Ted Miller

  (2:58 PM)

Hola mis amigos.. fire away!

Jojo

Hey Ted, you ever notice that the other NCAA Bloggers post about their conference only? How about you only answer Pac-10 related questions this time instead of answering about 13 SEC questions, 4 Big 10 questions, and about 44 Big 12 questions. Yours Truly, Pac-10 Fan

Ted Miller

  (2:59 PM)

Can't help it... I love college football in general. I try to answer good questions that folks might find interesting.

Matt (Miami, FL)

What's your take on the game formerly known as the "World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party"?

Ted Miller

  (3:00 PM)

Fun. Fun.Fun. Hunker down...I like the Dawgs.

Mindy (Wilsonville, OR.)

Ted, what's the word on Jeremiah Johnson's shoulder? Who do you like in the Oregon vs. Cal game?

Ted Miller

  (3:02 PM)

He was limited in practice yesterday but is expected to at least try to play (bum shoulders are tough on RBs). I like the Ducks based in large part on how banged up the Cal O-line is

dave seattle

While im glad willingham got fired i do like him as a person....my question for you is do you think willingham will ever coach again

Ted Miller

  (3:04 PM)

I think he will coach again, but probably not at a top-level BCS program... and that might be what he wants after his experiences at ND and UW. Lots of folks think I don't like Tyrone. I do. He was always fun to talk to about anything other than his football team. I disagreed strongly with his media policies but I respect him and wish him well.

Alex, Ann Arbor, MI

I don't think you, me or anyone else is saying the Trojans are perfect, but if Oregon State plays USC in the Coliseum that night instead of Ohio State, does anyone believe USC wouldn't shred them the way they shredded the Buckeyes? Or, put Penn State in Corvallis that Thursday night two weeks later against the Beavers, no way it's a 45-14 game anymore than USC would have smacked the Buckeyes 35-3 had the game been played in Columbus. Do you think way too much is being made of a Trojan loss to an Oregon State program that has been good the last three years and that USC would deserve a BCS Title shot as much as any other 11-1 team? It seems the politicing by fans and media members in other regions masks a fear of USC's 5-1 BCS Bowl record that was 19 seconds away from being 6-0 more than anything else. If their team has a shot at the title, they don't want Pete Carroll and USC on the opposing sideline.

Ted Miller

  (3:08 PM)

There's a lot of anti-USC feeling out there. But the Trojans did it to themselves by not winning a game (again) they should have won. How could you pick USC over an unbeaten team? Now if it becomes a battle of one-loss teams the plot thickens. But a one-loss Texas, Alabama, Florida or Georgia probably earns the nod. USC might be the best team. But they don't get a pass.

Troy (Montrose, CA)

If Oregon State and USC run the table for the rest of the season, can USC get an at-large BCS Bowl bid?

Ted Miller

  (3:09 PM)

Yes... it's a near-certainty in that scenario.

Zaid (Austin)

Ted, who wins the the battle, the Tech O line, or the Texas D line? Can Mankind,The Mouth, and the rest of the overrated O line possibly contain Brian OSACKPO, Sergio Kindle, and Roy Miller? HOOK EM

Ted Miller

  (3:11 PM)

Overrated! Sounds like you've got a take here... I think Texas will get some shots on Harrell... and I think the Horns can outscore the RRs.

J.B. (Dunmore, PA)

OK you cover the PAC-10. Give us a reason to watch the November 22nd matchup between Washington and Washington State please.

Ted Miller

  (3:12 PM)

Ted Miller

  (3:13 PM)

comedic value?

David, Portland

How long before the PAC 10 gets some respect again? What has to happen before that?

Ted Miller

  (3:15 PM)

Perhaps as early as bowl season... if the Pac-10 wins the Holiday Bowl vs. the Big 12 as well as the Rose Bowl, it will make a statement. And then Pac-10 teams need to take care of their nonconference business in 2009.

Sean - Chicago

Can Stanfrod ever be among the elite in the Pac-10?

Ted Miller

  (3:16 PM)

Depends what you mean by elite... Top-half every year? I think so. A Rose Bowl every decade or so? Perhaps. A foil for USC? Probably not. Unless, of course, the school compromises its academic standards...

Cletus (Mobile, AL)

Can you see a possible Alabama vs. USC match-up in the Rose Bowl? Roll Tide!!!

Ted Miller

  (3:20 PM)

That would be fun, fun fun... Doubtful though... That would mean 1) the Sugar Bowl would release Alabama; 2) the rose bowl would kick the Big Ten to the curb. Now, if Ohio State goes belly-up, and the SEC doesn't have a team in the BCS title game but, nonetheless, gets two BCS bowl spots, it could happen.And bama does have some history with the game... Lots of ifs...

Pandora (Box, CA)

Do you believe in the ?BCS Conspiracy? that is circulating around that the powers that be at the BCS purposely prevented Georgia from facing USC in the 2008 Rose Bowl because they did not want the Rose Bowl to produce the AP National Champion and split the national title?

Ted Miller

  (3:23 PM)

Hmm... not a big conspiracy guy, but I like a lot of folks REALLY wanted that UGA-USC game... my feeling it was more a case of bureaucracy and tradition interfering.

Bryan (San Diego, CA)

What are your thought on Mark Sanchez going to the NFL after this season?

Ted Miller

  (3:23 PM)

It would be a huge mistake for him... he's a great talent but he's not ready.

Keddington

Will the Big 12 North ever catch up to the South?

Ted Miller

  (3:26 PM)

Didn't folks used to wonder the same about the SEC West... that said, OU-Texas really complicates things... north needs Nebraska to regain its past glory.

Younger (Los Angeles, CA)

UCLA won't make a bowl this year and the talent they currently have is not good enough to make a bowl the next year. What can we expect as far as recruiting and next years team? Their O-line is awful!!!

Ted Miller

  (3:27 PM)

No bowl this year... but I'm not so sure that the Bruins won't be in line to be much-improved in 2009.... in fact, I will predict today a bowl berth.

Ryan (Ohio)

Very disappointed with your answer to Pandora. If there are BCS eligible teams from the B10 and Pac 10, the Rose Bowl has a contract stating they will take teams from those conferences! You gotta know that, why not educate them?!?!

Ted Miller

  (3:31 PM)

I was operating on the "IF" If Penn State goes to the title game, and Ohio State implodes then it's unlikely any other Big Ten team would be BCS eligible. If the SEC has two top-10 teams but no BCS title game team, then it would be possible to match USC-Bama... depends on the pecking order between the Fiesta Bowl (Big 12) and the Rose Bowl (Big Ten) on who would get to grab a second SEC team...understand?

Chris, Seattle

Who do you think UW will hire? Who do you think they Should hire?

Ted Miller

  (3:34 PM)

I don't know... the two favorites -- Pinkel and Mora -- seem like longshots... Me? I'd go after Mike Riley, Chris Petersen or maybe Will Muschamps

Ryan (Ohio)

Yeah I understand but he was asking about LAST years choice and conspiracy theory, not this year...understand?

Ted Miller

  (3:35 PM)

ah ok... sorry to let you down on that...

Beth (Austin... Austin.. Massachusetts)

Who has the best numbers this weekend: Bradford, Harrell or Colt?

Ted Miller

  (3:37 PM)

Bradford at home vs. Nebraska.

Kris, PA

Ted, what's with all of the Matt Stafford hype all the time? The guy is in the 50% range for lifetime completions, and his TD/INT ratio is very average/mediocre. Is this just more bogus SEC hype, as in "we're the all-world-defensive-league?" Who cares what the guy does on the practice field; game time is what counts.

Ted Miller

  (3:38 PM)

Dude's got an amazing arm... seemed to me he played pretty well at LSU.

Chris (State College, PA)

Do you think Oregon State has any chance at all of running the rest of their schedule and winning the Pac-10? How would Penn State be affected by having blown out the eventual Pac-10 champ if this were to occur?

Ted Miller

  (3:41 PM)

Yes... and my guess is it would bolster PSU's strength of schedule... If you're concerned about there being three unbeaten teams and PSU losing out... well I'm not sure Oregon State in the Rose Bowl would be enough to boost the Nittany Lions over, say, Texas or Alabama.

Jake (Honolulu, HI)

What's your key match up in the Ducks Bears game?

Ted Miller

  (3:42 PM)

Cal's beaten up O-line vs. the Ducks D-front... or Cal's fast, physical LBs vs. Jeremiah Masoli running the spread-option.

Mike (Stroud, Ok)

That makes me wonder about an OSU OSU Rose Bowl. GAK!

Ted Miller

  (3:43 PM)

Wow... talk about a no-win let down for the Lions... Beavers might like it... But I'll spot you a GAK for our friends in Happy Valley.

John (NYC)

There's lots of talk out there about how to evaluate one-loss teams relative to one another. Here's my take: when two great teams meet in the regular season, and both play great, one still has to lose. Texas-Oklahoma this year is a prime example. Such one-loss teams should be regarded as head and shoulders above the rest. USC gets credit for going on the road and keeping it close to the very end, but Oregon State is no Texas, so they have to be behind Oklahoma. Georgia got straight up dominated, and Florida lost to a shaky Ole Miss team, both at home, so both are behind Oklahoma and USC. Really, this doesn't seem like it should be so complicated...

Ted Miller

  (3:46 PM)

Not unreasonable... OU clearly has the "best" loss... Florida's is by far the worst... But the Gators can erase that with a win Saturday, while USC won't get a similar opportunity.

Yatin (LA)

They've been wildly unproductive/inconsistent this year, but have you seen anything out of Cal's WRs that indicate they can be a strong group to team w/ Riley/Best/Vereen next season?

Ted Miller

  (3:48 PM)

Sure... they have talent... The guess is they should improve. USC's young WR were highly touted last year but they underachieved. They've been dramatically better this year. Same thing goes for Cal with all the skill coming back in 2009.

Tread (Columbus, OH)

Why are people not believing Oregon St. can win out and go to the Rose Bowl? Don't they have a decent shot at winning the rest of the games on their schedule?

Ted Miller

  (3:50 PM)

Who are these people... OSU's got a solid shot... what some folks might be leaning on is how no Pac-10 team, as of yet, has been consistent week-in and week-out. It's nothing personal vs. the Beavers.

Joe (Austin,TX)

Hey Ted, why does media think and some of the polls think that Florida and USC are the best 1 lose team...there are only 3 1 lose teams that are better then them and thats OU,Okie State, and Georgia...these these lost there games to the top 2 teams in the nation...go horns all the way, hookem

Ted Miller

  (3:53 PM)

Well... we'll learn soon whether you are right about UGA and Florida... and Joe, would you really bet money in Vegas against USC? No you wouldn't ... no you wouldn't ... no... no.. no.... I know this because I know you are a smart guy.

Rick (Sacramento CA)

When are we going to start talking about how the BCS system is not good enough? Every year the conversation turns this way. But as fans we have no power to change it to a playoff system. Any suggestions?

Ted Miller

  (3:54 PM)

Revolt? When so many people running the show are making money, they tend to keep their own council. The BCS may one day be overthrown. But I'm not confident that will be anytime soon...

Las Cruces, NM

Do you really feel that Texas Tech is Overrated?

Ted Miller

  (3:56 PM)

Guess we'll see this weekend. I have an issue with TT's scheduling philosophy. We really don't know how good the Red Raiders are right now because their best opponent is a mediocre Kansas team... IF TT wants to run with the big boys, it can't hide from competition.

David (Spokane)

Is it just me, or is the "Hookem" or "Roll tide" at the end of all ut/bama posts REALLY annoying?

Ted Miller

  (3:57 PM)

Dude... you must love the passion... and I'm sure they'd feel terrible to know they were annoying.

Eazy: (Tuscaloosa AL)

What are your thoughts on the Alabama vs. LSU game next weekend?

Ted Miller

  (3:58 PM)

Alabama big... LSU has one major problem. It's not any good.

Noah (NE)

Who do you see in the future for Oregon's QB situation?

Ted Miller

  (4:00 PM)

It will be interesting to say the least, particularly if Masoli, a sophomore, continues to improve. Can Nate Costa bounce back from another knee injury? And what about talented freshman Darron Thomas? I'd rate Masoli as the favorite to start in 2009.

Ted Miller

  (4:02 PM)

hey gang... thanks for stopping by... see you next week... have fun in Jacksonville, Lubbock and everywhere else...