Ted Miller

  (3:01 PM)

Good afternoon... please, express yourself.

Will, San Diego

When will the PAC 10 get back on track with more than just USC nationally competitive?

Ted Miller

  (3:03 PM)

You mean like it's been for the past decade excluding this season? USC rule college football, not just the Pac-10. The other nine typically do fine when matched with other teams out of conference. My guess is things will be better in 2009.

John

Will WSU be this bad next year?

Ted Miller

  (3:04 PM)

No. That wouldn't be possible. They'll have to get better luck with injuries and another year in the system with Paul Wulff should help. And recruiting seems to be OK.

Will J (Portland, OR)

Ted, Moevao would've probably reached the 2,500 passing yard plateau this season, had he not gotten hurt.

Ted Miller

  (3:05 PM)

He was in the race for All-Pac-10. Still might be.

Travis (Phoenix)

As of your million emailers, I'll reiterate this question I've sent before. Any talks or chance of a Pac 10 Network? It would do wonders for football and Thursday night basketball plus many other sports like baseball, softball, and other heavily dominated Pac 10 sports.

Ted Miller

  (3:06 PM)

None that I've heard of...maybe the next commissioner will look at it.

Edwin(Puerto Rico, PR)

how high mark sanche'z would be taken an NFL Draft if he choose to go pro?

Ted Miller

  (3:07 PM)

First day.... but he's got a chance to be first-round if he comes back next year and improves.... Trojans get just about everyone back on offense...

Steven, Portland, OR

Ted, is Quizz success this year going to hurt Stroughter's place in the draft?

Ted Miller

  (3:08 PM)

I don't think so... Sammie has some good game film and the combine and pro days will give him plenty of chances to impress scouts.

J.D.H (Seattle, WA)

Depending on who the Huskies hire next year for HC, with a healthy Jake Locker, do you think there's any chance the Huskies can pull themselves out of the grave?

Ted Miller

  (3:10 PM)

I will personally guarantee you the Huskies don't go winless next year. Not sure if they can make a dramatic turn though. I don't see the talent that Willingham supporters kept telling me he'd been recruiting.

Will J (Portland, OR)

Ted, any news on who will be starting this weekend for the Beavs against Cal?

Ted Miller

  (3:12 PM)

I wasn't at practice but it seems like Moevao is on the upswing... issue is whether he got enough time with the game plan. Guessing Canfield starts but Moevao will be available.

Josh (Tazewell, VA)

Who wins tonight between VT and Miami?

Ted Miller

  (3:13 PM)

VT

Ralph (Chicago)

Ted I know you are a Pac 10 guy but help me out. Please tell Notre Dame beats Navy talk me off the edge help!

Ted Miller

  (3:13 PM)

Notre Dame beats Navy... But I find cocktails help at times like these, though the Irish fans I know seem to already know that.

Joshua, Bear Territory, California

Hello Ted, So let's say Cal wins this weekend, what are the chances that I will get to turn 21 at the Vegas Bowl?

Ted Miller

  (3:15 PM)

Hate to disappoint but cal winning likely would boost the Bears to Holiday or Sun.

chris (texas)

why you are such USC tool. the pac-10 cant even beat the MWC conference

Ted Miller

  (3:16 PM)

Chris, You just typed two unrelated phrases.

Paul F., Atlanta

Is Jahvid Best the "real deal" or did he just have some inflated numbers against weaker competition? Is he proving to be too small to be the workhorse as some had predicted?

Ted Miller

  (3:18 PM)

He's the real deal. I wonder what he would have done this year with the offensive line that was projected in the preseason. Past couple of weeks, only Alex Mack remains from that crew... And keep in mind Best has been dealing with a number of injuries

Andre, PDX

Ted, your pick for the OSU-CAL game seems unpopular with the fans, Vegas and other sports writers . How sure are you of it?

Ted Miller

  (3:19 PM)

51 percent.

Craig (Kirkman, WA)

What's with Jeremiah Masoli's happy feet in the pocket? If he'd just relax a little back there he'd throw for 250-300 yards a game.

Ted Miller

  (3:20 PM)

You want him to have sad feet.... I've got a feeling Masoli is going to turn out OK... keep in mind he's equivalent to a true freshman starter...

J.D.H (Seattle, WA)

Ted, including that Texan, the country seems to think USC unworthy and Florida's loss to Ole Miss a better deal than USC losing to now 23rd ranked(AP) Oregon State. Do you think if SC's defense continues its stingy stands in its next 3 games and has like combined pt total of say 24, could they jump teams with help of a few key losses?

Ted Miller

  (3:22 PM)

USC's loss at Oregon State doesn't even compare to Florida losing to Ole Miss. Ole Miss is terrible. Oregon State has a proven track record. Nobody with a lick of sense compares the two. Folks who do are either stupid or disingenuous. The problem for USC isn't comparing losses. It's comparing wins. Florida has more good ones. The beatdown of Georgia was mighty impressive.

JD, Santa Ana, CA

How much is the "narrative" ESPN wants to write (based on who they are televising week to week) dictating the polls and perception, and hence who gets to play in the BCS Champ game?

Ted Miller

  (3:23 PM)

zero.

Noel Stringer (Kantor, WA)

Patrick Chung is about to finish his career as probably the best strong safety ever to play at Oregon...why so little respect? Give that man the pub he deserves!

Ted Miller

  (3:24 PM)

He's the most awesomely awesome man of awesomeness ever. Other than Kevin Ellison.

Scott (Belmont, CA)

Quick BCS/Pac-10 question for ya: If OSU wins out (very possible), they'll win the Pac-10 and get the Pac-10 BCS berth (most likely the Rose Bowl). What happens to USC in this scenario? Due to the Pac-10 mediocrity, and a poor showing in Corvallis, USC isn't a lock to get one of the at-large spots. Should they? Where do you see them ending up?

Ted Miller

  (3:27 PM)

If Oregon State and USC win out, I believe the Trojans are a lock for a second BCS bowl berth. Why? Because everyone wants to see the Trojans. Except teams from other conferences. In this scenario, USC produces a BCS beatdown, likely to a Big 12 or SEC team, and delivers a package of shutup to the rest of the nation.

Ava Lanche (Rensselaer, IN)

Ted, who are your 1st team Pac 10 Qb, Rb, and Wr's at this point in the season?

Ted Miller

  (3:29 PM)

Sanchez, Rodgers, Gerhart, Thomas, Strougher

Kyle (Chicago)

Prediction for the MAC showdown next Wednesday as Ball State visits Central Michigan?

Ted Miller

  (3:30 PM)

ball state

Chris (Berkeley)

With Riley's inconsistency and Longshore's graduation, do you think Brock Mansion has a shot at becoming the starting QB for Cal next season?

Ted Miller

  (3:30 PM)

He has a chance... I'd put my money on Riley. Remember: He's only a sophomore.

Ava Lanche (Rensselaer, IN)

Teddy! What the heck is the deal with the Pac-10's TV contract? My family in Portland can't even watch the Duck game live this weekend!

Ted Miller

  (3:32 PM)

My understanding is that is partially Oregon's fault for opting out of a deal with Foxsports NW. But I do think it stinks... UO-Ariz is a great matchup

Paul F., Atlanta

Is the Pac-10 really so much worse than other leagues? Is the SEC really so great? The only evidence I see put forth from other conferences is "history" and "how tough it is to go through the conference undefeated." Of course all that the latter means is that your conference is balanced -whether that's great, good, bad, or mediocre. How do you deal with this attitude? It drives me nuts (being here in SEC country).

Ted Miller

  (3:33 PM)

No, Pac-10 isn't that bad. And it's obvious at this point the SEC was way overrated -- see LSU and Auburn. Big 12 is tops this year. Pac-10 will be back when it gets back to its roots of superior QB play.

HJ Fupa

Pat Chung and the Ducks will destroy ASU this weekend at Autzen!

Ted Miller

  (3:34 PM)

well, they should worry more about UA.

knoxchris10

Sorry Ted, i was joking, you're always welcome in Corvallis.

Ted Miller

  (3:35 PM)

You're just a big meany...

The Dewster (Palo Alto)

8 words or less on Lagarrette Blount

Ted Miller

  (3:36 PM)

Beware of Blount Force Trauma

Jill (Chicago)

Huge Duck fan here! What gives...Zona's run D or Oregon's running game? (Shout out to Craig!)

Ted Miller

  (3:36 PM)

my guess is UA's run D...

ray gordon reid college station tx 77843

QUESTION TO TED MILLER AT 3.40 pm hi ted kindly answer question byu or utah next saturday

Ted Miller

  (3:36 PM)

Utah

J.D.H (Seattle, WA)

Ok i know its early, but who do you honestly think is going to win the Apple Cup...i can't wait a week to see it in your blog....me, well I'm putting money on winless Huskies. There I said it

Ted Miller

  (3:38 PM)

Noticed we've been playing it up, eh? I'm still hoping to get a room in Pullman... Oh... as for who wins... you'll have to wait for my pick!

FUPA (Jillington, ILL)

Ted, have you seen the new duck unis?? Think they'll be revealed this weekend?

Ted Miller

  (3:38 PM)

Yes... rad. way cool...

Bobak (Minneapolis)

So far, what do you think of Neuheisel/Chow's first year at UCLA? Does it beg a comparison to Carroll/Chow's first at USC? Also, with all the lame SNL movies, how did they never make one about Toonces the Driving Cat?

Ted Miller

  (3:41 PM)

Toonces! Do you speak French! Should have been a movie....but would it be too short if he just kept driving off a cliff? Hard to say on Rick-Chow--DeWayne first year... they inherited a bad team and then got hit with injuries... good and bad moments... I'm tempted to write off the year and watch the recruiting rankings...

HJ Fupa

Thanks for the correction Ted! Do you ever hit "post message" and then scream NOOOOOOO!!! because you knew it was wrong and then everyone in the office around you looks at you like you are crazy? Just happened to HJ Fupa.

Ted Miller

  (3:42 PM)

All the time... I was just looking for a quick hit...

Jobob (Arkansas)

Is the Pac-10 better than the SEC this year?

Ted Miller

  (3:42 PM)

no

Jason: (Eugene, Or)

Ted, who do you see as Oregon's starting QB next season? After burning Thomas' redshirt should they push for him?

Ted Miller

  (3:42 PM)

I like Masoli... But Thomas does have a lot of potential. We'll see how things go this spring...

Kareem, Santa Monica

1 loss Texas Tech (in B12 Champ game) vs. 1-loss USC ... assume Texas also has second loss by that time ... who gets in?

Ted Miller

  (3:46 PM)

So TT loses in the Big 12 championship game and Texas has two losses... assuming OU also has a second loss from TT... that would depend heavily on voter sentiment... how far does a TT team with wins over Texas and OU drop... good one Kareem... I'd like to say USC because I think USC is better than TT but TT's resume would be better, even with the title game defeat...

Mark (Dallas)

A "BCS Beatdown" from USC against the SEC or Big 12??? Dude, you're ignorant. USC's offense is pathetic they barely put up points against soft PAC-10 defenses. BIG 12 offenses can put up points on their stingy D

Ted Miller

  (3:47 PM)

well mark write it down... if it happens, i'll me you back here.

Nick (LA, CA)

Draw up a recipe for Stanford repeating the upset v. USC...

Ted Miller

  (3:49 PM)

USC's flight gets re-routed to Tahiti? It would have to be like last year: A barrage of USC mistakes and a sound game from Stanford. Don't see it happening.

Ren Park (Sigma Chi, Eugene)

Teddd! Love your blog! Is Quizz the real deal? Pac-10 D's will eventually figure out a way to some the shrimp right?

Ted Miller

  (3:51 PM)

You can't fake 1,000 yards rushing. He's got a shot to be special. Sort of already is with the new Pac-10 frosh rushing record.

Larry (Glendale, CA)

How do bowl teams share their bowl loot with their conference? Does the bowl team get a larger share of the loot than the non-bowl teams in their conference?

Ted Miller

  (3:53 PM)

After expenses, it's all split up evenly in the Pac-10 -- and I believe most conferences.

Jason: (Eugene, Or)

Ted, Let me rephrase the question. Do you think an OSU Rose Bowl berth would be BAD for the Pac 10? Since most likely they would play OSU from the Little 10.

Ted Miller

  (3:56 PM)

No, it's a great thing in every way (unless I guess if you're an Oregon fan)... If OSU is in the Rose, then USC likely gets a second BCS berth... that means more $$$ for the conference. And USC gets to beat up a team whose fans have been shouting all year about the Trojans being overrated.

Kelly(Tuscaloosa,AL)

You are not credible at all.You are souch a homer.USC will get routed by a SEC or Big 12 team and the Pac 10 is horrific this year.

Ted Miller

  (3:58 PM)

Oh...kelly, kelly, kelly... you best hope that USC doesn't get the Tide. Oh my. My wife's friends and family will never speak to me again after the woe the Trojans would reap. Now a Florida-USC game might be fun.

Kyle (Salt Lake City, UT)

Any chance Utah and BYU joining the Pac-10 and turn it into the Pac-12?

Ted Miller

  (4:00 PM)

I get asked this a lot... Perhaps a new commissioner will look at expansion with new eyes, but the Pac-10 presidents seem completely content and unwilling to expand. So I don't think it's going to happen anytime soon. I'm starting to, personally, be won over by the idea, though. For what that is worth.

Kyle (Tucson, AZ)

Do you think Rob Gronkowski's game translates to the NFL? Is he already at top 5 tight end in the country?

Ted Miller

  (4:01 PM)

yes. and yes.

Red (Denver, CO)

You are a lucky man. Those 'Bama women are sexy babes.

Ted Miller

  (4:02 PM)

Yes they are...

Ted Miller

  (4:02 PM)

That feels like a good exit moment... thanks gang for stopping by. See you next week.