Tim Griffin

  (4:02 PM)

All right guys, sorry I'm late. But I'm ready to go if you are.

jeremey from Nebraska City

Tim, Do you think my huskers can get into the big 12 championship game?

Tim Griffin

  (4:03 PM)

It's going to be tough, I think. They've got to hope that Missouri loses two games to make up for the earlier victory the Tigers got. I don't think it will happen.

Tim Griffin

  (4:05 PM)

Wes, you bring up a great idea. How about a conference all-star game. I don't know about defense - thank you those SEC apologists for doubting the toughness of Big 12 football - but you would be hard-pressed to find a conference where offenses are as dominant as in the Big 12.

David, Clemson (SC)

In your opinion, if Clemson were go to the route of an Asst. Head Coach as their next head coach, would you be going after Muschamp or Venables?

Tim Griffin

  (4:06 PM)

David: Hate to waffle, but I think both would be a good choice, Both have won a national championship as a d-coordinator. Muschamp has the experience of being a d-coordinator in the NFL. I do think that Venables has a tad more experience, but I think will be hearing big things from both of them as head coaches in the not-too-distant future.

Tim Griffin

  (4:07 PM)

Josh: Truthfully, I don't think that both Alabama and Florida will lose. So I would say about 10-15 percent.

Michael(San Marcos, TX)

What you think of Bo Pelini's job this year?

Tim Griffin

  (4:08 PM)

Michael: I think Pelini has done a nice job. He's won the games I expected him to and has pumped some life back into the Cornhusker program. Sure, they have been undisciplined at times, but they sure are playing harder - particularly on defense - than they did for Bill Callahan. I expect them to win their last two games of the regular season and be an attractive team for the bowl people because of Nebraska's traditional bowl appeal and the way they ended the season. First season has to be judged a success for Pelini.

Joe (Dallas)

Tim, Do you believe OU will pass Texas in the computer polls if both win out?

Tim Griffin

  (4:10 PM)

Joe: I don't have anything to go by this other than my gut. But I think that if OU wins out, the magnitude of beating Tech and OSU will boost their power ranking ahead of Texas. And also, don't discount victories over Cincinnati and TCU, two top-25 BCS teams this week. Texas has nothing in its out-of-conference portfolio to match either of those two wins.

Aaron (Buffalo, WY)

Who wins a OU Texas rematch right now, since ou has fixed its linebacker situation? And should that thinking be used for a final vote if both teams are 11-1?

Tim Griffin

  (4:12 PM)

Aaron: I would love to see that rematch after watching that first game. The first OU-Texas game was one of the best in the series I've ever seen. OU has fixed its linebacker problem but Ryan Reynolds still isn't here. But I'd love to see how OU's offensive line would play if it got a chance to play Texas again and how the Sooner special teams played. I think those were the two elements that enabled Texas to beat Oklahoma the first time around.

Tim Griffin

  (4:14 PM)

Chris: You are right about the Sooners' offense. They have averaged more than a point a minute in the last two games. And having an offense like that has to give the Sooner defense a lot of confidence. Basically, if they can get a couple of stops, the Sooners will blow ahead of their opponent. That means the other team is playing on its heels and having to pass more than they would like. It's tough to play against a team like that.

Sarah: (Texas)

Where does OU look to replace Venables and Wilson (assuming they both get head coaching jobs)?

Tim Griffin

  (4:15 PM)

Sarah: Obviously, this is all speculation because neither coach has taken another job. How about a guy like Mark Stoops to call the defense, if he doesn't get a head coaching job. And for Wilson, how about Josh Heupel moving into a true coordinator job? He seems to be doing a great job with Sam Bradford so far.

Blake (Columbia, MO)

Hey Tim, Oklahoma could have two 1,000 yard rushers in DeMarco Murray and Chris Brown. Do you think Heisman voters consider this when comparing a QB of a balanced offense like Sam Bradford versus a system QB like Graham Harrell? Thanks.

Tim Griffin

  (4:16 PM)

Blake: No, I don't know. I think most Heisman voters look at passer stats and won-loss records. I don't, but I bet most of them do.

Mike L. (Lubbock)

Tim; Should I stay in Lubbock? Part of me says I could be the Bobby Bowden or JoePa of West Texas (stay for 30 years and build a powerhouse). Part of me says you only get one shot at being the "Hot Coach".

Tim Griffin

  (4:17 PM)

Mike: It's a tough choice isn't it. But I would think having the chance to have your pirate ship actually stow near places like Husky Stadium in Seattle or Neyland Stadium in Knoxville would be attractive to you. But you can be an icon in Lubbock and West Texas if you remain.

Ernie (Austin)

Tim - Would the voters consider OU's BSC Bowl record when casting that final vote? Texas seems to win whenever they go to the BSC.

Tim Griffin

  (4:17 PM)

Ernie: Sorry, that's all past history. We're judging the merit's of this season's team.

Dave (Atlanta, GA)

Tim, who would you go with at QB this weekend for the Buffs if you had to choose one, Cody Hawkins or Tyler Hansen?

Tim Griffin

  (4:18 PM)

Dave: I think Dan Hawkins has to go with his son after that comeback last week against ISU. But Hansen can give them a nice chance of pace off the bench.

David, Columbia, MO

How/Why did Robert Griffin end up at Baylor? He is a tremendous athlete, it seems like he could have gone and helped almost anywhere?

Tim Griffin

  (4:20 PM)

David: I talked to Robert at length this week and he told me how A&M didn't think he could play quarterback at the major-college level. Griffin was a little skinny coming out of Copperas Cove High School - I know where Copperas Cove is and I even have covered school board meetings there in another life. But Griffin wasn't thought to be nearly the prospect that he has become. He followed Art Briles to Baylor after originally committing to him when he was at Houston. And I have to think the recruiters whiffed on him.

Dave (Boerne, TX)

Tim, it seems like a major problem in these chats is that all us fans are trying to justify which team would be better if OU, Texas and Texas Tech go 11-1. Care to admit there is no fair way to decide short of a playoff?

Tim Griffin

  (4:22 PM)

Dave: I actually heard a good way to bust up a three-way tie today that's used in the SEC. Use the BCS ranking to pull away the worst of the three teams and then go head-to-head between the top two. That seems to be a better way. A playoff would be the fairer way, but would we be speculating on this if there was? And would the regular season be nearly as meaningful? I don't think so on either account.

Ronnie, MD

What round, pick, do you see Graham Harrell being selected in this upcoming draft if he wins a National Championship along with the Heisman? Same question for Crabtree.

Tim Griffin

  (4:24 PM)

Ronnie: The scouts I've been talking to don't see Harrell being picked on the first day of the draft, even if he wins the Heisman or the national championship. Crabtree is a different story. Most I've talked to think he would be picked in the top 10 players of the first round. The comparison I've heard most often for him is Michael Irvin because of his tenacity and his leadership abilities.

Tom, Midland, TX

Tim, talk to me: OU or TT next weekend? Man it will be a good one.

Tim Griffin

  (4:25 PM)

Tom: Thankfully the game is still more than a week away, so I can change my mind about a thousand times between now and then. I'm leaning to OU right now - but just barely.

Chad (Kirksville, MO):

I know it's early and premature but don't you think Mizzou matches up better against TTU than either OU or UT in a potential Big XII Championship showdown in KC? If the last two years are indicative of anything, I would like Mizzou's chances in that game.

Tim Griffin

  (4:27 PM)

Chad: That is a little premature, but I agree with you. Tech has never beaten Missouri during the Leach/Pinkel coaching eras. Factor in a cold blustery night in Kansas City and it would be tough for the Red Raiders to win in that scenario. But not impossible.

Aaron, VA

Which has been more crucial for Texas Tech's season this year, the emergence of a running game or its defense's turnaround?

Tim Griffin

  (4:29 PM)

Aaron: I think both. The Red Raiders have been able to balance their offense a little with the development of Woods and Batch. And the job that Ruffin McNeill has done with his defense has been masterful. I think it's to the level of a Broyles Award nominee.

Jeff(North Platte)

Do you think that Nebraska could be ranked at the end of the season if they win out?

Tim Griffin

  (4:29 PM)

Jeff: If the Huskers can win out and win their bowl game, I bet they will be ranked.

Nick (FL)

Tim - does Tim Tebow's chances a second Heisman increase because all of the other contenders are in the Big 12 and thus will split the west/midwest votes?

Tim Griffin

  (4:31 PM)

Nick: Interesting question. If the SEC voters are a bloc, it might end up that the Big 12 votes cancel each other out. But I've noticed in our ESPN.com polls that that hasn't been the case throughout the season. And we have every part of the country covered in that.

J.B. (Dunmore, PA)

So what happens if somehow Missouri or Kansas win the Big XII? Does that mean no Big XII representative in the BCS title game?

Tim Griffin

  (4:32 PM)

J.B. - Not necessarily. Remember that Oklahoma lost the 2003 Big 12 title game and still made the BCS title game. But I don't think it will happen this season.

Clay (Oakland, CA)

For whatever reason the Iowa State game has been tough for Mizzou the last 3 years...Anything you can say about Iowa State's chances that could make Kansas and Nebraska fans excited about the Cyclones?

Tim Griffin

  (4:34 PM)

Clay: I don't think so. I don't like ISU's pass secondary against Daniel, Coffman, Maclin, Saunders and Co.

Rod (White Ciyt, KS)

Why is that people forget about Florida's loss at home to Ole Miss?

Tim Griffin

  (4:36 PM)

Rod: I haven't. For all of their talk it still goes down as a loss to me.

Scott (Austin, TX)

Tim, I think that Tech gets a Huge advantage playing night games in Lubbock, especially with the students fired up against big opponents. That said, do you see Baylor as a possible trap game?

Tim Griffin

  (4:37 PM)

Scott: If the Red Raiders are playing for a perfect season, no. If they lose against Oklahoma, maybe.

Patrick (Mobile, AL)

Tim, none of the other bloggers will answer this question. Why is Tim Tebow not getting more respect? Granted Harrell, McCoy, and Bradford are putting up great stats, but they are putting them up against so-so defenses (Oklahoma is highest at 51st). Then you have Tebow, who is on fire right now and has faced 5 top 44 defenses, and has 3 of the top 5 (South Carolina, FSU, and UA) left in the season. With Tebow facing much more challenging defenses than the Big 12 QB's, and succeeding, shouldnt he get more respect?

Tim Griffin

  (4:39 PM)

Patrick: Don't know if I necessarily agree with what you're saying. As much as you can rag on the Big 12's lack of productive defenses, a similar argument can be made about the SEC's lack fo productive quarterbacks and offenses. But that being said, I think Tebow is having a great season. And he could play himself right back into the Heisman hunt with a strong finish and an SEC title.

Tim (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma)

Of the 2 quarter backs of Mccoy and Bradford, which one is most likely to leave early, and who will have the most impact in the NFL when they do leave?

Tim Griffin

  (4:40 PM)

Tim: Even though Colt built himself up over the off season, I think that Bradford will be more impressive to the pro scouts because of his size. I don't think McCoy will leave early, while Bradford might if he has an assurance he's a top NFL pick.

Jason (Austin, TX)

Tim, you mention out of conference portfolio with OU vs. Texas, how about in conference - North Division? So is TCU a better win than over a Mizzou squad?

Tim Griffin

  (4:41 PM)

Jason: I think they are more comparable than you might think.

RJ (West Des Moines, IA)

RE: Remember that Oklahoma lost the 2003 Big 12 title game and still made the BCS title game. Also Nebraska didn't EVEN make the Big 12 championship game in 2001 and still advanced to the BCS right? Could that happen this again this year?

Tim Griffin

  (4:41 PM)

R.J. - Maybe, we'll just have to wait and see.

Dusty (Oklahoma City, OK)

Tim, who do you think the front runners are for the K-State job? Who should the front runners be?

Tim Griffin

  (4:43 PM)

Dusty: If we take Bob Krause at his word, that he wants a coach with experience by the end of the regular season, that likely limits him to a former coach. So I'm guessing the leading candidates would be Bill Snyder, Dennis Franchione, Gary Barnett and Dan McCarney.

Dan (Comfort, TX)

Is Texas' best shot at the national championship game having TT lose to Missouri in the Big 12 championship?

Tim Griffin

  (4:45 PM)

Dan: That might be the case. The Longhorns could then back in like Nebraska in 2001. But before we start talking about that, the Longhorns have to win in Lawrence and beat Texas A&M. They were barely able to accomplish that first task four years ago and haven't beaten the Aggies in either of the last two seasons. So there's pressure on them to win in the next two games.

Josh (Norman, OK)

Where is Lubbock again?

Tim Griffin

  (4:46 PM)

Josh: Check in Northwest Texas. It's actually the second-largest city in the Big 12 in terms of population, trailing only Austin.

Rico- Kansas City

Would K-State be making a mistake hiring Synder who is 69 yrs old.

Tim Griffin

  (4:47 PM)

Rico: Not necessarily. I'm hearing that Snyder would like to return KSU to its previous glory. If he went out and got a coach in waiting (Dan McCarney, Phil Bennett, Mark Stoops, Dana Dimel) it might work out nicely.

Charlie (Montgomery, AL)

Tommy in trouble at Auburn yet?

Tim Griffin

  (4:48 PM)

Charlie: That's what I'm hearing. But a victory over Bama would shoo away the buzzards pretty quickly.

Dewayne (Germany)

Tim, if Mizzou wins out, Big 12 Champ. included, any chance for a national title shot?

Tim Griffin

  (4:48 PM)

Dewayne: Likely not. Even with an upset in the Big 12 title game, too many qualified one-loss teams will be in front of them, I would presume.

Jimmy (Tampa)

Ok..last shot at getting a question answered..Did the media make too big a deal of Pelini's emotion on the sidelines?

Tim Griffin

  (4:49 PM)

Jimmy: Maybe so, although Pelini brought some of the scrutiny on himself with his comments the week afterwards. After winning last week, it seems his jets have been cooled a little bit.

Eric (Austin, TX)

Tim, do you honestly believe the Aggies have a shot of beating the Longhorns? They lost to Arkansas State, and you've got to believe Mack Brown will be looking to impress voters with some Bob Stoops-like scores these last weeks.

Tim Griffin

  (4:50 PM)

Eric: I agree with you, but I thought the same way in each of the last two years. Remember what happened in those games?

Jimmy (Tampa)

Do you think Turner Gill will be considered for the Kansas State Job?

Tim Griffin

  (4:51 PM)

Jimmy: I think Gill will get a shot. But I wonder if Krause would look elsewhere for this reason. If Gill is ever succesful, he would be a likely candidate at his own school. KSU would just be paying for the training of a candidate in their own division.

Len (Salina, UT)

Besides Stoops (who is a top 10 coach in my opinion), what other coaches came from the SEC to the Big 12?

Tim Griffin

  (4:53 PM)

Chizik - Auburn assistant to Texas and then ISU. Pelini - Worked in several Big 12 jobs but came to Nebraska from LSU. Leach - Came to the Big 12 from Kentucky, where he was an assistant under Hal Mumme.

Daniel (Houston, TX)

Is it possible for Baylor and Art Briles to have anything more than a 7-5 or 8-4 season? With how strong the Big 12 South I just don't it is possible for Baylor be anything more than that.

Tim Griffin

  (4:53 PM)

Daniel: It will be very difficult for Briles to consistently do better than that in what I think is the toughest single division in college football.

Jimmy (Ceresco, NE)

When did this turn into the Big 12 South chat with Tim Griffin? Along those lines, when does the north return to form?

Tim Griffin

  (4:54 PM)

Jimmy: Ask more questions and I'll jump on them. North returns to form when they are competitive in a championship game for a change. It hasn't been that way since the 2003 KSU upset over Oklahoma.

Adam, MO

Tim, if you were Bob Kraus who you you hire?

Tim Griffin

  (4:55 PM)

Adam: I know this doesn't fit his parameters. But I think the hiring of Turner Gill would have a lot of upside.

Clay (Oakland, CA)

What form (in a good sense) has the North EVER resembled without Tom Osbourne and Bill Snyder?

Tim Griffin

  (4:57 PM)

Remember that Colorado had a nice program under Gary Barnett that won a championship in 2001 when the Buffs upset Texas. And Dan McCarney did everything but win a championship during his run at ISU. And don't forget the strides that Gary Pinkel and Mark Mangino have made at their programs in recent seasons.

Glen, Pensacola Florida

Tim, you can't say that the lack of offenses or QB's in the SEC is having an adverse affect on Tebow's chances...UF is averaging like 45 ppg and playing stiff defenses...whereas, Big12 QB's aren't...that was the question...the statement you made is idiotic at best!

Tim Griffin

  (4:58 PM)

Glen: I respectfully disagree. My point is that those so-called "stiff defenses" are that way because of the offenses they are playing besides Florida. Remember, that's only one game. And would you consider Georgia and LSU having stiff defenses?

Bo (Lubbock)

I know it is a couple of weeks away still, but does OSU get up enough to beat OU for this years bedlam game in Stillwater, knowing that it might decide the national title? And might this (like the UT-OU matchup) be the best in the series?

Tim Griffin

  (4:59 PM)

Bo: They always play the Sooners tough in Stillwater and I'm betting they'll do it again. And OSU's offensive mix would give Oklahoma a challenge playing there, I would think.

Tim Griffin

  (5:00 PM)

Dave: Great question. I used to think it was Texas A&M when the Aggies were really good. Now, I might consider Texas Tech or Oklahoma (remember, they are 59-2 at home under Stoops)

Ivan (Waco, Tx)

What do you think of Robert Griffin's and Kendal Wright's chances are for Freshman of the Year and/or Freshmen All-America? Both have been impact players for Baylor as true freshmen and have singlehandedly changed the mindset of the university.

Tim Griffin

  (5:01 PM)

Ivan: I think both of them have a great shot at those honors. Heck, Griffin may be freshman player of the year with a big finish.

Nate from Omaha, NE

Tim, In a different time with the same numbers would Joe Ganz be a heisman contender or winner? Thanks.

Tim Griffin

  (5:02 PM)

Nate: Don't know about Heisman contender, but definitely would be an all-conference contender

Jacob D (Yukon, OK)

Tim, is OSU's Kendall Hunter the best RB in the country? Will he get some preseason Heisman hype next season? Thanks!

Tim Griffin

  (5:03 PM)

Jacob: I like Ringer at Michigan State best, but Hunter should get some All-American honors. And he should get some Heisman hope, although Bradford, McCoy, Bryant and Zac Robinson will be coming back next year.

Tim Griffin

  (5:04 PM)

Guys: Thanks for all of the good questions, 370 of them at last count. I look forward to talking with all of you at that time. See you then. Tim