Ted Miller

  (3:00 PM)

Happy Thursday... Ted Miller here... fire away.

Alan (San Diego, CA)

Hey Mr. Miller. Do you think Arizona could be ranked on how they are playing right know?

Ted Miller

  (3:02 PM)

I think Arizona definitely will be ranked if they deliver the same sort of whippings to Stanford, California, USC, Oregon and Arizona State that the Wildcats did to Idaho, Toledo, UCLA and Washington. To be serious... my guess is that it will take wins over Stanford AND California for the 'Cats to crack the top-25. They'll pick up some votes if they win this weekend, though.

Yellow Fever (Astoria, Queens)

Ted, most Cal fans are up in arms over the Longshore/Riley debate. Again. As usual. Like we will be until Longshore graduates at the end of this year. My view is, do you think Tedford's doing the right thing by playing Longshore? I don't feel like Riley's done enough so far this year to prove he should have an ironclad hold on the job, though others disagree and think that Tedford should essentially punt this year away because Riley's development is more important. Say it with me - really?

Ted Miller

  (3:05 PM)

Hmm... doubting Tedford...I'll admit I didn't see a reason to switch from Riley to Longshore, but at the end of the day, it worked against Arizona State. I've got a feeling we haven't seen the end of Riley this year. It's on odd situation, and clearly Tedford is a Longshore fan for a variety of reasons. If things go south, however, my guess is Riley will take the job for good, as you said.

Jim

How good is Orgen State

Ted Miller

  (3:08 PM)

Probably better than I originally thought (I had them sixth in the Pac-10 in the preseason). The defense has started to come around and QB Lyle Moevao has thrown way better than expected. With ASU, Cal and Oregon coming to Corvallis it's not ridiculous to wonder if the Beavers could finish as high as second in the conference.

Ian

What happened to ASU?

Ted Miller

  (3:11 PM)

The glaring issue of the preseason has proven to be the glaring issue of the regular season -- the offensive line. The Sun Devils can't run the ball, and that puts too much pressure on Rudy Carpenter to win by himself. While the D has played well at times, it hasn't forced many turnovers, either, which was a key last year. Moreover, the schedule is a killer. But don't be shocked if the Sun Devils surge late -- the final four games are against Washington, Washington State, UCLA and Arizona.

Fred

Who will win the Pac-10?

Ted Miller

  (3:12 PM)

USC.

Sean Baker (Cary, NC)

Assuming Penn State beats Wisconsin this weekend, does the match-up with Ohio State in two weeks decide the National Championship fate of the Lions? They're schedule following is in their favor.

Ted Miller

  (3:16 PM)

My guess is that Penn State has to emerge unbeaten from the Big Ten to earn a BCS title shot against the top one-loss team from the Big 12/SEC. That's just the way it is this year. In fact, if you see an 11-1 USC team and an unbeaten Penn State team in the Rose Bowl -- not playing for the "official" national title -- and Penn State beats the Trojans, it's possible we'll have another split national championship. I still think USC is the nation's best team and if Penn State disabuses me of that notion and finished perfect, I'd vote the Nittany Lions No. 1 over a one-loss SEC or Big 12 team,

Ryan (Ferndale, MI)

Who is coaching Washington next year?

Ted Miller

  (3:17 PM)

Not Tyrone Willingham.

Joey - St. Louis

Does a one loss SEC or Big 12 Champ get the national championship bid over a one loss USC squad?

Ted Miller

  (3:18 PM)

Yes.

Adam

What's your take on UNC-ND?

Ted Miller

  (3:19 PM)

A way better game than we thought it would be when we saw it on the schedule before the season began. I like ND... Jimmy Clausen seems to be finding his rhythm.

Michael (Evansville, IN)

Got a non-Pac 10 question. If on Nov. 22 there are zero undefeated teams in the big six conferences, wouldn't a hypothetical game between dual undefeateds Utah & BYU catipult the winner into serious contention for the BCS Title game?

Ted Miller

  (3:22 PM)

It will inspire hand wringing and spirited debate, but a one-loss SEC and Big 12 team would be first in line, then USC and the Big Ten champ. If all those guys go splat, though, perhaps BYU or Utah (or Boise State) could slip in. Don't hold your breath.

Jared (Norman OK)

What is your / the West Coast take on the OU v. UT matchup?

Ted Miller

  (3:24 PM)

You mean how I'm not going to let anything stop me from watching it? I don't think either has been even remotely tested, so I'm really curious about what's going to happen. I've see Oklahoma a couple of times this year -- Washington, TCU -- and the Sooners look really, really good to me.

Chris (Jacksonville, NC)

Why doesn't Missouri get any respect?

Ted Miller

  (3:26 PM)

Because evil pollsters chose to humiliate the Tigers by voting them Nos. 2 and 3 in the national polls. Talk about a harsh dis!

Corey Gainesville, FL

Who wins out of LSU v UF

Ted Miller

  (3:27 PM)

Gators. Tebow will reemerge

Roger (Mobile Al)

What is your take on Auburn's current coaching situation?

Ted Miller

  (3:28 PM)

My take is Tommy T goes through offensive coordinators like Liz Taylor goes through husbands.

Joey - St. Louis

Who is your early pick for the Heisman?

Ted Miller

  (3:28 PM)

I'm going to disrespect Missouri by going with Chase Daniel.

Brian (Chicago, IL)

Is part of the reason the University of Washington won't let Tyrone Willingham go midseason because they are afraid of receiving the same type of flak that ND got when they fired him?

Ted Miller

  (3:30 PM)

Perhaps... but who's going to give them flack? I don't get it. Situation is a complete mess.

Derek (Columbus, OH)

With Notre Dame improving they way they are, can you see them being a preseason top 10 team next year?

Ted Miller

  (3:30 PM)

Yes...

Ray (Vacaville, CA)

Will Mark Sanchez visit New York in December?

Ted Miller

  (3:31 PM)

If he plays like he did against Oregon and not like he did against Oregon State the rest of the season.

Boomer and Sooner (just arrived at the Cotton Bowl)

Ted - Did I read you right, "I (Ted) still think USC is the nation's best team."? Hello.....Oregon State is not that good, win or go home. OU-Texas winner is #1 without a doubt.

Ted Miller

  (3:34 PM)

I will vote the OU-Texas winner No. 1. But if either played USC next weekend on a neutral field, would you REALLY pick OU or Texas? I'm asking you to be honest. This is college football. It's not always the best team who wins. I'm not making excuses for USC, but what I'm saying is they would be favored to beat ANY other team in the nation. Period.

Bill (St. Louis)

be honest: do you see my commodores losing in starkville this weekend?

Ted Miller

  (3:35 PM)

No.

Pablow Iberia, LA

Should LSU beat Florida and win out,and USC happen to make it to the BCS title game who wins?

Ted Miller

  (3:37 PM)

That's a BIG if... win out in the SEC? That likely would mean a big question about LSU was definitively answered: QB. That said: I'd take the Trojans. But I'd be nervous taking the Trojans over an unbeaten LSU team. Or an unbeaten Oklahoma team.

Joey - St. Louis

In regards to the whole best team thing, You really think USC could beat OU? I'm a mizzou fan and I hate OU but they look unstoppable, I don't know if USC could pull it out......

Ted Miller

  (3:39 PM)

Again... we're just speculating. And I agree, OU has looked dominant. I'm just telling you that if I were in Vegas and a shiny $5 bill, and USC was straight up vs. another team... I'd take the Trojans.

Ray (Vacaville, CA)

What is your take on Willingham playing true freshmen Terrance Dailey and Cody Bruns in the loss to Arizona on Saturday?

Ted Miller

  (3:40 PM)

It looked really bad, even if it were legit.

Justin (Gilbert, AZ)

I know that asu is awful this year and do see them going 500 or or dropping to the bottom of the pac 10. Thanks alot.

Ted Miller

  (3:42 PM)

The next three games are going to be tough: at USC, Oregon, at Oregon State. So 2-6 is possible... but them the Sun Devils could win their next three (at Washington, Washington State, UCLA) and play Arizona for a 6-6 record and bowl eligibility.

Ben (New Orleans)

Dammit! Please answer my previous question about Miles. I have asked every single chatter, you included, that question and none of you will answer. Just say something, anything....

Ted Miller

  (3:44 PM)

Ben. We all love Les. Les is more.

Chad (Columbia, SC)

which one loss team do you think has the best chance to win the nation championship?

Ted Miller

  (3:45 PM)

Florida, Georgia, USC... probably in that order if each doesn't lose again.

Nancy, Austin, Texas

Who exactly has USC played this year and who will they play? Not that tough a schedule in my lady like opinion.

Ted Miller

  (3:49 PM)

Well, they beat Ohio State senseless and Oregon, which will end up in the top-25, by 34. But it's not about who they have played. It's the roster. No other team is as talented top to bottom. That, by the way, isn't just my opinion: It's shared by NFL talent scouts. Talent alone, of course, doesn't win championships. Plenty of talented teams have flopped. I'm just saying that at its best, USC is the best team. And there's plenty of season for the Trojans to prove it. Or again face plant.

Dennis (Pittsburgh, PA)

one of them has to lose a game because florida and georgia play eachother. i think if the winner of that game has only one loss, they should get to the national championship game hands down

Ted Miller

  (3:51 PM)

Georgia has a particularly clear path... win out (beating Florida and LSU), and then take vengeance against Alabama in the SEC title game. If that happens, the Dawgs are an iron-clad certainty.

Kevin (Dothan, AL)

Alabama has played outstanding in their two big games this year (well, in 3 out of the 4 halves at least). And if they continue the trend of playing well against their remaining two big opponents (LSU and Auburn) and win those games as well...which team left remaining on their schedule would be your call for pulling off an upset? Ole Miss, Tennessee, Arkansas State, or Mississippi State?

Ted Miller

  (3:53 PM)

My first reaction is Tennessee, because that's a big rival, and rivalry games get sort of nutty (and it's in Neyland). But my second guess would be Ole Miss because they did it to Florida.

James, Menlo Park, California

Assuming the Bears keep winning, Best returns to form from injury, and the offense regains its potency under Longshore. Does Cal have the Defense to play USC straight up? I mean they are the best team poised to knock the trojans off their horse. right?

Ted Miller

  (3:55 PM)

I think Cal, another soon-to-be top-25 team, poses the most legit challenge to USC. But that game is in the Coliseum...

Ben: (Orlando, FL)

USC isn't the only team to beat Ohio State senseless. Ohio State has proven that they can't win on the biggest stage time and again, so I don't know how good of a win that is. And as far as their remaining schedule, USC has to play one team in the top 25

Ted Miller

  (3:59 PM)

The Ohio State that USC beat was superior to the Ohio State that LSU beat, at least if you believe that young men get better as they mature. The Buckeyes welcomed back 21 starters.

Mike - Madill, OK

Alabama thus far is very reminiscent of OU's championship run in 2000.

Ted Miller

  (4:01 PM)

Not really... Alabama has won much louder than OU did early... Clemson and Georgia were both marquee -- hello world -- victories. Here's a factoid I love from that 2000 OU team: No starter missed a game due to injury. Amazing.

Ted Miller

  (4:02 PM)

Thanks guys... hope all your teams win this weekend...