ESPN

Tim Griffin

  (4:04 PM)

Welcome everybody. Sorry I was a little late. Just trying to set up a place to watch the Nebraska-KU game in Lubbock. Fire away when ready.

Matt (Miami, FL)

Tim, please give me YOUR top 5 teams right now and why you ranked them there..

Tim Griffin

  (4:07 PM)

Matt;Glad to. This was my vote on the Power ESPN vote 1. Penn State 2. Alabama 3. Texas Tech 4. Texas 5. Oklahoma Still like the Penn State road win at Ohio State. But my margin is very tight. And with tough games for all three teams this week, I could be changing again this week.

Kris, PA

Tim, when the smoke clears, what do you think the pecking order will be in the Big 12 South, and how many of them will be in the top 10? Is a mini-league created with the highest ranked getting the nod to represent the south in the championship game? Thanks!

Tim Griffin

  (4:09 PM)

Kris:When it's over, I expect Tech, OU and Texas all to have 7-1 records. Oklahoma State will be 5-3.If that's the case, we go to the BCS numbers with a three-way tie and I would expect OU to advance. Mainly because I expect them to beat Tech and Oklahoma State and would get a BCS boost. But my idea could change in the matter of hours. So don't ask me tomorrow!

James( San Antonio, TX)

If Texas and Texas Tech played again who do you think would win and why?

Tim Griffin

  (4:10 PM)

James: Depends on where they would play. If it was in Austin, I would say Texas. If it was Lubbock, give me Tech. Neutral field, I'm not sure.Who knows, could we get that rematch in a championship game?

J.B. (Dunmore, PA)

Wow! PSU as your best team? I'm a Nittany Lions fan and don't think they are better than Alabama or TX Tech just yet. What swayed you?

Tim Griffin

  (4:11 PM)

J.B.:Like I said, I really liked their win at Ohio State. But again, that's only for this week. I'm a big believer in moving teams up and down depending on how they play every week. So I could have a different team next week.

Wes (Chattanooga,TN)

Tim love your stories but what do you honestly think are the Longhorns chance of getting in the National Title Game?

Tim Griffin

  (4:12 PM)

Wes:Not good. I don't think they'll get enough BCS bounce to be able to win a three-way tie. Their best hope is to have OU beat Tech, giving Tech two losses. Unfortunately for Texas, their best games came early rather than late in the season.

Matt (Philadelphia)

What route for K-State go with their next coach? Do they go for a DC since Prince was an OC, or do they look at a mid-major guy?

Tim Griffin

  (4:14 PM)

Matt:Lot of different ways to go. They could appease the old guard and go for Snyder. They could get a coach with previous success who's out of football now like Fran or Barnett. They could get a hot young assistant like Venables.Or they could get a mid-major guy. Krause said he wants somebody with coaching experience who will be ready by the end of the season. That tells me it's either somebody like Fran, Barnett, Fulmer or maybe Snyder is making a comeback.

Casey (Santa Clarita CA)

I am leaving your blog since Florida is not in your top five you need to stop living in la la land

Tim Griffin

  (4:15 PM)

Casey: Sorry, they were sixth. I just keep seeing that extra point against Ole Miss. Hard to have them up there with the undefeated teams. They'll have their chance, however. Big shot at Alabama that could give them a lot of luster if that's the SEC championship game.

Alex (TX)

How possible is it that Tech wins either of their next 2, and then the remaining Oklahoma team with only one loss loses in Stillwater, leaving Tech with the tiebreaker over UT - and moving on to the conference championship?

Tim Griffin

  (4:17 PM)

Alex: I'm thinking you mean that if Tech, OU and Texas end up 7-1. Which would mean OU beat Tech, Texas beat OU and Tech beat Texas. If that's the case, I'm guessing (and let me say that in bold) that OU would advance because they would have better poll numbers because of late victories. I don't know if that's how it would play out, it's only a guess.

Mat- Harvest, AL

What is the likelyhood of a 1 loss Big 12 team slipping to the Cotton Bowl this year?

Tim Griffin

  (4:19 PM)

Matt: Very good. If you do have that scenario when three one-loss teams end up from the South and the South wins the conference championship, I'm thinking the Cotton Bowl would jump all over a one-loss team. There would be two teams in the BCS and the Cotton Bowl would be next in the pecking order.

Mike (Austin)

Bob Stoops hasn't lost to Mike Leach in Norman yet, but their defense is suspect. What's your prediction of a final score as of today?

Tim Griffin

  (4:20 PM)

Bob: You bring up a great point. I agree that Stoops' defense isn't nearly up to their standards - but is anybody's? I think Tech would move the ball well against them. But like you said with the history that Leach has at Owen Field, it's going to be tough. I'd guess OU 42, TT 38

Chris: (Abilene, TX)

AandM's offense seems to be improving of late. How long will it take for the defense to catch up?

Tim Griffin

  (4:21 PM)

Chris: In this conference the way teams are playing, a long, long time. Maybe not when Dat Nguyen has kids playing, but maybe Ray Childress ....

James (San Antonio, TX)

So you honestly believe that OU would jump Texas even though Texas beat OU?

Tim Griffin

  (4:22 PM)

James: Yes I do, I think there's a good opportunity for that to happen.The reason, the computers wouldn't care about that. I also think that a strong finish by OU against tough teams would give them just enough to squeeze by the Longhorns.

Stephen (Knoxville, TN)

Tim, what are your thoughts regarding Mike Leach possibly taking the Tennessee job. Good or bad fit for him and the university.

Tim Griffin

  (4:24 PM)

Stephen: It will be interesting to see where Mr. Leach ends up. He's obviously built the Tech program to its highest levels ever. Gerald Myers, the Tech AD, has told me he plans to do everything in his power to do what he can to re-sign Leach. Will that be enough? We'll see. I know Mike was very successful with Hal Mumme at Kentucky in the late 1990s, But I think Tennessee is a tougher job to win at rather than Washington. Cost of living is much higher in Seattle, however. It's an interesting choice between those two jobs, I would think.

J.B. (Dunmore, PA)

Mr. Griffin: Is there ever a Big-12 game where the winner would actually be predicted to score fewer than 30 points?

Tim Griffin

  (4:25 PM)

J.B. - How about Colorado-Iowa State this week. I'm picking the Buffs to win with 28.

Adam(Omaha, Nebraska)

Who wins the North Tim?

Tim Griffin

  (4:25 PM)

Tim Griffin

  (4:26 PM)

Adam: I'll go with Missouri. They've got the easiest schedule. Kansas could any of its last three games - or win them all. But I've got to think that Gary Pinkel and all of those seniors will do what they can to win out.

Michael in DC

Doesn't the Holiday Bowl get it's pick of teams before the Cotton Bowl does??

Tim Griffin

  (4:27 PM)

Michael:No, the Holiday Bowl is third. There are provisions for the Gator Bowl to make the jump, but I don't think this is the year.

Erick (Kansas City)

Tim...what are the chances Missouri gets hot and beats a south team in the Big 12 Championship game and what bowl could they possibly get?

Tim Griffin

  (4:28 PM)

Erick:They potentially could get so hot that they would make the Fiesta Bowl if they win the conference title in Kansas City - if they make it. But I'm thinking a more likely place for them might be the Holiday Bowl after they lose in the championshp game. Wouldn't be a bad trip.

Brent (Kansas City)

Tim...what are the chances KANSAS gets hot and beats a south team in the Big 12 Championship game and what bowl could they possibly get?

Tim Griffin

  (4:29 PM)

Brent: If they are playing with the same secondary I saw against Oklahoma and Texas Tech, slim to none. I see them losing two of the last three games. The game they play this week against Nebraska could decide bowl peckings for both teams. Winner likely goes to the Sun, loser to the Insight.

Mike (Atlanta)

Is it fair to say the Big 10 is down because Michigan and Wisconsin are bad, yet say the Big 12 is up when Nebraska and Texas AandM are bad?

Tim Griffin

  (4:30 PM)

Mike:I don't think so. If you look at the Big 10's surprise powers, Minnesota and Northwestern play their own chunk-the-ball version of Big 12 ball. But I think the Big 12 is much deeper from places four through seven or eight.

Tim Griffin

  (4:32 PM)

Chris:I'll be in your city this weekend. Favorite places to eat in San Antonio (remember I've got a little one who is changing where we go)But I'll take any of the Blanco Cafe's, Henry's Puffy Taco, Sea Island and Chester's Hamburgers. I think Tech might play better against USC than you might think. Reason is because of the way they rush the passer and the way they protect Harrell. If they could do that consistently, I think Tech wins.

Gabe (OKC, OK)

Any thoughts on next years crop of Big 12 players and what teams look to be at the top?

Tim Griffin

  (4:35 PM)

Gabe: Good question. In the North, I think Colorado will be much better if they can find a stud juco QB and keep everybody healthy. I also like Nebraska if they can find a quarterback. Missouri will struggle losing Daniel - particularly if Maclin turns pro. In the south, I like Texas because their kids get another year older and I like Oklahoma State because the schedule turns around for them. They get Tech and Texas in Stillwater and have to travel to Norman.

Gators are Real Good

Tim do we not say that a loss is a loss and it does not matter who you loose to?

Tim Griffin

  (4:35 PM)

Gators:I don't know, I still see the polls every week and see that big "1" in the loss column for your team. And I bet Jevan Snead and Houston Nutt still see it that way, too.

Austin (Tuscaloosa)

I'm heading to Baton Rouge this weekend to watch the Tide keep on Rollin to Miami. What do you see happening in Death Valley Saturday?

Tim Griffin

  (4:36 PM)

Austin: Supremely intrigued about this game. The fact that Saban returns to LSU makes this one very interesting to me. I know that the Tigers have struggled recently, but something tells me they really get up for that one.

Ty (Austin, TX)

Leach is staying in Lubbock Tim, so you can just pass that on :)What did you think of Tech's "soft" defense and their play after the Texas game?

Tim Griffin

  (4:37 PM)

Ty: I didn't see much soft about it. Whitlock is a beast inside, they have two great pass rushers in Dixon and Williams and Charbonnet and McBath are the best pair of safeties in the conference. Ruffin has really done a nice job with this group - maybe even at the level of a Broyles Award if they can keep winning.

Mike, Stillwater

5-3? 5-3! Come on Tim. The OSU-Tech game is a coin toss, but you seriously believe that OU will beat an OSU team that is this good in Stillwater? Why and by how much?

Tim Griffin

  (4:39 PM)

Mike:I haven't seen OSU live, yet. But the one thing that makes me worry about their chances against both Tech and OU is that they don't rush the passer well enough. Going to have to get three or four sacks to beat those kind of teams and quarterbacks. That being said, I think their special teams might be an X-factor this week. Get a couple of big plays by Perrish Cox and it might be a surprise.

Mike (Camarillo, CA)

Tim, you think most fans hate USC because (a) USC is the Best Team in the country, (b) they are tired of losing to USC, (c) LSU had to split a national championship with USC even though USC was better, or (d) all of the above?

Tim Griffin

  (4:41 PM)

Mike:I really grew to respect what Pete Carroll has built at USC by watching the Bush/Leinart/White teams earlier this decade. But I do agree that some fans get tired of seeing them win all the time. Me, I think that Carroll has built one of the five best programs in the country.

Clay (Oakland, CA)

Has Robert Griffin raised the recruiting profile of Baylor? Like Brad Smith did at Mizzou?

Tim Griffin

  (4:41 PM)

Clay: I think so. This Griffin kid is legit. It's going to be fun to watch him play. Secret will be whether Art Briles can use his connections in the Texas high schools to attract some more like him.

J.B. (Dunmore, PA)

Mr. Griffin: In your opinion which teams have the best offense, defense and special teams?

Tim Griffin

  (4:43 PM)

J.B. - I'm guessing you mean the Big 12, right. If so I'll say Tech for the best offense, Tech, OSU, Texas for the best defense (can't really decide until the end of the year) and OSU for best special teams.

Ryan (Lincoln)

Do you think K-state's remainder of the season will resemble Nebraska's performances down the stretch last year? When the staff knew they were leaving we really saw the offensive playbook opened up and the defense selling out completely. The result was high scoring games where the winner put up at least 60 for the last four games. Love the blog, keep it up.

Tim Griffin

  (4:44 PM)

Ryan: You make a good point. I could really see them open things up - especially because they are playing Missouri, Nebraska and Iowa State. It's not out of the realm of possibility they could still get to six wins. That would be wild to see who would coach them in the bowl.

Mike, Stillwater

Tim, are you coming to Bedlam this year then? Because most years all expectations from both teams go out the window. Both teams will play at the highest level that season (typically) and both defenses always crank it up a notch. Example: In 2006 OSU held OU and purple-jesus Peterson to 1 yard in the 4th quarter, but the OU defense played better for 1 or 2 plays and squeaked by. Hope you make it to Stillwater for that one.

Tim Griffin

  (4:46 PM)

Mike: I'd love to come to Bedlam. Always is one of my favorite rivals. I've been to several of the games. I think this has the potential to be the best - particularly if national/conference title ramifications are heavy.

Kelli (Denver, CO)

Texas has the best defense? Didn't they give up 31+ points per game against Oklahoma, Missouri, and Texas Tech? Doesn't sound like great defense to me.....

Tim Griffin

  (4:47 PM)

Kelli: They were also pretty beat up late against Texas Tech and shut down Oklahoma when they needed to. For stretches, they are as good as anybody.

Chris Sparta,lL

Who do you think will win the SEC championship and why?

Tim Griffin

  (4:48 PM)

Chris: I'll defer to the guys earlier. I think Florida is playing like the best team and would be Alabama if it was played today.But it could be different by early December.

Blaine (Stillwater OK)

Tim, who is the best running back in the BIG 12?

Tim Griffin

  (4:48 PM)

Blaine: No question on this oneSpud Hunter in a walk.

David Cape Girardeau MO

What do you think are the chances that Texas Tech can run the table and win the Big XII Championship game?

Tim Griffin

  (4:49 PM)

David: I would guess about 30 percent. Tough games against Oklahoma State, at Oklahoma and a Missouri team (in Kansas City) that has always given them problems.

Ryan (Muncie, IN)

Tim, Ball State is having its best season since 1965, sure they may have an easy schedule, but do you think they deserve more Love (for my friend Dante) than they are getting?

Tim Griffin

  (4:51 PM)

Ryan: I used to live close by in Terre Haute. I'm a big fan of Brady Hoke and what he has built.

Clay (Oakland, CA)

TCU or Utah?

Tim Griffin

  (4:51 PM)

Clay: TCU. Too much pass rush.

Dave, Omaha Ne

Why do your articles on Pelini have to stretch the perception? You have one that's titled "Pelini told to tone it down" but there is no reference in the article about WHO told him to tone it down.I love reading your articles, but the titles of both articles you have written on the subject seem to be stretching things to get a more sensational angle. They are true in the mostliteral sense, but really dont represent eh article's subject matter.

Tim Griffin

  (4:53 PM)

Dave: Quick question, didn't Pelini mention that family members and Osborne both talked to him about that? If his wife is like mine, I'm sure she didn't say "Hey Bo, go out there and yell like a banshee at your defense." And I bet Osborne, a pretty wise and astute person, didn't tell him to keep shouting and barking. Just my two cents.

Matt (Santa Rosa,CA)

Sam Bradford's numbers are and have been the best, why isn't he talked about for the heismen more?

Tim Griffin

  (4:54 PM)

Matt: I think Sam also has a lot better supporting cast than either McCoy or Harrell. But I think he's hampered because he lost that early game to Texas. He's got to hope that he can have huge games to help slay Tech and OSU late. Most voters don't cast their ballots until after the championship games.

J.B. (Dunmore, PA)

Mr. Griffin: Sorry if this has already been asked but how many Big-12 teams can you realistically see qualifying for bowl games?

Tim Griffin

  (4:57 PM)

Hasn't been asked. This is the way I'd rank the right nowBCS - OU, TexasCotton - Texas TechHoliday - MissouriAlamo - Oklahoma StateSun - KansasInsight - Nebraska. From there, it gets muddy. Maybe KState or Colorado would win enough to fill their quota. With two in the BCS, I'm not sure.

Mark (Toledo, OH)

Will the Mizzou DC Eberflus land the head coach job at Toledo, where he played linebacker?

Tim Griffin

  (4:57 PM)

I'm hearing that could be his place to land. Would he want that job or wait for another one one?

Robby (Tulsa)

Tim, if you had to pick between Crabtree and Bryant, who would you chose and why?

Tim Griffin

  (4:59 PM)

Robby: Off performance strictly from this season as a rusher and returner, I'd pick Dez. But Crabtree has been banged up and is an absolute beast in big games. Watch him throw blocks if you get a chance on Saturday night. I saw twice knock two guys down on the same play. So potential-wise, I would pick Crab.

Tom, Lincoln Ne

Should Helu be the starting running back over Lucky? He looked tremendous against OU.

Tim Griffin

  (5:00 PM)

Tom: I agree that Helu is a heck of a runner. But I think that Lucky is the better all-around back. It will be interesting to see if Bo starts playing Helu more as the season comes to a conclusion.

J.B. (Dunmore, PA)

Thanks again for your time. I may be a Big Ten fan but really enjoy the information you provide on the Big-12. I certainly get an education.

Tim Griffin

  (5:00 PM)

J.B. - My pleasure. Really enjoy college football of all sorts. Big 12 is a great conference this season.

Patrick (Mobile, AL)

I would love to see the Big 12 and the SEC duke it out in a BCS bowl. They are both the toughest conferences out there and I think it would be a heck of a game. Whate two teams would you like to see go at it from the Big-12 and the SEC to make the best game?

Tim Griffin

  (5:01 PM)

Patrick: How about Florida against either Texas or Oklahoma. The raw talent that would be out there on both sides would be incredible.

Rob (STL)

Would Mizzou fans lose any sleep if Eberflus left? I'm not so sure after this year's performance by the "experienced" D with 10 returning starters.

Tim Griffin

  (5:02 PM)

Rob: Agree that they have struggled this year. But a big finish and a Big 12 title would make a lot of people forget about those two earlier losses, wouldn't they?

Michael (Lubbock, Tx)

Last year crab dropped a wide open catch in the endzone that would have beaten ok state...curse of the cowboys?

Tim Griffin

  (5:02 PM)

Michael: Don't know if that happens at the Jones. He looked like a pretty clutch player last week against the Longhorns, ?didn't he

Liza (Avis PA)

Do you think that we will have a playoff system in college football? It does not seem fair that a machine has so much sway in the BCS rankings.

Tim Griffin

  (5:03 PM)

Liza: President-elect Obama said he'd like to see one, so I'm with him on that.

Blaine (Stillwater OK)

First game of next year schedule... Georgia at OK STATE.. we will settle that Big 12/SEC arguement real quick.. you coming to Stillwater for that one?

Tim Griffin

  (5:03 PM)

Blaine: Hope so ...

Tim Griffin

  (5:04 PM)

Thanks again guys. Our clicking meter topped off at 315 questions this time, Hope everybody enjoys the games next week. I'm looking forward to chatting with you again next week.