Ivan Maisel

  (2:10 PM)

Hi, everyone, sorry I'm late. Let's go.

Jim (Grand Junction, CO)

Ivan: The teams that looked really good with returning starters this year were Ohio State & Missouri. Neither seems to be as good as last year. Please explain that. Thanks.

Ivan Maisel

  (2:12 PM)

Man, I was hoping for an easier question coming out of the gate. With Ohio State, I think the o-line hasn't been as good as predicted. The offense centered around Beanie Wells, and he got hurt, and then it had to remain very simple to account for Pryor's inexperience. Missouri lost some key components of its defense from last year. In that league, in this season, that's a problem.

Kevin (Klamath Falls, OR)

What are your picks for Oregon State's next two games? Think they can win out?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:13 PM)

I think they can win out. I'm not convinced they will, but they are good enough to win. Arizona runs hot and cold. Oregon has to come to Corvallis. But both teams on their best days are tough to beat. Good thing for the Beavers: so are they.

Chris (NYC)

Is there a possibility of the Big 12 sending 3 teams to BCS bowls?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:15 PM)

No. There is a scenario in which Missouri would upset undefeated Texas Tech in the Championship Game, Texas would rise to No. 1 and Tech would fall only to No. 2. In that case, as it has been explained to me, Missouri would be out of luck. The commissioners aren't interested in giving one conference three pieces of the BCS financial pie.

JC (SC)

I think Clemson's next coach will either be Dabo Swinney or Bud Foster. Who do you think it will be?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:16 PM)

If Clemson plays well in its last two games, especially the offense, than I think Swinney will get the job. I am told that Foster's interview went well last Friday. With Muschamp not in the mix, those appear to be the two most viable candidates.

Jeff (Philly)

Do you think if Penn State has to have a lame rematch with Oregon State in the Rose Bowl, it will be another blowout?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:17 PM)

No. Oregon State's profile under Mike Riley has been that they are much better at the end of the season than they were in September.

Shawn (Colorado Springs, CO)

If BYU beats Utah, will a one-loss BYU team jump an undefeated Boise State team? If not, do you think Boise State would be the best team in the MWC?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:19 PM)

I don't think BYU would jump Boise State. It may not be fair, because it doesn't have much to do with this season, but Boise State has leftover street cred from two years ago. Voters are going to assume the Broncos are for real. Two years ago, that may not have been the case.

Michael (phx)

Earlier, you said "Missouri would be out of luck" if they beat TT in the Big 12 Championship game and Texas rose to #1. I'm sure it was a typo, but TT would be out of luck because Missouri would get the automatic BCS bid as the Big 12 Champ. and TX would go to the NC game.

Ivan Maisel

  (2:20 PM)

The first rule in the BCS qualifications is that No. 1 will play No. 2 for the national championship. That rule takes precedence over all other rules. In the scenario I described, Missouri would be the Big 12 champ and not get a BCS bid. That scenario is a longer-than-long shot. But it is out there.

Michael (Evansville, IN)

Now that ESPN has purchased the rights to televize the BCS, are we stuck with the current format through 2014. What I mean is, could the commissioners vote on either a plus one or an actual 8-team or 16-team tourney. Or, would ESPN have to get involved in the discussions too. An Eight-team tourney, for example, would be 7 games. Currently the BCS only consists of 5 games...wouldn't a change in the BCS format alter the "product" that ESPN is paying all of this money for?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:21 PM)

As I understand it, the commissioners don't plan on changing the current format before the end of the new deal with ESPN that goes through the 2013 season.

Shiv (Austin, TX)

Ivan. Do you think $900,000 per year is enough to lock up Muschamp at Texas for next 4-5 years?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:22 PM)

Muschamp seems to think so. That's good enough for me.

Alex (Columbus, OH)

Where do you predict the Buckeyes will be playing their bowl game?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:23 PM)

I'd say they will be in Orlando. That means Penn State would be in the Rose Bowl and the Big Ten would not get a second BCS bid.

Michael (Long Beach, CA)

I've seen several proposed playoffs and most of them seem to have an 8 team using conference champs. This is still flawed as you can get lower ranked ACC or Big East teams. I know its a playoff, but why not just pick the 8 highest ranked teams and go from there?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:25 PM)

there is a reverence for winning conference championships among many fans. But I wouldn't hold your breath for and eight-team playoff. The commissioners are likely to take baby steps in they take any at all, no matter what President Obama wants.

Steve (Raleigh, NC)

Is it a given the OU would win if there is a three-way tie in the Big XII south? Or does Texas have a shot with a blowout on Thanksgiving?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:26 PM)

It's not a given at all. I think Texas can make a compelling case to the voters.

MIKE (AKRON)

OSU VS BAMA? DOES OSU STAND A CHANCE OR DO WE GET TO WATCH ANOTHER OSU TEAM GET BLOWN OUT BY THE SEC

Ivan Maisel

  (2:27 PM)

I assume that the SEC's second-best team will be at the Sugar Bowl, the way that Georgia went last year. That would put the SEC's third team in Orlando, which would probably be Georgia.

john (cincinnati)

ivan, is it possible for the ncaa to set up a different commission to run an 8 team playoff after the bcs bowl system played out...basically saying to the conference commishes, we will work around you and give the fans and coaches what they want....plus all the $dollars to the schools that show up and play! didn't the ncaa b-ball tourney basically take the thunder away from the nit years ago?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:29 PM)

It's not possible. The NCAA and the conferences have the same members. The commissioners are doing what their members want. So those members aren't going to turn around and ask the NCAA to go around the commissioners.

Robert (Gainesville, FL)

I have been hearing a lot about Florida playing the best ball in the country. I am a fan, but I wanted to know if the BCS voters would still place them in the BCS title game if Alabama were to lose to Auburn and and Fla. was able to beat Alabama in the SEC title game. Your thoughts?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:32 PM)

I'm sorry I picked your question, Robert. I started this answer two or three times. The short answer is, I'm not that computer-literate.

STEVE (SLC)

True or false: If BJ and the Utes play mistake free they are the better team and will win on Saturday.

Ivan Maisel

  (2:33 PM)

True.

Tony (cincinnati, oh)

Ivan, who you taking in the PITT vs UC matchup?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:34 PM)

I like Cincinnati. Other than the fourth quarter of the UConn game, they have played remarkably consistent football. Pitt has been a little hot-and-cold for me. And the game is at Nippert.

Chris (Potomac)

Who do you think wins tonights Ball State v. Central game? Lefevour is a solid QB just like Ball States

Ivan Maisel

  (2:35 PM)

I believe in Ball State. The Cardinals have won by large margins every week. I know the game is at CMU, and I love to watch Dan LeFevou. I am pumped to watch the game tonight.

john (cincinnati)

ivan, i understand, but if you have 2 conferences that are willing to have a playoff, and you have major coaches from pac 10 (usc), big 12(tex and okla) and big 10(penn st) saying they want a playoff, the schools that are against it(ohio st) can protest all they want and decline to play.

Ivan Maisel

  (2:38 PM)

The school presidents do not want a playoff. The SEC is interested. The Big East is interested. The Pac-10 and Big Ten are not interested. The scenario of telling the Pac-10 and Big Ten to take a hike and go to the Rose Bowl is discussed a lot, but I don't see the other leagues leaving them behind. The power of No. 1 playing No. 2 has been demonstrated at the box office. So far, no one has made a good-enough case to get the presidents to change their minds.

Hugh (SC)

Does Clemson win their last two and go to a bowl?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:40 PM)

I would think they would go to a bowl with three straight victories. The ACC could have more bowl-eligible teams than it has bowls (nine?). But the Pac-10 may fall two short of filling its quota, and the SEC may fall short as well.

N8, Atlanta

IF Bama looses to UF (a big IF) please tell me they dont go to a BCS game... they would have beaten 8 teams .500 or below (9 if UK can't beat UT)

Ivan Maisel

  (2:41 PM)

Of course they would go to a BCS game. They will still be highly ranked, and their fans will travel. Don't ever forget that bowls are about ticket sales, hotel room sales, and TV ratings. Eventually, they get around to awarding the best teams.

Chris (NYC)

Will you only answer ACC questions about Clemson? Who do you have playing/winning the ACC CG?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:43 PM)

My mind changes hourly. Virginia Tech and Maryland. Ask me again in a liuttle while, I'll say UNC and Florida State.

Steve (Iowa City, IA)

Who do you think is the best assistant coach in the country?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:44 PM)

If it's not Florida State defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews, then it would get the "Emeritus" job. That defense has been tough for 30 years.

Shannon (Williamsburg, VA)

As a Florida fan, I'm looking warily ahead to the Florida State matchup. To me, it seems like a team with everything to lose (UF) is up against a somewhat desperate team with something to prove (FSU). Does this look like a potential trap game to you too?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:45 PM)

Trap to me indicates a team that no one expects to win. Given that FSU is much improved over last year, and that the game is in Tallahassee, I wouldn't be surprised if the Seminoles won.

Mike (Cleveland, OH)

Ivan, does Michigan have any chance against Ohio State this weekend? How ugly do you think it'll get before Boeckman comes in?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:47 PM)

Michigan has a chance, because in a rivalry game the underdog always has a chance. That said, I think the Buckeyes will win, and by a good margin. Boy, I'm really going out on a limb there.

Andy (Kansas City)

Do you think Kansas 12-1 Orange Bowl winning season was simply a fluke after seeing what has happened this year? Is Kansas just a perrenial 6-6 team at best?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:48 PM)

Don't forget, the Jayhawks' schedule got a lot tougher this year. And they lost a lot on defense. They had a small margin for error, and they exceeded it.

John, Georgetown Texas

How many head coaching offfers will Ruffin McNeal get

Ivan Maisel

  (2:50 PM)

That's a good question. I assume that if Leach leaves, that McNeill would have the inside track to replace him in Lubbock. The problem with doing so well is that it's difficult for those assistantsin the BCS Champ. Game to leave for other jobs. Pelini did it last year, but it's not easy to do.

Ben (Los Angeles, CA)

Why is Florida being voted higher in the "human" polls? Texas has a better loss, better signature wins (see GA almost losing to Auburn and LSU almost losing to Troy!) and a better win against common opponent ARK Tex 52 - Ark 10, UF 38 - ARK 7

Ivan Maisel

  (2:51 PM)

Florida is hotter than any team in the country right now, and the Gators lost earlier.

Mark (Knoxville, TN)

Who do you like to bring home Floyd of Rosedale on Saturday in MN final game in the Metrodome? will Iowa play in a new years day bowl game with a win?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:53 PM)

I like Iowa. It's easy to think that the Gophers would win one to close out their time in the Metrodome, except that no one likes to play there. I don't think the nostalgic card can be played very effectively.

Jarom

Ivan, is it possible that two teams from the MWC can go to a BCS game? Leaving out the ACC or Big East (assuming Boise State and Ball State lose)

Ivan Maisel

  (2:56 PM)

It's possible, in that the rules allow for it, but highly unlikely. If Utah gets the automatic bid, that means TCU and BYU would have two losses. If Utah and BYU each have one loss, I think Boise State will get the automatic bid.

Ivan Maisel

  (2:56 PM)

Thanks everyone. Talk to you on T'giving Eve.