing at the spelling exhibited by Angelo.

Steve Muench

  (2:57 PM)

I am in no position to comment on anyone's speling or typing.

James (Dallas, TX)

Who you got in the ND - Mich game? Both offenses are horrible, Michigan's defense is better, but ND is at home and its the first road game for 2 young Mich QB's. Who has the edge?

Steve Muench

  (2:59 PM)

Like I said before it's a toss up. And just to add to what you are saying Michigan has the better special teams' units in my opinion but I like Notre Dame's superior experience at quarterback and the fact that they are playing at home. If I had to choose, I'd say the Irish win in a very close low scoring game.

Steve (Syracuse, NY)

OSU without Beanie Wells has as much of a shot against USC that SU has against Penn State this weekend.

Steve Muench

  (3:00 PM)

YIKES. Ohio State's defense will help keep the game closer than you think.

Tracey (L.A.)

Why are you favoring South Florida in tonight's game? Both teams are strong defensively, but I'll take Reesing over Grothe. Both are very good QBs, but Reesing is less mistake prone. When all else is fairly even, I'll take the team with the better QB.

Steve Muench

  (3:02 PM)

All else isn't fairly even. I agree with the comparisons of Reesing and Grothe. BUT Kansas has a red-shirt freshman left tackle facing off against RDE George Selvie who is very explosive. In addition, the Bulls play at home and they have run the ball more effectively thus far. It's not Reesing vs. Grothe. It's Kasnas at South Florida.

Chad (Savannah, GA)

Steve, OSU's D is built for playing powerhouse teams like the ones in the Big 10. They cannot hang with finess offenses like USC or SEC ones and that is why they will lose.

Steve Muench

  (3:04 PM)

Is that based on the FLorida and LSU BCS games? I think Ohio State's defensive front will slow those talented USC RB's down and their pass defense is strong enough to keep the Buckyes in this game.

Proxl (Seattle)

Who's hit worse with a loss tomorrow, Wisc. or Fresno St.?

Steve Muench

  (3:05 PM)

Fresno State because of the conference they play in. The Bulldogs need to make a statement in this game. if the Badgers lose this weekend, they will have other big games to redeem themselves.

Chad (Savannah, GA)

The only reason Michigan hired Rodriguez was to put in an offense that will beat OSU consistantly in 2 or 3 years.

Steve Muench

  (3:06 PM)

You say that as if it's a lock.

Ryan (Morgan City, LA)

Is WVU that bad or is ECU that good? The Big East is looking VERY weak.

Steve Muench

  (3:08 PM)

it's a bit of both. West Virginia has serious questions in the secondary and the loss of Owen Schmitt is more substantial than I thought it would be. Meanwhile, ECU has made strides in recent seasons and Pinkney is playing better than expected.

Jeff (LA)

Is ECU in the best position to actually be a National Title crasher from a non-BCS conference? Boise State, Utah and Hawaii could crash a BCS bowl, but were never a serious threat at getting into the title game. What has to happen for ECU to get this shot, other than the Pirates running the table?

Steve Muench

  (3:10 PM)

BYU has to lose

Jeff (LA)

Steve, how do view Fili Moala? I have seen a Mel Kiper write up that projects him as a possible 1st rounder, but have also seen a Scouts Inc. write up that calls him a 3rd-4th rounder. That is a pretty huge gap.

Steve Muench

  (3:12 PM)

I am a Scouts Inc. guy, which I am guessing you already know. I think that Sedrick Ellis made Moala look better than he actually is last year. My biggest concern is his ability to hold up when teams run right at him.

Jason (Chicago)

Chad in Savannah, last I checked Illinois, Penn State, Michigan, and Purdue are finesse offenses.

Steve Muench

  (3:13 PM)

I like the Purdue point but Ohio State lost to Illinois last year and Michigan didn't run a finesse offense when RB Mike Hart was carrying the ball.

Chad (Savannah, GA)

I posted that OSU had trouble with Illinois, along with UF and LSU. Michigan just became a finess offense and Penn St. gave OSU some fits. Purdue doesn't have the talented QB to give OSU fits.

Steve Muench

  (3:16 PM)

I just helped make your point Chad but Purdue doesn't have the talent at quarterback? What? I think there are a lot of teams out there who would love to have Painter under center.

Steve Muench

  (3:16 PM)

Alright that's it for this week. I promise to be on time next week and hope everyone enjoys the weekend.