ESPN

Pat Forde

  (2:03 PM)

Howdy, football freaks. Welcome to October. Feel free to ignore the baseball playoffs and stay where the real action is, on the gridiron. Let's get to it.

Andy (Lexington,KY)

What do you think about Alabama's offense vs. Kentucky defense?

Pat Forde

  (2:06 PM)

Andy: Good matchup. I think we'll find out whether Kentucky's defense is truly legit -- it's good, but is it best-in-the-nation good, as currently ranked in scoring defense? The trench matchup is a really good one -- possibly the best OL in the country against an underrated DL. Travard Lindley is also an excellent CB. Kentucky will miss LB Micah Johnson, who is hurt. Edge to Alabama, but only a slight one. This should be a low-scoring game. (i.e., 17-7 Bama or something thereabouts.)

Greg (Champaign, IL)

So last week I asked if it was okay to be on SportsNation with you during my physics lecture. You responded that it was encouraged as long as I didn't blame a failing grade on you. I got an A on my last mid-term. What does that say about the wisdom you provide us each week?

Pat Forde

  (2:07 PM)

Greg: Good job, my man. I'd say every American college student can improve his/her grades by spending time chatting with me every Thursday.

Jason (Norman, OK)

What is your top 5 as of today? Second who do you see playing in the NC game.

Pat Forde

  (2:08 PM)

Jason: My top five this week was: 1. Alabama, 2. Oklahoma, 3. Missouri, 4. LSU, 5. Texas. As for the NC game: too early to tell, but I'll go ahead and take my 1-2 teams right now.

Dan (state college)

So what's your outlook on my lions the rest of the year?Do you see any scenario with them getting out of this 5 week stretch unscathed?

Pat Forde

  (2:09 PM)

Dan: I now think no BCS conference teams will go undefeated this year, so that should answer your question. Sorry.

Matt (Oklahoma)

Physics or Forde?Forde or Physics?hmmmmmm......tough one!Is OU going to light up Texas or what??

Pat Forde

  (2:10 PM)

Matt: Forde over physics. OU needs to light up Baylor first. More importantly, Texas needs to survive that trip to Boulder first. Oklahoma knows how treacherous that can be.

Dan(Dallas, TX)

Auburn/Vandy game. Call the winner

Pat Forde

  (2:12 PM)

Dan: Auburn -- if it doesn't put the ball on the deck. Vandy is off to a great start but it's very turnover-dependent. Take away the takeaways and it will be difficult for the Commodores to win. This should be another low-point game in the SEC.

Matt (Denver)

Utah/OSU tonight. Who do you like?

Pat Forde

  (2:14 PM)

Matt: Very, very, very interesting game. I kinda doubt Oregon State has two straight weeks of Thursday night magic in it -- this one is on the road, and Utah should be much more focused that USC was. Also, Utah's D-line would have to really stink it up to play as badly as USC's, and the Utes are good up front. I'll take the Utes, which means they have a fabulous chance of being 9-0 when TCU visits Nov. 6 and 11-0 when BYU visits Nov. 22.

Donald D (Eugene, OR)

With Penn St destroying the Beavers, the Beavers ripping the Trojans, USC destroying Ohio St; will the computers explode if the Buckeyes beat PSU?

Pat Forde

  (2:14 PM)

Donald: Yes!

Steve (Fresno)

Pat, you've been to Boise. Does that blue field give Boise State an unfair advantage because of the color of the field, or are the Broncos just a good team?

Pat Forde

  (2:16 PM)

Steve: I haven't finished my six-year field study of turf color as it relates to the football player's psyche, but I'll go out on a limb and say the Broncos are just a good team. Their record isn't bad on green fields either.

Adam (Chicago)

Michigan/Illinois...who wins?

Pat Forde

  (2:18 PM)

Adam: This will be a fascinating game to see whether Michigan is really building some momentum off that comeback against Wisconsin, or that was just a 25-minute blip. I think Illinois is probably the best two-loss team in the country, but it hasn't had a lot of success against the maize and blue in a while. Wolves, tepidly.

Paul (Michigan)

Pat, is this going to be another year where Notre Dame wins 9 or 10 games and gets hammered in a bowl game they have no business being in?

Pat Forde

  (2:20 PM)

Paul: I'd say that's very possible. Notre Dame is definitely better this year than last, but the schedule is so soft that it's hard to tell how much better. The team I saw in September has no business in a BCS bowl, I know that.

Brian (Columbus, OH)

Which is more conservative....Amish clothing or Ohio State Defensive play calling?

Pat Forde

  (2:21 PM)

Brian: The Amish are still getting around by horse and buggy, so you've got to give them the old-school edge. Not that it isn't close.

Nick (Denver, CO)

What's your take on Mizzou-Neb this weekend? I know emotion is one of the biggest factors in college football and streaks (like Mizzou not winning in Lincoln for 30 years) have a funny way of playing a part, but I am from Nebraska and I really don't see anyway Mizzou doesn't win by 21+ points.

Pat Forde

  (2:23 PM)

If Nebraska's defense is not 20 times better than it was in giving up 35 points to Virginia Tech and the No. 112 offense in the country, Missouri will score 50 without trying. I don't see this as a close game if the Tigers are sharp.

Taylor (Birmingham, Ala)

As an Auburn fan, should I just go ahead and admit to myself that Bama is back and Nick Saban is a great coach? Denial or Reality?

Pat Forde

  (2:23 PM)

Taylor: Yes, admit it. But don't capitulate. Auburn is the one riding the fat winning streak in that rivalry, so concede nothing until the Iron Bowl arrives.

Will J (Portland, OR)

Which game will you be attending this weekend?

Pat Forde

  (2:25 PM)

Will: Texas at Colorado. I'm interested to see the Longhorns as they embark on a five-week meat grinder: colorado, oklahoma, missouri, oklahoma state, texas tech. They could come out of it ranked No. 1, or witih a losing record. Probably somewhere in between.

Tyler (Berkeley)

Is the Cal-ASU matchup this weekend a battle of second place hopefuls in a down year in the Pac 10? Does either team have a chance to take the Pac 10 title from USC?

Pat Forde

  (2:26 PM)

Tyler: A week ago at this time I would have said they were playing for second. After watching USC ralph in Corvallis, all bets are off until we see whether the Trojans are ready to re-establish themselves this week against Oregon. But yes, a very down year in the Pac-10.

Stew (Gainesville)

Come on Pat! I'm in Library West at UF studying for 3 upcoming exams and you won't answer any of my questions! Who would you rather have at QB.. Chase Daniel, or Tim Tebow?

Pat Forde

  (2:27 PM)

Stew: Sorry to keep you waiting, and sorry to be the bearer of bad news. This year, I'll take Daniel. Last year, Tebow.

Joe (Baltimore)

Biggest upset this week?

Pat Forde

  (2:28 PM)

Joe: I'll take a flyer on Purdue over Penn State. I figure an unbeaten is going down against an unranked team again, just not sure if it happens in West Lafayette, Boulder or Manhattan, Kan.

Jeremy (Iowa City)

How about some love for Shonn Greene? 6th in rushing despite only 19.8 touches/game. Why can't the coaching staff give him the ball more with as bad as the QB situation is?

Pat Forde

  (2:29 PM)

Jeremy: Props to Shonn Greene, he's having a breakout year. If I had Iowa's quarterbacks, I'd run it more often than that.

Tyler (Shawnee, KS)

Does Chris 'Beanie' Wells still have a shot at the heisman?

Pat Forde

  (2:30 PM)

Tyler: No.

Sara (DC)

I can only watch one - Auburn at Vandy or Ohio State at Wisconsin? HELP!

Pat Forde

  (2:30 PM)

Sara: I think I'd lean toward Ohio State at Wisconsin. Winner of that game could well win the Big 10. Winner of Auburn-Vandy could well be the fifth-best team in the SEC.

Mike (Miami, FL)

Why do you think Miami lost to North Carolina last week and who's your pick for the game this weekend against FSU?

Pat Forde

  (2:32 PM)

Mike: That was a really, really good game, I was impressed with both teams. Miami lost because it could not hold a lead and shut down Cameron Sexton -- which is not something you say every week. If Miami is not too beat-up from what was a physical game agains tthe Heels, I think it beats FSU.

Andrew(Boston)

Please Pat answer me, for how much longer will I have to watch Chris Crane quarterback my Eagles? When will Davis fully takeover?

Pat Forde

  (2:36 PM)

Andrew: I don't think either is a great option right now, which makes it a really good thing that the BC defense has been playing well. Davis' stats are pretty modest as well, though he might have more growth potential.

dave (boston)

hey pat, whos a better rb, donald brown of uconn or javon ringer of msu?

Pat Forde

  (2:36 PM)

Dave: I honestly haven't seen Brown much this year. But I talked to a fellow writer who has seen both in person and prefers Brown. Says he has more burst.

John (Lawrence, KS)

Pat, are you not answering my questioning because I hail from KU and you from Mizzou? What does Kansas have to do to contend for the North title (and not share it)?

Pat Forde

  (2:38 PM)

John: I am not answering your question because I have 477 questions in the queue as of right now and it takes a while to get to them. I'd say Kansas had better improve a whole lot defensively from the team I saw against USF.

Matt (Houston)

Hey Pat, Does Pitt have any shot going to South Florida tonight?

Pat Forde

  (2:40 PM)

The only shot is if LaSean McCoy runs like he did against Syracuse (don't bet on it; USF is light years better defensively) and the Bulls self-destruct. I think McCoy misses Jeff Otah.

Ryan (Atlanta, GA

Do you think Dan Mullen is really the offensive genius that everyone makes him out to be? The OL is still struggling and Percy seems to be the only horse in the stable that they let run. What would Coach Forde do?

Pat Forde

  (2:42 PM)

Ryan: Coach Forde would tell everyone it's Urban Meyer who runs the offense -- but seriously, I think Dan Mullen is a very good coach operating within a scheme that is wholly of Meyer's making. I agree that the problems with the OL and the curiously disappearing number of playmaking options are problems. But Arkansas can cure a lot of ailments.

Jerry ( North Carolina)

What do you think of Tommy Bowdens job security at Clemson?

Pat Forde

  (2:43 PM)

Jerry: I know he signed a nice contract extension after flirting with Arkansas last year, but I'd say that's potentially worthless if the Tigers continue to underachieve the rest of this year. They've been a biiig bust, and that's not what people were looking for in Year 10 with Bowden.

Nick (Nashville)

What is your prediction (Date and Time) of when Fulmer is no longer the coach at the University of Tennessee?

Pat Forde

  (2:45 PM)

Nick: If the Volunteers continue on their current path and finish the year with their first loss to Kentucky since 1984, I'd say 30 minutes after that game ends. But I know this much: Fulmer has been in some tight spots before and always escaped. And he has backers in the administration. Don't count out the Great Pumpkin yet.

sylvain (calgary)

Whose the biggest x-factor in the USC-Oregon Game??

Pat Forde

  (2:47 PM)

Sylvain: Oregon QB. The Ducks have been snakebitten at that position; goodness only knows what they'll get this week.

Dickie (Worcester, Ma)

I took USF to win the title in vegas before the season at 75-1. What would you say the odds are realistically that I get paid??

Pat Forde

  (2:47 PM)

Dickie: Down to 65-1, I'm guessing. That's progress, bro!

Troy (Ramstein, Germany)

Is the spread just a fad that will disappear like the wishbone or is it here to stay?

Pat Forde

  (2:50 PM)

Troy: I don't know. Offensive football is amazingly cyclical, but successful stuff tends to remain in one form or another. For instance, many teams still run elements of the triple option popularized by the wishbone, and we're nearly 40 years removed from that offense's birth. So I'd say elements of the spread always will be there.

Ryan (Chicago, IL)

How is Texas AandM so bad? What is your opinion of Mike Sherman? I was never overly impressed with him in Green Bay and he doesn't appear to have the make up of a great recruiter to me.

Pat Forde

  (2:51 PM)

Ryan: I don't know how or why, but the Aggies are quite bad. Barely beating Army isn't much better than losing to Army. I like Mike Sherman personally but I was shocked at the hire and hae the same reservations you do.

Chad (Cascade, MD)

Terps favorite in acc?

Pat Forde

  (2:51 PM)

Chad: No.

Daniel, Houston

Realistically, why do you see so many teams run the spread as opposed to a wishbone or other triple option offenses? Is it better smarter QB play, or access to better talent overall?

Pat Forde

  (2:53 PM)

Daniel: Better, smarter quarterback play is a huge part of it. Teams are so much more efficient throwing the ball now -- much higher completion percentages, etc. Also: defenses have become speed-oriented, which makes it much harder to get to the corner running sideways for big gains. Miami did more to kill the Wishbone than anyone when its defensive speed throttled Oklahoma in the mid-80s.

Hugh (South Carolina)

What is your opinion on South Carolina, they are 3-2 and the tougher part of their schedule is coming up?

Pat Forde

  (2:55 PM)

Hugh: I'd say the Gamecocks' next two games are vital -- at Ole Miss and at Kentucky. South Carolina has had UK's number for years now and needs to keep it if the Gamecocks want to go bowling. Given the current state of Tennessee, Arkansas and Clemson, the latter half of the schedule looks easier than it has in several previous years.

Grayson (Tampa)

Leaving work early to heas to the USF game. Although I'm a Clemson Tiger fan, I'm finding relief pulling for the home town BULLS. Are they a legit top 10 team.

Pat Forde

  (2:56 PM)

Grayson: I'd say so right now -- but honestly, I've had a hard time voting with any enthusiasm past the top six. There are a lot of flawed football teams out there.

Nathan (Santa Cruz CA)

.38 Special or ZZ Top?

Pat Forde

  (2:57 PM)

Nathan: I got in trouble in high school and was grounded, thus missing a .38 Special concert. I never even attempted to go to a ZZ Top concert, so I guess that means .38 Special wins. What a battle.

Tom (Athens, GA)

With 3 Big XII teams now in the top 5, has the SEC lost its place as the best conference in America? Bonus: If we've lost the best football conference, do we still maintain hottest co-eds?

Pat Forde

  (2:58 PM)

Tom: First part undecided as of yet. Second part: after my visit to Athens, the SEC remains No. 1.

Nick (SLC, UT)

Please help me. I know my Utes are good but why am I still worried that we'd get romped by BYU? And as a Ute fan it hurts me to say that.

Pat Forde

  (2:59 PM)

Nick: Don't worry about something that won't be decided until Nov. 22. Enjoy the game tonight instead.

Tom (Durham)

Uhhhh Pat... Duke???

Pat Forde

  (2:59 PM)

Tom: David Cutcliffe.

Charles (Honolulu, HI)

Short of death, what will it take for either Joe Pa and Bobby Bowden to step down as head coaches of their respective programs?

Pat Forde

  (3:01 PM)

Charles: I'm starting to think the only thing could be a meeting halfway between Tallahassee and State College, dead of night, the two coaches meet on a deserted roadside and say, "If you quit, I'll quit, too." Then there's a blood oath taken and the world moves on. Otherwise, it's to the grave.

Alice (Notre Dame, IN)

Come on Pat, take a question from a lady! I'm sitting here on the 12th floor of the library at Notre Dame looking out a window toward the stadium...how much longer will I have to wait until my Irish take the field as top 25 ranked team?

Pat Forde

  (3:02 PM)

Alice: You might be sitting where my brother used to pretend to study. I'd say the Irish will be ranked if they win two more. Beating UNC in Chapel Hill would show me something.

Pat Forde

  (3:03 PM)

OK folks, that's one of the finest hours in Internet history. Frame the chat transcript and keep it forever. Thanks for the questions, see you next week mostly likely.