ESPN

Pat Forde

  (4:00 PM)

Howdy football fans. Getting into mid-October and a big weekend of games. Let's get to it.

Rodney: Jacksonville, Fl

Pat:I just listened to your conversation on ESPN News re: LSU Lineman Francios' comments about Tebow. You stated that the recent press release isued by him; "didn't sound like his words".Who are you to questions if the statement was the youngman's words or not. He is a STUDENT Athlete. I guess in your eyes, some athletes aren't able to communicate properly. Sterotypical!!!!!!

Pat Forde

  (4:03 PM)

Rodney: I've sat in on Ricky-Jean Francois interviews, and I read his quotes pertaining to Tebow in the Orlando Sentinel. Then I saw the release. The release was written in classic PRSpeak. It's hardly the first time it's happened, but I feel comfortable saying what I said.

Brad (Gadsden,Alabama)

Is Vandy for real? Will they win the sec east?

Pat Forde

  (4:05 PM)

Brad: Vandy is good, so from that standpoint, yes the Commodores are more "for real" than they have been in years. Decades. Millennia? But win the East? I"m not ready to go there yet. If they beat Miss State and Georgia to go 7-0, we can all officially go crazy on the Vandy bandywagon. It will be the greatest moment of college football Egghead Empowerment since Northwestern went to the '96 Rose Bowl.

Scott (Huntsville Al)

Do you believe it was a good idea for Auburn to let Tony Franklin go at mid-season like this?

Pat Forde

  (4:06 PM)

Scott: No, I really don't. I believe there was some underlying staff tension that kind of brought things to a head, but the head coach and school administration should be able to handle those internal situations without firing someone at midseason. Auburn might have a one-game bump in production against a weak Arkansas team, but I don't think this will make the Tigers a better team this season.

Drew (Greensboro, NC)

What has been the biggest surprise this season in the Big 10 - OSU's loss to USC and many near misses, the meteoric rise of PSU, or the self implosion of Wisconsin?

Pat Forde

  (4:08 PM)

Drew: None of the above. I'll take Northwestern's undefeated start. I expected Ohio State to love to USC. I expected Penn State to be good (picked 'em 15th preseason) and I was not a full-boat believer in Wisconsin -- but blowing a 19-point lead to Michigan was a shocker.

Mike(Philadelphia)

Penn State or Wisconsin? Will Penn State clam up and play conservatively on the road as they've done in the past oh...decade.

Pat Forde

  (4:10 PM)

Mike: I believe Penn State is the better team, and was just a few slips and miscues away from really unloading on Purdue last week. If the Nits clean that stuff up this week, they should win. If they do get overly conservative, Wisconsin will be in it to the end.

Rob (Charleston, SC)

Pat, what's your take on the UNC/ND game? Does UNC earn their ranking this week?

Pat Forde

  (4:12 PM)

Rob: Very intriguing game. I became at Carolina believer when I saw the Miami game -- that was an impressive road win in a well-played and intense game. I already have Carolina ranked in my Top 25. If ND wins in Chapel Hill, I might have to move the Irish in and take the Heels out. Be interesting to see whether UNC can play at an emotionally high level for the third straight week.

Ads (Iowa City IA)

Why can't Iowa win close games? Also, why isn't Shonn Greene getting the recognition he deserved?

Pat Forde

  (4:13 PM)

Ads: Hawkeyes aren't getting much big-play production out of the QB position. As for the second question: see your first question. Too many losses.

Jason (Brenham, TX)

What chance do you give my Horns this weekend? I like how no one is picking Texas to win, they just might surprise a lot of people.Muschamp will drop the "BOOM" on Bradford.

Pat Forde

  (4:15 PM)

Jason: Should be a great game. I was really impressed with the Texas D at Colorado, especially the front four. Brian Orakpo is a load coming off the edge and his matchup with Phil Loadholt should be fascinating. I'll still take OU based on two things: Stoops vs. Brown and the ability to win any way -- shootout or defensie battle. But I expect a fair amount of points in this one.

Will J (Portland, OR)

Pat, USC is much better than people are giving them credit for, and the Pac-10 even in a "down" year is also better. The conference has had some big losses, but there are still some very talented teams.

Pat Forde

  (4:16 PM)

Will: You cannot lose at Oregon State and expect people to gloss over it. Not when OSU has lost to Stanford, Penn State (by a million) and Utah. Pac-10 is on the outside looking from a BCS championship perspective and will need a lot of losses to get USC back in the picture.

Greg (Champaign, IL)

Who do you think the most exciting player in the Big Ten is?

Pat Forde

  (4:17 PM)

Juice is loose!Though I like Derrick Williams of Penn State as well.

Alex (Columbia, MO

Who wins the OSU/Mizzou game and why?.. Also I'm not a big fan of looking ahead, but who do you have in the Texas/Mizzou game?

Pat Forde

  (4:20 PM)

Alex: I'm not a big fan of looking ahead either, so let's not. I like Missouri in a shootout. Why? Home field advantage will help. And OSU hasn't brought much pass rush this year, which is a bad thing when you're facing Chase Daniel. And OSU has made a lot of hay on the ground, which will be hard for two reasons: one, Missouri's run D is pretty good (15th nationally), and two, the Tigers are awfully good at getting ahead and making the other team abandon the run and being forced to throw. There will be a lot of points on the baord in this game, but whoever gets up early will have an advantage in terms of dictating how the game is played.

Collin (Boise)

Do you think Boise State has a legitimate shot at a BCS bowl this year?

Pat Forde

  (4:22 PM)

Collin: I think Boise has a legitimate shot at winning all its games. I'm no BCS numbers expert, but I'd have to think they'd be right in the mix if they do that. However, they might need the two unbeaten Mountain West teams (BYU and Utah) to both lose ahead of them. I don't see both at-large spots going to teams from outside the Big Six conferences.

Greg (Champaign, IL)

How can I be out of Physics class related jokes? Is it because I'm not in Physics right now, with the chat being delayed 2 hours?

Pat Forde

  (4:23 PM)

Yes. Sorry to ruin your material this week. Had to do TV at 2. Now go study.

Nick (Melbourne FL)

Why hasn't Florida's offense performed to their potential this year. Last years offense was explosive, and one would think that a year of maturatiy would make them even better (maybe its the UF's coaches trying to make Tebow more of a pocket passer). I mean, so far this season, Tebow actually seems...human. Although hes only had one pick, he doesn't have the stats anywhere close to last season. he also seems far less acurate. personaly i prefer defense over offense because as the old cliche goes "defense wins championships." but how far will this defense with no senior starters (look out next year) be able to carry this team?

Pat Forde

  (4:25 PM)

Nick: I'm with you. Florida's offensive tribulations have been surprising to me. The line just doesn't seem to be playing as well, and that has seemingly exposed some limitations in Tebow. He still is a fabulous competitor who can sandlot a play out of nothing, but both he and Meyer seem to rely too heavily on Percy Harvin to be the bailout guy. They need better work up front and more playmakers making contributions. I think they miss Ingram quite a bit.

Burr (FXE)

Pat, who has the best weekend: Harrell, Bradford or C. Daniel?

Pat Forde

  (4:27 PM)

Burr: I'd say Harrell is playing the weakest defense in Nebraska, so give him the edge. But I expect big #s from Daniel, and probably from Bradford if he gets time to set his feet.

Kaleb(Fargo)

Given the Smart Schools: Northwestern, Vandy, Duke starting to come alive in Football which program has the best chance to sustain over the long haul

Pat Forde

  (4:28 PM)

Kaleb: I'd say Northwestern, because it already has sustained a pretty good run since the mid-90s. They've had a few 3-8s sprinkled in there, but they're on their way to a sixth bowl game in the last 14 seasons. Not bad for a Smart School.

trevor, chas , sc

are you going to watch the Tigers roll past the Deacs? This one will be a blow out.

Pat Forde

  (4:31 PM)

Trevor: I will definitely be watching -- it beats the baseball playoffs. But a blowout? Doubt it. Close game, and I'd say Wake is due to finally beat the Tigers.

Laura (Va)

Virginia Tech is very quietly becoming a team that could win the ACC and be in another BCS bowl. With so many underclassmen, does Beamer have enough to win the ACC? This is a very good one loss team....especially with Tyrod leading the offense.

Pat Forde

  (4:33 PM)

Laura: Va Tech has rebounded nicely from the loss to ECU, no doubt. I'd still like to see Beamer update his Cro-Magnon offense, but right now I'd say the Hokies are the best team in the league, followed by UNC/Georgia Tech/Wake.

Michael (Long Beach, CA)

Is it safe to say that the lose of the OU-Tex game is out of the NC game?

Pat Forde

  (4:34 PM)

Michael: Not necessarily. If the loser comes back to win the South and then beats, say, unbeaten Missouri in the Big 12 title game, a 12-1 champion of that league could still get there depending on what has happened elsewhere.

Troy (La Plata, MD)

Are you not a believer of Florida State?

Pat Forde

  (4:35 PM)

Troy: The Florida State that scored 3 against Wake Forest? At home? No, not a believer.

J.B. (Dunmore, PA)

Seems like there are a lot of very good teams in college football this season and that more than two could end up unbeaten. How will the BCS powers that be determine which two play for the BCS title if there are three, four or more unbeaten teams?

Pat Forde

  (4:36 PM)

JB: I hope there are a slew of unbeaten teams and the BCS system implodes. But I'm not hanging my hat on it. I wouldn't be surprised to see zero unbeatens from the big six conferences. Which will cause its own level of anarchy.

ray gordon reid jackson ms 39201

question to pat forde at 4.40 PM HI PAT LSU OR FLORIDA

Pat Forde

  (4:36 PM)

Ray: LSU. Barely.

Michael (Evansville, IN)

Pat,Given their current rankings, it is very likely that, 7 weeks from now, both BYU and Utah would be top 5 or 6 in the BCS (the computers already put Utah in the Top 5). 2 questions: 1) If they both go into their Nov. 22nd game undefeated, would the winner be in line for the Nat. Champ. game if there are ZERO other undefeateds? 2) If the winner is unanimously in the Top 2 in the computers (which Utah easily could be on course for), will there be pressure on the humans to rank them likewise?

Pat Forde

  (4:38 PM)

Michael: Interesting scenario. I personally would have a hard time putting one of those two teams in over a one-loss team from the SEC or Big 12. Neither team will own a non-conference win of huge import, and while the MWC is a good league this year it's not on the same level as the big two.

Ned (STL)

If Washington keeps scoring like this and Mizzou keeps rolling, does he get any heisman consideration?

Pat Forde

  (4:39 PM)

Ned: No. He's got Chase Daniel and Jeremy Maclin ahead of him on his own team.

Mike (Camarillo, CA)

Does an 11-1 USC play in the BCS Championship game over a 12-1 SEC or Big 12 team that LOSES its Conference Championship to a two loss team?

Pat Forde

  (4:40 PM)

Mike: I don't know, we'll have to see if it comes to that. But my belief is that USC's one loss would look worse than the one loss of either of those potential champions.

Justin (OKC)

Please invite all your readers to the Dez Bryant coming out party in Columbia this weekend. The Missouri defense will serve as the Pinata. Seriously, why is this guy not getting any national attention (just compare his numbers to Maclin's for validity)?

Pat Forde

  (4:41 PM)

Justin: I talked about Bryant today on First Take. Hopefully the video is on this site somewhere. He's been phenomenal.

Josh (Knoxville, TN)

Shouldn't the Vols have paid Cutcliffe a bunch of money to stay and succeed Fulmer? I mean, Cutcliffe is winning at Duke and the Vols are, uh, not. Who coaches UT next year of Fulmer is out?

Pat Forde

  (4:43 PM)

Josh: Clearly, Tennessee without Cutcliffe bears scant resemblance to Tennessee with Cutcliffe. Especially in the last four years. But I don't know whether Cut would or should come back for that job if it came to that. For one thing, he's close to Fulmer and might not like the prospect of replacing his friend -- especially after being wrongfully fired at Ole Miss. Secondly, Duke seems to suit him in terms of temperament and stress. Remember, he had some health problems a few years ago.

Darin FL

Who do you like in the UK-USC east game?

Pat Forde

  (4:44 PM)

Darin: I like South Carolina based on past precedent (Spurrier has never lost to Kentucky) and recent play. Gamecocks played their best game of the year I think at Ole Miss, and I wonder if Kentucky isn't going to be a bit banged up after playing at Alabama. Should be close.

Michael (Evansville, IN)

Follow-up question, if I may:Wouldn't that be the true BCS implosion scenarion...say Utah is #1 in the computer polls and the human polls keep them out of the BCS champ. game...wouldn't the non-bix six conference commissioners go ballistic?

Pat Forde

  (4:45 PM)

Michael: It sure wouldn't hurt -- and I love the idea of a good BCS implosion. However, I suspect Utah's computer rating will decrese with games coming up against Wyoming, CSU and New Mexico. Let's see where the Utes stand heading into November.

Justin (St. Louis)

Tebow vs. Utah State. Who wins?

Pat Forde

  (4:46 PM)

Tebow. On a 55-yard drop kick at the final gun.

Josh (Knoxville, TN)

No Pat, I was asking if the Vols should have done it last year? Kinda like how the Cowboys set Jason Garrett up to be HC in a couple years. I suppose it's moot at this point, though. I also can't imagine Cutcliffe returning, so who will fill Big Phil's shoes?

Pat Forde

  (4:46 PM)

Josh: I don't know. Right now Big Phil fills Big Phil's shoes. Let's wait to see whether they actually empty.

Eric (NY)

How good is Evan Royster (not a rhetorical question)? He hasn't played much b/c the games have gotten out of hand, but he looks really good.

Pat Forde

  (4:48 PM)

Eric: I agree, he looks really good. And just a sophomore. I think he has a chance to be a star.

Sean (Cincinnat, OH)

Why does Cincinnati get absolutely no National respect or notice?

Pat Forde

  (4:49 PM)

Sean: Which win should have commanded respect? Eastern Kentucky? Akron? Miami? Marshall? Hey, Brian Kelly has done a great job continuing what Mike Dantonio got rolling, but how about the Bearcats beat somebody of note before there's a demand for respect.

Casey (Columbia, MO)

Pat, what is your favorite ridiculous stat of the season? Mine would be 13 seconds: the amount of time that Mizzou has trailed an opponent this year.

Pat Forde

  (4:50 PM)

Casey: Oklahoma has trailed for zero seconds this year. My favorite stat is same team you mentioned, different category: Mizzou has gone 49 straight possessions without a three-and-out. Insane.

Corey (Tallahasse, Fl)

Should Ball State really be ranked? Does strength of schedule mean something or not? My highschool team could have been 6-0 with that schedule.

Pat Forde

  (4:52 PM)

Corey: I'm not going to begrudge Ball State its moment of glory. I just can't summon much outrage about who is or isn't ranked between 20 and 25.

Casey (Cincy)

Alabama hasn't trailed either

Pat Forde

  (4:53 PM)

There ya go.

Greg (Champaign, IL)

Do you like to watch teams in the MAC? I personally like to watch Coach Kill's NIU squad

Pat Forde

  (4:54 PM)

Greg: Jerry Kill is one of my top underrated coaches in the country. Keep an eye on him.

marty cedar city, utah

do you think byu's lack of E-xposure S-ignigicant to P-lace N-ationally will keep them out of a National Title Game if they go undefeated? (of course with more than one team having a loss from a bcs conference)

Pat Forde

  (4:56 PM)

Marty: No, I don't. If anything, a non-conference schedule of Washington, UCLA, Northern Iowa and Utah State would have more to do with it. No fault of the Cougars that Washington and UCLA are not very good, but that's the way it goes. However, playing on Versus won't do much for Max Hall's Heisman chances.

Rob (Charleston, SC)

Pat, of all the college towns you've visted, which has the best bar scene?

Pat Forde

  (4:57 PM)

Rob: Oh, man. Tough question. I think I'll go with Austin. But I was in Athens two weeks ago and it was pretty splendid as well. Lots of good spots out there.

Sylvain (calgary)

Which game you think will live up to the hype UT vs Oklahoma or LSU vs Florida??

Pat Forde

  (4:57 PM)

Sylvain: Both! I expect two very good games. Honestly, though, I think the Red River game will be more entertaining.

Brett (Atlanta)

Pat, the "blogger" for the Orlando Sentinel admitted in an interview on radio that he baited (his words) Jean-Francois to make the statements he made when he called Jean-Francois on his cell phone. Does it bother you as a repuatble journalist that young, non-media savvy student-athletes are being called on their personal cell phones and "baited' into saying controversial things.

Pat Forde

  (4:58 PM)

Brett: I'd have to hear that interview before making any comment on that.

Mathew (Gainesville, Fl)

your thoughts on gt

Pat Forde

  (4:59 PM)

Mathew: Surprising. Enjoyable. I love seeing an old-fashioned running team in the mix, just for variety's sake. That's the great thing about college football -- there are a ton of ways to win, as opposed to everyone looking largely the same in the NFL. Paul Johnson is strong.

Sean (Cincinnat, OH)

Follow-up question, Will it be considered a credible win once Cincinnati beats up on Rutgers this weekend in our homecoming game?

Pat Forde

  (5:00 PM)

Sean: Rutgers? The team that's winless against I-A competition? Um, no.

J.B. (Dunmore, PA)

Whoever had 4:56 PM for when the ESPN Conspiracy Theory would be invoked wins the pool.

Pat Forde

  (5:01 PM)

JB: Haha. Good one to end on. Have a good weekend, thanks for all the good questions, enjoy the games. Forde