Ted Miller

  (3:00 PM)

Good afternoon.... hope your rivalries are heating up.... fire away.

Phil Knight, Eugene

Hey Ted, I understand the hype behind Quizz. An impressive year for a true freshman. But how about Legarrette Blount? He averages a touchdown every 7.5 carries and leads the FBS in YPC. Why isn't this guy getting any love? He's got 15 touchdowns on the year!!!

Ted Miller

  (3:03 PM)

That's fair... Blount hasn't received enough credit... That said, Rodgers averaged 50 more yards per game and is a true freshman vs. a JC transfer. Love the 15 TDs though. And he and I talked southern during his first NW spring...

Will J (Portland, OR)

Ted, why did you pick Arizona to beat Oregon St?

Ted Miller

  (3:04 PM)

I don't want to get into this too much... but do some research on Washington's Rose Bowl season... and my picks that made it happen...(That sounds obscure, yes, but there are forces at work here that can't be named!)

Brian(Huntsville,Al)

Ted why is it no one is giving Bama a chance against Fl? I for one think they have a great chance to win the game.Do you think they can win?

Ted Miller

  (3:06 PM)

The why is because Florida has looked JUST FREAKING INCREDIBLE of late. But I have a hard time believing that's not going to be a war. I'm uncomfortable betting against Saban with extra time to prepare.

Frank (Uthah)

I want an ND Usc preview and final because you will not chat next week.

Ted Miller

  (3:07 PM)

Here it is: SMUSH.

Jason (Seattle, WA)

Ted, Why is everyone laughing about this Apple Cup? As a UW season ticket holder, I've been through the cold, the rain, and seen these guys play hard all year. Can't the nation just leave us to our Apple Cup in peace?!?

Ted Miller

  (3:09 PM)

Well... the records... the margins of defeat... the fact that both these programs were top-10 teams within the past decade... I will say that I've gotten some fairly compelling email asking me to lay off the Huskies and Cougars... the consolation I can give is this downturn won't last for either...

Jojo

I thought I told you no more SEC and Big10 Questions!!!!! Anyways - Do you see Jeremiah Masoli starting again next year and taking this thing for 3 years?

Ted Miller

  (3:10 PM)

Dude.. I have love for all or college football brothers.... as for Masoli: Heck yeah... I think he's a budding star. Recall that Chase Daniel wasn't a finished product early in his career either.

John, ATL

First off...I am a Gator fan. In a previous entry you knocked Florida's loss, saying Ole Miss is "terrible." I agree that of the one-loss teams this loss is the weakest, but what specifically about Ole Miss is "terrible?"

Ted Miller

  (3:13 PM)

I regret that.... I was overreacting to what I see is ignorance of how good Oregon State is annually and how folks always talk about SEC depth that I don't believe is real. Ole Miss is not terrible... I just believe if the Rebels played in the Pac-10 they'd end up with about the same results they get in the SEC.

Mike (Seattle)

Let me guess Ted, your a Notre Dame hater as well? Notre Dame is the best thing that ever happened to College Football.

Ted Miller

  (3:14 PM)

No.... not really.... Would you take a bet that the Irish are within 14 points of USC? Thus my one word prediction.

Tom (Los Angeles)

I would love for the Trojans to the NC but we need help for that. Is it crazy for me as a USC Alum to root for OSU so we can have a shot at the Big 12 or SEC and shut them up once and for all?

Ted Miller

  (3:16 PM)

Not crazy in the least... My guess it that USC is rooting for Oregon State, too. Why? The Trojans have gone to the Rose Bowl four of the past five seasons. They'd love another BCS venue -- and an opponent from the SEC or Big 12. Also: Oregon State in the Rose and USC at-large means another $4.5 million for the Pac-10.

Tom(Harrisburg,PA)

If there is an Oregon State PSU Rosebowl why should I believe it would end any differently than the last time they played?

Ted Miller

  (3:20 PM)

Yes... Not saying the Beavers would win, but it would be a much better game. I know how hard that is for folks at PSU to believe -- hey, I watched the game, too. It looked like a physical mismatch. But just know that OSU has started 2-3 three consecutive seasons and had at least one blowout defeat... for some reason, the Beavers just transform after a slow start... one coach told me they run complicated schemes that take some time to break in, but I don't know if that's it. I'll say this: I'd predict an entertaining game in the rematch.

Brian (Baltimore, MD)

Has USC lost its aura of being an unbeatable juggernaut? I think so.

Ted Miller

  (3:23 PM)

Maybe.... at least in the Pac-10. But go back and see how many losses they have to non-Pac-10 foes since 2002. USC loses when it isn't up for a "big game". But in bowl games and big games -- Auburn, Ohio State, etc. -- it thrives.

Jason (happy valley, PA)

Would you agree that the OSU-PSU rematch is a no-win for PSU? If they win, so what, they already beat them. If they lose, then they are a typical AWFUL big10 team. Where is against a USC they actually could try to prove something.

Ted Miller

  (3:24 PM)

Absolutely... I feel for PSU having to go through a rematch, if it happens. If I were a Penn State fan, I'd be rooting against Oregon State.

Mike, CA

Is Tommy Tuberville out of a job?

Ted Miller

  (3:26 PM)

It seems increasingly possible, which I think makes this the moment that Auburn fans, 10 years hence, will point at as when the program blew it and yielded the lead to Alabama. AUBURN, HE'S BEATEN ALABAMA SIX TIMES IN A ROW. WAKE THE FREAK UP!

Kenny (Greenville, SC)

Hey who do you think would win between Florida and Texas Tech in the National Championship game if they played?

Ted Miller

  (3:27 PM)

Florida.

Mike(Philadelphia)

I have to say I don't quite agree with your article about Rob Gronkowski from Arizona. Normally those finalists are announced the week after the votes are due. This would mean that last week, when Gronkowski's numbers were 22 catches, 357 yards, 7 TDs, he was not voted a finalist. I realize that he missed those three games, but those numbers, other than TDs, don't really scream greatness at me. Gotta look at more than TD totals, dont you think?

Ted Miller

  (3:29 PM)

Hmm... so TDs aren't an important stat? Well, then consider this: If any coach were starting a team and picking a tight end, Gronkowski would be picked before at least -- AT LEAST -- half those guys. Just wait and see where he goes in the 2010 NFL draft.

Jeff, provo

Who do you think will win; Utah or BYU? Also, how big of a mistake is it that it wont be on national TV?

Ted Miller

  (3:31 PM)

Early in the season I'd have been all over BYU... now I'm a Utah lean. As for TV... yeah, it does stink.

David (CA)

Does the newly-rich Harbaugh win his 2nd straight Big Game...and how long does he remain at Stanford?

Ted Miller

  (3:35 PM)

I picked the Bears... but this one feels like a toss-up. Love the way Stanford just runs right at opponents... smart guys who kick butt! As for Harbaugh: I don't know. A lot of us media folks latched onto the idea the guy can really coach fairly quickly, which suggests he's clicking on the national radar... I just wonder if he wants to stay in college or go to the NFL. Or maybe he wants to stay in the Bay Area. If you've got the dough, it's an incredible place to be.

Pat, PA

Do you think the NCAA will step in anytime soon to enact a playoff?

Ted Miller

  (3:35 PM)

no.

Tom - Cincinnati, OH

Ted: Who do you like in the Pitt/Cincy game and will the winner of the Big East once again surprise everyone with another BCS win?

Ted Miller

  (3:38 PM)

Cincy at home... and, yes, depending on the matchup...

Ted, OH

Do you think that Michigan St. could save the Big 10 by winning the conference this year and beating an over-rated Oregon St. team?

Ted Miller

  (3:39 PM)

No... because that "overrated" Oregon State team whipped Cal, which didn't have much trouble with Michigan State.

Miller (Iowa)

Do you have an opinion on Iowa's Shonn Greene?

Ted Miller

  (3:40 PM)

Yes...dude's a bad-axe.

Pete Carroll (Los Angeles, CA)

Hypothetically, if Georgia would have faced USC in the 2008 Rose Bowl. Do you think the AP would have voted the winner of that match-up as their national champion and split the national title with LSU?

Ted Miller

  (3:41 PM)

Yes. Last year was so loony, it would have seemed completely fair...and I'm not sure the more sane LSU fans would have objected too strenuously...

Darren, IA

What has to happen for the Big10 to regain some of its credibility?

Ted Miller

  (3:43 PM)

Win the rose bowl and win the Cap 1 and outback bowls vs. SEC foes....sounds like a good start.

Alex

You don't believe the SEC is the most deep out of all the conferences? Last year they had the most teams go to a bowl with 9 and still managed to get the highest win percentage.

Ted Miller

  (3:44 PM)

right... and list the marquee nonconference wins from the bottom five....

Jarom

Ted, what type of offense is your fave?

Ted Miller

  (3:47 PM)

One that scores like a bejillion points... So I like Oregon's spread with Dennis Dixon and Jonathan Stewart... or USC with Reggie Bush and LenDale and Leinart.... or Florida, with Tebow and all those fast dudes... I like the spread-option in general.

Illy

Who wins? Florida Gators vs Ditka?

Ted Miller

  (3:48 PM)

Gators... but it's close.

Fate (Destiny, USA)

How would you have reacted if someone would have told you back in August that Texas Tech will face Alabama in the 2009 BCS National Championship Game? Would you have been on the floor laughing and clenching onto your belly for dear life?

Ted Miller

  (3:51 PM)

Not as much as you'd think... college football is nutty.. lots of folks saw TT as a darkhorse because of the schedule and the talent coming back (didn't know at the time the Big 12 would be so good, either). Alabama is a year ahead but the Tide is still the Tide. Keep in mind, though, both have some work ahead...

Mike (Columbus, OH)

How would winning the Capital One and Outback Bowls help the Big Ten? We've done that over the years (13-13 vs. SEC) and noone seems to notice b/c all we hear is how great the SEC is and how bad we are

Ted Miller

  (3:52 PM)

fair enough... when did you last win all three bowls I listed?

Cosmo (Anytown, USA)

I'm a Penn State fan/alum. I'm not sure I want to be rooting to play USC. What's the line - be careful what you wish for?

Ted Miller

  (3:55 PM)

I hear you... but it would be an opportunity game for Penn State to win validation. As an underdog, the Nittany Lions wouldn't have that much to lose and a lot to gain.... And, to be honest, I think it would be a pretty good game, particularly if USC's offense continues to futz around.

Bud, MS

Will the SEC gain more credibility if it goes outside the south for an out of conference matchup?

Ted Miller

  (3:58 PM)

Yes.... not that SEC folks believe that's necessary. I give special credit to teams -- any team -- that seeks out tough competition. Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee and Florida deserve credit this season..... I think the nation would LOVE to see a home-and-home with LSU and USC. That would be fun, fun, fun.

Curious (USA)

How in the heck did a Richmond/Georgia man land a Alabama hottie?

Ted Miller

  (3:59 PM)

skill? luck? bribes?

Mo (NYC)

I'll concede that the Big 12 might actually be the deepest conference in football this year, but is there any conference more bruising (in any season) than the SEC. I'm excited to see what happens when a vaunted Big 12 O squares off against either Bama's or Florida's D. As much as I hate to admit it (huge Bama fan), Florida looks as close to unbeatable as it gets right now.

Ted Miller

  (4:02 PM)

Let me say this again, so there is no misunderstanding: The SEC, year-in, and year-out, is the best conference. Sometimes it's deep. Sometimes it's top-heavy. Sometimes it's overrated. The margin, however, between the SEC and the other conferences is not nearly as large as the popular perception. It's a margin, but not a dominant one.

Richard, CA

Are you kidding me!? Alabama went OOC with Tulane, Western Kentucky, and Arkansas St!!! That is not grounds for props! What are you drinking or smoking!!!

Ted Miller

  (4:02 PM)

clemson... and at the time it seemed like a tough game... tigers were No. 9.

Ted Miller

  (4:03 PM)

Folks... it's been a good time... I appreciate you guys showing up...