Buzzmaster

  (2:01 PM)

Hey folks. I just spoke with Graham. She's finishing up a phone call and should be here in about 15-20 minutes. Keep sending in your questions and she'll tackle them all when she arrives!

Graham Watson

  (2:09 PM)

OK. I'm here. My phone call hasn't arrived (waiting on Austin Collie) so when it does, I might have to jet for a bit. But I'll be back if there's time remaining. In the meantime, let's chat.

Graham Watson

  (2:09 PM)

By the way.... All the Utah players called me on time. Just thought I'd stir that pot a little bit.

Tim (Minneapolis, MN)

Graham, Whats your take on Gill going to Syracuse?

Graham Watson

  (2:11 PM)

Funny you asked that because I spoke with TG about an hour ago. He didn't rule out going to Syracuse or any other place for that matter, but said he hasn't gotten any calls. TG is very religious and he told me that he loves Buffalo, but that he'll his faith to guide him on this decision as he did when he decided on Buffalo. So really, I think where he goes, according to him, is up to God. I'll have more on this on the blog either later today or tomorrow.

JT (Minneapolis, MN)

Who do you expect to be the top performers in this Saturday's BYU-Utah battle?

Graham Watson

  (2:14 PM)

The Utah defense. All around. I think they're going to be focused on getting in Hall's face and disrupting his rhythm the way TCU did. That's how Utah wins the game. Oh, and I talked to Brice McCain and he said it's his mission to keep Collie from getting the BYU receiving record this week.

Jeremy (Orem UT)

If BYU Defeats Utah By 7+ points will they jump BSU ?

Graham Watson

  (2:16 PM)

I don't think so. I've said all along that if the big three in the MWC finish with a conference loss each that they'll knock each other out of the BCS. No way Boise State loses and a one-loss non-BCS has never played in a BCS bowl,

Graham Watson

  (2:16 PM)

Slow connection right now. Sorry.

Nick (Muncie, IN)

I know Ball State had somewhat of an ugly win last week, but come on it was a rivalry game within the MAC on the road for the Cardinals and they still won by 15 points. Why the 3 spot drop in the BCS with BYU and TCU passing us?....No love?

Graham Watson

  (2:18 PM)

I think the hope of getting Ball State into a BCS is gone. I just don't think they're going to get enough love to make it to a ranking where it would be too hard to pass them up.

Graham Watson

  (2:18 PM)

BRB

Graham Watson

  (2:38 PM)

OK. Back. Sorry. Had to do an interview

Graham Watson

  (2:40 PM)

And those answers were me. I just forgot to switch the name over. Should be good now.... As for Collie, he was great. He was probably the most honest interview I've had in talking to both teams. He'll fuel a little fire later this week. :)

Graham Watson

  (2:40 PM)

OK. Back to questions. Sorry for the delay.

God (Heaven)

Graham, I have a message for Gill... Stay in Buffalo..

Graham Watson

  (2:40 PM)

That's what I told him.

JT (Minneapolis, MN)

Is this Saturday's BYU-Utah game the biggest game in non-BCS regular season history since the beginning of the BCS era?

Graham Watson

  (2:41 PM)

Um, it depends who you ask. I think the Utah-BYU game that made Utah the original BCS buster would be up there because it was the first time something like that had been done. But this is certainly right up there.

Patrick (Mobile, AL)

Does that mean we get you till past 3 pm eastern then?

Graham Watson

  (2:42 PM)

Um, yeah. I could go a little beyond then, but eventually I have to get back to work. :)

Nate (Provo)

Any thoughts on the interview with Austin Collie, can you give us the rundown?

Graham Watson

  (2:43 PM)

He was fantastic. I'll have a story about him later this afternoon and then more stuff on him as the week progresses. He's a very smart and thoughtful young man (young man, he's like my age...)

Andy (Dallas Texas)

Oklahoma vs Texas Tech. Who do you see winning that game and why?

Graham Watson

  (2:45 PM)

This is a tough one. I like OU, but I'm not sure their defense can keep TT in check. I do think Stoops pulls out some trickeration here. I like OU because TT hasn't won a game of this magnitude on the road this season. And OU almost never loses at home (during the Stoops era).

LT (Provo, UT)

If BYU wins and Boise State loses, would BYU go to a BCS bowl and if so which one?

Graham Watson

  (2:47 PM)

That's a tough one. I think it would be possible and even likely, but it would depend on what else is going on in the BCS. That's hard to say because I'd have to look at all the other teams involved below BYU but still in the BCS mix. I think BYU would be the best of the group, but that doesn't always translate into an invitation. If they did go, it would be Orange Bowl.

Mo (Dallas)

If Big XII South has a three way tie, in your opinion, what criteria should human voters use to rank the three teams? Do you agree you can't use head to head since it is a merry go round?

Graham Watson

  (2:48 PM)

Well, the BCS standings are used to break the tie. So, my guess would be if Oklahoma beat TT, that OU would be the top team? I know UT beat OU, but games later in the season tend to carry more weight.

Dan (Houston)

So you don't think there's any question that BYU goes ahead of Utah in the BCS rankings with a win?

Graham Watson

  (2:49 PM)

They might go ahead of Utah, but they won't go ahead of Boise State if the Broncos stay undefeated. That's why I think a BYU win knocks the MWC out of the BCS totally.

BJ (Tennessee)

in my opinion, florida is the best team in the country. they can score with anyone in the big 12 plus i think they play much better defense than the big 12 teams, agree?

Graham Watson

  (2:53 PM)

I think last year's Cotton Bowl skewed my opinion of how the SEC would fare against the Big 12. The SEC doesn't ever see the type of spread that the Big 12 tends to employ and while Urban Meyer is one of the Godfathers of spread, that doesn't mean his players are capable of defending a team that's going to pass 50-60 times per game. In the past, some SEC teams have overcompensated for the pass and given up the run. All the Big 12 teams in the hunt have a decent running game and a great passing game. I think from an offensive standpoint, it would be the greatest challenge Florida has faced.

Burr (FXE)

Do you think Mike Haywood is pretty much out the door now that Weis said he will handle playcalling the rest of the year? PS green jersey's this saturday for ND...

Graham Watson

  (2:56 PM)

Why can't Haywood go back to coaching RBs? The running game has been better this year. Not great, but better.... And they're wearing green jersey because they're promoting going green. It's the first carbon-neutral game in the history of college football

Jarom (Utah)

Graham, do you want a playoff?

Graham Watson

  (2:57 PM)

In some form, yes, I think a playoff would be beneficial to college football and give more teams an opportunity to play for a championship.

Bob from Fargo

What are your thoughts on Rocky Long stepping down at New Mexico?

Graham Watson

  (2:58 PM)

Stunned and sad. I, like a lot of other people, think the world of Rocky. He's a great coach and person. He's always been honest with me. And he's a great football mind. He's not done though. He'll pop up somewhere big as a coordinator. Mark it down.

Shelby (Texas)

If there is a three way tie in the big 12 south,which team will play in the big 12 Championship game vs Mizzou.

Graham Watson

  (2:59 PM)

That will depend on BCS ranking. That's the tiebreaker in the Big 12. Crazy that it's going to essentially be in the hands of the coaches and the Harris Poll.

John (Greenville, NC)

Do you think ECU can hang with Houston or Tulsa in the cusa championship game?

Graham Watson

  (3:02 PM)

The ECU from the beginning of the year? Yes. The crazy ECU impostor that's played the last two months? I don't think so. ECU doesn't have the offense to stay with either of those teams and while their defense has carried them all season, I don't think it can hang with either of those offenses.

Jarom (Utah)

Graham, what will happen if the top 2 teams in the nation are from the Big 12 or SEC?

Graham Watson

  (3:03 PM)

From the BCS rules: 1. The top two teams in the final BCS Standings shall play in the National Championship Game. There is no stipulation as to who those teams should be.

Steve (utah)

Do you think BYU or Utah's head coach will leave for a more lucrative job this offseason?

Graham Watson

  (3:04 PM)

Bronco? No. Whittingham? Maybe with a lean toward probably.

Jarom (Utah)

Graham, who do you think will win out of the BYU-Utah game? Who do you want to win?

Graham Watson

  (3:05 PM)

Are you kidding me? I'm not picking this game until Friday when my security detail is in place.

Joe (Utah)

Hi Graham: I am wondering if you have any additional information on the following topics: (1) Is the MWC really going to invite BSU into the conference this summer? (2) Is there more the the Brent Guy firing than just the w/l record... for example, there is a lot of talk about John L coming back? and (3) Was Rocky forced out? Or was he simply ready to move on? His resignation seems strange given his recent contract extension.

Graham Watson

  (3:09 PM)

Lots of questions here... 1) The MWC is denying that right now. Not saying it won't happen, but I'm not sure Craig Thompson shares the love affair with Boise State as the rest of the world. 2) I think Brent Guy was fired because of his record. Period. John L. has been mentioned for both the Utah State and Wyoming jobs so I don't think that was a factor. 3) Rocky left on his own. He had become dismayed with the fans and it was affecting the way he coached. He didn't want to stand in the way of the progress of the team. That's all and like I said, he'll coach somewhere else.

Justin (R.S.M.) CA

What's your security detail?

Graham Watson

  (3:10 PM)

I actually don;t have one, but Bronco Mendenhall told me regardless of whom I pick I should get one. I hope he was joking...

Bradford (Boise, ID)

Graham, why no questions about Boise State and Nevada? What are the keys for the Broncos to get the win?

Graham Watson

  (3:11 PM)

Sorry. There are a lot of questions in here today. I think the Broncos need to stop the run and that means stopping Kap. I think the defense has been the most consistent part of the Broncos this season, but they've struggled against Kap in the past. And on the road, it will be a difficult challenge. I'd expect a high-scoring game. I'm not ready to pick a winner yet (still need to study it), but it won't be a blowout either way.

Emmitt Smith (ESPN)

" I do think Stoops pulls out some trickeration here." Trickeration, Graham? That word should be debacled.

Graham Watson

  (3:12 PM)

Ha! Touche.

Jonathan (Wichita, KS)

Hi Graham: Let's say Boise State and Utah both win out, finishing the season at oh, I don't know, 5th and 7th in the BCS. Will the BCS seriously screw my Broncos, undefeated and ranked 7th in the country, out of a BCS bowl in favor of a two loss Ohio State team?

Graham Watson

  (3:14 PM)

Unfortunately, yes, yes it will. And it's not just me who thinks that. Ask any cfb pundit. It's the BCS. It's not fair and the bowls get to choose at-large teams. I know Boise State gets a lot of love, but they'd be crazy not to take Pryor and the Ohio State fanbase. Just saying...

Graham Watson

  (3:15 PM)

OK. Last couple questions.

Jarom (Utah)

Graham, if the table is turned the right way for TCU (for example if most of the teams ahead of them lose including Utah) do they get into a BCS game?

Graham Watson

  (3:15 PM)

With two loses? I'd call it a million to one (cue Dumber and Dumber line).

Chris (Kalamazoo, Michigan)

Do you think Western Michigan can knock off Ball State and earn a tie in the MAC West? Will they go bowling regardless?

Graham Watson

  (3:16 PM)

I think they'll go anyway since the Pac-10 isn't going to fill its slots.

Dave Centerville,UT

Brice McCain or Austin Collie?

Graham Watson

  (3:17 PM)

I'll have a whole story on this matchup. It's funny how both are talking this week. After watching both, I'm leaning toward Collie. He's really, really good.

Tim Tebow (Gator Land)

Can I still win Heisman?

Graham Watson

  (3:17 PM)

Yes, yes you can.

David (Champaign)

Do you ever get story idea from these chats?

Graham Watson

  (3:18 PM)

Um, not usually, because most of the questions are about the hot topics of the week anyway.

Jarom (Utah)

If BYU wins and doesn't go to a BCS game, who goes to the Vegas Bowl?

Graham Watson

  (3:19 PM)

There's a tiebreaker for that and Utah would go because of head-to-head with TCU.

Graham Watson

  (3:20 PM)

OK. Gotta go. It's been fun. Talk to you next week.