Ted Miller

  (3:00 PM)

Wheee... boy did I eat that lunch fast... crumbs on the keyboard... what's up?

Dave (PA)

Ted, any chance Steve Sark. of USC leaves for a HC postion and Lane Kiffin comes back to run the offense solo this time around.

Ted Miller

  (3:02 PM)

Chance... but don't you think that Kiffin, with a taste of being a head coach, is going to fight his darnedest to get another top post... In fact, both may get one.

Sean (Edmonds, WA)

Since the Apple Cup this year is gaining steam as possibly the worst matchup in the history of college football, you think Gameday crew will want to be on location to witness it first hand?

Ted Miller

  (3:04 PM)

you may have to settle for second place... or 102nd place... me.. I'm hoping to hook up with some of the old gang and head to the Coug.

Adam (New York)

Ted, who do you got in the Pac 10 championship game tonight TCU or Utah?? Oh I mean MWC-Pac10 championship game... my bad.

Ted Miller

  (3:05 PM)

funny... points for funny. I hope folks who normally only watch the BCS conferences tune in.. I like TCU.

Justin (S.C.)

WIth Bama coming to LUS this weekend, does the fact Saban used to coach their actually effect the outcome of the game?

Ted Miller

  (3:06 PM)

No... but it will make the atmosphere electric...

Laura (Va)

I understand all the talk about how good Florida, USC, and Okla are playing and how they should be considered a frontrunner for the NC game, but the bottom line is, THEY LOST A GAME, and if Penn St and another team run the table, they deserve to be in over a one loss Florida/USC/Okla. Thoughts ?

Ted Miller

  (3:08 PM)

It will be a very, very tough day for the BCS if a one-loss team gets in ahead of unbeaten Penn State. That said: I also wonder how, say, Florida with one loss could be left out. Just know there are a lot of plot twists left, so don't get too yanked over potentialities.

Donald D (Eugene, OR)

Is part of the problem with the PAC10 this season the lack of marque offensive players? We have been kind of spoiled the last few years and this year it seems like the cupboard is bare.

Ted Miller

  (3:11 PM)

That's part of it... The rugged nonconference schedule full of road games was a part of it, too. I think QB injuries are as big. Where would Oregon be right now if Nate Costa had started every game? Would Washington be completely in the tank if Jake Locker were still playing? Of course if wishes were fishes than cows would fly...

Larry (Glendale, CA)

If Florida, Texas Tech, Penn State, USC, and Oregon State run the table, is it possible for a Florida vs. USC match-up in the Sugar Bowl? It would be a dream match made in football heaven. Would it produce the AP National Champion?

Ted Miller

  (3:14 PM)

Hold me... Florida and USC in the Sugar Bowl might be a bigger story than the national title game... And when Taylor Mays started jogging next to Demps going, "This is all you got!" Now that would be fun. Kidding Florida fans... Kidding!

Ken, CA

What 2 teams would you most like to see play in the BCS championship, irrespective of current BCS Standings? USC/Florida perhaps?

Ted Miller

  (3:15 PM)

Per previous answer... yes...

James (Urbana, IL)

Do you think the NCAA should force the 6 BCS Conferences to play a conference championship game or a round-robin schedule? The BIG TEN is a BIG JOKE!!! How can a BIG TEN team play only 8 out of the 10 teams available!?!?!?! Minnesota and Penn State could have both gone undefeated!!! It's both absurd and ridiculous!!!

Ted Miller

  (3:18 PM)

I agree... sort of. The problem is the Big Ten has 11 teams (yeah, strange). A round-robin schedule would mean fewer payday home games. And the Big Ten doesn't seem eager to have a 6-5 division split... The answer, of course, is easy... Notre Dame. But don't hold your breath.

Larry (Glendale, CA)

ONCE AGAIN... Would an one-loss Florida vs. an one-loss USC in the Sugar Bowl produce the AP National Champion? PLEASE DO NOT AVOID THIS QUESTION AND ANSWER IT!!!

Ted Miller

  (3:18 PM)

Might.

Jim, Lexington KY

Ted: A quick question about bowl "tie-ins." If a league doesn't have enough teams to fill their "tie-ins," are all bowl eligible teams guaranteed a bowl, or can the bowls go out of the league to an at-large from another league? For example, the SEC may only have 8 bowl eligible teams, two in the BCS. Are the other six automatically going bowling? If they are 6-6, can the bowl reject them and go elsewhere?

Ted Miller

  (3:21 PM)

If a bowl has a contract with the conference, then it's required to fulfill that contract. If the conference has six bowl contracts, and six bowl eligible teams, then the bowls can't just say: We don't want 6-6 State U. Of course, some bowls my have small print in their contracts, but I've not heard of that. Now if the conference produces only six eligible teams and there are seven bowl contracts, then the bowl has to go elsewhere... that's likely going to happen in the Pac-10 this year.

Sam, Atlanta GA

Your picks for USC/Cal and LSU/Alabama?

Ted Miller

  (3:22 PM)

USC and Bama. Both big.

Brian(Texas)

Doesn't it just seem like a repeat every year now, that everyone gets up in arms about the BCS before the season is even over. There are five weeks left. And isn't it going to be even worse for the BCS if Penn St. goes undefeated and plays a one loss SEC or Big 12 and gets stomped like Ohio St. has the past two years?

Ted Miller

  (3:25 PM)

1. yes. 2. yes. Isn't it great fun... folks ask me who I see playing for the BCS title... then they yell at me. As if any of us know how this thing is going to twist out... As for Penn State: Yes, it would be lousy to see another BCS championship blowout. Not just for the Big Ten, but those of us who enjoy good football. Let's have another USC-Texas or Miami-Ohio State... please!

Michael (phx)

As someone who covers the Pac-10, what would you say would be better for the conference...Oregon St. running the table and playing in the Rose Bowl, or USC taking it's usual position at the Rose?

Ted Miller

  (3:27 PM)

It would be way better for both to win the rest of their games. Then: Oregon State plays in its first Rose Bowl since 1965, and USC gets to go to another BCS game after playing in four Rose Bowls in five years. And the conference splits the extra money.

Keith (Columbus)

Forde in his column championed an 8 team playoff, then in his chat said if conference championship games were dropped, 16 was doable. What do you think of a 16 team playoff with the top 8 seeds getting home games the first round. Invite the 11 FBS conference champs and the top 5 at large teams based on a BCS-like ranking system, which would also be used to seed the teams. Use Forde's plan for the remaining rounds. Then invite teams to other bowls after the first round of the playoffs. Thoughts?

Ted Miller

  (3:28 PM)

I'm with Forde. In all things. But... I don't think he needs to win me or you over. It's about the school presidents who are blocking a playoff.

Troy (Montrose, CA)

Any chance for an USC vs. Oregon State rematch in the Rose Bowl?

Ted Miller

  (3:29 PM)

No.

Matt (Savannah, GA)

Do you have a list of future east coast west coast early season matchups anywhere? I enjoy traveling to road games around the south and all that, but it's cool when a pac-10 team plays a home and home with a team down here (SEC, ACC).

Ted Miller

  (3:32 PM)

Off top of my head... Washington had the genius to schedule a home game with LSU next year.. yeesh... Oregon goes to Tennessee in 2010... USC goes to Florida next year... kidding. I wish.

Joe (State College)

Why does USC get a pass for playing a terrible schedule. They don't play a ranked team the rest of the year, yet get to stay in top 10. Should we be impressed with a victory vs. Virginia?

Ted Miller

  (3:33 PM)

Help me out... Does USC have a common opponent with Penn State...

Charlie (Gainesville, FL)

What team in your opinion has the best defense this year?

Ted Miller

  (3:35 PM)

USC. It's not an opinion. It's a statistical fact and it will be further supported in the NFL draft this spring.

Kyle (Knoxville)

Does Harrell sew up his Heisman Trophy this weekend against Ok State, or does he have to make it to a NC (and win) to do it?

Ted Miller

  (3:36 PM)

If he has another crazy good game, the fat lady might not start singing but she'd be waddling toward the stage. Of course, not to be Crabby, but I've always had a soft spot for the guy he throws it to...

sweatervested1 (Mobile, Al)

Ted, USC has the best defense? You talk (or type) alot of trash!

Ted Miller

  (3:37 PM)

Pot... meet Mr. Kettle. How are you? You know I love you Sweatervested... send me some royal reds from the Oyster House.

Remy (Mobile, AL)

Why does Alabama and Tennessee face each other every year even though they are in separate divisions? Isn't unfair to them because it can potentially prevent them from making the SEC Championship Game by not facing a SEC Cupcake (MSU, Vandy, or etc.) in place of each other?

Ted Miller

  (3:39 PM)

They designate the game as a rivalry... it's both school's choice.... when I used to cover Auburn I think the Tigers absurdly designated Florida and Georgia... now -- I THINK -- Auburn only does so with UGA.

Troy (Montrose, CA)

Who is the better NFL Prospect, Mark Sanchez or Matthew Stafford?

Ted Miller

  (3:42 PM)

tough choice... both are really talented... and both have been inconsistent... Stafford has an incredible arm. I like Sanchez, but my guess is many NFL scouts will salivate over Stafford's higher upside.

Michael (phx)

Ted...Auburn always plays UGA, Florida always plays LSU, Alabama always plays Tennessee

Ted Miller

  (3:43 PM)

thanks.

Rob (Omaha, NE)

Your opinion on the best conference this year.

Ted Miller

  (3:43 PM)

Big 12

Jacob (Tuscaloosa)

Do you think Alabama will win out? And if so - Do you see them beating the Florida Gators?

Ted Miller

  (3:44 PM)

I see an undefeated Alabama team losing an epic showdown with Florida in the SEC title game.

Gadsden, AL

Does anyone really think Saban's security could be in jeopardy if the whip the Tigers Saturday?

Ted Miller

  (3:46 PM)

I sure hope not... LSU fans are nutty but I'd hope they'd remember that Saban did some good things in Baton Rouge... they almost won a national title, right?

Steve (San Jose)

Since when is this an SEC chat? Thoughts on Cal-USC this weekend? 21 point spread seems generous (to Cal)...

Ted Miller

  (3:48 PM)

Steve... I'm thinking like you, particularly with Cal's injury issues... but Cal has played USC tough... winning once and playing within a TD two other times since 2003... USC at home is a tall order, though

Matt (Texas)

Nick Saban did win a BCS title with LSU in the 2003 season in the Sugar Bowl.

Ted Miller

  (3:49 PM)

I thought he finished No. 2 behind USC... yeah, says here... No. 2. Wait... did the computers have a poll?

Josh (Birmingham, AL)

Can Oregan State win out and earn a BCS berth?

Ted Miller

  (3:50 PM)

Yes... Rose Bowl, if they win their final four.

Patrick (Mobile, AL)

USC has the advantage of playing in a weak conference and trying to play a "tough" Non Con sched...How do you think a team like USC would fair in a conference like the Big-12 or the SEC year in and year out? I am guessing 2 losses a year?

Ted Miller

  (3:50 PM)

USC would dominate every conference.

JP (KC,MO)

So if you think the Big 12 is the best conf. and it comes down to a 1 loss Florida vs. a 1 loss big 12 champ, you'd take the big 12 champ right?

Ted Miller

  (3:53 PM)

Well... that's conference vs. team... if I were picking the TEAM I'd bet my house on in the title game, I'd take USC... Florida, since laying an egg against an awful Ole Miss team at home, has really impressed me. I'd give them a slight edge over Texas and OU, the two teams that I believe are the Big 12's best.

Michael (phx)

Ted...you had me until... (USC would dominate every conference.)... They would certainly contend for the championships every year with the Florida's, Georgia's, LSU's, Texas's, Oklahoma's...but "dominate"????

Ted Miller

  (3:58 PM)

Of course, you're right... I just deal with a lot of irrational "USC is overrated" stuff... I don't think USC would have won six consecutive, say, SEC titles. But I'd bet they'd have won three or four. And keep in mind some of those years, the Pac-10 was superior to the SEC. I really wish I could bring some of you skeptics out to a USC practice. My guess is your reaction would be this: Golly.

Bradford (Boise, ID)

Ted, is Autzen no longer a difficult place to play? Why is Boise State getting no credit for their win against Oregon?

Ted Miller

  (4:00 PM)

They've gotten credit. You might notice that Oregon now has three losses. And in that game let's remember the Ducks trotted out their No. 5 QB.

Mike(Philly)

Does USC have any argument when it comes to jumping an undefeated Penn State team to get into the title? Penn State did beat the one team USC lost to.

Ted Miller

  (4:00 PM)

No.

Matt (Medellin, Colombia

Chances Obama can make a playoff happen?

Ted Miller

  (4:01 PM)

Funny... If he did, I bet he'd do better in the south four years down the road...

brian (de)

USC and Penn State had 2 common opponents and only one team won both.

Ted Miller

  (4:01 PM)

Correct...

JIM, Birmingham

USC has more talent than anyone...TRUE!!! Talent alone doesn't make you the best team. Neither does draft picks and five-star recruits, just ask Ohio State!

Ted Miller

  (4:04 PM)

I agree Jim... which is why --- and I guess folks don't listen to this part -- I've repeatedly said I believe a one-loss SEC and Big 12 team and unbeaten Penn State deserve to be ahead of USC if that's how things end up.

Ted Miller

  (4:05 PM)

Hey guys... thanks for coming. See you next week.