Will J (Portland, OR)

Where's Ivan?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:15 PM)

Here I am, late again. Sorry about that. Here we go.

Andrew (Oxford, MS)

Everyone keeps bashing Florida for losing to Ole Miss. Thats not only not fair to the gators, but Ole Miss as well. The Rebels are a good and talented team! They almost beat Bama too!

Ivan Maisel

  (2:16 PM)

It began as bashing them for losing to Ole Miss. I think now it's bashing them for losing. If you want to call it bashing. They are No. 4 in the BCS. Most schools would love to be bashed that way.

Rich ( New York)

So Weis is staying...for at least one more year. Good move by ND?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:18 PM)

Yes. I think Notre Dame could use some stability. Schools hit the restart button like they're on a computer. Those are the ones that keep crashing, and yes, I won't torture that metaphor any longer.

Huntsville Alabama

Is Tuberville gone from Auburn?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:18 PM)

Nothing official. Lot of chatter.

Andrew (Ithaca, NY)

I have no ties to Texas Tech and Mike Leach has earned the Washington gig if offered but for some reason the thought of him leaving Lubbock is very sad to me. Why is this so?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:19 PM)

If you're a Red Raider, I would understand. But since you're in Ithaca, I'm guessing you're not, in which case you're probably sad to see a Cinderella story come to an end. Leach has done a great job in Lubbock. If he decides to leave -- a big if -- the next guy is in for a tough time. The standard is high.

Charlie Crist (Tallahassee, FL)

I heard that Miami and Florida use to be a fierce rivalry and that it was biggest rivalry in the state of Florida. Miami fans blame Florida for being cowardice. Florida wanted more home games. What is the true reason? Who is to blame for ending this fierce rivalry?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:21 PM)

The rivalry ended, if memory serves me, when the SEC went to an eight-game conference schedule. Florida plays one game in Jacksonville every year. Those were the business reasons. That they did it when Miami was at the peak of its power raised a lot of eyebrows. That said, Florida does play Florida State every year.

Jason (Dallas, TX)

Ivan, What are your thoughts of the AP giving Texas a share of the National Championship?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:22 PM)

If that's how the voters go, I would have no problem. We've had 11 split national championships, and the sun still rose in the east the next day.

Josh (Moline, IL)

Does the SEC title game loser still get in a BCS bowl game?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:23 PM)

Almost certainly the loser will go to the Sugar Bowl.

Swamy (Kansas City, MO)

I hear most of the experts not giving any chance for Alabama to win the game on Saturday. I think with Saban as the coach, and their running game and defense, they have as much a chance to win the game as Florida does. What's your opinion on this?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:24 PM)

I agree.

Pat-FL

how well do you think Tebow will translate to the NFL? I'm thinking mediocre at best. And that's coming from a huge Florida fan.

Ivan Maisel

  (2:24 PM)

Kiper says he'll be a very good H-back, and obviously defenses would have to respect him on halfback passes.

Allen, camp taji Iraq

Who do you think should go first in the draft.

Ivan Maisel

  (2:26 PM)

I don't normally answer NFL questions, but I will make exceptions for the troops. Hope life is treating you decently over there. I'd guess Alabama left tackle Andre Smith off the top of my head.

Darril (Dover, NH)

Cincinnati at Hawaii (The Hawaiian BCS Redemption Bowl) - do you think Orange Bowl officials wish the Bearcats didn't have to play this game?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:26 PM)

I heard that Brian Kelly said he wishes he hadn't scheduled it, so it's safe to say the answer is yes.

Stephen(Atlanta)

The Coaches Poll has to vote for the BCS winner? So Mack Brown will have to vote OU number#1 if they win?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:27 PM)

Good point. Very good point.

Mike (Houston)

You have been against a playoff because it would downgrade the regular season. Seeing that the OU - Texas game didn't matter this year, what are you arguments now against a playoff?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:29 PM)

Humans picked Texas. The computers picked OU. I think the BCS should pick the teams the way that the NCAA picks the March Madness field. Put nine athletic directors/commissioners in a room and let them deliberate. The commissioners discussed it and decided they don't want the responsibility. That will make you scratch your head for a while.

sooner(norman, OK)

If Big12 uses SEC tiebreaker rule, Texa still could not go to Big12 champ, right? Because TT is only 4 places behind Texas and TT beat Tx.

Ivan Maisel

  (2:30 PM)

Wrong. The SEC tiebreaker says that in the case of a three-way tie, if the second-place team is within five places, then it reverts to head-to-head. The SEC also leaves the third team by the side of the road.

Mike (Alpharetta, GA)

Hey Ivan I've got two Varsity chili-dogs at our tailgate this weekend with your name on them if you answer my question! Who is your X-Factor going into this weekend's SEC Championship?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:31 PM)

I don't know but keep your Sharpie off my Varsity chili dogs.

Rob (York, PA)

Hey Ivan, explain to me why the coaches have to vote for the BCS winner. I know JoePa bowed out from voting because of Auburn being left out of the NCG a few years back. It's seems awfully strange to me for coaches to be forced to vote for a specific team.

Ivan Maisel

  (2:32 PM)

The American Football Coaches Association signed a deal with whoever sponsors the crystal football. That's how I remember it happening.

Hawkeye (Iowa)

Do you think Shonn Greene will be headed to the NFL after this season?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:32 PM)

Yes I do.

Nate (south bend)

Is there any word on whether or not Notre Dame conctacted Urban Meyer about replacing Charlie before they decided to keep him?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:33 PM)

Nate, you will be the head coach at Notre Dame before Meyer is. To answer your question, I don't know.

Eric (Venice, CA)

Hey Ivan, Why should any USC fan have faith in the BCS system? Florida and your Alabama's (alum) best wins are vs a not so good #19 Georgia and OU gets picked over a Texas team that beat them on the field this year. Besides the fact that the Big 12 has not one team in the top 50 on defense. USC has maybe the best defense ever (Only 3 passing TD's against all season and # 1 vs the run. Has this ever happened before?) and lost one game in Sept. on the road by 6 vs a ranked team. Does USC have to be the only team to go undefeated to make the BCS NC game? Please give me some hope that there is a reason to care about the now again MYTHICAL National Championship game? Thanks.

Ivan Maisel

  (2:35 PM)

Eric, you have a long question and a short memory. Here goes: first of all, and most important, I am not an Alabama alum. I went to Stanford. Second, USC lost to Oregon State and plays in a weaker conference than the other contenders. Third, two years ago, USC was all set to go to the BCS with one loss but got upset by UCLA.

td, OKC

Ivan, why does everyone think Texas got a raw deal? OU beat 4 teams currently in the BCS top 14 by a combined score of 213-98. This included a 20 point ROAD win. Texas had no BIG road wins. With a 3 way tie, you can't look at head to head, you have to look at the whole body of work. The UNBIASED computers put OU in the Big 12 CG, because the UNBIASED computers said OU had the best year, which they did.

Ivan Maisel

  (2:37 PM)

If I was Oklahoma, I would have a lot of arguments to support my case. Keep in mind that the Sooners also beat TCU and Cincinnati, one a 10-win team and the other a BCS team.

Dan (Buckeye, AZ)

Ivan, Will the Buckeyes be in a BCS game or will Boise St get the nod?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:38 PM)

I assume that the Fiesta Bowl will ask Ohio State. But I haven't asked anyone out there. The allure of Texas-Ohio State, when you're trying to secure TV ratings and sell hotel rooms, is tough to turn down.

Clay (Oakland, CA)

Do you think the Big 12 championship game will be as lopsided as most believe?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:39 PM)

Yes. The Missouri defense is in no shape to stop Oklahoma.

Mike (Houston, TX)

Ivan, Do you think Rich Rod will bring UM to a higher level than the Bo-Carr Era? I think Rich Rod will be similar to the Nebraska situation and that UM will need to hire someone who is a 'Michigan Man.'

Ivan Maisel

  (2:42 PM)

I think Rodriguez will win in Ann Arbor just as he has won at every school he has coached or coordinated. One thing that isn't helping him is the change in culture there. Rich has the least ceremony about him of any head coach I've ever dealt with. The thing is, though, that Michigan fans liked it when their players wore coats and ties on the road. The Wolverines didn't this season. Does that have anything to do with winning? No, but the fans don't like change.

Dave, Washington

Ivan, BCS won't get my TV rating for Cincy game and for an Ohio State game, I'm turning it off. Would you watch it as a fan or do you just watch do to your job?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:43 PM)

I would watch as a fan and to do my job. That's the great part of my job. I watch football games.

Billy (Fort Worth)

How can you use a strength of schedule for the whole season to determine a conference representative? Oklahoma's wins over TCU and Cincinnati should not figure into the equation. Texas had a tougher conference schedule because they played Mizzu and therefore should be inthe Championship game. Your thoughts on this.

Ivan Maisel

  (2:43 PM)

You're suggesting to use strength of schedule only for conference games? That's one way to keep Notre Dame out of the BCS.

Matt (Cincinnati)

Ivan, are you hearing anything about the potential Ball State vs. Boise State game in Boise? I know that a decision is expected today by Ball State. Does ESPN have their ear to the ground on this one?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:45 PM)

How great would that be? I assume our TV people are involved. I am not.

Matt (Cleveland, OH)

Don't you think Texas Tech is going to get the raw end of the deal if Oklahoma wins on Saturday. Obviuosly Oklahoma won the tie breaker in the Big 12 because of the three way tie and that would eliminate them from other BCS games putting them in the championship game. With that being said, Texas Tech should be in a BCS game because they beat Texas right?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:46 PM)

What's good for OU is good for Texas. Texas would get the BCS bid based on its body of work. Texas Tech deserves a bid, too, but the commissioners will never allow one conference to have three BCS bids. Spread the wealth, as Joe the Plumber hates to hear.

Brandon (Kearney, NE)

Ivan, what are your thoughts on Bo Pelini's first year at Nebraska? Do you think he can win a national title in 4 years?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:47 PM)

I thought he did a fine job as a first-year head coach, that he'll improve, and that he needs to recruit.

Trent (SLC, UT)

Which is a more intriguing game - Boise vs. TCU in San Diego or Boise vs. Ball State in Boise?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:48 PM)

I'd take Boise State-Ball State. If you can match two unbeatens, I'm in.

Ben (TN, Nashville)

What is the best match-up in the upcoming SEC championship game? Will Florida be able to run the ball against Alabama or will they become one-dimensional?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:50 PM)

I'm like everybody else. How good is Percy Harvin's ankle? We're all waiting to find out.

Derrick (Shippensburg,PA)

Ivan how do you feel about USC always playing the rose bowl in their back yard, as a PSU fan and a Big10 follower is this fair?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:51 PM)

It's not fair, but amazing as this sounds, there aren't a lot of people who want to move the Rose Bowl to Philly on Jan. 1.

Robert (Kilmichael, MS)

Ivan, who do you think Mississippi State will hire as head coach? Thanks.

Ivan Maisel

  (2:53 PM)

I have no info on their search. One name that keeps popping that's interesting is Tommy Bowden. His father said last Sunday that Tommy doesn't have to coach to be happy, so I don't know if the charms of Starkville would lure him or not.

Curious (Pa0

Ivan, had Penn St beaten Iowa and finished undefeated, what bowl would they have played in? Do they get snubbed by a 1 loss team in power?? conf.

Ivan Maisel

  (2:53 PM)

I think Penn State would have been in the championship game.

jason nebraska

does nebraska play fsu in the gator bowl

Ivan Maisel

  (2:54 PM)

Clemson is going to the Gator Bowl, Georgia Tech to the Chick-Fil-A and Florida State to the Champs. At least that's what I heard this morning.

Matt (Philadelphia)

Philadelphia is lovely this time of year.

Craig (PA)

Ivan, i'm guessing you were not a geography major (or can even read a map), Philly is nowhere near State College, PA.

Ivan Maisel

  (2:55 PM)

Well, I've driven to State College from Connecticut three times this year. I now have my own favorite Wawa.

Chris (Phoenix)

-BYU and Utah join the Pac-10 -Two divisions (north/south): North: Washington/Oregon/Utah schools South: California/Arizona schools - Championship game so SEC/Big12 can stop whining - Makes conference better top to bottom Your thoughts?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:57 PM)

Won't happen. The presidents in the conference, if you could pin them down, don't believe that BYU and Utah measure up academically to their schools. That's why in the mid-1990s that the Pac-10 went after Texas and Colorado.

Ryan (Los Angeles)

Ivan, any thoughts on the official hire of Dabo at Clemson- good move or risky?

Ivan Maisel

  (2:58 PM)

I like Dabo and I admire Terry Don Phillips for giving him a shot. Of course it's risky, especially with a Fulmer and -- maybe -- a Tuberville out there.

Chad (now in LA)

I have a favorite Wawa, exit 179(I think) on route 80 in PA

Ivan Maisel

  (2:59 PM)

I like the one at 284 (or so), about a mile off of I-80. Turn the corner, and go a mile down the road, and you can buy a case of Yuengling, which isn't sold in Connecticut. Sweet.

Ivan Maisel

  (3:00 PM)

O.K., everyone, I have to make room for Beano (I think). Be sure and listen to today's podcast. Thanks.