Steve Muench

  (2:03 PM)

i hope everyone is ready to talk football because I know I am. The past two weeks have been incredible and Pitt knocking USF off is a great way to head into the weekend. Unless you are a Bulls fan of course.

Brad (Gadsden,Alabama)

Stave, Will Alabama run the table?

Steve Muench

  (2:06 PM)

If they can win at LSU then I think so and I want to say they will. But I am concerned about how many young players that play signifcant roles for them. While they have been outstanding thus far, that inexpereince could catch up with whether it's in Baton Rouge or them overlooking a Tennessee team that hasn't played as well as it could. The SEC is just so tough.

ray gordon reid TITUSVILLE FLA 32870

QUESTION TO STEVE MUENCH HI 2.10 PM STEVE WHO YOU GOT AUBURN OR VANDERBILT

Steve Muench

  (2:07 PM)

I really like Auburn. The Tiger defense has been excellent and the offense should put up enough points to get the win considering Vanderbilt's defense hasn't played all that well.

Steve Muench

  (2:08 PM)

Will J obviously frustrated and looking to vent. I thought Oregoin State would win that game too Will.

Will J (Portland, OR)

One week after looking like a genius, Mike Riley makes some of the most juvenile mistakes against Utah. Going for 2-point conversions when he didn't have to, throwing instead of running out the clock, not calling a timeout to ice the kicker. It's inexcusable.

Corey (Chicago)

Will Javon Ringer be a first round pick the way he is playing this year? In comparison, he reminds me of a Warrick Dunn type of back in the NFL. Low to the ground, strong, but has good speed and breaks a lot of tackles at the first level.

Steve Muench

  (2:11 PM)

First of all, while I also like his ability to pick up yards after contact and think he's got better than average though not eltie speed, I think his greatest strength is his vision. He's been so effcient when breaking him down on film that I have been truly impressed. I don't think he's as elusive aws Dunn but I do think he's more effective between the tackles. I think he could go in the first round but it will be late in the first.

Brady (Bowling Green, OH)

Hey Steve. Beanie seems to have the physicality and ability to play at the next level. However, he seems to be an injury waiting to happen. Are NFL teams going to be scared off by this fact and where do you think he will go on draft day. Thanks.

Steve Muench

  (2:14 PM)

Wells is big, strong and fast enough to go in the first but I'd like to see him develop into a more producitve receiver. And of course the injuries are a concern so I think he wikll go in the second round if he declares for the draft.

Matt (NJ)

What type of player do you see Julio Jones as when he switches to playing on Sunday's. I was at the Blackout and he really impressed me. I've read he's been compared to T.O., a stronger Micheal Irvin, or even Larry Fitzgerald. Who do you compare him to an why?

Steve Muench

  (2:15 PM)

I think he's a TO. Both are capable of making plays downfuield but they also excel at picking up yards after the catch. Very powerful open field runners. I also think they are above-average blockers for receivers.

Otto (CA)

I see you ain't talking smart about the benchwarmer Quinn no more. He's a bum.

Steve Muench

  (2:16 PM)

Otto where you been? Quinn still hasn't got a shot yet and until he does I'm keeping the faith.

Smiles( Charleston, SC)

What are South Carolina's chances against Ole Miss this week? If the Gamecocks lose will Spurrier be on the hot seat?

Steve Muench

  (2:18 PM)

I like Ole Miss in that game though I think it's going to be a closer game if Spurrier starts and plays QB Stephen Garcia for the whole game. As far as the hot seat goes, I think it would be a big mistake to fire Spurrier. He's a high profile coach is going to bring in blue chip prospects, which is something South Carolina needs to be successful,

Sylvain (calgary)

Do Taylor Mays and Ellison remain at safety at the next level? or do you see them ending up like thomas davis and end up playing weakside backer?

Steve Muench

  (2:19 PM)

It all depends on who drafts them. If they go to a team that runs primarily cover-2 then I think they stay at safety. But I would also consider taking them if I need help at outside linebacker. They are juust that good.

Phil (Chicago)

Tell Otto we will see that Quinn is the real deal in due time. When Anderson finally gets benched like he should have months ago, Quinn will prove to be a star.

Steve Muench

  (2:20 PM)

Phil's got my back.

Thomas (Oxford, MS)

Steve, why no love for Ole Miss? All everyone wants to talk about is Florida losing...but what about the fact that Ole Miss and Greg Hardy beat Florida?

Steve Muench

  (2:21 PM)

They are inconsistent but I really like the direction that program is going in. Houston Nutt is an excellent caoch and Jevan Sneed is going to be that much better next year.

Jim (Cleveland)

Dude your are an idiot if you dont think Wells will go in the first round. Who would go in front of him?

Steve Muench

  (2:23 PM)

I'd take Knowshon Moreno, LeSean McCoy and possibly James Davis before I take him. I think that Wells has been vastly overrated. But that's just me. Feel free to disgree but if McCoy and Moreno declare for the draft I'd take them ahead of Wells.

keith(rockwood,tn)

can Arian Foster make his way into the first round this year?

Steve Muench

  (2:24 PM)

He needs to be outstanding the rest of the way. He's been way too indecisve in my opinion and his penchant for putting the ball on the ground is a concern.

JC (South Carolina)

What kind of player do you see Clemson's James Davis being at the next level?

Steve Muench

  (2:26 PM)

I think he going to be someone's feature back for years barring an injury. He's got great visiion, balance and power.

Eric (Birmingham, AL)

Bama run the table? Even if they beat LSU, they still have to play Auburn in Tuscaloosa (where AU has never lost).

Steve Muench

  (2:28 PM)

the Auburn game will be a tough one but right now I like Alabama in that game. One of the positves of infusing so much youth is these young players cculd care less about the school's records in these games. This is a whole new Alabama team.

Jim (Cleveland)

I respect your opinion and idiot was strong. I love when people say he is overrated who is overrating them (your colleagues) last time I checked Wells wasnt touting himself the best RB in the nation.

Steve Muench

  (2:30 PM)

My good friend Todd McShay who I respect a great deal rakes Wells as the top back if he comes out. So I gues that's where the overrated comes from. But thanks for saying idiot was strong. I appreciate when people disagree with me because it keeps me on my toes. I appreciate it even more when they do it in a respecful and intelligent way so thanks much Jim.

Hayden (Atlanta, GA)

Will Moreno and or Stafford declare for the draft?

Steve Muench

  (2:32 PM)

I hate these questions because it's such a personal choice but I will say this. The senior runing back and especially senior quarterback classes are not very deep soi both of these guys should be early first rounders if they come out this year.

john (cincinnati)

hey steve, which team is closer to being consistently back in top 15, miami or fsu? the acc needs theses 2 teams back.

Steve Muench

  (2:34 PM)

Couldn't agree more and I'd love to see both get their swagger back. I think Miami is closer to getting back on top though both have plenty of work to do. Bobby Bowden is one of the best coaches of all time but I think that rebuilding a program is a young man's game and Randy Shannon has what it takes to right the ship.

Mike (Detroit)

Steve, in your Javon Ringer answer, you didn't address one thing that concerns me. Are the Spartans running him too much so that he might fall apart by the time he is in the NFL?

Steve Muench

  (2:37 PM)

Great question that brings up another question. Is RInger proving he can carry a heavy workload for an undersized back or is he is going to have too much wear and tear come the end of the year? if he can stay healthy, I think he's greatly imporved his draft stock that said.

Skip Bertman (Baton Rouge, LA)

What is with this Alabama gravy train that everyone is on right now? Yes, they had a dominant first half with Georgia... but they also let Georgia put up 30 points second half... Bama does not yet have a ANY real depth and this has got to catch up with them, especially in the second half of the game... don't you think LSU will have a huge advantage in this regard?

Steve Muench

  (2:40 PM)

Define no real depth. I think they are plenty deep enough. Yes they did give up 30 points in the second half but I think they learned an important lesson in that game. Also John Parker Wilson has been playing his role to perfection while LSU has more questions at quaterback so...

Milli

Does Sam Bradford have NFL skills?

Steve Muench

  (2:40 PM)

Yes without a doubt.

Steve(Tulsa)

Who's the "real" McCoy? LeSean, Gerald, or Colt?

Steve Muench

  (2:41 PM)

Right now you would have to say Colt. He's been ridiculously accurate and I'm stunned at how well he's run the ball.

Matt (Washington, DC)

Who do you think wins the Big Ten? PSU seems to be the trendy pick. Are you trendy?

Steve Muench

  (2:43 PM)

So if I pick Penn State I'm just being trendy? QB Darryl Clark still has a lot to porve but they have a very good back, an excellent receiving crops and a solid offensive line. Meanwhile, Wisconsin inexplicably lost to Michigan and Ohio State hasn't appeared nearly as dominant as expected. So yes I like Penn State.

Steve(Tulsa)

To follow my last question, which McCoy is best in the NFL?

Steve Muench

  (2:44 PM)

LeSean I think

Cosmo (Anytown, USA)

January 8th, 2009. With the win, JoePa is lifted on to the shoulders of his team, breaks his hip and announces his retirement from the hospital the next day. Possible?

Steve Muench

  (2:45 PM)

Anythng's possible though I see don't see a broken hip slowing Joe Pa down.

J.B. (Dunmore, PA)

Last week in your chat I said I would just sit back, hope PSU takes it a game at a time, and let the Big 12 and SEC teams beat each other up. So far, so good.

Steve Muench

  (2:45 PM)

Hey when you're right you're right.

Tom (Lansing)

The Hatfields are better than the McCoys. It just had to be said.

Steve Muench

  (2:46 PM)

interesting

Jacob (Los Angeles)

Do you think the SC D-line will step up against that great running attack of Oregon, after getting dominated by the Oregon State O-line last thursday?

Steve Muench

  (2:47 PM)

it had better and I think it wll but I'm even jore concerned about the rojan offensive line. The Ducks are reall active up front and I'm disappointed in what I've seen from USC's front five thus far.

Jeremy (Cal)

Does Oregon have a chance against USC??

Steve Muench

  (2:49 PM)

I do think the Trojans will win because they have so much talent and they are going to play like their hair is on fire after losing to Oregon State but it should be closer than some people think.

Gray (Chicago)

Is Davd Cutcliffe going to bring Duke football back to respectability?

Steve Muench

  (2:51 PM)

Great coach with a very tough job. They Blue Devils were impressive in their win over UVA but it's a basketball school with very high academic standards so it's a tough place to recruit for in my opinion.

Jeff (Evans, GA)

How is USC ranked ahead of Georgia after losing to an un-ranked team, where-as Georgia lost to a top 10 team? The USC bias is a joke...

Steve Muench

  (2:53 PM)

Jeff I'm having a real hard time figuring out the polls this year and I agree. it's not about how talented a team is on paper. It's about how well you play on Saturday. Georgia got beaten handily by Alabama but the Bulldogs showed a great deal of toughness and determination in the secnd half of that game. USC had no business losing to Oregon State.

Jake (Seattle)

Would you rather have a degree from Duke or Ohio State? What percentage of NCAA players play pro? Not too high.

Steve Muench

  (2:55 PM)

It all depends on what you want to study when it comes to which place you want the degee from. And you are a right about the percentage but how many Division I players think they can play pro when they are being recruited? I bet that number is a whole lot higher. I should also mention the history of the program because kids want to win more than anything else. Duke hasn't shown it can do that on a regular basis.

Phil, The Woodlands, Texas

In my opinion, teams losing at home deserve to be dropped far more than road losses, your thoughts?

Steve Muench

  (2:56 PM)

It should factor into the equation but I don't give it as much weight as you do. Losing to a top-ten team at home is better than losing to an unranked team on the road in my book.

Kelley (Columbus)

"Would you rather have a degree from Duke or Ohio State? What percentage of NCAA players play pro? Not too high" Wow, as an Ohio State student I'd like to announce that I had a much harder time getting into OSU than my Yale acceptance...

Steve Muench

  (3:04 PM)

Kelley, I am sincerely sorry if I offended you in any way. Ohio State is an excelelnt school and I'm sorry if I implied otherwise. I also don't know if you play sports but it should be said that academic standards for athletes are different from those of "Normal" (couldn't think of a better word sorry) students and for good reason. A high-profile athlete can help bring in money and attract more sutdents, Two great things for any school. In addition, one of the reasons Notre Dame struggled for so many years is they had higher standards in terms of academics for thier athletes than a lot of other schools. And just so we are clear I did day that waht you want to study affects your degree. I'm sure that Ohio State has outstanding academic programs in certian areas while Duke and Yale excel in other areas. That's what I told Jake when he asked me where I would want my degree from.

Steve Muench

  (3:06 PM)

That's it for this week. Take care and let's do it again next week.