Bruce Feldman

  (4:02 PM)

Hi, greetings from Dallas. Just got back from a workout and finished a PB & Whey bar and I'm ready to talk some college football. Thanks for dropping by.

Matt (NJ)

How will the Mountaineers fare without the only college QB ever to win in four consecutive bowl games next season?

Bruce Feldman

  (4:03 PM)

He is going to be so hard to replace. Devine and Jock Sanders are terrific players, but everything in that offense worked off him. I think as great as Pat White is, we have all underrated him nationally in terms of hype. Class kid too.

Bruce Feldman

  (4:04 PM)

Loved how he answered some of the postgame questions in regards to what his passing performance meant and he without hesitation brought it back to the team.

Joe Kalamazoo, MI

Pick a winner tonight: Western Michigan or Rice? And why?

Bruce Feldman

  (4:05 PM)

I'm going with the Owls. I think they have a little more firepower although both sides of some very talented big receivers with Jamarko Simmons vs. James Casey.

Melissa (Washington, DC)

Hey Bruce- The Marve situation at Miami seems to be getting pretty ugly. What's your take on it and where do you think he ends up?

Bruce Feldman

  (4:07 PM)

I spent some time with Marve and his HS coach for Meat Market and was really impressed by him. I still think he's going to be a very good college QB. He obviously didn't mesh well with Randy Shannon and Jacory Harris seems like he's gonna work out well for UM. I talked to Marve's HS coach today and he said he's gotten some feelers and I'm supposed to call him later today for an update.

Joe Kalamazoo, MI

Now that Mir/Lesnar is going to happen, who you got?

Bruce Feldman

  (4:09 PM)

I think Mir can sub him again.. am a little biased though. When I was up in Bristol for CF Live this summer and working with Todd Harris we literally bumped into Mir in the ESPN Cafe and Todd and Mir work together. Mir seemed like a really good guy.

reed(tulsa, ok)

why is no one giving Florida's defense a chance against Oklahoma?

Bruce Feldman

  (4:12 PM)

They're not? I've heard most people picking UF to win that game.

Ryan, Chantilly VA

Nevada or Maryland?

Bruce Feldman

  (4:13 PM)

Nevada. Cant wait to see Colin Kaepernick.

Bruce Feldman

  (4:15 PM)

Sorry.. had a phone call.

JJ: Sarasota, FL

Bruce, chaos at the U. Who should Randy go after for his next offensive coordinator? What's your thoughts on the Robert Marve transfer and the stipulations -- do they hold up?

Bruce Feldman

  (4:17 PM)

I touched on the Marve stuff before.. As for where Shannon should look: Not sure how much interest he really has in the spread, but I know he considered Dana Holgerson who is now the OC at Houston before if he didn't get Nix. I'd be curious to see what Hal Mumme could do with the speed UM has at receiver and Jacory Harris. Not sure about how he and Randy would mesh though.

Andy (L.A.)

Bruce- What's a better match-up,-- USC/Forida or Texas/USC?

Bruce Feldman

  (4:18 PM)

This question (shaking my head)... Texas is more deserving giving who they played and beat, but I think USC would have the better chance to beat Florida.

Steve (Fall River,MA)

turn that phone off and anwser som questions.....whats it gonna take for weis to keep his job next year?

Bruce Feldman

  (4:20 PM)

Against that soft schedule, I think he has to win at least nine games. This was year four and ND was miles from the top 25.

Josh (Knoxville, TN)

Bruce, I was reading last week's chat and there was a question about who the best HS player you ever saw was. Just thought I'd share that I saw Cedric Benson play when he was a sophomore in high school (as he completely demolished my high school in the Texas 5A Champ Game). I've never seen a high school player as fast as him. His school won 3 state titles in a row with him and they haven't really sniffed one since. His pro career obviously hasn't been as good. Anyway, just thought I'd share.

Bruce Feldman

  (4:22 PM)

Not saying he was the best I ever saw but I remember covering Henri Crockett (old FSU LB) when he was in high school and supposedly the top LB in the country... nobody talked about his teammate Al Harris back then, but it's been Harris whose been in the NFL for like 15 yrs.

Victor (Chicago)

What are your thoughts on Illinois? Do you think they will rebound and have a strong year next year? Also what names have you heard for their offensive cordinator spot?

Bruce Feldman

  (4:23 PM)

Curious to see what Zook does on offense. They have the potential to score a lot with Juice and Benn and some big athletic receivers. Rebound to win eight games is very realistic although I don't have their home and away sked in front of me now.

John, DC

This feels like 1995 all over again. Everyone picking Florida, the supposedly overrated (then) Big 8 team, Nebraska, just lucky to be there. We all know what happened there, and I bet the same thing happens here.

Bruce Feldman

  (4:24 PM)

We'll see. I just hope it's close till the end. We've had a lot of fun bowl games already.. hope it keeps up.

Clay (Oakland, CA)

Any word on Wooten's knee injury in the Alamo Bowl? It sure looked bad.

Bruce Feldman

  (4:25 PM)

Haven't heard the update. He is a terrific player though. Was overshadowed by Maybin at PSU, but Wooten looks like an NFL player out there.

Johnstone (Wicker Park)

Do you think that Bradford comes back for his junior year given Goodell's decision on the CBA?

Bruce Feldman

  (4:26 PM)

My hunch is he goes, in part because OU is losing four O-linemen.

Collin (boise)

Bruce, do you think Kellen Moore has a shot at the heisman in the next 3 years?

Bruce Feldman

  (4:27 PM)

I think he's a great young QB, but it seems really hard for a non BCS guy to win the Heisman and even get some momentum unless he's also touted as a potential #1 draft pick and given Moore's size and arm strength I doubt that'll happen.

Braxton (WV)

Will Hakeem Nicks be the best recever in the NCAA next season?

Bruce Feldman

  (4:29 PM)

It depends if Crabtree indeed goes pro.. also I wonder if UNC has the QBs to consistently get him the ball. I also wonder if Nicks has second thoughts and toys with the idea of leaving too. BTW the freshman class is loaded with great young receivers pushing for this honor as well.

Darryl (Oakland, CA)

Bruce, In your opinion, does Oregon have the most talented secondary that Oklahoma St will have faced this year?

Bruce Feldman

  (4:31 PM)

I would say best maybe beyond most talented because UT has some great athletes there but they're so young.

Yatin (LA)

I know this is McShay/Kiper territory but how good an NFL back can Jahvid Best be? In other words, will Cal fans be enjoying him for 2 more years or is he gone after 2009?

Bruce Feldman

  (4:33 PM)

He's a dynamite back who really hits the hole fast and is a great cutback runner. Didn't hurt that he was also playing behind the best lineman in the country in Alex Mack. Thing is he's going to have to get stronger for the NFL. He's had a bit of a hard time staying healthy and you don't see that many backs his size as feature guys.. but maybe he can be a Warrick Dunn type.

Allen (Jonesboro, AR)

Should Alabama worry now that Andre Smith won't be in the Sugar Bowl? How do you see Utah's DL and Alabama's OL stacking up now?

Bruce Feldman

  (4:34 PM)

I think that's going to be a problem for Bama. Utah's ends are very good and Bama aside from Smith isn't great in pass protection. That was their biggest weakness in 2007. But I think Saban will rely on their ground game to pound at Utah.

Jake (Missouri)

Do you think Maclin will go pro?

Bruce Feldman

  (4:35 PM)

Yes. Both Chases won't be around and I doubt he will be either in 2009.

Sylvain (Calgary)

What's the latest on the Ed Oregeron Sweepstakes? Is it still looking to be Tennessee or is LSU Making a late push?

Bruce Feldman

  (4:37 PM)

I talked to him on Saturday and he was very happy with life with the Saints. his family loves it there and he likes working for Sean Payton. I do know he has special feelings for LSU and also is intrigued by the idea of working with Monte Kiffin at Tennessee, but he's trying to sort it all out. I'm supposed to chat with him again tomorrow.

Mo (NYC)

Do you mean that was Bama's biggest weakness in 2008?

Bruce Feldman

  (4:38 PM)

Nah, I actually meant '07. I know some teams gameplanned against them when Mike Johnson (now a OG) was at RT to put their best pass rusher across from him and it worked out pretty well.

Lou (Pittsburgh, PA)

Does Shady McCoy go Pro? If he stays, where do you see Pitt next year?

Bruce Feldman

  (4:39 PM)

Top 15. The passing game needs more work but I like the development of Jonathan Baldwin. He's a force.

Ed (Washington, DC)

Your preseason top 5 for 2009 and who will have the top recruiting class on February 4th

Bruce Feldman

  (4:43 PM)

I'm not ready go with a top 5 just because we won't know who is jumping to the NFL and who isn't for another 18 days or so... I would expect Florida, Texas, Ohio State, Alabama, USC to be in the mix and I think USC has a strong chance to be #1 in recruiting rankings depending on what happens with Kennard the great DE from Ariz.

Dave (NJ)

Say something about Rutgers...please. You were always one of our suporters. What did you think about this season and the prospects of next season?

Bruce Feldman

  (4:44 PM)

It was a good second half.. I like the development of the O-line. Flood is a very underrated coach and obviously Teel found his confidence. He won't be easy to replace.

Ed (San Antonio)

Nebraska/Clemson could be a close game. Who do you like? This is my second attempt, does ESPN have the Nebraska filter on again?

Bruce Feldman

  (4:46 PM)

That's a toss up... leaning towards NU now.. We had a filter on???

Dan (NYC)

Is it odd that for some reason I'm extremely excited for the Holiday Bowl even though I don't really know much about either team? Just strikes me as a great matchup.

Bruce Feldman

  (4:46 PM)

It's almost always an entertaining, wild shootout.

Mo (NYC)

If we land Rueben Randle and/or Dre Kirkpatrick, you don't give the nod to Bama as top recruiting class?

Bruce Feldman

  (4:48 PM)

Get both of them and they're certainly in the mix. Although if USC gets Te'o or Jelani Jenkins, I think they'd be tough to overtake.

dave

Speaking of shoot outs. What do you think about the Texas bowl tonight? Score?

Bruce Feldman

  (4:49 PM)

I got the Rice Owls, 45-31.

Corey (michigan)

Bruce, love your work. What are your top 3 favorite College football stadiums to watch a game?

Bruce Feldman

  (4:51 PM)

Thanks! Lane Stadium is tops then the Rose Bowl and I always loved going to Oxford on gameday. The Grove is something every CF fan should experience once.

Blake, Birmingham

What do you think of the Malzahn hire at Auburn? As an AU grad, I am excited about the possibility of us finally having a decent offense again.

Bruce Feldman

  (4:52 PM)

Hard to knock his production at Tulsa. He's always going to be better received than Tony Franklin and that'll help, but they need more players. Auburn's receivers were very suspect and QB play has to pick up, although as I recall Malzahn recruited Kodi Burns at Ark.

Steve (NY)

Bruce, When you wrote Meat Market, how much interaction did you have with Chris Rippon? He is out Special Teams coach at Rutgers. What did you think of him as a coach and as a recruiter?

Bruce Feldman

  (4:57 PM)

Actually he was probably the first assistant I really got to know down therewhen I started reporting the book. (We used to work out sometimes). He knows what he's doing in terms of scouting and preparation and drew up a bunch of kick blocks. Ole Miss, though, really struggled in cover kickoffs his final year there. As a recruiter, he had Alabama and was there for the crazy cock-fight moment on the home recruiting visit he and Coach Orgeron had at Justin Sanders' house. They didn't get many other players from that state. However, I know he was a good recruiter for Syracuse and had Ray Rice committed to them before they got fired up there.

Clay (Oakland, CA)

Do you think Dave Yost will continue the offensive success at Mizzou as the new OC now that Chrisensen and Daniel are gone?

Bruce Feldman

  (4:58 PM)

I do. I think Yost is a sharp guy and will do well developing Blaine Gabbert along with Coach Pinkel.

Nat (Boston)

Bruce- Which stadium has the best bars within walking (stumbling) distance?

Bruce Feldman

  (5:01 PM)

ASU has a fun string of places not far down the road. That was the first that popped into my head.

J.B. (Dunmore, PA)

I'm going to interject my bias here and say that a Saturday in Happy Valley is about as good as it gets. Head to The Diner for some grilled stickys before the game then go watch some football with 108,000 or so of your new closest friends.

Bruce Feldman

  (5:03 PM)

I think I have a view of the place that was shaped so much by my first time there. It was a Saturday night season opener and it was loud... for about 10 minutes and then Miami was up like 30-0 by the half. I've heard great things, but didn't see it that night and the other times were for stories and not game coverage.

Bruce Feldman

  (5:03 PM)

three more questions..

Peter (Berkeley, CA)

What do you think of Walker to NMSU and the effect it will have on UCLA?

Bruce Feldman

  (5:04 PM)

I was glad to see him get a coaching job although that is a tough spot. He has a strong rep as a recruiter and I'm sure UCLA will have to do some spinning to relax some kids who were sold on him.

Zach(San Diego)

What do you know about Rich Ellerson, the new coach at Army? I am pretty sure Chuck Long thinks he is a good coach!

Bruce Feldman

  (5:06 PM)

I know he had a great receiver on his team this year and I know he has some strong military connections in his family. And that's honestly about it.

Travis(Easley,SC)

Bruce, with Graham Harrell leaving this year, how do you feel about Crabtree and Leach leaving as well?

Bruce Feldman

  (5:08 PM)

Leach I imagine will stay for another year because where else in college is open? And I doubt he's an NFL guy at heart. Talked to him last night about Potts, the next QB there. Probably has the strongest arm of any Tech QB Leach has had. He's very high on him. My hunch is Crab will leave after this game, but we'll see. I'm sure some scouts will have questions about his speed and say he's not a top 10 pick this April.

Bruce Feldman

  (5:08 PM)

Thanks for all the questions.. enjoy the games today!