Ivan Maisel

  (2:11 PM)

Hi, everyone, sorry I'm late. Let's get to it.

Steve(OKC)

Who's the real McCoy? LeSean, Gerald, or Colt? and who's the best in the NFL?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:13 PM)

Hey, no fair being more clever than I am. Colt in the NFL? Is he big enough? That would be my question. LeSean may be best suited for the NFL. But he hasn't had the breakout season, has he? Still young. I guess that leaves Gerald.

Elvis( ATL

Does Brannan Southerland make a difference this week for UGA's rushing atttack?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:14 PM)

If he really is healthy, absolutely he makes a difference. The Dawgs need every bit of blocking ability that they can put on the field.

Kelly(Lawton,Ok.)

Hey Ivan love the columns. Are you going to make it to the state fair. Might i recommend the chicken fried bacon hear it is the bomb. OHHH who are you picking for the win?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:16 PM)

I'm leaning toward the fried Twinkies. They are the bomb. They land in your stomach and the carnage is immense. I'm leaning toward Oklahoma because of the balance on offense.

Justin (OKC)

Is the media ignoring Oklahoma State based on Mike Gundy's rant last year? And who are you picking in the OSU-Mizzou game?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:17 PM)

I don't think it's Gundy's rant. It's that Ok State hasn't arrived yet. If the Pokes find enough defense to stop Missouri, they'll get all the attention they want. I'm sticking with the tried and true there. I like Missouri.

Ivan Maisel

  (2:17 PM)

Lot of Big 12 off the top, but it's their weekend, isn't it?

Brandon (GA)

Do you see this weekends game between FLA and LSU as a possible SEC championship game preview?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:20 PM)

Brandon, I can't pick games well this Saturday, much less pick all of them between now and Dec. 6. The West certainly looks like it will come down to LSU and Bama, and that game is in Baton Rouge. But the east is still a dog's breakfast, isn't it? I mean, do we take Vandy seriously yet? I think we do.

Patrick (Mobile, AL)

Ivan, I am a "dye" hard Auburn fan, but find it hard to understand how in the world we are still ranked in the top 25. Whats your take?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:22 PM)

Auburn started out with a good ranking, has been beaten by two teams that are still unbeaten, so that explains it. To me, losing to Vandy and remaining in the top 25 is a real sign of respect for Vandy.

Chris (OKC)

Ivan, Do think Demarco Murray has taken a step back since last year's injury? He hasn't had the flash like he did last year, but do you see the Texas game as the come out party for him?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:23 PM)

I was at the Oklahoma-Baylor game, and someone remarked to me there that Murray doesn't have the same zip. He still has good moves inside, but I think he is missing a little speed. That's not unusual with injuries. I haven't heard anyone say he's permanently slower. Some injuries take two years to completely heal.

Tyler (Saint Louis, Mo.)

How do you decide which questions to take?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:24 PM)

If I think it's interesting. Not much more scientific than that.

ataylor (Provo UT)

Ivan, if BYU and Utah are both undefeated for their Nov 22 game, do you think you'd make a trip out to Salt Lake City for it? If the game were to be played this Saturday, who would you pick?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:26 PM)

I hope I would cover that game. That would be great. I covered the 2004 game, when the Utes finished running the regular-season table. I couldn't believe the intensity of the rivalry. I'd love to go back. If it were this week, I'd probably pick BYU, but to be honest, I haven't studied both teams that closely yet.

Baron (Baton Rouge, LA)

Hey Ivan why does ESPN blow RJF's comments out of proportion?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:28 PM)

That would be Ricky Jean-Francois, I presume. Baron, evidently neither you nor RJF are aware of how the media works. We blow everything out of proportion. That's part of the fun.

Nate (DC)

Ivan, let's be honest. The biggest game on Nov. 22nd is the PSU-MSU game. Joe Paterno's last home game at Beaver Stadium. That is THE game you should cover that day. Not some lowly Utah-BYU game.

Ivan Maisel

  (2:30 PM)

Nate knows something that the rest of us don't. Neither Joe nor the university has said he's done, and I've been hearing about his retirement for at least 15 years. I'm going to wait until the retirement actually happens.

Robby Columbia, TN

Ivan, What do you think about the Noles after the big win over Miami?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:30 PM)

I think there's a lot of potential somewhere in all that inexperience.

Jennifer (Newport Beach, CA)

If neither starting quarterback can go for USC-ASU, what do you think will happen in this game?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:31 PM)

It may be even uglier in USC's favor. Without Carpenter, the Sun Devils plummet. Without Sanchez, the Trojans still have a lot of experienced talent.

Darren (Ft Stockton, TX)

Why do you say Oklahoma has more balance on offense? Is it because Texas gets more rushing from the QB?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:32 PM)

As I point out in the I-Formation column posting today, Texas is getting no production from its tight end and very little from its tailbacks.

Dave (Philly)

Ivan, Enjoy your work. Even if yo wrongly consider the BIG 10 to be overrated. Your thoughts on my Nittany Lions and their matchup this weekend in Madison please.

Ivan Maisel

  (2:35 PM)

Wisconsin has lost two heartbreakers but I assume the band will be back in Camp Randall. I heard their absence really took away from the atmosphere last Saturday. Anyway, I think PSU has too much offense for Wisconsin. My podcast colleague Beano Cook is raving about the JoePas. He's about dragged me on the bandwagon.

Tom (MN)

Ivan - are you buying into the "Notre Dame is back" hype as Beano is? Given their schedule, shouldn't they be more dominant than they are if they are truly "back"?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:36 PM)

I think the Irish are better, but I don't think they are back yet. Let's see how they do over the next four games, which include road games against North Carolina and BC and a home game against Pittsburgh.

Matt (NJ)

Ivan: do you think the refs blew the punt return call in the Stanford-ND game; was Harbaugh justified in being so mad over it? First answer as a fan; then answer as a Stanford alum.

Ivan Maisel

  (2:38 PM)

I did not see the play. I understand that video review over the weekend confirmed the call. I think all it means is that Harbaugh is emotional. Stanford needed some of that. As an alum, I would say it was the worst call in the history of mankind and I haven't even seen it. But that's what alums do, right?

Mike (LA)

Do you honestly think it's a coincidence that Ohio St's oppenents have been the least penalized in the country for the previous 3 seasons?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:40 PM)

No, Mike, I think that officials from all over the country gather together every July and secretly plot how they are going to make sure that Ohio State is cheated. It's worked so well the last few years. The Buckeyes never win. By the way, how is life on the grassy knoll?

Dan (KC)

I asked Beano this once on one of his chats and now I'll ask you - what is your all time favorite college football game?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:42 PM)

That I ever covered? Texas-USC Rose Bowl. That I ever watched from the stands? 1985 Alabama-Auburn, which featured four lead changes in the fourth quarter, two in the final minute. In history? Probably the 0-0 Army-Notre Dame gamein '46, or the Notre Dame-Ohio State game in '35.

Zac(Winston-Salem,NC)

Ivan, how do you feel about tomorrow night's game between Clemson and Wake Forest? How will the rain affect this game? Who is victorious in your mind?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:43 PM)

From Wake Forest, we get consistency. From Clemson, we don't. Give me a consistent team at home any time.

Ryan (Champaign, IL)

In last night's episode of "The Journey" you said Illinois is suffering from not having Mendenhall anymore. That statement was before the PSU game. After seeing that game and the Michigan game, do you still think Mendenhall is the difference between the 07 and 08 Illini or is it something different?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:44 PM)

Hey, a Journey watcher! I hear that's a really good show but I don't get the Big Ten Network in Connecticut. Having Mendenhall would help but after seeing them, I think having J Leman would help even more.

Zach (Midland, TX)

Ivan, Texas Tech just went into Manhatten, KS and beat down a decent KSU team on their own turf. With the schedule they have remaining, don't you think there is a legit chance that they are playing in Kansas City come December?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:45 PM)

Chance, yes. But I still want to see the Red Raider defense play the way it played at the end of last season. That's what Tech needs to win the South.

Godfrey Lauderdale Laks

Hey Ivan who you think is the biggest dissapointment in College Football right now?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:47 PM)

On the field, probably Clemson. Off the field, me, because I have got a story to finish and I have to bolt. Thanks, everyone. Hope you fasters have a short fast tomorrow. Talk to you next week.