ESPN

Pat Forde

  (2:00 PM)

Greetings, gridworld. Today's chat will only be about 30 minutes, so let's get down on it. To the questions....

David (Athens)

Bama/Dawgs, who you got? What's the key match-up? Jones vs. Cody?

Pat Forde

  (2:02 PM)

I'll take the Dawgs, at home and a little more experienced. I'm impressed with how well Alabama has played away from home this year, but I like Georgia's overall personnel a little more. The entire interior line vs. Cody is a great matchup, but I'm curious to see the converse: Alabama's excellent offensive line against a defense that leads the SEC vs. the run. Part of Georgia's ranking in that category might be stemming from being ahead in every game and forcing other teams to throw in playing catch-up, but I'm a Willie Martinez fan and want to see what he's got cooked up.

Jim (Cleveland)

Why is it at the beginning of the year the talking heads talked about OSU being the best team and after they loose the talking heads call them overrated? Correct if I'm wrong but shouldn't the idiots that called them #1 take a look in the mirror. OSU didnt rank themselves and didnt call themnselves the best.

Pat Forde

  (2:04 PM)

Jim: I can tell you that I didn't rank Ohio State No. 1 before the season. I can also tell you that I heard from several (hundred) Ohio State fans who declared that the Buckeyes would win it all this year. So, no, I'm not feeling overly sorry for Ohio State or its fans after a pretty lousy start to the season.

Jared King: ( Waycross,GA )

What is your take on Nebraska this year? Do you think they will go to a bowl game with having to play such a tough schedule this year. Also what is your VT prediction?

Pat Forde

  (2:06 PM)

Jared: My take on Nebraska is that I can't wait to see the Huskers play a real team, which they will this weekend and next. Then we'll know more. I believe Nebraska is better defensively (could it fail to be?) and I believe Joe Ganz is a good QB. The schedule is set up for early success; let's see if Nebraska can carry it over in big home games coming up.

Tonya (Chicago, IL)

Do you see any Big 10 teams going undefeated this season? If so, who and why?

Pat Forde

  (2:08 PM)

Tonya: I don't think so. Penn State has to go to Columbus, and Wisconsin faces the triple-header of at Michigan, Ohio State, Penn State to open Big Ten play. I think that's enough for them both to join the Buckeyes with at least one loss.

michael( savannah,ga)

pat do you believe all this talk about how usc cant be beat?

Pat Forde

  (2:09 PM)

Michael: I don't believe USC can be beaten in the regular season, given the shoddy state of the Pac-10. We'll see about what happens in January, pending the matchup there -- and whether it comes in the BCS Championship or in the Rose Bowl. Could be REALLY interesting if this turns into an SEC/Big 12/USC debate to see who gets into the Big Enchilada.

Bill (Phoenix)

What needs to happen for TCU to have a chance this weekend?

Pat Forde

  (2:11 PM)

Bill: The Horned Frogs need to continue forcing turnovers and disrupt Sam Bradford's rhythm. TCU feasts on negative plays and getting into the backfield, which won't be easy against OU's offensive line. If Oklahoma is able to take quick drops, hit passes and then break tackles, it could have a lot of big plays. But TCU won't be intimidated I don't believe.

Chris (Chicago)

The Big 12 is terrible. Can you imagine everyone proclaiming the Big 10 is the best just because Minnesota, Illinois, and Indiana each stopped being conference doormats? That is exactly what is happening with Missouri, Texas Tech, and Kansas.

Pat Forde

  (2:14 PM)

Chris: Um, no. The Big 12 is not terrible. Missouri and Kansas are a long way from being non-doormats. In case you missed it, they went a combined 24-3 last year. And there is the minor matter of Oklahoma and Texas. I'd say the Big 12 is approximately 5000 times better than the Big Ten this year.

David (Athens)

Pat, who should SEC schools schedule for their Homecoming games, since Vandy is starting to turn things around?

Pat Forde

  (2:15 PM)

David: Good question. The one constant in SEC football is now up for grabs. Applause to Vandy for its start -- now let's see if the Commodores can find two more victories and go bowling for the first time in 26 years. In the meantime, schedule Mississippi State. Bad year for the Bulldogs, it appears.

Kiran (philly)

PSU/ILL who ya got?

Pat Forde

  (2:16 PM)

Kiran: I'll take the Nittany Lions at home. This is starting to remind me of 2005 all over again -- easy front-end schedule to gain confidence, senior QB in first year as a starter playing well, very strong defense. ... But Illinois will not be a pushover.

Kelvin (Dayton)

While it is apparent that something is wrong when it comes to Ohio State in the big game, I refuse to believe it is because of talent or speed. This conflicts with the fact that OSU sends countless players to the NFL (which is plenty fast and talented). So what is the REAL problem: Coaching? Mindset? Big Ten Schedule?

Pat Forde

  (2:18 PM)

Kelvin: Good question. I agree that it's more than just a talent issue -- although the one area where Ohio State has seemed overwhelmed in those games has been its offensive line. I'd say mindset and a lack of preparation within the Big Ten are significant factors.

Kelly (Calif.)

Do you believe the hype behind Boise state busting the BCS again?

Pat Forde

  (2:20 PM)

Kelly: I kind of do. That was a BIG win at Oregon last week. Everyone on the West Coast says Autzen Stadium is the toughest place to play in the Pac-10, and having been there last year it is quite a homefield advantage. I know Oregon had QB injuries to deal with, but Boise scored 37 points on the Ducks. Redshirt freshman QB Kellen Moore looks like the real deal so far. Very impressive numbers from him.

Eric, Tallahassee, FL

Will Jimbo Fisher ever get the FSU O going?

Pat Forde

  (2:21 PM)

Eric: I'm starting to wonder. That was a miserable offensive performance against Wake Forest, and 16 games into the Fisher Era it looks worse than the Jeff Bowden Era. He'll probably get it going, but the early return on sizeable investment has not been good.

Mike (Atlanta)

Kansas lost 4 games last year, not sure how they and Missouri could go a combined 24-3. Unless Missouri lost -1 games, which you might actually believe.

Pat Forde

  (2:22 PM)

Mike: Look it up. 12-1 for Kansas.

Blake (Abilene, TX)

Pat: Should I worry about Texas bend but dont break defense against ther next 5 opponets.

Pat Forde

  (2:24 PM)

Blake: I think you should worry in general about Texas' schedule. This is one challenging stretch. Arkansas isn't good but always seems to get up for the Longhorns. Then at Colorado, Oklahoma, Missouri, Oklahoma State, at Texas Tech -- all unbeaten at this point. I don't see Texas getting through that gauntlet without a loss. Maybe two or three.

Greg (Champaign, IL)

Is it wrong for me to talk to you on SportsNation during my Physics lecture?

Pat Forde

  (2:24 PM)

Greg: It is not only understood but encouraged. Good man. Just don't blame your failing grade on me if you blow the midterm.

Richard (Chattanooga, TN)

Will Alabama be the favorite in the SEC if they pull off the upset in Athens?

Pat Forde

  (2:26 PM)

Richard: It would be a huge victory, but there's still Florida and LSU to consider. I know this much: it would make Nick Saban the front-runner for SEC Coach of the Year.

Jason (Columbus, OH)

Greg (Champaign, IL).....HE RESPECTS THE CTD!!!

Pat Forde

  (2:26 PM)

Amen.

Greyson (Hennessey, OK)

Will Troy pull an upset and beat Oklahoma State?

Pat Forde

  (2:27 PM)

Greyson: After what happened last year, I suspect Oklahoma State will see the Trojans coming and be redy to play. I don't foresee an upset.

sylvain (calgary)

Will south carolina ever find a QB?

Pat Forde

  (2:29 PM)

Sylvain: Good question. One of the biggest mysteries of the Steve Spurrier Era in Columbia has been his inability to have a big-time QB by year four. This looks more like a Lou Holtz team (all D, little O) than a Spurrier team.

Moshe (Orlando)

Gators offense.. pick one: don't need it yet/don't have it yet/coach myer playing mind games with the rest of the league?

Pat Forde

  (2:30 PM)

Moshe: I'm leaning toward don't have it yet but will probably get it, and soon. I was very surprised with Florida's inability to deal with Miami's pressure and blitzes. Give the Gators credit for being unbelievably resourceful so far and for taking perfect care of the ball, but sooner or later they're going to need some Tebow '07 and some big plays from the offense.

Gordon (Greeley, Colorado)

Pat, Southern Cal doesn't play anyone during this regular season, and doesn't even play in a conference championship game. Yet they are annointed #1 and will sail into the national championship game as long as they beat unranked teams for the rest of the season. Where is the justice in that? And what ever happened to NCAA sanctions for the Reggie Bush affair? Thanks.

Pat Forde

  (2:33 PM)

Gordon: Here's the (potential) justice, depending on how things play out. USC plays a REAL non-conference schedule -- ACC team on the road, Big Ten champion, Notre Dame. And it plays nine league games -- the same number as a team that wins the SEC and plays in the SEC championship. No I-AA, no directional schools. And there is nothing to knock about the USC we've seen so far. There's a lot of hash to sort out between now and December, but as of right now I'd take an unbeaten USC in the championship game.

Pat Forde

  (2:33 PM)

OK folks, I'm out. Tons of stuff still to do today. Enjoy the games this weekend!