Bruce Feldman

  (4:00 PM)

Thanks for dropping by. I'm excited to talk some college football on a sunny LA day.

Ryan (Dallas)

What are the odds that Mike Leach gets a better offer to leave Tx Tech after this year? I'm really worried he'll get a better offer (Tennessee maybe?) to leave. Also, any thoughts on Big 12 re-alignment? The South has been the better division pretty much since its inception.

Bruce Feldman

  (4:02 PM)

I think the chances of him getting a better offer increased quite a bit in the last 72 hours since the UT win. He's a brilliant offensive mind and has proven he's got a sharp eye for talent (he was also the first one to offer Sam Bradford)... Tech hasn't stepped up and paid him like a top 20 coach yet and I think he'd be very interested in a Washington or a Tennessee.

Bruce Feldman

  (4:02 PM)

As for the realignment, I don't see it happening. Give NU and CU some time to get rebuilt.

JL (Hoboken, NJ)

What 1-loss teams would get into the natl champ game ahead of Penn St?

Bruce Feldman

  (4:04 PM)

I think Florida would have the best chance if the Gators were to beat an undefeated Bama team in the SEC title, although if Texas wins out they'd have a strong argument too... my ideal scenario would be...

Bruce Feldman

  (4:04 PM)

Have Penn State play USC in the Rose Bowl and have the Big 12 and SEC champs play in the BCS title game and split title.

Jay : Sonora, TX

Bruce, you are still a non-believer! Texas Tech in the Holiday Bowl, really, what does it take?

Bruce Feldman

  (4:06 PM)

Hey, I like Tech a lot, but I don't see them winning in Norman.

Lawrence(Harrisonburg, VA)

LSU on decline or rebuild?

Bruce Feldman

  (4:07 PM)

reloading.. young QB...disappointed in the defense though. I suspect if they don't step up in the next month. Miles might look for a new DC.

ken

With Fulmer out, how insane is this? Bobby Johnson ti his Alma Mater at Clemson, Fulmer to Vandy, Tubberville to Tennessee, Muschamp back to Auburn? It's a wild world

Bruce Feldman

  (4:07 PM)

It's insane. I don't see Fulmer going to Vandy.

Brian (Columbus)

What are the chances Jim Tressel can woo Mike Leach to Columbus to give the offense some direction? :)

Bruce Feldman

  (4:08 PM)

to be his OC???? What? Tressel would be better served trying to get Sonny Dykes, Leach's old OC now at Zona to go there.

Michael

Do you see this young Notre Dame team being a Top 10 team in 2009? With 7 Home games next season, 4 on the Road, and 1 Neutral Site game versus Washington State.... Can they be a Top 10 team in 2009?

Bruce Feldman

  (4:11 PM)

I don't know. Every time we (and I'm in this group of the media/fans that) get sucked in by the Irish, they disappoint. The schedule for '09 looks even softer than this year and that's saying something. Nevada might be the third toughest team they play depending on whether LeSean McCoy leaves early. If Weis couldn't get them into the top 10 by next year, he never will.

David (Champaign)

There has been a lot of talk about Mike Locksly being a head coach someday, that day isnt now is it? There is not way he is in contention for Tenn or UW is there?

Bruce Feldman

  (4:12 PM)

I doubt he's going to get those two jobs this year, but he's a guy a lot of ADs are keeping tabs on.

James (Orangeburg S.C.)

Who is going to win the Mac conference game between Miami Ohio vs Buffalo?

Bruce Feldman

  (4:12 PM)

I'll say Buffalo.. Turner Gill has done a great job there btw.

J.B. (Dunmore, PA)

I like your idea with the dual champions. Far too many good teams this year to settle on just one without a playoff system.

Bruce Feldman

  (4:13 PM)

Thanks. I think if PSU beat USC that would prove a lot to pollsters and would at least keep things fair for more teams.

Dave MC (Elizabethton, TN)

Any Chance Fulmer to Clemson? He still gets to wear the Orange.

Bruce Feldman

  (4:14 PM)

I doubt it. I just don't know if they'd want him right now. He really looked tired yesterday. Not even sure he'd have the energy to jump into something right now.

Eddie (Butler, GA)

Bruce, i met you at Ole Miss, at Meat Market signing, good book. How about Ole Miss in their last three against Louisiana Monroe, LSU, and MS State?

Bruce Feldman

  (4:16 PM)

Hey..thanks. They'll win at least two of them. Ole Miss Dline has been great of late even without Greg Hardy. Peria Jerry deserves some all-American attention and DE Kentrell Lockett has blossomed. He came in at about 210 and finally looks like an SEC DE.

Ryan (Johnstown, PA)

Does West Virginia have the ablility to keep improving and take The Big East title again?

Bruce Feldman

  (4:17 PM)

I do like the maturation of the defense and as long as Pat White is healthy they're as good as anyone in the Big East.

Donald Brown (Storrs, CT)

Will I win the doak walker?

Bruce Feldman

  (4:17 PM)

I don't think so, although I'm voting for you in my top three. Keep putting up big numbers though.

Nick (Coral Gables, FL)

Bruce, Can you recall a freshman class in recent memory that has been more impressive than Miami's group this year?

Bruce Feldman

  (4:20 PM)

I can't. I was with Robert Smith and Dari Nowhkah in the studio watching that second half unfold while we were on the air and it was like " the guy who makes the big strip on D (Sean Spence) true freshman, the guy who throws the tying and winning TD (Jacory Harris) TF..the guy who catches the tying one (LaRon Byrd) TF..winning TD (Aldarius Johnson) TF.. I'd say of the 10 best players on that team right now six are true freshmen.

Kole

Is Brent Venables stock declining after the OU defensive struggles the last couple of years?

Bruce Feldman

  (4:21 PM)

I don't think so. He's someone I think deserves a lot of looks. He's sharp, is revered as a recruiter and as a teacher. It hurt OU that they lost their best LB (Ryan Reynolds), but he's still young. I suspect he'll be running a program within three years.

Clay (Columbus, Ohio)

If Ball State goes undefeated, should they deserve to be in a BCS Bowl Game?

Bruce Feldman

  (4:22 PM)

Probably not because their best win would be over a mediocre Indiana team.

Matt (Philadelphia)

Does Cal have a shot Saturday night in the Coliseum?

Bruce Feldman

  (4:23 PM)

Depends if they can protect their QB.. doubt it. But I'll be there watching.

Yancey (Ft Lauderdale)

Tell me Whats wrong with my BYU cougars?

Bruce Feldman

  (4:23 PM)

Big O-line struggles with speed rushers evidently.

Gabe (OKC, OK)

Sorry, another OU question, despite getting lost in the shuffle recently OU could still potentially sneak back into the championship game. True or false?

Bruce Feldman

  (4:24 PM)

It's possible although they might need UT to lose again. BTW that thumping of TCU now looks a lot more impressive.

Mark (Bham, AL)

I like you book too! So can I get your expert prediction on who replaces Tubs at Auburn if he's out after this year? Thanks

Bruce Feldman

  (4:26 PM)

Thanks.. That will be the toughest job of all. Tuberville won big there and dominated the series with the arch rival. He also never had major player arrest issues like some other coaches have to deal with...Plus, Saban has Bama cranked up a lot more now than Tub ever had to contend with.

Bryan (Huntsville, AL)

I know its early, but give me a list of possible candidates at Tennessee.

Bruce Feldman

  (4:27 PM)

Lane Kiffin, Gary Patterson, Mike Leach, Doug Marron, Brian Kelly, Will Muschamp.

Clay (Columbus)

Bruce, I'm a HUGE Ohio Bobcats fan. I LOVE Frank Solich. Is there any chance that he leaves to go to Tennessee? Remember, he did win a National Championship at Nebraska.

Bruce Feldman

  (4:28 PM)

Only if he brings his staff there to clinic with the new Vol coaching staff.

chris (brooklyn ny)

will psu have to win very big the last three games to keep texas and florida behind them in the bcs rankings ?

Bruce Feldman

  (4:28 PM)

It wouldn't hurt.

Bill (Tempe, AZ)

Why is Arizona State so bad? Are Dennis Ericksons coaching days numbered?

Bruce Feldman

  (4:30 PM)

They don't have a good line and depth is a big issue. They had a very good recruiting class last year but now they're in that lull period where they're in the build up phase...Need to find some leaders on that team too.

d. miller keokuk iowa

what about shon greene for heisman? plays for a bad team but i feel is the best running back in the country

Bruce Feldman

  (4:31 PM)

He'd need to go for over 200 in a win over Penn State to get a shot at the Doak Walker.. Honestly I doubt more than 5% of the Heisman voters have ever heard of him right now.

Antoine(Charlotte, NC)

What does USC need to happen to get to the BCS title game?

Bruce Feldman

  (4:32 PM)

For starters, win out... have Penn State lose to Iowa or whoever in the Big Ten; having Alabama lose to LSU and then have FSU beat UF and UF beat Bama in the SEC title game... then ...

Bruce Feldman

  (4:32 PM)

..have Texas Tech lose at OU, A&M beat Texas and Mizzou beat OU in the Big 12 title game. That'd do it I think.

Clay (Oakland, CA)

any chance former Toledo HC joins the staff of his old boss Gary Pinkel?

Bruce Feldman

  (4:33 PM)

Doubt it. He's getting paid at his old salary (which is nearly 400k) for the next two years to work in fund raising.

Matt (Tulsa)

Let's just say that Tech beats OK. St, then OU beats both of Tech and OK St., who goes to the Big XII Championship Game between OU, Tech and Texas ?

Bruce Feldman

  (4:35 PM)

Texas would've still beaten OU head to head, although I'm not quite sure if the Big 12 has a higher ranked addendum in their bylaws. I'd call the offices to check but I'll do it later today

T. Osborne (Nebraska)

Do you mind telling Clay in Columbus that Nebraska hasn't won a nat'l title since I left? Thanks.

Bruce Feldman

  (4:35 PM)

Yes, Solich's team got blown out by Miami

Matt, Atlanta

I've been trying to get someone to answer this (if anyone actually knows) but what happens (and I realize this is extremely unlikely) if the BCS doesn't have 10 teams to fill the 5 BCS games, based on the rules that conferences can only send 2 teams, and at large teams have to be in the top-14? Again, unlikely, but do you know what happens here?

Bruce Feldman

  (4:36 PM)

It's up to the bowl folks.. they can take two Big Ten teams if they like.. It won't be hard to find 10.

Drew (Gainesville, FL)

Talking about all the jobs opening up makes me nervous. I know a lot of people think Dan Mullen will be (head) coaching soon. The person I'm more worried about is Charlie Strong, he's been a rock in G-Ville since Spurrier! Chances he could leave us?

Bruce Feldman

  (4:37 PM)

Depends on the right opening. Heard he was close on the Minnesota job two years ago. He's done a very good job with that young D this year.

Will J (Portland, OR)

So Chris Peterson was asked about his future at Boise St., and he gave no difinitive answer that he was staying for sure. Do you think he's debating whether to take the Washington job?

Bruce Feldman

  (4:39 PM)

Actually, I talked to him today for something and he said people don't realize that the Boise State that Nutt and even Hawkins left behind isn't the same program as it is now due to the improved facilities and support and name recognition... plus he and his young family are very happy there.

Bruce Feldman

  (4:39 PM)

Said the grass isn't always greener or in their case bluer someplace else...

Bruce Feldman

  (4:40 PM)

BTW, not sure there is a better interview in college football as a player than Ian Johnson. Man, is that guy impressive.

Frank Beamer (Blacksburg, VA)

You think that I can beat my ol' pal Ralphy this Thursday?

Bruce Feldman

  (4:41 PM)

I try to avoid picking before I put up that column, but I'm leaning towards the Hokies.

Special Teams (Blacksburg, VA)

WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO ME??????

Bruce Feldman

  (4:42 PM)

Great question. You know Coach Beamer still is very passionate and devotes a lot of time and energy to it, but the other teams do too now.

Bryan Little (Gold Beach, OR)

What chances do you give Ian Johnson of making the NFL?

Bruce Feldman

  (4:43 PM)

He's got a good shot. He's become a better blocker and an ace special teamer which will help his cause. And character wise he's off the charts.

Mark (Chicago, IL)

Bruce- Do you make bets with ESPN colleagues? You don't have to mention who you make the bets with, or what the stakes are, but inquiring minds want to know. Well, details would be best

Bruce Feldman

  (4:45 PM)

I don't really. Robert Smith and I are a little competitive in watching our picks play out, but nothing like I might've with some friend from years ago.

Kevin (Dothan, AL)

Your list of possible candidates for Coach Of The Year?

Bruce Feldman

  (4:46 PM)

Saban, Leach, Tim Brewster, Chris Petersen, Pat fitzgerald, Paterno, Gundy.

Blake(Tuscaloosa)

Can't think of a more impressive freshman class recently than Miami? How about the one that Alabama has playing right now that has them at #1?

Bruce Feldman

  (4:48 PM)

They have a lot of great talent too, but not to the level of contribution that Miami is getting from their rookies.

Joe Fort Wayne, IN

Bruce, every other blogger has dodged this question will you answer it??? Why is everyone at ESPN counting the tide out? Do you honestly believe if Bama and Florida square off for the SEC title (assuming Bama runs the table)can florida run up and down the field on Bama's underrated defense???

Bruce Feldman

  (4:50 PM)

I think because Florida has more weapons on offense. I'd like to see how Saban defended them. Not saying he can't slow them down, but I'd lean towards UF. The Gators have a lot more options than anyone Bama has faced yet.

Bryan Little (Gold Beach, OR)

Has there ever been a worse major rivalry game than the Apple Cup this year? Washington vs. Washington State??

Bruce Feldman

  (4:50 PM)

I'm afraid not.

DAVE , LANCASTER,CA

WHO SHOULD REPLACE RON PRINCE? WHOULD THEY GO AFTER PHIL FULLMER?

Bruce Feldman

  (4:51 PM)

If they were to get rid of Prince, I think Brent Venables would be a great fit there.

Bruce Feldman

  (4:51 PM)

Thanks David from Champaign.. I appreciate that.

Mike (Murfreesboro, TN)

Name YOUR top 3 candidates for Tennessee and why!

Bruce Feldman

  (4:53 PM)

Leach, Kiffin and Gruden if he was interested. I'd want an energetic offensive guy who would get recruits fired up.

Robert, Pittsburgh, PA

Do you like WVU's chances on winning the Big East?

Bruce Feldman

  (4:54 PM)

Pitt is dangerous because McCoy is so good and they're starting to get Jonathan Baldwin involved. I think it'll come down to that game.

Brock (Oklahoma)

Why hasn't Dez Bryant been getting any love for the Heisman?

Bruce Feldman

  (4:54 PM)

He's getting some, although the great QBs in the Big 12 have hogged a lot of the spotlight.

J.B. (Dunmore, PA)

I still say Nick Saban's past history indicates he'll end up as the new Tennessee coach. I think it's next on his list (followed by the Cincinnati Bengals job for a season).

Bruce Feldman

  (4:55 PM)

Very nice JB...

Kevin (Atlanta)

No love for Paul Johnson as a candidate for Coach of the Year?...should be on the short list, if nothing else.

Bruce Feldman

  (4:56 PM)

Forgot him.. in the mix. Great Dline and I think Dwyer is a Heisman contender before he leaves there.

Matt (Chicago)

If Weis isn't the guy for Notre Dame, who is on the short list to replace him?

Bruce Feldman

  (4:58 PM)

Maybe they could look at Brian Kelly.

Paul (FL)

Yeah, I've heard the rumors about Gruden coming to Tennessee. Playing the Saban game with the media...but honestly?...Tennessee would be paying lots of cash for their next coach if it is him.

Bruce Feldman

  (4:59 PM)

They have the boosters with the money. They don't want to whiff on a hire. They know they need to make a splash hire vs. Richt, Meyer and Saban.

Bryan Little (Gold Beach, OR)

Will Tim Tebow be a success in the NFL, or just another Heisman winner who fails at the next level?

Bruce Feldman

  (5:00 PM)

I'm very curious to see. It'll be a huge adjustment for him, but he works so hard you shouldnt bet against him.

Bruce Feldman

  (5:00 PM)

three more questions..

TG (Houston)

Do you have Hope for A&M under Sherman in the next couple of years?

Bruce Feldman

  (5:01 PM)

I do now that I've seen how some of those younger players have stepped up.I like Jarrod Johnson too. He's gonna be a good one, especially with Fuller and Tannehill, two big young targets to throw to.

Bryan Little (Gold Beach, OR)

Can Jacquizz Rogers get some love for Freshman of the year, he's leading the Pac-10 in rushing!!

Bruce Feldman

  (5:02 PM)

He should. He's been awesome. There are a ton of great freshman WRs and he's been the most impressive back.

David [Waterloo, Iowa]

Do you think that Iowa will have any chance against Penn State this weekend?

Bruce Feldman

  (5:03 PM)

A little bit of a shot just because Shonn Green is so physical of a runner, but there will be big pressure on the Hawks Oline to have its best game.

Bruce Feldman

  (5:05 PM)

Thanks for all the questions.. sorry I couldn't get to more. Send them into my blog inbox and I can address them there. Enjoy the Buffalo-Miami game tonight.