Rece Davis

  (3:59 PM)

Hi Everyone. Greetings from the lobby of the Holiday Inn in Huntington, WV. The room's not ready. Life on the road in style. Let's get started. don't forget to vote for the Pontiac Gamechanging Performance of the week. A lot of pride and cash at stake for that.

David (KC)

Reece, sorry in advance forthe long question. I can?t figure out why Bama?s D is considered great & TX not as good. To compare defenses just looking apples to apples in how they both played against Ark: TX gave up 191 yards & 12 first downs. Bama gave up 309 yards & 19 first downs to the hogs. The Gators did worse against Ark & gave up 361 yards and 20 first downs. Also, Bama has only played one team in the top 50 scoring offenses in the country (GA at #24) and has given up 13.8 points/game. TX has played 4 in the top 10 (that's sick!) and given up 18.4 pts/game. The question of who has the better D doesn't look so clear to me. What about you?

Rece Davis

  (4:03 PM)

great question and excellent research, David. I believe it's all about matchups. Games tend to take on their own tempo and personality. In cases like these, you can use stats to prove your point either way. For instance, Arkansas had started to improve by the time they saw Florida. Both teams are excellent. It would be a great matchup. Texas has a better pass rush. Alabama is probably better in the secondary. Both have great backers in Kindle and McClain. In short, both are great teams. Let's see if they can keep winning.

Rolo(Fort Worth)

Howdy Rece. If my Horned Frogs put the boots to Utah next week can they leapFROG Boise State in the BCS bowl bid?

Rece Davis

  (4:04 PM)

Rolo, not unless Boise State loses. Boise State is going to have the best win among the BCS non automatic group with its win at Oregon. It'll be hard to trump that with a loss on your resume'.

mike Akron,Oho

After hearing the news on Tyronne Willingham, it seems like Notre Dame was right on the money for firing him. Same results, different school

Chris (Happy Valley)

Rece, It seems as if everyone is still doubting Penn State after this weekend's win at Ohio State. Do you think they need to make big statements in their remaining three games and have three blowouts to gain the respect they deserve and jump to #2 if Texas and 'Bama remain undefeated?

Rece Davis

  (4:07 PM)

But perhaps Tyrone was the one who erred by leaving Stanford. He went to the Rose Bowl there and somehow was deemed by some to have forgotten about football when he left. He's a fine gentleman and a better coach than his record at Washington indicated. But it's the right move for Washington to give someone else a shot. It wasn't working. I'd say his results at Notre Dame were not "the same" as the woeful results at Washington.

Rece Davis

  (4:10 PM)

Chris, I think they need Texas or Alabama to lose. Here's why. There's nothing else the Nittany Lions can do that would be as impressive as Texas' 4 game run which ends with Texas Tech. Frankly, they can't match Alabama's wins either. Maybe they can now, but for this discussion to be relevant you have to assume alabama goes undefeated. To do that, Alabama would have wins on the road against Georgia, LSU and a neutral site win over Florida or Georgia again in the SEC championship game. Even though Tennessee and Auburn being down hurts the SEC's strength, I don't think Penn State's other wins will help as much. Now, if you want to argue that Penn State passes your eye test and say, "I just think they're better than Alabama or Texas" that's a reasonable position to take. Subjectivity should be part of the equation. But their resume' won't match up.

Zach (Muncie, IN)

Ok Rece...its been a few weeks since ive talked about the cards...did you get a chance to see Nate Davis be the recipient of a touchdown pass for the first time in his career?? Also, what if Utah beats TCU, then BYU beats Utah...is there a chance there could be two BSU's in the BCS?...or at least Ball State

Rece Davis

  (4:11 PM)

Zach, I didn't see it yet...but I will. We're going to Muncie next week to call the No Ill-Ball St game. Looking forward to it. I don't think Ball State can make a BCS game.

Tom (Kentucky)

Rece, how do you think Louisville will finish up the rest of the season? If they end on a good note, could they be a legit team to win the Big East?

Rece Davis

  (4:12 PM)

the Big East has turned into a mess on one hand. On the other, everybody is still shooting at West Virginia. I think Louisville is improving. I thought they looked strong Saturday against USF. Victor Anderson has really transformed their O. I was impressed with the job their D did on USF overall.

Brandon (OKC)

Rece, How are the Sooners being left out of the BCS Championship talks of one-loss teams? They still play #7 Texas Tech and #9 Oklahoma State in Stillwater! If they were to win out, how would they be left out?

Rece Davis

  (4:15 PM)

They just need teams to lose. A lot of football to be played. Their problem is Texas. They almost need 2 Texas losses...unless you buy the rematch theory. That's not beyond the realm of possibility in my opinion. It's a little different from the talk of the Ohio St-Mich rematch a couple of yrs ago. There's a little time between the two games. Still remains to be seen how the voters would respond if given the choice between a one-loss OU or a one-loss SEC champ in a matchup with Texas (if the Horns can run the table.)

DEE(SAVANNAH)

RECE WHY IS USC RANKED HIGHER THAN GEORGIA IN ALL POLLS,WHEN USC LOST TO A UNRANKED TEAM AND GEORGIA LOST TO A RANKED TEAM AND HAS MORE WINS OVER RANKED TEAMS THAN USC??

Rece Davis

  (4:16 PM)

DEE, I HEAR YOU LOUD AND CLEAR. I don't have an AP ballot, but I contribute to the espn.com power rankings. I think Georgia should be ranked ahead of USC. But it really doesn't matter. If the Dogs win this week, I think they'll be ahead of the Trojans. if they don't beat Florida, it won't matter.

Barrett (Austin, TX)

If a Lee Corso-Herbie and Lou Holtz-MayDay ticket were the two names on the ballot come next week, who would you vote for and why?

Rece Davis

  (4:20 PM)

Holtz/MayDay in a landslide. I love the Sunshine Scooter and Herbie, but Lou and Mark are my guys. We're a team. As for reasons, if you can run things at Notre Dame, you should be able to run the country. And would you really want to stand in MayDay's way if he were pushing legislation. Many defensive linemen tell woeful tales of standing in MayDay's way.

Steve (St. Augustine)

If Florida gets by Georgia this weekend, then wins out and beats Alabama in the SEC title game do they have a good chance to jump Penn State even if they win out and go undefeated?

Rece Davis

  (4:21 PM)

No way. they would rightfully be the top of the 1-loss teams..and there would be some comparisons with Ohio State from the last couple of yrs. But JoePa already has 4 undefeated uncrowned teams. That won't necessarily factor into the equation, but I can't see a one-loss team jumping them.

hotrod, Phoenix, AZ

Rece, What did you think about the atmosphere and Mountaineer field (Milan Puskar stadium)?

Rece Davis

  (4:22 PM)

It was a lot of fun hotrod. People treated us great. Coach Stewart served up some pepperoni rolls from a local restaurant for lunch. Entertaining game game albeit a little chilly. Great place for a game.

jeremy omaha

Do you see mizzou losing one more game this year...if so who your pick that can upset them

Rece Davis

  (4:23 PM)

KU could get them despite their performance against Tech. I really expect Missouri to be in the title game. But at this point, I believe there are 4 teams in the Big 12 South better than anyone in the North.

Justin (gainesville, ga)

Georgia obviously has the hardest schedule in college football. So why, week in and week out they beat quality teams, they get no love? And if they run the table how could they not be considered for the title game with their strengh of schedule?

Rece Davis

  (4:25 PM)

They will get plenty of love if they win. For Ga to run the table Alabama would have to lose. To get the Dawgs into the title discussion, you'd still need a Texas or Penn State loss too. If you got that, I believe UGA could play in the title game.

Richard (Birmingham)

Penn State erased 70% of its deficit to Alabama from last week. The remainder of Penn State's opponents are 15-10, while Alabama's are 16-14; why shouldn't Penn State be able to supplant Alabama as the #2 BCS team prior to the SEC Championship Game.

Rece Davis

  (4:28 PM)

You answered your own question...prior to the SEC championship game. If that happened, Alabama has that one extra shot and it would almost certainly come against a top 5 team. I'll say it again. If you want to say Penn State is better or say that Alabama is better, that's fine. Subjectivity is part of it. But the resumes of an undefeated Penn State team vs an undefeated Alabama team will go the Tide's way.

Unhappy College football fan

with non bcs schools making up almost 25% of the top 25 in the bcs standings...will there be any changes considered??

Rece Davis

  (4:30 PM)

Unhappy, if you mean changes relative to the BCS formula, I sort of doubt it. At least I doubt it would be triggered by the number of teams from non automatic qualifying conferences in the standings. I think the prevailing sentiment is that the extra game opened a door sufficiently for those teams.

Drew (Gainesville, FL)

Who wings the all-time wins contest. Bowden or Paterno?

Rece Davis

  (4:32 PM)

Depends on the health of both guys. If both coach the same number of years, I'll say Paterno. But that's really just a guess because he's ahead right now. The dynamic of either the ACC or Big 10 could change over the next couple of years and make it tougher to get wins. Right now, I think both leagues are a little softer than in their prime years.

Gil (Afghanistan)

How well does Texas Tech matchup against Texas? Do you think they're still untested defense (in my opinion) can slow down McCoy? Do you think Orakpo and Co. can slow down the Red Raiders?

Rece Davis

  (4:35 PM)

Gil, first, stay safe over there. You have my prayers and best thoughts. I think Tech will give Texas a lot of trouble. Their OL plays with a nasty streak and the QB gets rid of the ball. That will help against Orakpo. As an aside, is that guy ever fun to watch. He's a beast. I do think Tech's D might be a little better than given credit for. McBath had a big day against KU, but I'm not sure anybody can stop McCoy and the Texas O. Oklahoma State did a solid job I thought and he still hit, what 38-45 for a million yds.

Justin (gainesville, ga)

What are your views on Georgia's offensive line after last weeks performance on the Road against a tough LSU defensive line?

Rece Davis

  (4:37 PM)

Two-fold. First, I was impressed. Stacey Searls is earning his cash as OL coach. they did a great job in both phases. I also think LSU's D is really missing those experienced guys from last year. giving up 50 twice? In one season? The athletes for LSU are way too good for that.

College football fan

If texas, alabama are undefeated and penn state is but does not get a shot at the bcs...could you see them being #1 in the coaches poll if they win there bowl game???

Rece Davis

  (4:39 PM)

I think what you mean is could they be #1 in the AP. That could happen. The coaches poll has an agreement to vote the BCS championship game winner #1. Joe Paterno doesn't like that. See 2004 and an undefeated auburn team getting left out. But it did happen in 2003. LSU won BCS title and was #1 in coaches poll. USC won AP crown.

Phil (OKC)

When Okla St runs the table and finishes off uo, how high in the BCS can they rise?

Rece Davis

  (4:42 PM)

Phil, I was really, really impressed with Oklahoma State's defense Saturday. I know Colt was still great, but who's going to stop that guy anyway. (Let's hear you Tech fans). I think OK State were to go 11-1, they'd be a worthy BCS at large consideration. It would depend on which bowl had an opening. Cotton Bowl under that scenario would be the lowest...and that's certainly not a bad thing at all.

Zaid (Austin)

Rece, Give me your prediction on the Texas/T. Tech game, including both QB stats. Let's see what you got

Rece Davis

  (4:46 PM)

Predictions, predictions...everybody loves predictions. That way you can come back next week and say, "See! you were wrong!!" OK: Texas 38 Tech 35. The contest winning kicker makes a 50 yd FG as time expires to tie the game and send it to overtime. After 4 OTs. Texas wins 68-66. McCoy 57-61 589 yds 6 TD Harrell 51-70 644 yds 8 TD McCoy runs in winning 2 point conversion. You don't really think I'm going to predict stats do you. Just kidding Zaid.

Phil Fulmer (Knoxville)

Rece, will I be coaching at UT in 2009?

Rece Davis

  (4:47 PM)

Looking a little shaky right now, big fella. It would help if you rise up against the old nemesis, Steve Spurrier.

Devin (Lubbock)

Who goes to the Big12 title game for the South if Texas, Oklahoma, and Tech end the regular season in a tie?

Rece Davis

  (4:49 PM)

Devin, I should know it off the top of my head, but each league has rules that are a little different. I assume you mean under the round robin scenario that Texas beat OU who beats Tech which beat Texas. I think it goes to the higher ranking in the BCS. To be 100% sure, I'd need a minute to consult the Big 12 rules.

Jeff (Evans, GA)

Rece, both Florida and Georgia have obviously hit there stride...who are you taking for what might possibly be the biggest war of the year in college football?

Rece Davis

  (4:50 PM)

I'm leaning a little bit toward the Gators. They've been awesome in special teams and the defense seems to be hitting it's stride. It will be a great game. If Georgia avoids penalties and limits big plays by those speed demons Fla is running out there, they could certainly win.

Coach K (Durham)

Will football for Duke under Cutcliffe ever reach the same level as Basketball?

Rece Davis

  (4:51 PM)

You're safe, Coach.

Ben (Homewood, AL.)

Rece...., who would you rather go against in a cage match...Terrence Cody or Kimbo Slice?

Rece Davis

  (4:51 PM)

Kimbo Slice.

Erik Big Spring

Do you think that it is harmful to Michael Crabtree and Graham Harrell both being Heisman candidates on the same team?

Rece Davis

  (4:52 PM)

Not to Mike Leach. If they win Saturday, it could become an issue, I guess, but Leinart and Bush came through it ok a few yrs back. I actually voted for Bush the year that Leinart won it...and had Leinart on my ballot.

justin (lex, ky)

rece, lots of talk about ga on here. but being a uk fan i have to ask if the fl gators are as good as they looked on sat against my cats? despite the bad loss to ole miss, would they be 1st in line should there be a one loss team playing for teh nc?

Rece Davis

  (4:56 PM)

They're very, very good, Justin. Your team helped them with special teams blunders, but Florida looked awesome. I think they should be at the head of the pack. And let me say that while Ole Miss is the type of team a national title contender should beat, the Rebels are talented enough up front..especially on D, to beat a lot of good teams. Not many teams in America will have guys more talented that Hardy and Jerry up front on D. Oher at OT is as good as anyone. Ole Miss is 4-4 and easily could've won at least a couple of more.

Orlando, FL

Mr. Davis, What do you think the chances are of Florida State running the table?

Rece Davis

  (4:58 PM)

Decent in the conference. I know they get the Gators at home,but I don't know if they're ready for that. Another question that got lost in the pile was about Christian Ponder. He's really maturing. He can fly. Threw some good balls against VT. I really think he's a star in the making and it's been a long time coming for a Seminole QB.

Tony (Cottage Grove, MN)

Be honest here did you even have the Gophers making a bowl this year?

Rece Davis

  (5:01 PM)

Not even close, Tony. Not even close. It's the best turnaround job in college football this year. I want you to have a seat here. I know it's still a tad farfetched, but what if the Rose Bowl loses Penn State to the national title game...how would you feel about USC vs an 11-1 Gopher team in Pasadena. I warned you to sit down. Great, great job to turn around the program. It's just going to get better once they get their on campus stadium

Garrett (Auburn)

As a die-hard Alabama fan going to AU I get attacked with negative talk about Bama constantly, but that said, I feel like I'm more sketptical about Alabama's chances at an SEC championship, much less BCS championship, than the Auburn fans around here.. As much as I want to be I'm just not completely sold on how good we actually are this early in Saban's tenure..

Rece Davis

  (5:05 PM)

Garrett, you didn't really ask a question, but I've got a few for you. A diehard Alabama fan going to Auburn? Are you a member of Republicans for Obama or Democrats for McCain? Notre Dame fans for Mark May? Miami Hurricanes for Lou Holtz? Just kidding my friend. Enjoy the season.

Will (St. Petersburg, FL)

Will Vanderbilt follow up their 5 game winning streak with a 7 game losing streak? If not, where do the victories come?

Rece Davis

  (5:09 PM)

Will this is the last question, I'm afraid they might. I'd say their best shots at wins are Kentucky and Wake Forest. The Cats have been decimated by injuries. Wake is really struggling on O...much like Vandy. Right now, I think Tennessee's defense would be too much for them, but if things go farther south for the Vols, I guess an inspired Vanderbilt team could beat them. I'd really hate it for those kids if they couldn't scratch out one more win. Thanks again for all of the great questions. don't forget to vote for the Pontiac Gamechanging Peformance.