Heather Dinich

  (12:00 PM)

Hey guys, I'm here and ready to go, let's get started.

Phil (VA)

Any chance we could see a MD vs. WV rivalry game in the meineke car care bwol?

Heather Dinich

  (12:00 PM)

That's what I was thinking last week, Phil, but the Terps might have fallen to Boise after their loss to BC.

Luke (St.Paul,MN)

when is usc gonna get some respect,ever since the loss they pounded eveyone

Heather Dinich

  (12:01 PM)

First of all, I think USC gets a ton of respect, but the bottom line is their schedule down the stretch didn't help them make up for the loss to Oregon State, a game they should have won.

Ross atlanta ga

is tech better than UGA

Heather Dinich

  (12:02 PM)

They were on Saturday.

victor monroe,la

whowins the rose bowl next month at the start of the new year penn state or usc?

Heather Dinich

  (12:02 PM)

I think USC is the better team and will prove it by about two touchdowns.

Matt (Philadelphia)

Heck of a job by Coach O'Brien down the strech. Can the Wolfpack contend for the division title in '09?

Heather Dinich

  (12:04 PM)

It depends on what happens at quarterback. O'Brien really likes Mike Glennon. Not sure if there will be a quarterback controversy there. But if it's this team, no doubt it can.

David (Athens, GA)

Heather, before you give your prediction on the Rose Bowl, why don't we wait on USC to beat UCLA, stranger things have happened

Heather Dinich

  (12:04 PM)

Fair point.

Jordan (Timmonsville, SC)

Now that the Tigers won't be "Home for the Holidays" as you predicted, what are you thoughts about the bowl scenario?

Heather Dinich

  (12:06 PM)

I think it's an absolute mess. The Raleigh News & Observer had a story about an NCAA rule that might keep NC State out of it because the rule states bowls have to take seven win teams before six-win teams. Check the blog later for the bowl predictions.

Mark (Des Moines)

it shouldnt come down to the BCS, it should of came to head to head match ups THEN BCS

Heather Dinich

  (12:07 PM)

Agreed. Here is an example where the BCS isn't the problem, the Big 12 tiebreaker is.

David (Athens, GA)

Heather, what is your take on the ACC CG? VA Tech seems like they always find a way to get it done in these games

Heather Dinich

  (12:08 PM)

They do, which is why in last week's prediction I had them going to the Orange Bowl. After watching BC live this week, though, they're going to have a tough time against that D, and Dominique Davis was more poised than I thought he would be.

Mike (NYC)

Please tell me my beloved Canes will be able to stop the run next season!! Also, which bowl if any do you see them going to?

Heather Dinich

  (12:09 PM)

Well, Randy Shannon is out recruiting players for 09 already, and I think they'll be better. I also think Bill Young is a good coach. As for bowls, Champs might be pushing it.

Frank (Tallahassee)

What is more likely - FSU playing Nebraska in the Gator Bowl or FSU playing Wisconsin in the Champs Sports Bowl?

Heather Dinich

  (12:09 PM)

The Chick-fil-A Bowl is interested in FSU too, you know.

Bigger flop than Clemson, Auburn

I never bought into the Clemson hype. When they played us (Tech) the two previous seasons, I saw an OK team that struggled against real talent. Auburn, I would say, is the biggest flop this season. Auburn was only ranked 1 (or 2 depending on which poll you look at) behind Clemson. Clemson is at least going to a Bowl. Auburn.... not so much.

Heather Dinich

  (12:10 PM)

Actually, you make a very decent argument there. However, Auburn still has its coach. At least for now.

No. Virginia

Dominque Davis looked poised against Maryland and that's giving you confidence? Maryland is the most self-confused team- I don't think you should judge any team off their performance against Maryland.

Heather Dinich

  (12:12 PM)

Considering that was his first start and he was playing for the Atlantic Division title? Yeah, that gives me confidence. I don't care who it was against.

john (cincinnati)

is there any chance johnson leaves g-tech to take a job at nd if it becomes available? he has done an outstanding job using overachieving players in his system.

Heather Dinich

  (12:13 PM)

I would be very surprised, and would also think Jeff Jagodzinski would be a better fit there. That is, if you're looking at any ACC coach as a candidate.

Matt (Philadelphia)

Any word on ticket sales for Saturday? I can't imagine there would be any more people than there were in Jacksonville last year.

Heather Dinich

  (12:15 PM)

I haven't looked into it yet, but I would also be surprised if it was much better, considering the matchup is the same one we saw last year.

Will J (Portland, OR)

Heather, what's your opinion on the Dabo Swinney hire at Clemson? Are you surprised they didn't do a more national search?

Heather Dinich

  (12:17 PM)

Well, he DID talk to Mike Leach and Gary Patterson, two very good candidates, but Terry Don Phillips obviously saw something in Swinney he liked. Only time will tell if it was the right call.

ray gordon reid jacksonville fla 32202

QUESTION TO HEATHER AT 12.15 PM HI HEATHER IS COACH GROH OUT CHARLOTTESVILLE

Heather Dinich

  (12:17 PM)

ANSWER TO RAY AT 12:17PM THEY DIDN'T EXTEND HIS CONTRACT, BUT IT WOULD COST ABOUT $6 MILLION TO FIRE HIM, SO NO, HE'S NOT OUT. YET.

Mike (Lancaster, PA)

The real question is, when is Penn State going to get respect. They pounded an Oregon State team that USC lost to. They are paying for Ohio State's performance in bowls.

Heather Dinich

  (12:18 PM)

No, they're paying for their loss to Iowa.

Nick (Florida)

I was in Doak Saturday and saw a lot of Gator fans! Florida played eight games in their home state and three away games against weak SEC teams (Vandy, Tenn, Ark)! And if they beat Bama, they will play the NC in their own back yard! How fair is that?

Heather Dinich

  (12:20 PM)

Ask Mississippi. They didn't seem to care.

George P. Burdell (Atlanta)

Do you think the ACC is as good as the SEC? I understand that there is no Florida or Alabama caliber team but the ACC is deeper (10 bowl eligible teams) and going 3-1 this weekend really proved a point. And this isn't like GT vs Miss. St. that people expected... this was the ACC #3 (by ranking) vs the SEC #3. Hard to argue with a win like that.

Heather Dinich

  (12:21 PM)

If you don't really exist, do your questions? :) I think the ACC is deeper and this year it was more competitive, and it made a statment this weekend. And don't forget at least ONE person expected GT to win. (Ahem).

Cosmo (Anytown, USA)

Just looking at the bowl projections, I saw that Ohio State is looking at either Texas or Oklahoma in the Fiesta. This doesn't seem like the best way for Ohio State (and the Big Ten) to get back some respect. There is no way OSU beats either of them, right?

Heather Dinich

  (12:23 PM)

Haha, well, anything is possible, but I do agree that both Texas and Oklahoma are superior teams to Ohio State, but the Buckeyes are a MUCH better team than they were the first half of the season.

Jalen (Kentucky)

I think its fair. Florida will win the NC.

Heather Dinich

  (12:24 PM)

They have to win the SEC first, no?

Jason (Lake Charles,LA)

What bowl will LSU end up playing and against who?

Heather Dinich

  (12:26 PM)

The Chick-fil-A game WAS looking at them, but now I'm not so sure.

Bill (Boston)

Who do you have in the ACCCG?

Heather Dinich

  (12:27 PM)

I think BC has the edge because they have the better defense, the better offensive line, and veteran receivers.

Michael (Tallahassee, FL)

What bowl do you see FSU landing in?

Heather Dinich

  (12:28 PM)

They've got a good chance at Gator and Chick-fil-A I think.

Eric (Atlanta, GA)

I can understand being bumped from Chick-fil-A because of our location, but is there really a chance Georgia Tech could be pushed all the way down to the Champs Sports Bowl?

Heather Dinich

  (12:30 PM)

"All the way down?" They DO have the third pick. The Gator could be a possibility.

Heather Dinich

  (12:31 PM)

Alright guys, there are a lot of bowl questions in here so I'm going to cut it short today to try and figure it out. Thanks and check back next week.