Tim Griffin

  (3:02 PM)

Good afternoon everybody. I'm ready to answer some questions. Please feel free to fire away.

Ben (Gainesville, FL)

Any concern over the fact that Sam Bradford has never orchestrated a 4th quarter comeback? He's 0-3 (0-4 if you count Texas Tech last year) when his team trails at any point in the 4th quarter.

  (3:03 PM)

Ben: I discount that statistic a little bit because the Sooners seldom find themselves in a position where they have to make a fourth-quarterback. Much like Chase Daniel, Bradford hasn't had an opportunity for many fourth-quarter rallies because he's rarely in that position. And the 0-4 record including Texas Tech is unfair. He didn't play in the fourth quarter in that game last year.

Bradley (Norman, OK)

Hi Tim, thanks for the great blog. Two questions, do you think Sam Bradford is going to leave for the NFL, and what are your thoughts on how much drop off there will be on OU's offensive line next year?

  (3:08 PM)

Brad: I think right now that Bradford is on the fence. If the Sooners win the national championship, there will be little for him to return to college for with winning the Heisman and a national title. Losing the national title game might give him something to come back for. I guess we'll see about that. But the Sooners will lose four senior starters in Loadholt, Robinson, Cooper and Walker. So it will be a big rebuilding job for them next season - whether Bradford comes back or not.

Paul; Detroit

Is Pat Fisher really a candidate at Iowa State? Why in the world would Fresno let him go?

  (3:11 PM)

Paul: I think you miss Pat Hill, the coach of Fresno State rather than the old Washington Redskins mighty-mite defender who happened to come from Nebraska. I hear that Hill doesn't feel appreciated at Fresno, particularly after his dalliance with Washington earlier this season. I personally think he's a heck of a coach, although he doesn't seem like he's as hot as he might have been in the last five years or so. So it might not be as surprising that he would leave.

Jevan Snead (Oxford, MS)

Is it wrong of me to take SWEET PLEASURE in Texas getting jobbed twice and knowing that I prevented Florida from potentially having a perfect season and Tebow from winning his second straight Heisman?

  (3:12 PM)

Jevan: It's funny how that turned out, isn't it?

Joe (san antonio)

Here's a home town question for you... who does UTSA (texas-san antonio) pick to be their first coach for their newly announced football team?

  (3:15 PM)

Joe: Interesting question that does have a little Big 12 relevance. I think that UTSA has to get somebody with some recognition to help excite fans in San Antonio that might not have much of an association to the school. How about somebody like R.C. Slocum or Bob Davie? And I also like San Diego Chargers secondary coach Bill Bradley, who is familiar after his legendary career at Texas and his coaching stints with all of the San Antonio footbal franchises over the years. He would be a great pick, too.

Steiny (NYC)

Is Kendall Hunter the most underrated RB in the country?

  (3:16 PM)

I like to think so. Hunter doesn't get a lot of credit because the running games have been considered as an afterthought in the Big 12 this season. But it didn't use to be that way. Ask Troy Davis and Ricky Williams.

Steiny (NYC)

Was Andy Ludwig a good hire by Kansas State?

  (3:16 PM)

I don't think that Ludwig was a good hire. I think he was a great one. I think his knowledge of the spread offense will be huge for Snyder's new staff.

Darrell Scott (Boulder, CO)

When I came to Colorado I expected to be the starter. I instead took a backseat to an unknown Rodney Stewart. What do you think about my future?

  (3:17 PM)

Darrell: I see a lot of time in conditioning and workouts for you this spring. I think you've got what is needed to be a productive college running back. You just need to be healthy.

Hope (Chance, CA)

Do you think a non-BCS team would ever win the national title ever again like BYU did years ago? Do you think TCU would have had a shot if they went undefeated (beating Oklahoma at Norman, OK) and if Oklahoma went undefeated in the Big XII?

  (3:19 PM)

Hope: I just don't see it happening. The parity that has watered down football has served as a great equalizer. A team would have to go undefeated and then win its bowl game. And it's harder to go undefeated in any conference because of the equalization of talent.

John Heisman (New York, NY)

What is your opinion on how Tebow was left out of the 154 Heisman ballots?

  (3:20 PM)

Johnny: I find it hard to believe that that many people would leave Tebow off their ballots. I know he was on my ballot.

Erick (Kansas City)

Happy Holidays Tim....Do you think that Missouri can reload with talent next year and duplicate what they have done after losing Chase Daniel, Macklin, and Coffman?

  (3:21 PM)

Erick: It's going to be hard. People aren't going to realize how good that collection of talent was until they are gone. You could argue that all three of those players rank among the top seven or eight players in the history of Missouri program

Nick Saban (R-oll Tide)

I can't possibly lose recruit Dre Kirkpatrick to Texas, can I?

  (3:23 PM)

Nick: I hear that Mack Brown is quite the recruting closer. But I've heard the same thing about you, too.

Jerry ( Mannford, OK)

How does Oklahoma rate in the Big XII next year without their QB, Offensive Line, and a couple of good Defensive players?

  (3:25 PM)

Jerry: I think losing Bradford, all those linemen and defensive players like Nic Harris and Lyndy Holmes could drop them to third place in the Big 12 South behind Texas and Oklahoma State. If Bradford comes back, that could change.

Steiny (NYC)

In your opinion, do you think Mike Stoops is going to be the next head coach at Iowa State?

  (3:30 PM)

Steiny: I don't think so, unless he is pushed out at Arizona Oklahoma and appels for a job as a rebound with the Cyclones. And I just don't see that happening.

Mike (Bishop, TX)

Does the stability at Offensive Coordinator at Texas hurt Texas a little on the Coaches poll? You would think that Mack Brown would have a much bigger coaching tree than he does now.

  (3:32 PM)

Mike: You make a good point, although a couple of his more notable proteges like Carl Torbush and Greg Davis flamed out as head coahes. His coaching tree doesn't have as many branches as many other coaches.

Kent (OK)

Who do you pick and why: Boise State vs. TCU?

  (3:32 PM)

I really like this game. I'll take TCU, mainly because of Gary Patterson, Jerry Hughes and the TCU defense.

Dolores (Halletsville, TX)

Is Oklahoma the destination for Stoops, or is he looking for a future gig in the NFL?

  (3:34 PM)

Dolores: I see Stoops staying in the college game for the time being. He has three young children and I would expect he would like to see them grow up. After that, it wouldn't suprise me to see Stoops coaching in the NFL. But not for several more years.

Dave (Olathe, KS)

Tim, I agree with you on Snyder's hire of Ludwig, but what do you think about the hire of Koenning & Cosh as DC's. Will that immediately upgrade the KSU defense?

  (3:34 PM)

Dave: I also like what Koenning did at Clemson. Cosh didn't have as much immediate success at Maryland, but I think they'll work well together. It's a strong coaching staff so far.

Greg (Holmdel, NJ)

What do you think of Charles Barkley covering the College Football and the NBA?

  (3:35 PM)

Greg: I thought all Barkley knew about college football was that he had lost a lot of money betting on it over the years!

Hughes( Oregon)

depending on how the Ducks finish do u see them in the TOP 10 next yr and what do think of the matchup of Byrd/Thurmond III on Dez bryant.

  (3:36 PM)

Hughes: I do think Oregon will be strong next season, although USC will be a challenge. And the defenders you mention will be tested by a variety of Oklahoma State weapons and not just Dez Bryant.

Steiny (NYC)

Is Tramain Swindall the next great Texas Tech WR?

  (3:36 PM)

Steiny: I think Swindall is a good player, but he'll be pushed to match the exploits of players like Crabtree and Harrell.

Rick (Austin, TX)

Do you think the Gaylord Family had anything to do with Bradford edging McCoy and Tebow for the Heisman?

  (3:38 PM)

Rick: Don't think so. I think the Gaylords are more interested in trying to build an NBA team in Oklahoma City - or at least the work of Gaylord son-in-law Clayton Bennett.

Brian, boise

Are you gonna be embarassed by your public denounoncement of the greatest non bcs team of the decade when TCU loses to Boise State, mainly because of Chris Peterson, Bryan Harsin, Justin Wilcox and the entire BSU TEAM?

  (3:38 PM)

Brian: The Broncos will be tested to keep up with TCU's defense. We'll see how it turns out.

Steiny (NYC)

In your opinion, was Robert Griffin the best freshman QB in the nation?

  (3:39 PM)

Steiny: Look for a post later in the day when I break this question down with some more detail. But yes, I do believe he has done more with less than other freshman quarterbacks in the country.

Obama (Washington D.C.)

Do you think Tim Tebow can become the Grover Cleveland of college football and win the Heisman in non-consecutive years?

  (3:40 PM)

Obama: Good to see that you are such a fan of college football. And yes, I think Tebow might be challenged to become the Grover Cleveland Alexander of college football. By the way, nice politcal history reference, Mr. President.

Aaron (Nebraska)

How can ESPN pick Clemson over Nebraska? I know they didn't win them but Nebraska should have beaten Texas Tech, and Va. Tech.

  (3:41 PM)

Aaron: Should have, would have, but didn't. I think the bowl game is definitely winnable, but I just think Clemson has too many athletes for the Cornhuskers.

Pretty Ricky (Aurora,Oregon)

What do see the outcome of the Holliday Bowl, and do you like Chip Kelly as the eventual HC in waiting

  (3:42 PM)

PR: I think it will be a high scoring game that Oklahoma State wins because its defense is just a shade better. How about 49-47 or something like that? And I do like Kelly as the coach in waiting out there. I think he makes a lot of sense.

Larry (Glendale, CA)

How do you think Florida's d-line is going to match up with Oklahoma's o-line? And vice versa?

  (3:43 PM)

Larry: I like the Gators to rise up in this part of the game. If Dan McCarney can cook up a pass rush, the Gators have a great chance to win. Just ask Brian Orakpo.

Matt Kent, OH

2009 Season College Football Classic VT vs. Alabama...who do you see winning and why? Bud Foster will have a fully loaded Defense ready and waiting!

  (3:44 PM)

Matt: How bout the Tide making it two in a row in Hot-lanta? I think Saban has team ready in year to make some noise and it starts in that game.

Larry (Glendale, CA)

Better match-up...Texas vs. USC in the Fiesta Bowl or the current Rose Bowl match-up?

  (3:46 PM)

Larry: It's tough to match that 2006 matchup, isn't it.. It's gonna be on ESPN Classic later this afternoon if anybody else wants to savor it.

Chase (Columbia, MO)

Iowa went through the Big Ten schedule without facing Michigan and Ohio State in 2007. Hence, if Mizzou was in the Big Ten and didn't have to face Ohio State and Penn State this year, they would have gone undefeated and play in the BCS National Championship Game in Miami, FL. Do you think Mizzou would have gone undefeated and playing for the National Title if it was in the Big Ten?

  (3:47 PM)

Chase: Sorry, nice spin, but I don't think so. I think one of the middle-rung teams would have beaten the Tigers in a road game.

Tim Griffin Berkeley Ca

Do you think Cal is going to run all over the field on Miami and cruise to an easy win or do you see the Emerald Bowl being a close game?

  (3:49 PM)

Tim: I think the game will be closer than most people think. Obviously, the loss of Marve hurts Miami, but I think Randy Shannon gets the Canes to step up. I pick Cal in a close one.

Carol Stoops (Norman, OK)

Which team is better, the 2004 Oklahoma Sooners led by Jason White and Adrian Peterson or the 2008 Oklahoma Sooners led by Sam Bradford and DeMarco Murray?

  (3:54 PM)

Carol: I like this team because the 2004 team defense was exposed badly in the national championship game. I think this team's defense is a little underrated because of its ability to create turnovers and sacks.

Nick (FL)

Which is it, chicken or the egg: are the big 12 offenses that good or the defense that bad?

  (3:55 PM)

Nick: I think the Big 12 defenses are better than people think. And I think that will be shown in the bowl games.

Steiny (NYC)

Do you think Todd Reesing is going to come back for his senior year?

  (3:55 PM)

Steiny: YesI do think he'll be back.

Steiny (NYC)

Do you think Dezmon Briscoe is one of the best big play WR's in the nation?

  (3:56 PM)

He's a great receiver and very underrated. But as far as the very best, I might include players from the Big 12 like Michael Crabtree and Dez Bryant before Briscoe.

Steiny (NYC)

How much did Roy Helu surprise you this year?

  (3:57 PM)

He didn't surprise me as much as I was a little disappointed with what Marlon Lucky didn't do for the Cornhuskers. I expected to see a little more from Lucky.

Drew (Gainesville, FL)

Can Dan Mullen be successful enough @ Miss St to finish 2nd or 3rd in the west and get a better gig somewhere? Maybe Auburn when Chizik flames out?

  (3:58 PM)

Drew: I am curious about how Mullen fares at Mississippi State, a notoriously difficult place to succeed. If he has some success, I would expect somebody else would notice and give him at another job.

Steiny (NYC)

Is Jerrod Johnson the next Vince Young?

Steiny (NYC)

Do you think Ohio State will beat Texas?

  (3:59 PM)

Steiny: No, after being with the Longhorns yesterday, I expect the Longhorns to win. I get an idea that Texas has something to prove and will be taking a chip on its shoulder into the Fiesta Bowl.

Joe (San Antonio)

Better Big XII Championship location... Alamodome or Arrowhead... Having been to both i wonder why it isnt played in SA every year

  (4:01 PM)

I know it's a lot warmer in San Antonio, but that would make me sound provencial - something I think the old Big Eight faction of the Big 12 is sometimes guilty of. I think the conference should rotate the game around the conference. How about Dallas, Kansas City, San Antonio and St. Louis over a four-year period?

Buddy (Lincoln, NE)

Tim, What do you make of Dan Hawkins statement of "10 wins and no excuses" in Boulder next year? Seems like a pretty big reach to me.

  (4:01 PM)

Buddy: He must have more confidence in the players on his roster than I do.

  (4:02 PM)

Guys: Thanks for all of the questions this week. We'll hook up again next week. And happy holidays to everybody.