ESPN

Buzzmaster

  (2:19 PM)

Just kidding. I've been told Mark will be logging on in a couple of minutes and chatting for a bit before flying home.

Mark Schlabach

  (2:26 PM)

Sorry, I'm late folks. Trying to travel back to Atlanta from Bristol. I'm here for a few minutes, at least.

Matt (Houston Texas)

Mark, these BCS games are the worst ever. What are we going to do to fix this. The ACC champion is a joke. Mary School for the blind could've won a game in that confrence. The BCS games should be the best teams 1-8 playing. NO questions asked.

Mark Schlabach

  (2:28 PM)

I agree some things could be tweaked. I really like the matchups in the BCS title game, Rose and Fiesta Bowls. Sugar Bowl is somewhat intriguing, but Bama should roll. Orange Bowl, obviously, isn't very sexy, but it's two pretty good defenses.

Khoa Doan, Hue, Vietnam

Please tell me that Tim Tebow is the best college football player ever or at least in recent memory. What's your prediction on the national championship game? 80 over or under?

Mark Schlabach

  (2:28 PM)

I haven't seen many players better than him. He does as much for Florida as any other player I've seen. I'm still trying to figure out if my Heisman vote goes to Tebow, Bradford or McCoy.

Nick (FL)

Mark - I'd like your thoughts on this interesting statistic: If Florida ran the same amount of plays per game as Oklahoma they would score 58 points per game compared to OU's 54 points per game. Your thoughts?

Mark Schlabach

  (2:30 PM)

Saw Oklahoma's offense Saturday night and Florida's offense vs. LSU and Georgia. Both are very prolific. Florida has a little more big-play potential, I believe, while Oklahoma settles for longer drives and quicker passes. Great playmakers on both sides. Florida's Harvin, Rainey, Demps and Tebow. Oklahoma's Murray, Bradford, Iglesias, Gresham, etc. Should be a great game.

Cohutta, GA

This is certainly my last time I will be sending in anything to you Mark for you have never responded to any of my informative questions and I have transmitted many, even to your ESPN e-mail address Thank you ESPN, but I will not be watching your station any longer.

Mark Schlabach

  (2:30 PM)

Sorry you were ignored. Happy holidays.

Michael (Arizona)

so mark please explain how #10 Ohio state jumped several teams and was able to play texas in the fiesta bowl shouldn't texas play Alabama

Mark Schlabach

  (2:31 PM)

It's called a big name and big traveling party, which usually results in higher TV ratings.

Will Hayes (Chester, VA)

Is there a possibility of a split national championship this year?

Mark Schlabach

  (2:32 PM)

Doubt it, not after Texas fell to No. 3 in the AP poll. I think Oklahoma and Florida are the best teams right now. Not sure Oklahoma should have played for the Big 12 title instead of Texas, but Sooners are very, very hot.

ramon, ecuador

What do you think od Sherman`s first season in AandM?

Mark Schlabach

  (2:33 PM)

Obviously, a lot of work left to do in College Station. We'll see if he gets it done.

JohnW (Atlanta)

Where would you rank Texas' defense against SEC defenses?

Mark Schlabach

  (2:34 PM)

I was impressed when I saw them. Better than any other defense in the Big 12. Probably just below Bama and Florida.

Roger (Mobile, AL)

Mark, any word on if Auburn plans on contacting Mark Dantonio from Michigan State about the head coaching vacancy? Seems to me he's done a pretty good job up there. War Eagle!

Mark Schlabach

  (2:34 PM)

Haven't heard that. Only heard Turner Gill over the weekend.

John (Austin, TX)

Mark, how have Colt's chances for Heisman been hindered since he is not in the limelight like his other fellow competitors? Out state out of mind could lessen his chances... what are your opinions?

Mark Schlabach

  (2:35 PM)

I think it's going to be a very close race. Wondering if Bradford and McCoy and even Harrell split some regional votes, allowing Tebow to take it. Should be interesting to watch.

Larry (Las Vegas, NV)

Why does the SEC still get a "free pass" as best conference when it was obviously weaker this year? There were only 3 good teams and the rest were as good as the Pac-10/Big-10.

Mark Schlabach

  (2:36 PM)

Not that great of a year for the SEC, without question. But they could still get the national champion, which would be three years running. Georgia and LSU were disappointments, along with Tennessee and Auburn, obviously.

Ronnie (Austintown)

Hey who do you have in the bcs bowl games?

Mark Schlabach

  (2:36 PM)

USC over Penn State.Texas over Ohio State.Virginia Tech over Cincinnati.Bama over Utah.Saving the title game for next week...

Jesse (Colorado Springs)

Who does Florida have to simulate Sam Bradford? I know OU has Matt Clapp to simulate Tebow?

Mark Schlabach

  (2:37 PM)

John Brantley throws the ball well.

marshall Johnson City Tn

boy Alabama really laid it on the boys from old Florida, eh? couldnt help it. Tebow should be Heisman winner his play and leadership surpassed last year... Complete team player now and best general i have ever seen.

Mark Schlabach

  (2:38 PM)

I picked Bama. I was wrong. Great game. Certainly closer than the 11-point final margin. Tebow is best player in college football, in my opinion.

Clay (Oakland, CA)

Why do you think Stoops left Bradford in the game when it was out of hand? Was anything accomplished by running the score up against a very average Missouri team (which was only playing in the game because of the huge competitive divide separating the north and south divisions of the Big 12)?

Mark Schlabach

  (2:38 PM)

Because Stoops wanted to break the record for most points scored in a season and get 60 points or more in five straight games. Stoops wanted to show voters how good the Sooners really are. Make a point, pardon the pun.

David, Seattle

What do you think of Sarkesian being named as UW coach? Can he turn this team around?

Mark Schlabach

  (2:39 PM)

There's only one way to go and that's up. He'll open up Southern Cal again for recruiting and the offense should be better. No head coaching experience, but I think it's a good risk.

Jeff (Philadelphia)

Hey Mark, do you think Penn State USC is like a 2nd national championship? I mean, these teams are just as deserving to be in the title game as OU and Florida.

Mark Schlabach

  (2:39 PM)

No, Oklahoma and Florida are better. Nice third-place game, though.

J.B. (Dunmore, PA)

If Oklahoma gets thumped in the BCS title game, will they be lumped in with Ohio State (who is actually 4-2 in BCS games) as a BCS bust?

Mark Schlabach

  (2:40 PM)

Might be. Stoops has to rebuild his reputation as "Big Game Bob." A lot at stake in this game for his credibility.

Jesse (Los Angeles, CA)

Do you think Penn State has a chance in the Rose Bowl against USC?

Mark Schlabach

  (2:41 PM)

I think USC has the best defense in the country, but the Trojans have a long way to go on offense. Penn State will struggle to score points. They'll put up a better fight than Illinois did last year.

Brian (Peachtree City, GA)

Mark, what is the best conference in college football this year?

Mark Schlabach

  (2:41 PM)

I thought the Big 12 was deeper and had more really good teams at the top. Outside of Florida and Bama, there wasn't a great team in the SEC.

Nathan Reed (Columbus, OH)

There's been a lot of Alabama-Texas talk but no Texas-USC talk. That rematch would be exciting

Mark Schlabach

  (2:42 PM)

Would have been a great game and rematch of the Vince Young game.

Mark Schlabach

  (2:43 PM)

Folks, sorry, but I have to board an airplane. I'll be back again next week. Sorry for the short chat this week. Have a good week.