Tim Griffin

  (11:02 AM)

Guys, hello from beautiful Miami. I can only stay for a few minutes, but I'm willing to answer all the questions I can.

Steve, Atlanta, GA

Got a question for ya, last night i noticed that there were multiple players wearing the same number on their jersey. I didnt think that was possible. Whats the rules reguarding this?

Tim Griffin

  (11:03 AM)

Steve: Players can wear multiple numbers as long as they aren't on the field at the same time. With so many of the teams taking full rosters with walk-ons to bowl games there just aren't enough numbers to go around. So you can have the same number on offense or defense, as long as they aren't playing at the same time. It just makes a headache for the statisticians to keep them apart.

dave, dc

I know ohio state has a bad reputation and everyone thought texas should have killed them but last night was the best bowl game of the season and i think personally ohio state showed alot

Tim Griffin

  (11:05 AM)

Dave: I agree with you. I thought the Buckeyes showed a lot of heart and moxie in their comeback without Beanie Wells. I loved the offensive look they got with Boeckman and Pryor in the lineup at the same time. I would think it would really flummox a lot of Big Ten defenses if they used it next year. They make that stop on Kirkendoll on fourth down - which they almost did - and the game could have been a lot different.

David, MO

What are you thoughts on the last 40ish seconds of the Fiesta Bowl? Ohio State only had to go about 20-25 yards to be in range for a long (alright, very long, but within their kicker's range) field goal to tie it, but they seemed to be going for the touchdown. They had two time outs, it seems like they should have at least gotten off a few quick 15 yard strikes and had time for a field goal attempt. What do you think, gutsy going for they win or poor play calling and clock management?

Tim Griffin

  (11:07 AM)

David: I, too, was surprised by that. It was gutsy to go for the win, but I'm surprised Tressel didn't go for a field goal with a couple of short strikes like you mentioned.

Mike (Paris, OH)

Tim... Do you think Ohio State's performance last night helped or hurt their national perception?

Tim Griffin

  (11:07 AM)

Mike: After the struggles in the BCS championship game the last two seasons, I think most people would have been impressed with the fire OSU showed to come back in the game. I know I was.

Jess: Oklahoma

Would OU be favored if they didn't have the history of recent bowl failures?

Tim Griffin

  (11:08 AM)

Jess: Yes, I think that OU's recent struggles in bowl games is the biggest reason that most objective people are doubting their chances. That and their defensive numbers are the two biggest liabilities they have. It will be interesting if they can overcome both.

B. Stoops Norman

If we defeat Florida.. Do I get my "Big Game Bob" nickname back?

Tim Griffin

  (11:09 AM)

Bob: You might. I know most people down here don't give you much of a chance of sneaking out with an upset on Thursday night.

DAVE (CA)

WHAT IS YOUR OPIONION ON KSU AND COACH SNYDER AND IS STAFF HE IS PUTTING TOGETHER?

Tim Griffin

  (11:10 AM)

Dave: I'm very impressed and I think the hire of Andy Ludwig will be especially interesting. I've been falling his career since he was at Oregon. I think he'll bring a new attitude that will help spark a change in the culture at Kansas State. His biggest immediate question, however, will be to find a quarterback.

Tim Tebow (Florida Gators)

I saw the Ole Miss game and I watched the Texas game, caught a little of the Oklahoma State game. I like our chances. It looks like we should be playing USC. What do you think?

Tim Griffin

  (11:11 AM)

From the bowls I've seen before, you might argue that USC might be desrving to play Utah in this game. But I think the game and matchup we've got will be interesting. I'm excited about it.

Fake Clinton (Indianapolis)

True or false: The Big 12 is overrated.

Tim Griffin

  (11:13 AM)

I know the Big 12 has struggled defensively in the bowls. But if OU gets an upset over Florida, that would make the conference 5-2. And I still think the injuries to Dez Bryant of Oklahoma State and Michael Crabtree of Texas Tech played a part in their team's losses. Remember that both were Biletnikoff finalists. And Crabtree won the award for a second-straight season.

Steiny (NYC)

Hi Tim, no questions today. Just wanted to say enjoy the game and be well!!

Tim Griffin

  (11:13 AM)

Steiny: I'm missing your input. But I will. Thank you.

John (Columbus, OH)

Besides Murray and Granger, are there any significant OU injury reports?

Tim Griffin

  (11:14 AM)

John: Auston Box at MLB is coming back from a sprained knee. He told me he would be ready to play on Thursday. And anytime you have a cast on your hand, I think it's significant. So no matter how much Oklahoma is discounting Bradford's thumb injury, I still think it bears mentioning.

Casey (Santa Clarita CA)

Will Frank's ignorance cost his team?

Tim Griffin

  (11:16 AM)

Casey: I just think it was a case of a player's confidence. And his comments really aren't as inflammatory as those of Brandon Spikes, are they? Franks credited Tebow as one of the best quarterbacks in the nation. Spikes called Big 12 defenses "a joke."

Dave (San Diego)

So Tim, are you NOW willing to admit that the Big-12 was overhyped (esp by you)??? Texas Tech clearly isn't as good as advertised, and the same with OSU. Just a tip for the teams in your conference: try playing 11 guys on defense, it helps. By the way, USC would beat both Texas and Oklahoma by at least 2 touchdowns!!!

Tim Griffin

  (11:17 AM)

Dave: Don't know about that, but we can dream. I think Mississippi was a pretty good team. They did beat Florida, didn't they?

Rich (NYC)

How did the injuries to Bryant and Crabtree hurt their defenses? Do they play defensive back too?

Tim Griffin

  (11:17 AM)

Rich: Sorry about that. I meant offenses. It's been a hectic day.

Steve Spurrier (Columbia, SC)

Tim, who do I root for in this game? My beloved alma-mater or my protege in Stoopsy?

Tim Griffin

  (11:18 AM)

Steve: Something tells me you might be more worried about your tee time for this weekend. But it might better suit you to be working on your recruiting plans for the Gamecocks.

Steiny (NYC)

Do you think Bob Stoops is going to coach the Browns?

Tim Griffin

  (11:18 AM)

Steiny: OU president David Boren always said that he feared that job above all others for Stoops. It's open now. I guess we'll see.

Casey (Santa Clarita CA)

In reference to Dave's comment. Tim I thought you said that Florida would win this game. So I do not think you have been totally on the BIG 12 train. Am I right?

Tim Griffin

  (11:19 AM)

Casey: I've said that Florida would win the game all along. I think the Sooners are going to miss Murray and Granger a great deal. But I expect a good game. Call it Florida 35, OU 31.

Ruebeck in Denison, TX

There are rumors (horrible rumors) Stoops leaving Norman. What are your thoughts on this. I can't imagine he would leave such a great program and a city that worhips him..

Tim Griffin

  (11:21 AM)

Ruebeck: What do you mean city. I thought the whole state of Oklahoma was that way ... Seriously, every coach I've ever met has an ego. I'm sure that Stoops has wondered how he would do coaching in the NFL. Especially after his mentor Steve Spurrier failed so miserably with the Redskins, I bet Stoops wondered how he would fare. I expect Stoops to coach in the NFL one day. I just don't think this is the time because of his family. But it might be coming along at another time.

Mike (Beverly, Ma)

True or False: Stoops is loving the fact that no one is giving OU a chance. OU's defense will come out firing and make big plays just like they did against Texas Tech and Mizzou.

Tim Griffin

  (11:22 AM)

Mike: I've got to think it's a great psychological position for him to be in. The Sooners have never been this big an underdog since his first national championship victory in 2000. I think he's milking that for every advantage possible.

Will J (Portland, OR)

OU, Tex, and OSU are obviously going to be good, but what other teams should we look out for next season in the Big XII?

Tim Griffin

  (11:23 AM)

Will: I think Nebraska and Kansas will battle it out for the Big 12 North title. Both teams should be ranked in the 20-25 range. Texas Tech will lose Harrell and likely Crabtree and I think they'll struggle to maintain their momentum from this season. But I expect they'll win 8 games or so. And I also wonder if Baylor will astutely schedule their way into a 6-win season and snap their bowl drought.

Jason (Philly)

What, if anything, can Obama do to try and install a much needed playoff system? Does the president have any real power here?

Tim Griffin

  (11:24 AM)

Jason: Truthfully, our new president has got a lot bigger fish to fry than worrying about a college playoff system.

Rich (NYC)

Thanks for answering the question but that's not what I meant. The fact that Bryant and Crabtree were hurt didn't excuse the fact that OSU and TT allowed 41 and 47 points, respectively. Them being hurt had no affect on their team's defense.

Tim Griffin

  (11:26 AM)

Rich: Yes they did. Take away the best offensive weapons on either team and see how much harder it is to get first downs. In both of those games, OSU and Tech's defenses wore down because they were on the field too long. Do you honestly think that Zac Robinson would have taken the hits that he did if a healthy Bryant would have run through the secondary. If he did, I'm betting the Cowboys would have burned them. Same thing for Texas Tech. Crabtree's injury changed that game around. I'm thinking the Red Raiders are able to keep the ball more and score when they had it better if he had been playing.

Zach Boston, Ma

thanks for chatting on a holiday week!!! question, does FL win by a FG w/o Percy Harvin and by more than 10 if he is at full tilt?!?!? thanks for your time!!!

Tim Griffin

  (11:27 AM)

Zach: I'm picking them to win by 3-4 points. And I think Harvin will play.

Carl Pelini (Lincoln, NE)

Whoa, Tim. Not ALL Big 12 defenses struggled in bowl games...did you catch the Gator Bowl?

Tim Griffin

  (11:27 AM)

Carl: I did. But you guys weren't playing an offense to match those of some of your other bowl competitors.

Nick (FL)

Does the underdog card really work that well when you are a 3 point underdog? Alabama was a 10.5 point underdog to Florida and still lost by 11 with Florida's two leading rushers on the sideline.

Tim Griffin

  (11:27 AM)

Nick: We'll see. If you ask Stoops, I could have sworn they were underdogs by a lot more than the official line.

Will J (Portland, OR)

Tim, how much do you think Utah's win will go in the playoff debate? Will there be any tweaks in the system after this season (again)?

Tim Griffin

  (11:29 AM)

Will: I don't know what we'll see. The Utes forced their way to the table with their 2004 BCS appearance. They played much better against a more respected team when they smoked Alabama. I don't know what more we could do. Oh, yeah I do. But I can't see the Big East or ACC ever being stripped of their automic qualifying berths in the BCS.

john (cincinnati)

tim, if florida beats okla, it might be safe to say that the sec is the best conference this year. if okla beats florida, then the big 12 is probably the best conference this year. after the 1-2 spots, what rank do you have for the rest of the conferences...#3 pac 10 #4 acc #5 big east #6 big 10 etc???

Tim Griffin

  (11:30 AM)

John: This is how I have them ... 1-2 - SEC/Big 12; 3. Pac 10;4. Big Ten; 5. ACC; 6. MWC; 7. Big East.

Tim Griffin

  (11:31 AM)

Guys: Sorry I've got to cut it short today. Two stories to write before practice starts. Maybe I'll have a chance to check in with you later in the week. Tim