ESPN

Will J (Portland, OR)

Where's Steve?

Steve Muench

  (2:19 PM)

Steve was in the wrong room you believe that? My apologies and I will be here until 3:20. For those who waited, I appreciate it.

Jim (Cleveland) remeber me I called you an idiot once?

Is it time to talk about Georgia stinking in the big games the same way we talk about OSU stinking in the big games? I mean in the 2 big games Georgia played in this year they got crushed.

Steve Muench

  (2:21 PM)

Quite the opener Jim and yes I remember you. You are right about Georgia. They have struggled in the big games.

JL (Hoboken, NJ)

Does vandy have a shot this weekend against florida? They did, after all, beat the same ole miss team that handed florida their lone loss...

Steve Muench

  (2:23 PM)

If only it worked like that. Vandy's offensive line played a lot better earlier in the year than it has in recent weeks while Florida's run defense is coming off an impressive performance. As a result, the Commodores will have to air the ball out more than they usually do and their passing attack has been inconsistent at best.

Silver Fox (Miami, FL)

Is Todd Mcshay as cool a guy in person as he is on TV? I think he is putting Mel Kiper out of business.

Steve Muench

  (2:24 PM)

McShay is a great guy and though I don't know him I've heard great things about Kiper as well.

Rocco, NY

Where did you play I-AA Football Steve-O?

Steve Muench

  (2:24 PM)

THE University of Richmond

Will J (Portland, OR)

Who you got this weekend Tech/Ok St., Bama/LSU, USC/Cal?

Steve Muench

  (2:25 PM)

I like Texas Tech, Alabama and USC.

Steve Muench

  (2:27 PM)

By the way, where are the Red Raider fans out there? I called these guys paper tigers a couple of weeks ago and they turn around and beat Texas. Consider me a convert but feel free to bash me for not getting on board earlier.

Phil (Chicago)

How great did Brady Quinn look last night? I know it was 1 game against a bad defense but he has superstar written all over him. Don't you owe a collective I told you so to everyone on here that used to bash you chat after chat?

Steve Muench

  (2:28 PM)

Not yet Phil. Not yet but I'm glad to see that someone has got my back.

FP, Avon, CT

Who would you rather go bar hopping downtown Hartford with- McShay, Palmer or Kiper Jr.? I bet Palmer would get you the ladies but Kiper could probably convince the bartender to give some free drinks

Steve Muench

  (2:28 PM)

wow. no comment.

J.B. (Dunmore, PA)

Just out of curiosity what room were you in and how surprised were the other chatters to see you?

Steve Muench

  (2:29 PM)

J.B. it was a time warp. it was the room we used last week and after answering about two questions I realized something was amiss.

DJ Cuse

Please explain something to me. Why does an undefeated team like Boise St or Utah team that plays noone get to play in the BCS where as a team from the BIG 12 will be playing in the Holdiay Bowl b/c you can only have 2 representatives. Anyone can go 11-0 or 10-1 playing cupcakes. The system is a complete joke.

Steve Muench

  (2:32 PM)

I won't go as far to say it's a joke but it's really flawed. This isn't March Madness where you can let in those "bubble teams" that people get so excited about. There are so few BCS Bowls that I have to agree with you and say that a team like Boise State going in ahead of a team like a Missouri would be tough to swallow.

Brian Fox (Valley Glen,CA)

Will Mark Sanchez make a good NFL QB?

Steve Muench

  (2:34 PM)

He's got the arm strength, mobility and work ethic to develop into an NFL quarterback. His lack of ideal experience is a little concerning though.

J.B. (Dunmore, PA)

I'm sure Bob Stoopes wishes Boise was left out of the BCS two years ago.

Steve Muench

  (2:38 PM)

J.B. You have been all over the chat these past two weeks but what can I do? You are making great points. The Boise State game is always going to be a great argument for the non "BCS: conferences but let me play devil's advocate. Do you think that Boise State would have gone undefeated in the Big 12 that year? If we're being honest than I think the answer is no. That's not to take anything away from that team or that win. Amazing win on a number of levels.

Steve Muench

  (2:38 PM)

The point is Boise State probably isn't in that game if they had to go the same way as Oklahoma.

Kyle (OH)

Hi Steve...I know it's early in your draft evaluation, but any quick thoughts or opinions on Ball State QB Nate Davis?

Steve Muench

  (2:41 PM)

First, I'd prefer that he was a little bit taller and that he faced tougher defenses on a consistent basis. That said, he's tall enough, he gets decent zip on his passes and he's accurate. Remember a he's been hurt by receivers dropping passes that they should have caught.

Steiny (NYC)

Can you see Mike Leach pulling a Rich Rodriguez and leaving the school right before their bowl game?

Steve Muench

  (2:44 PM)

First off, let me say that I have no idea what kind of a person Mike Leach is behind closed doors. In the Petrino and Saban era I think we have a tendency to believe that all coaches are going to do whatever helps them not their players the most. For all we know, Leach wouldn't even consider it. Now I do think schools like Tennessee are going to be interested and he will have to decide whether or not he wants to move on. If he does decide to change jobs and leaves after the bowl game, there is absolutely nothing wrong with that.

Nick (FL)

Mark Sanchez turns into a turnover machine whenever he is pressured. Look at his stats in games in which he is sacked.

Steve Muench

  (2:48 PM)

I get it Nick. He didn't play well against Arizona State and he's still learning how to handle pressure, But a turnover machine? He's thrown 22 touchdowns compared to seven picks with three of them coming against the Sun Devils. Turnover machine seems a bit harsh.

Mike (The Happy Valley)

Someone should probably inform Mike Leach that they play a thing called DEFENSE in the SEC before he makes any decisions!

Steve Muench

  (2:53 PM)

I'm going to assume that you are a Penn State and/or Big Ten fan. IF I'm wrong than I apologize. Five of the top ten offenses in the country play in the Big 12. While Penn State is facing teams like a rebuilding Michigan and a struggling Ohio State, the Red Raiders beat Heisman hopeful Colt McCoy and one of the most potent scoring offenses in the league. And they did with a safety and an interception return for a touchdown. The Red Raider defense is a underrated in other words.

Steve Muench

  (2:53 PM)

You hear that Texas Tech fans? I got your back...finally.

Nick (FL)

Steve - you're exactly right. Sanchez looks great against the high school teams from Washington, but mediocre or awful against anything that resembles a talented defense.

Steve Muench

  (2:55 PM)

Hmmm... He threw four touchdowns compared to one pick and completed 60% of his passes against Ohio State No. 9 ranked pass defense.

Canuck (Ontario)

Richmond, eh? So what are your thoughths on Tim Hightower, eh?

Steve Muench

  (2:56 PM)

Obviously I'm a proud fan.

J.B. (Dunmore, PA)

Mr. Muench: The USC defensive numbers look very impressive overall but if you look closely enough, Oregon State put 27 up against them and aside from Oregon, the rest of the teams have weak to average offenses. How good is that USC defense?

Steve Muench

  (2:59 PM)

It's definitely worth talking about but it's not like the Trojan defense has looked vulnerable outside of the Oregon State game. They have been pretty dominant and I think they are the best defense in the nation.

Rob (DC)

Are you actually J.B. posting questions to yourself that you want to answer?

Steve Muench

  (2:59 PM)

No. Is that actually the question you wanted answered?

Kyle (OH)

Sticking to QBs...I know it's extremely early in his evaluation, but thoughts on Jimmy Clausen?

Steve Muench

  (3:02 PM)

I am, as they say, cautiously optimistic about his future. He's certainly got the size and arm strength. He also has made some strides in terms of reading defenses and taking what they give him. But consistency is so key at quarterback and he's not quite there yet?

Porter (NM)

Texas v Florida NC? They are the two best don't you agree?

Steve Muench

  (3:06 PM)

Florida is playing at a high level and I like Texas a lot but these are both one-loss teams. What about Alabama Penn State or Alabama Texas Tech? Look if Florida wins out and beats Alabama in the SEC Championship I think they are in but if TExas Tech beats Oklahoma State this week and then loses to Oklahoma than we have a mess in the Big 12 so I'm not as confident about Texas.

Kyle (OH)

How would Utah, TCU, or even BYU fare in larger conferences such as the SEC, Big 12, or Big 10?

Steve Muench

  (3:07 PM)

They could become competitive over time but I think all three would struggle for at least a few seasons if they were to make the jump.

Paul (Orlando)

More deserving team does not equal better team. Texas Tech beat Texas so they are the more deserving team, but if you agree that Texas probably wins that 7 out of 10 times on a neutral site, don't you have to say Texas is a better team?

Steve Muench

  (3:11 PM)

Nope. Texas Tech beat Texas just two weeks ago. You can say if Gideon picks off that pass or that game is in Austin the Longhorns win but at the end of the day that's not what happened. What happened is the Red Raiders outplayed them so they are the BETTER and more deserving team right now. If they loses to Oklahoma in two weeks or Oklahoma State this week, we can revisit the argument but give credit where credit is due.

Steve Muench

  (3:11 PM)

last week not two weeks ago.

Kyle (OH)

When you're evaluating a QB prospect who started early in his career (i.e. Jimmy Clausen), what kind of typical strides do you expect to see year-to-year? Are QBs who start early and often in college easier to evaluate than one-year wonders (i.e. Akili Smith)?

Steve Muench

  (3:14 PM)

You have to establish a baseline Kyle because every one is different. If we see that a quarterback is mobile but his footwork is inconsistent than we pay closer attention to his drops as his career progresses. The same can be said about reading defenses. If he holds onto the ball too long and/or throws into coverage too much we keep an eye on how and if he improves in those areas. With in mind it's easier to evaluate two and three-year starters.

Rob (DC)

I guess this is my real question, if the season thus far was evaluated on what has actually transpired, instead of what was expected to transpire, wouldn't PSU be ranked ahead of Alabama? They have played similarly week scheduled, but PSU has been more dominant.

Steve Muench

  (3:17 PM)

I think that Alabama has played a tougher schedule so I am ok with it.

Paul (Orlando)

Was Appalachian State really BETTER than Michigan? Sure, they were better in week one, but doesnt Michigan win that game 8 out of 10 times? All the credit in the world to App State for pulling that upset...but come on.

Steve Muench

  (3:21 PM)

I think my point has been twisted a little bit here. I think that the Michigan team was better than App State over the course of last year. I will also be the first to say that Texas is better than Texas Tech if the Red Raiders lose their next two games (Oklahoma State and Oklahoma) because the Longhorns beat both those teams. But until that happens undefeated Texas Tech is the better and more deserving team than the Longhorn team they just beat.

Steve Muench

  (3:22 PM)

That's all for this week. Enjoy the weekend and let's do it again next Friday.

Rob (Baltimore)

Can people stop with the if they played 10 more times this team wins 8 arguments? Teams don't play that many times. They play once a season. Take care of the business on the field.

Steve Muench

  (3:23 PM)

Had to post that point. Thanks Rob. Now I'm really out of here.