Ted Miller

  (3:01 PM)

You rang? Fire away.

Bret (Washington DC)

Ted, I know the year isn't quite over but how do you see the Pac-10 pecking order going into next year, specifically Cal? We will have all of our wide-outs, Best, and Riley returning, as well as some key defensive starters.

Ted Miller

  (3:02 PM)

First, I see USC No. 1 and Washington and Washington State at 9 & 10 (I know: duh!) Cal? Guessing the Bears, Ducks and Beavers will be fighting for the No. 2 slot.

Mike (Tucson, AZ)

If Arizona loses to an Arizona State team that has no offense and therefore loses their third game in a row since becoming bowl eligible, is Head Coach Mike Stoops back on the hot seat heading into the Wildcats bowl game?

Ted Miller

  (3:04 PM)

Don't think the 'Cats will lose. But if they did and then lost their bowl game to finish with another losing record, I'd guess it would be pretty hot around Tucson. Still, my money is on Stoops coming back in 2009.

Will J (Portland, OR)

Ted, who do you think is the best fit for Washington? Also do you see them going after Tuberville?

Ted Miller

  (3:06 PM)

I'm intrigued by Leach, though I've previously touted Petersen and Whittingham. As for Tuberville -- I'm a big fan (covered him for half a year before I bolted to Seattle). But coaches are -- typically -- regional, and Tubs is a southern guy. So, no, I don't think he'd be a serious candidate. And, with nearly $6 million coming his way, he might want to chill for a year and get the lay of the land.

Brett The Threat (Reno, NV)

Mr. Miller, we are almost certain that Oregon will receive an invitation to the Pacific Life Holiday Bowl, as long as USC does not lay down on the field and give the game to UCLA. If the invitation is given, how do you see Oregon doing against a team like Missouri or Oklahoma State? (Most projections either have the Tigers or the Cowboys.)

Ted Miller

  (3:08 PM)

Here's my genius analysis: Lots of points. I like the Ducks chances vs. either team. Got a hunch the Pac-10 is going to have a solid bowl season and rebuff some of the conference's naysayers.

Andrew (Berkeley, CA)

Ted, do you think Cal is going to stick with a 3-4 defense next year after 3 linebackers leave?

Ted Miller

  (3:09 PM)

That Andrew is a great question... one I don't have an answer to... but, gosh, I need to ask Tedford that...

sweatervested1(Mobile, Al)

Good day to you sir! How do like my Tide's chances this weekend?

Ted Miller

  (3:11 PM)

You know Mr. Sweatervested, when everyone starts saying one thing... it makes sense to say the other.... folks seem to be counting the Tide out in this one... hmmm... I'm a Florida lean but every time I read how fancy Florida is, I lean less...

Frodo (Hobbit, CA)

Who gets the rings when a team wins a championship? Do just the players and coaches on the roster get rings? Or any one involved in the football program in some capacity like an athletic director, university president, really generous booster (Phil Knight, T. Boone Pickens, etc.), staff, redshirt players, etc.?

Ted Miller

  (3:14 PM)

Frodo, you need to ask Sauron... My guess is teams decide how they hand out rings, and if a Big Money Booster wants one, I'd bet he'd get it...

Brent (Bellevue WA)

Just heard Leach is out of running for UW job....any new news you can report on?

Ted Miller

  (3:15 PM)

Nope.... looks like plan B.

jeremy va 45-35

think mizzou has a shot to beat ou and send my horns to the championship game?

Ted Miller

  (3:15 PM)

A shot yes.... but I wouldn't get your hopes up.

Lilia (Austin, TX)

In the unlikely event that UCLA beats USC this weekend, who wins the PAC-10? Would there be a three way tie between USC, OSU, and OU a la the Big 12 South? Also, what would the BCS bowls look like then?

Ted Miller

  (3:17 PM)

Oregon State goes to Rose, USC to Holiday...no other changes, other than lots of folks going, "How the heck did the Bruins beat the Trojans?"

Kurt (Long Beach, CA)

How long does it take to recover from bad recruiting years (Mackovic era)? Will it be similar in basketball (post Olson era)?

Ted Miller

  (3:20 PM)

Hoops is much easier to turn around. Could happen in one or two years with a couple of marquee recruits. In football, you have to recruit AND develop. To go from abysmal to mediocre takes two years, but to make a bigger jump can take four or five.

Harold, TX

Please answer.... As a USC fan, living in Texas, can you please enlighten me on how Texas can get into the NC game without winning its conference! I thought you had to win your conference to be eligible to play in the Big Game.

Ted Miller

  (3:21 PM)

That was tossed around but never incorporated into the BCS standings... the standings just rank the teams... and whoever ends up 1 & 2 goes to the championship...

Matt (Sisters)

You took my WSU football/basketball stat and gave me no credit!

Ted Miller

  (3:23 PM)

Didn't see where you posted them, but your persistence merits a salute... so here you go... credit.

Mike (Beverly, Ma 39-33)

When will Texas fans stop crying? Is this OU offense the most prolific in the history of football? This will be the only team in the modern era to score 700 points. Bradford averages a TD every 8 passes... That's just silly.

Ted Miller

  (3:24 PM)

Now Mike, here's a guess that if the shoe were on the other foot... it's just an impossible situation where everyone has a legit point but we have to make an imperfect distinction because we use an imperfect system.

Floyd (Missoula)

Who's the better QB, Jake Locker or Tim Tebow?

Ted Miller

  (3:25 PM)

ha ha...

Oscar (L.A)

I look and compare USC's shedule this year to Florida's, and I fail to see how Florida is considered to be better this year. Besided beating an overated Georgia and LSU, can they be ranked higher than SC?

Ted Miller

  (3:29 PM)

Fair point... but beating Bama would also be a clear separation game that USC wouldn't match. Look... I think USC is the best team in the nation. Lots of folks do. But I also think, in our imperfect system, matching the No. 1s from the SEC and Big 12 is justifiable.. and, honestly, inevitable. If USC had just manhandled a top-10 Notre Dame team, things would feel different. But that final stretch of Stanford, ND and UCLA doesn't offer an opportunity to notch any style points.

Ryan (Las Vegas, NV)

Ted, are you going to any games this weekend??

Ted Miller

  (3:30 PM)

No... staying home with a very, very pregnant wife... screaming thing on the way!

Lars (Portland, OR)

Do you like the succession plan at Oregon? And do you think Kelly brings in his own DC?

Ted Miller

  (3:31 PM)

It was sort of strange but I do... though you wonder if Kelly still gets to run the offense. And, yes, my guess is he gets to hire his own DC.

Charlie (Montgomery, AL)

Auburn's AD says money is not a problem. Can MONEY walk when it comes to Muschamp, Petersen, Johnson ETC. ?

Ted Miller

  (3:34 PM)

Auburn's AD just made a HUGE mistake. Write down his name (and the bully boosters who run the program). Put the paper away for five years. When you pull it out in 2013, you will have the answer to: "Who ruined Auburn football."

Yatin (LA)

Cal's opening-day starting QB in 2009 is...

Ted Miller

  (3:34 PM)

riley

Laura (San Antonio, TX)

Who do you think should win the Heisman and why? Who do you think will win the Heisman and why?

Ted Miller

  (3:35 PM)

Bradford or Tebow... winner decided this weekend.

Robert (Denver, CO)

What are the chances of Auburn luring away Petrino from Arkansas?

Ted Miller

  (3:35 PM)

zero

Kumar (Trenton, NJ)

If a Bulldog and a Crimson Tide breed in Sun Devil territory, what does it produce? A Trojan?

Ted Miller

  (3:35 PM)

nice... that one may stick with me.

Kyle (Jacksonville, FL.)

What bowl game would you say would the Oklahoma Stat Cowboys go to? and do they have a shot at the Gator Bowl?

Ted Miller

  (3:36 PM)

holiday vs. Oregon... is the Gator Bowl a possibility?

Paul (Fort Worth)

Where did Schad get his info?? Do you think that Gary Patterson has really "expressed interest" in the Auburn job (where you get canned with an 85% winning percentage), or is it the same ole same ole for the 4th time for us Frog Fans?

Ted Miller

  (3:37 PM)

I'd tell him to run away from AU... got a great thing going at TCU.

John: Birmingham, AL

Ted, Do you think that Lane Kiffin is going to bring tennessee into the top ten within the next few seasons, or will he be letdown for the Vols fans?

Ted Miller

  (3:40 PM)

Tough one... here's a huge plus: Great staff. Guessing that was one of his selling points. But that's a heck of a place to become a head college coach for the first time.

Jason (Los Angeles)

Ted, please tell me you think that the Trojans dynasty could return next year and start a string of playing in and winning a couple national championships?

Ted Miller

  (3:41 PM)

Trojan dynasty hasn't gone anywhere... look who they have back on offense next year -- hint: Everyone.

Omar (Charlotte)

How is it that not a single player on the first team All-America is not from the #2 team in the country? Bradford? Greshem? Gerald McCoy? Nic Harris? Duke Robinson?

Ted Miller

  (3:42 PM)

Or how about only one player from the USC defense?

Matthew (Los Angeles)

They lose Patrick Turner next year.

Ted Miller

  (3:43 PM)

true... and perhaps byers, but I was trying to be dramatic.

Greg (Honolulu)

Ted,the Billingsley computer has Ohio State ranked above Penn State, and Texas Tech ranked above the other one loss teams. If these computers are able create such distorted rankings, why are they given such power in the BCS polls?

Ted Miller

  (3:44 PM)

Because the BCS is annoying and things like that fit right in.

James(Michigan)

Ted, Since this did not seem to be Georgia's year this year, do you think it will be next year if Stafford and Moreno stay?

Ted Miller

  (3:45 PM)

You think they're staying? Obviously, if they did that would be huge, but I doubt either will.

Colin, St. Petersburg

Is there any chance of Notre Dame winning a bowl game this year?

Ted Miller

  (3:46 PM)

no

Chubbs Gainesville, FL

If Florida wins against alabama on Saturday are they a lock for the BCS NC game becuase the computers dont like them too much

Ted Miller

  (3:46 PM)

sec champ is in. period. promise.

Jack Nicholson (LA)

Ted, let's be honest: USC is the best team in the country, am I right?

Ted Miller

  (3:47 PM)

Can't know without a playoff... but no person who is smart with his money would bet against the Trojans straight-up against any other team...they'd ask for points and Vegas would give them points.

Tommy (Los Angeles, CA)

Any chance of USC getting into the BCS National Championship Game or at least get a share of the national title if all the BIG 12 SOUTH teams lose in their bowl games and USC blows out Penn State? USC beats Penn State who beat Ohio State who beats Texas who beat Oklahoma. Hence, USC's opponent is better than Alabama/Florida's opponent in the BCS National Championship Game. Split the national title!!!

Ted Miller

  (3:49 PM)

My guess is a big USC win in the Rose would earn the Trojans some votes but no split title...

Mike, NYC

Ted, pls be original and be the first ESPN guy to answer one of my questions on any ESPN blog--now with Kiffin at TN, is it likely that SC could schedule a home and home with them to get some more potential style points? By the time TN is good again, SC might actually have an opening on its schedule.

Ted Miller

  (3:50 PM)

Maybe... If I were Kiffin I'd run from the idea. But it would be a great matchup for the fans.

Luke (Portland)

I blame the Beavers not making it to the Rose Bowl on Bob DeCarolis and the Pac-10 for moving the OSU @ Stanford game to the season opener. I think if that game is played after the Hawaii game, during the Beavers regular Pac-10 slate, there is no question the Beavs win and we're smelling roses. Your thoughts?

Ted Miller

  (3:51 PM)

I'm just glad you don't blame me. What you say is reasonable. Not sure I can help you change that, though.

Steve (Bangor, PA)

Who's on the short list to replace Tuberville? Do you really believe this is the end of AU football?

Ted Miller

  (3:55 PM)

I'm just... really mad about it. So many good folks at Auburn, and this is just a STUPID, STUPID decision, one that was made by arrogant men who spend way too much time gazing at their own reflections. Ask yourself this: When will AU win six in a row against the Tide again?

Marlin, Fort Oglethorpe Georgia

Why do the sports pundits allow the flashy undersized gator team lull them into a football wonderland just to be rudly awaken by a tremendous smash in the mouth?

Ted Miller

  (3:55 PM)

Got no response to this but it made me smile.

Ron (OKC, OK)

Is Oklahoma in if they beat Missouri or is that in question

Ted Miller

  (3:56 PM)

SEC champ vs. Big 12 champ. Period.

Tex, Austin, Texas

Any chance my horns could have a split National Title with OU?

Ted Miller

  (3:59 PM)

That could have happened if Oregon State beat Oregon and played in the Rose Bowl and the Fiesta matched USC and Texas... now I don't think so...but my guess is if the Horns and Trojans each win a BCS bowl game, they'll get votes (unless undefeated Alabama wins it all).

Adrian (L.A.)

"SEC champ vs. Big 12 champ. Period. "...Even if Missouri wins...?

Ted Miller

  (4:00 PM)

typed too fast... I made an assumption that you caught... SEC champ vs. Oklahoma or Texas....

mark (statesboro)

Who is your coach of the year?

Ted Miller

  (4:01 PM)

talk to me when the season is over...

Tommy (Birmingham, AL)

We hear all of this talk about USC this and USC that, but do you not agree that this talk would be a lot less biased if the PAC 10 had a Championship game like the SEC, Big 12, and ACC?? Then they would have every right in the world to scream about high and mighty their program is, until they have a league championship game what is the point in offering them up above other leagues that have to play in a championship game?Do you see this changing anytime soon?

Ted Miller

  (4:04 PM)

Pac-10 fans would counter that there's no need because of round-robin schedules -- the Pac-10 is the only conference that used the 12th game to schedule every conference team vs. each other. So the final standings don't require a championship game. Only way it changes is expansion, and that's not happening anytime soon.

Ted Miller

  (4:04 PM)

Thanks gang... enjoy what should be a great final weekend before bowl season.