ESPN

Mark Schlabach

  (2:06 PM)

OK, thanks for joining me today. Hope everybody had a great weekend. I had a great trip to Austin, one of my favorite college towns. Not sure they'll ask me back anytime soon, however. Here we go...

Joe (state college PA)

What happened the first half to penn state in the michigan game? Do you think that penn state will be more mentally ready for ohio state and win the game?

Mark Schlabach

  (2:08 PM)

Not sure what happened in the first half. Penn State had lost what, eight in a row?, to Michigan. I was really impressed with how they came back. That's the sign of a good football team, and I think it's time to say Penn State is legit. I'm sure Rich Rod has his team fired up to play after losing to Toledo, too.

Cosmo (Anytown, USA)

Is there a Big 12 rule that only allows 9 players on defense? I know the offenses, especially the QB's, are good, but the defenses are AWFUL.

Mark Schlabach

  (2:09 PM)

I agree with you, but I'm getting killed by Big 12 fans for making that observation. Big 12 quarterbacks are fantastic. You won't find a better collection of quarterbacks in one league in the country. Maybe not for a long time, either. But the defenses, outside of Texas and maybe Oklahoma (with Reynolds), simply aren't that good. Could they do well against some SEC offenses? Sure. Arkansas, Tennessee, Auburn, etc., are all struggling to score. But it's clear Big 12 offenses are way ahead of Big 12 defenses right now.

Tom (Wichita, KS)

Are you serious with the article you wrote lately stating how Texas has not been tested? Dude, I think the Big XII and Texas deserve an apology.

Mark Schlabach

  (2:12 PM)

I'm not apologizing. I'm not going to declare Texas the national champion for beating up Mizzou. Missouri has one of the worst defenses I've seen in a while. We saw they had problems in the opener against Illinois. Oklahoma did a nice job against Texas until Reynolds was hurt. Texas might indeed be the best team in the country, and its resume so far makes them No. 1 at this point in the season. But the point of the column was the Longhorns will face a much stiffer defense if they get to the BCS title game. Again, Big 12 offenses are great. But Texas and Oklahoma -- and perhaps Oklahoma State -- are the only Big 12 teams with solid defenses. Look what Virginia Tech did against Nebraska. Virginia Tech has struggled to score all season.

Carl (Gainesville)

There are rumors that UGA has got yet another motivational gimmick for the cocktail party. Heard anything about this?

Mark Schlabach

  (2:12 PM)

I'd leave the motivational gimmicks at home and line up and play football.

Big 12 Defenses (Southwest)

If we're so horrible, how come Arkansas has scored twice as many points per game on SEC defenses as they did on Texas? How come we have two of the top defensive lines in football? How come we have several of the best run defenses in football?Just because a conference actually remembers what a QB is, doesn't mean they have horrilbe defense. You try defending Bradford, McCoy, Robinson and Harrel.

Mark Schlabach

  (2:13 PM)

Arkansas might be the worst team in the SEC. Texas has a couple of nice defensive linemen. McCoy completed 90 percent of his passes against Missouri and largely went untouched.

Mark (San Francisco, CA)

How can Penn State stop Pryor and considering they only put up 20 points or so on Purdue, score on Ohio States improving defense? And projections on ESPN have USC/Ohio State in the rose bowl... would they really waste a big bowl on replaying a ridiculous game?

Mark Schlabach

  (2:14 PM)

Penn State's defense has surprised me, but Pryor is getting better every week. It helps, obviously, to have Beanie back in the backfield. If Penn State wins the Big Ten and gets into the BCS title game, I don't think there's any question the Rose would take USC vs. Ohio State, if available. Look at last year. The Rose Bowl took Illinois over Georgia and a couple of other teams to keep the Big Ten/Pac-10 matchup intact. I think it would happen again.

Matt : (Orlando, FL)

Love the chat. Can you give any insight on the young Miami Canes team vs. a suddenly inept Wake Forest unit this upcoming weekend? Thanx.

Mark Schlabach

  (2:15 PM)

Randy Shannon has to be excited about how well Jacory Harris played against Duke. Wake Forest's offensive line is struggling and it can't run the ball. They're asking too much of Riley Skinner.

Matt (UNC)

What's the best bowl UNC can hope to land in? Are one of the Big 5 still a possibility if they can win the ACC?

Mark Schlabach

  (2:16 PM)

If UNC wins the ACC, they'd automatically get a berth in the Orange Bowl. But they have to find out how to compensate for the loss of Brandon Tate, which won't be easy. Nicks will get a lot of attention from defenses now.

Andy (New York)

Mark you missed the point... Arkansas looked bad against Texas... but they have put up points against your vaunted SEC defenses... Comment on that...

Mark Schlabach

  (2:17 PM)

Arkansas has gotten better over time, which you would expect from a Bobby Petrino-coached team. Michael Smith is a nice tailback. But they scored 20 points against Kentucky. Beat a struggling Auburn team, which has no offense. I don't think that's apples to apples.

Kris, PA

Mark, what do you think will happen this Thursday in Morgantown? This was previously billed as a major non-conference game for 2008, but both teams have struggled. (WVU's struggles, particularly their offensive line, are particularly perplexing. No excuse for losing with that line and Pat White.)

Mark Schlabach

  (2:18 PM)

I'll be curious to see if Tuberville takes the redshirt off Trotter this late in the season. He had an extra week to prepare his offense, so I'm curious to see if he comes out in an I-formation, two-tight end offense, etc., or sticks with the spread. West Virginia seems to be getting a little bit better, winning its first two Big East games. I told West Virginia fans there would be a transition under Bill Stewart. Same offense but with new wrinkles. It takes time.

Matt(Florida)

Andy, thank you. I also think the SEC is extremely overrated. Amen brother, and keep spreading the word. SEC = a bunch of average teams.

Mark Schlabach

  (2:21 PM)

I'd say Alabama, Florida and Georgia are pretty good. Auburn and Tennessee are obviously struggling. Vanderbilt was a nice story while it lasted, but it doesn't have enough depth to compete for the whole season. South Carolina's defense is very, very good. Ole Miss has a very good defensive front. Look, some SEC teams are undoubtedly bad on offense. But most teams are pretty stout on defense. It's harder to go through an eight-game schedule when you're getting the heck beat out of you each and every week. Would Texas beat Georgia, Florida or Alabama? Maybe. Would Oklahoma? Maybe. Would Georgia beat Oklahoma State, Texas Tech or Misosuri or Kansas? Maybe. It's two different styles of play.

Glen, Pensacola Florida

Mark, thanks for taking my question! Being #10 in the BCS, is that going to keep the Gators out of the NC Game if they win out? Thanks and GO GATORS!

Mark Schlabach

  (2:22 PM)

Gators will have a chance to move up as Big 12 teams beat each other up (Texas vs. Oklahoma State and Texas Tech, etc.). If Florida beats Georgia, they'll move up pretty high and have a chance to get to the BCS title game.

Virginia, Charlotte

LSU-UGA? I say the TIGERS!!

Mark Schlabach

  (2:22 PM)

Georgia's young offensive line will have to play really, really well against the LSU defensive front. Georgia will have to get pressure on LSU's quarterbacks. I think it will be a close game.

RJ (Spicewood, TX)

Florida is the only team in the SEC that I would give a prayer against any of the top 10 Big 12 teams. They are the only ones that can actually score any points - and no SEC defense I've seen is gonna hold the big 4 to less than 28 points.

Mark Schlabach

  (2:24 PM)

How do we know? Would Florida have to score 35 points if its defense holds Texas or Texas Tech to 21? Would Colt McCoy complete 90 percent of his passes if he's getting hit every other down? We don't know. Georgia's defense did a nice job on Oklahoma State last year. Alabama's defense did a nice job against Texas Tech in the Cotton Bowl a couple of years ago. Different seasons, I know. But I think it's an interesting debate when you talk about Big 12 offenses vs. SEC defenses.

Don in Austin, Texas

Mark,Do you believe attending UGA has caused you to show a favorable bias towards the SEC?

Mark Schlabach

  (2:25 PM)

It didn't when Georgia fans hated my guts when I was the Georgia beat writer at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Will J (Portland, OR)

What are Utah's chances of being a BCS buster, with BYU losing to TCU so badly?

Mark Schlabach

  (2:27 PM)

I'd say Boise State and Utah are in the driver's seat. If memory serves me correctly, Utah gets TCU and BYU at home. Don't count out Tulsa, either. They should run the table in Conference USA and will be sitting there if Boise State or Utah slips.

Andy (New York)

Mark- Do you believe Ole Miss (led by a QB who couldn't crack it at Texas) would be able to put up a fight against Texas? After beating Florida (at FLA) and almost taking down Alabama?

Mark Schlabach

  (2:28 PM)

Ole Miss is a really good team when it doesn't turn the ball over. I believe Houston Nutt took an unranked Arkansas team into Texas a couple of years ago and won. Ole Miss has two NFL first-rounders on the defensive line. Ed Orgeron didn't do a lot of things right at Ole Miss, but he recruited very, very well. There wasn't an empty cupboard when Nutt arrived from Ole Miss. Snead is a pretty good quarterback. There's a reason Texas signed him.

Bob, Denver

Mark, have you had a chance to watch any of the non-BCS teams this year? If so, any comparison as to how they'd fare in a BCS conference?

Mark Schlabach

  (2:29 PM)

I saw BYU beat the you-know-what out of UCLA in Provo. Was very impressed with BYU and still am. TCU has a very good defense. Haven't seen Utah or Boise State yet. Would love to see Tulsa in action. Todd Graham obviously knows how to coach offense.

Matt (Atlanta, Ga)

im am super pleased with paul johnson and his first season with my jackets!! what do u think our chances will be to go 11-1 and beat UGA??

Mark Schlabach

  (2:30 PM)

I thought Johnson would have a lot of success at Georgia Tech, but I wasn't sure it would happen this quickly. Nesbitt is playing really well at quarterback, and Dwyer is one of the better running backs in the country. He inherited a very good defense from Chan Gailey. Tech can win the ACC and it is capable of beating Georgia. That offense is very difficult to prepare for in only a week.

Andy (New York)

Mark- A QB who transfered away from Texas after not being able to compete with Colt beat your Florida defense... who do you think Colt would struggle against them? And are you making the argument Ole Miss has a better defense than the one Texas has with Muschamp? Why because of talent (even thought Texas has heavily out recruited them) or because Muschamp can't coach the Texas D up enough now that he left the SEC?

Mark Schlabach

  (2:32 PM)

Muschamp is one of the best defensive coordinators in the country and has made Texas a lot tougher on that side of the ball. He'll be a head coach at BCS school very soon. Don't forget Texas is starting two freshman safeties and a first-year starter at cornerback. Don't forget Texas gave up five touchdown passes against Oklahoma. If you can outscore your opponents each and every week, that's fine. I think Texas plays defense better than any team in the Big 12. That's why I have them No. 1 and playing in the BCS title game in our bowl projections. But, again, the point of the column was they'll face a much better defense from Florida, Georgia, Penn State, Ohio State, USC, etc., if they make it to the BCS title game.

Steve(Tulsa)

Show me some love Mark!!!! Can Nic Harris be enough of a replacement for Ryan Reynolds at MLB to get OU unscathed through the rest of Big 12 play?

Mark Schlabach

  (2:33 PM)

You won't replace Reynolds. There aren't many players in the country like him. Look at what Texas did after he went down. Oklahoma can still get to the title game, if Texas slips twice. Not sure that will happen, but I'd be surprised if Oklahoma didn't win out until the Oklahoma State game. That game will be a grudge match. We'll see what the Cowboys do from now until then.

steven (alabama)

is it time for the bcs to make all bcs conferences have a championship game?

Mark Schlabach

  (2:34 PM)

Old argument, but a worthy one, in my opinion. I don't have as much of a problem with the Pac-10 because they play a true round-robin schedule. Would like to see the Big Ten have a championship game, but I guess we're getting it on Saturday. Ohio State and Penn State are the best two teams in that league.

Jeff (Edmond, Ok)

What does Oklahoma State have to do to win the game on Saturday when they play Texas?

Mark Schlabach

  (2:36 PM)

Get pressure on Colt McCoy. Texas hasn't been forced to throw the football down the field much. The Longhorns really hurt Missouri with quick drops and quick throws. Have to generate pressure on McCoy and protect Robinson. I was really surprised to see Texas get so much pressure off three- and four-man fronts. Texas didn't have to blitz much at all and sat back in a nickle.

Joey W (Vancouver, WA)

Mark,Do you feel USC is as good as their hype? They play no ranked opponent the remainder of their regular season schedule, (with the possible exception of Cal in a few weeks if they can stay in the Top 25,) lose to the Beavers, (who are barely above .500,) yet are still in the thick of the BCS Title Hunt. What gives with the SC love?

Mark Schlabach

  (2:37 PM)

Not firing on all cylinders before the last few games against lesser competition. On paper, USC is probably still the most talented team in the country. But given the current state of the Pac-10, I would consider it a travesty if the Big 12 champion and SEC champion or Penn State didn't get picked ahead of a one-loss USC team (if said teams had identical records).

Kyle (Cedar Rapids, IA)

Can Iowa's defense and Shonn Greene have a possible chance at beating Penn State?

Mark Schlabach

  (2:38 PM)

Shonn Greene might be the most underrated player in the country. Iowa is still a little up and down. Nice win over Wisconsin, though.

Chris (State College, PA)

Mark, how would you rank Texas, Bama, and PSU at season's end if they all go undefeated?

Mark Schlabach

  (2:39 PM)

1. Texas2. Alabama3. Penn StateBased on schedule, more than anything else. Texas would have beaten Oklahoma, Texas Tech, Oklahoma State, Missouri. Alabama would have beaten Georgia, LSU, Georgia or Florida in SEC championship game. Penn State would have beaten Ohio State and Oregon State and some mediocre Big Ten teams. Wisconsin's problems and Michigan's problems aren't helping Penn State.

Ryan (Los Angeles)

Mark, great chat- what is the best case scenario (realistically) for Clemson the rest of the way?

Mark Schlabach

  (2:40 PM)

Try to win three games and get bowl eligible, which I think will be difficult. I think Dabo Swinney did a nice job Saturday of re-uniting the Clemson fans, etc., but the results were pretty much the same. Too many turnovers and not enough protection from the line. Spiller is out. Harper had surgery. Korn is banged up. It will be tough.

Paul (Albany, OR)

I realize that Oregon State has three losses but before they are thrown on the heap of bad teams can you or someone in your position point out that two of the three losses were to Penn State AND Utah and both on the road? Not like they lost to directional U or even Ol' Miss at home!

Mark Schlabach

  (2:41 PM)

And lost at Stanford, too. I'll give Oregon State the benefit of the doubt because that Penn State loss was a young team's first road trip. Beavers are obviously very talented on offense.

Dave (Seattle, WA)

Mark, a travesty? So, if a Florida team that lost at home to Mississippi should be picked over USC who lost on the road, that would be a travesty? Your SEC colored glasses are on.....

Mark Schlabach

  (2:42 PM)

Florida would have beaten LSU, Georgia and LSU or Alabama in the SEC championship game. USC would have beaten Ohio State and Notre Dame and who? No glasses involved. Just common sense.

Mark (Kansas)

Mark, dont forget Texas also has Kansas and the Big XII title game in KC

Mark Schlabach

  (2:42 PM)

Correct.

Chris, Columbus

Who's your pick Saturday night, OSU or PSU and why?

Mark Schlabach

  (2:44 PM)

I'm going to go with Penn State, but I think it could definitely go either way. Penn State can't fall behind again. Probably look ahead last week after Michigan lost to Toledo. They have to contain Pryor, which I think they can do, and make Ohio State one-dimensional with Wells. I was impressed with how Ohio State played with emotion last week. Really seemed to have a purpose for the first time in a while. But Pryor has a long way to go as a passer, and that might be difficult against Penn State.

Bevo (Austin, TX)

Mark, have you paused to consider that the SEC defenses are ranked so high because the SEC quarterbacks look like they are trying to throw a shot put?

Mark Schlabach

  (2:45 PM)

Again, are Big 12 quarterbacks that good or are the defenses that bad? Are SEC quarterbacks that bad or are SEC defenses that good? Texas is good on both sides of the ball. Oklahoma is really good on offense and pretty good on defense. Georgia is really good on defense and can be good on offense. Florida is exceptional on offense and getting better on defense. LSU is great on defense and so-so on offense. We can argue until the end of the season...

Will J (Portland, OR)

Mark, do you think sometimes some SEC teams are ranked higher than they should be, strictly because they are in the SEC?

Mark Schlabach

  (2:46 PM)

Sure, the same way Ohio State is sometimes overrated, and Penn State and Notre Dame and USC and Texas and Oklahoma. Brand name means a lot in college football.

J.B. (Dunmore, PA)

Mr. Schlabach: Thanks for posting so much of the trash talk between the SEC and Big 12 fans. Really great stuff. Can't wait to see what happens if PSU sneaks into the BCS title game instead of the winner of one of those two conferences.

Mark Schlabach

  (2:47 PM)

Joe Pa quietly putting together an unbeaten season. Have to win Saturday, though. Great job by the Nittany Lions so far. I have to admit, Jim Donnan told me before the season that Penn State would be very, very good. I didn't believe him.

Bryan (Lexington)

How possible is it that we'll see a Big XII vs SEC matchup in the national championship. I just want all this bickering to stop!

Mark Schlabach

  (2:48 PM)

I'd love to see a Big 12/SEC challenge in football. Great made-for-TV games.

John (Gainsville)

Shouldn't Texas Tech, Oklahoma State, Kansas, and Missouri have to have some more consistency before the Big 12 can try to claim elite conference status over the SEC. The high profile SEC teams have either a national championship or an undefeated season under their belts in within the last twenty years while those four teams have never really had any success beyond these last two years.

Mark Schlabach

  (2:49 PM)

Yeah, but Georgia hasn't won a national championship in two-plus decades. Florida and LSU have won recent titles, but Alabama and Tennessee struggled for a decade after winning one. Auburn had the undefeated season but no title. Great football in both leagues, depending on whether you like offense or defense.

Remy - Atl

Wow, you are taking a lot of heat on here. Just my guess, but you get paid to do this b/c you know what you are talking about, and pretty much all of the people commenting on here cannot claim that.... just my two cents

Mark Schlabach

  (2:50 PM)

A lot of people on here probably think I'm overpaid! Great fun, though.

Elliott, Philadelphia

could a one loss SEC champ (florida or georgia come to mind) that beat Alabama in the title game jump an undefeated PSU team to play TX in the BCS Championship?

Mark Schlabach

  (2:50 PM)

I'd be surprised. Penn State is too high in the BCS rankings.

Trey (Tuscaloosa, AL)

How good are Alabama's chances of running the table and staying undefeated. Their biggest game is at LSU; however, they have played pretty well on the road this year.

Mark Schlabach

  (2:51 PM)

Have to finish games. Nearly cost them against Ole Miss. Still waiting to see if John Parker Wilson can lead them from behind (more than 3-0 deficit). He might have to, though, as much as they're jumping on teams in the first half. You have to be relieved about Cody, huh?

Ben (Charlotte)

Isn't it a coincidence that Big 12 quarterbacks (McCoy, Daniel, Harrell) were three-star recruits (according to Rivals) yet they are now considered the best quarterbacks in the nation? That's Big 12 defense.

Mark Schlabach

  (2:52 PM)

Or really bad recruiting rankings and good coaching. I think McCoy, Bradford and Harrell would be pretty good at most schools.

Brandon Phoenix, AZ

All I know is that defense wins championships Big 12.

Mark Schlabach

  (2:53 PM)

Worked for LSU and Florida. Both teams had pretty mediocre offenses and great defenses. Look at all the defensive players from those teams playing in the NFL right now.

Will J (Portland, OR)

I think USC should schedule a round of games against all SEC opponents, now that would be made for tv.

Mark Schlabach

  (2:53 PM)

I think Arkansas had enough of USC.

Greg Ciceri

What is you take on the fore arm shiver that was delivered by the ref during the LSU/Sc game?

Mark Schlabach

  (2:54 PM)

Pretty interesting video, to say the least. I don't know what to say. Sure didn't seem to try to get out of the way, but I highly doubt he was trying to take out Garcia. Seems to be a good conspiracy theory.

Kris

Offense won it for Texas vs USC in 2005

Mark Schlabach

  (2:54 PM)

You are correct, sir. Or at least one great college player....

Kris (Big 12 country)

Its nice to see all the talking heads making their fall migration back to Ohio State. Making ignorant excuses like they are different team with Pryor and Wells. The real difference is that they are in league play now and the BIG TEN STINKS!!! Thats why all of a sudden they look good. No big ten team should be in the BCS champ game...or Pac - 10 for that matter..

Mark Schlabach

  (2:56 PM)

There's something to be said for that. But Ohio State has a lot of NFL players, too. USC kicked their rears, and I'm sure Ohio State will tell you that. But there will be a dozen or so players drafted very highly off that team, too. The Buckeyes are being penalized badly for the loss to USC, and maybe even for their performances in the last two BCS title games, whether that's fair or not.

Matt (Atlanta)

Mark, everyone talks about Georgia Tech's offense being hard to prepare for. Some love needs to be given to the D. They are top 5 nationally. No one expected that with Tenuta leaving.

Mark Schlabach

  (2:56 PM)

But Tenuta left behind some great players. Maybe one of the best defensive fronts in the country. Jackets have always played defense well.

Andy (New York)

After writing the article "Is Texas the top team? The Big 12 schedule might not tell us"... who do you think has proved more on the field than Texas? Why not write an article including the other top teams weaknesses that have been exposed (unlike Texas' hypothetical weakness)?

Mark Schlabach

  (2:57 PM)

I didn't write that Texas wasn't the top team. In fact, I said it was the most impressive performance by a No. 1 team this season, and I don't write headlines. But I said Texas won't be tested against Big 12 defenses. Texas plays defense. A lot of other Big 12 teams don't play defense very well.

Mark Schlabach

  (2:58 PM)

OK, folks have to run. Have a great week. Thanks for the lively debate. It was a lot of fun. Take care.