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Mark Schlabach

  (3:36 PM)

Thanks for stopping by the chat again. Hard to believe the 2008 season is over, but I'm already excited about 2009. Trying to shift to basketball for a bit, but looking ahead to spring practice at the same time. Here we go....

Alex

Is it safe to say Tebow deserved the Heisman this year? Keep in mind he got 10 yard less than the ENTIRE OU offense.

Mark Schlabach

  (3:37 PM)

I thought he was worthy of winning it again this year, although Bradford and McCoy put up huge numbers this season, too. I don't think there's a more valuable player in the country than Tebow. I voted for him on my Heisman ballot. I don't think there's a player in the country who does more for his team than Tebow. He absolutely wore down Oklahoma's defense in the second half.

Ryan, Dallas

Do you think Bradford will leave for the NFL? I heard from various sites, that some scouts see some flags on him.

Mark Schlabach

  (3:39 PM)

I'll be curious to see if he comes out or stays. Oklahoma is going to lose a lot of talent on offense: Loadholt, Duke Robinson, Iglesias, possibly Gresham. I think he'd be one of the top two QBs taken. I think Matthew Stafford might have more upside because of his frame and arm strength, but Bradford is probably more polished right now. They played in completely different systems, too. I know scouts like the fact that Stafford played under center and operated out of a pro-style offense. Bradford would be hard to pass up, though.

Justin (Gainesville, FL)

Mark, dont sit through the basketball season.. its about to get exciting.

Mark Schlabach

  (3:40 PM)

I was pretty excited watching UNC and Wake Forest last night. I can't get really excited about basketball until I sit through a game at Cameron or Rupp or someplace like that, though. The adrenaline will get pumping in a couple of weeks, I'm sure.

Candice, Atlanta Ga

I personally want to see Harvin stay at Florida. But what do you think of his chances in the NFL Draft this year?

Mark Schlabach

  (3:41 PM)

I think he could use another season in college to get healthy and stronger, but if he comes back and gets hurt again, he'll have that tag on him going into the draft after his senior season. It was pretty clear he's the most explosive player on the field when he's healthy. He's a great player.

Michael (Mobile, AL)

Why do a lot of the talking heads want to discuss how a team like USC LOOKS on the field and pay no attention to resume...USC beat ZERO ranked teams outside of Los Angeles this year while Florida beat Alabama, Oklahoma, Florida State and Georgia away from home.Even the constant "ole miss... ole miss..." talk turned out to be wrong...Ole Miss is a top 10-15 team.The resumes were not even close in terms of quality of wins and losses, yet all some can talk about is how a team LOOKS. Hasn't that trap been proven wrong time and again?

Mark Schlabach

  (3:44 PM)

USC was a great team. Great defense. I didn't think they were very good on offense until the last couple of games. But hard to ignore the loss to Oregon State, which turned out to be a pretty good team. Alabama played a tougher schedule on paper, but the Pac-10 didn't turn out to be as bad as many people thought. But again, it's hard to gauge conference strength because the bowl matchups aren't always equal. I'll be very curious to see how USC does next year. If Sanchez comes back, they'll be pretty good on offense. But I think it's impossible to replace the talent they'll lose on defense and not miss a beat. Look at what happened to LSU this year. I know Pete Carroll recruits like a mad man, but you don't replace that many NFL players and pick up where you left off. I may be wrong, we'll see in 2009.

Rodrigo ( Bethesda, MD)

Now that Tebow has announced he will return, what do you think are the chances of Percy Harvin and Brandon Spikes returning?

Mark Schlabach

  (3:44 PM)

Both talked about coming back and doing what the junior class on Florida's basketball team did, but I'll be surprised if either comes back. They might do it, but we'll see.

Candice, Atlanta Ga

I am a Gator and my fiance' a Dawg fan. Tell me what are the glaring differences between Tebow and Stafford?

Mark Schlabach

  (3:46 PM)

Tebow won a lot more games, for starters. Stafford will make a very good NFL quarterback if he becomes more consistent. He didn't play behind a really good offensive line in his three seasons at Georgia. I thought this was the first season he had an SEC-caliber receiver corps. The Gators asked Tebow to run a lot; Stafford was asked to do a lot more throwing the ball. They're both great players. Tebow has won two national championships and a Heisman Trophy; Stafford didn't win an SEC title. I'm not taking anything away from Stafford. I just think Tebow will go down as one of the greatest college football players of all time.

eric sf

As a big of fan of college football but one that does not understand the politics, what are the chances that President-elect Obama's consistent pressure for a playoff actually works in some form?

Mark Schlabach

  (3:47 PM)

Hopefully, the President-elect will spend more time focused on the economy and international affairs, but I certainly love his passion for sports and college football in particular. I don't know if he'll get the presidents and conference commissioners to change their minds about a playoff, but Presidential pressure certainly can't hurt.

Ben (SLC)

Mark,I find it hard to swallow that some of your AP balloting coaches put Utah at 5th below a 2 loss Oklahoma, and Alabama at 6th. Either Utah beat a good team, or Alabama was over-rated......could you help me with a voters logic in situations like the above.

Mark Schlabach

  (3:48 PM)

Utah beat some very good teams this season, including Alabama. The Utes beat TCU, BYU and Oregon State. That should be enough to rank them ahead of Alabama. I thought the Tide really missed Andre Smith in the Sugar Bowl, but that's no excuse for how the Alabama defense played. Utah deserved to win the game and the better team won.

Michael (Mobile, AL)

Thanks Mark...time for a "way too early" pick on the SECE and SECW next year...what's your top 3, in order, preseason for each division?I think it's a tough call, other than the #1 spot in the East.

Mark Schlabach

  (3:49 PM)

East: 1. Florida 2. Georgia 3. South CarolinaWest: 1. Alabama 2. LSU (very close to the Tide) 3. Ole Miss

ERIC (NY)

What are the chances Buffalo keeps Turner Gill and becomes a legitimate football school? It's a big school (>25000) with good academics.

Mark Schlabach

  (3:50 PM)

He'll be there for one more year at least. Very surprised a bigger school didn't take him. But the future is looking brighter at Buffalo, no question.

Mark (San Antonio)

Best game of the 2008 season? Best single play of 2008? (Use your own definition of "best")

Mark Schlabach

  (3:50 PM)

Best game: Texas Tech over Texas. Best single play: Michael Crabtree's catch (although Hakeem Nick's catch in the Meineke Car Care Bowl was unbelievable, but didn't have as much of an impact on the game).

john (ny,ny)

What are your thoughts on the Robert Marve/UM transfer saga? Is Randy Shannon being fair?

Mark Schlabach

  (3:51 PM)

Not sure what happened before Marve requested his release, but I was glad to see Miami lighten up on the restrictions. I can't blame Shannon for not letting him go to an ACC school or another opponent, but the entire SEC seemed a bit harsh.

Hayden (Tupelo MS)

Mark talk about Ole Miss. Do you see Houston Nutt taking this team from a bottom feeder of the SEC to a top 10 team in 2009?

Mark Schlabach

  (3:53 PM)

They have a chance to be very good in 2009. I think they'll really miss Jerry and Hardy on the defensive line, if Hardy comes out. Same for Michael Oher. But Snead got better as the season went along, and McCluster and Hodge are nice weapons. They need a back to carry the load on offense, but they'll be competitive again in the SEC West. Ed Orgeron left good talent behind.

dave (chicago)

are you kidding me? you put sanchez over tebow on the all bowl team. tebow just won the national championship and almost out gained oklahoma in yardage on the ground. usc played a penn state team and only won by 10 and we all know the big ten is not that good, even penn state. you obviously didnt watch tebow the other night did you?

Mark Schlabach

  (3:54 PM)

I was at the BCS title game. I thought Sanchez played brilliantly against Penn State, which had a pretty good defense. Tebow played really, really well and wore down the OU defense by running in the second half. He had the two interceptions in the first half, though. I still had three Gators on the team.

Will J (Portland, OR)

Mark, while I agree it'll be hard to replace the talent USC will lose on defense, they won't have an LSU type year next season. They don't have the same competition recruiting in the Pac-10, that LSU has in the SEC.

Mark Schlabach

  (3:55 PM)

Good point, but Cal, Oregon and Oregon State could all be pretty good in 2009. Arizona State should bounce back, and Arizona was better.

Rick (Chicago)

Mark, have you spent 20 minutes with Tim Tebow? Is your life better for it? Is he the next reincarnation of the Dali Lama?

Mark Schlabach

  (3:56 PM)

I spent eight hours with him in two Florida prisons. Amazing young man. I've never met a more genuine person at his age. I know a lot of people resent the attention he gets, but he deserves every accolade he has received.

robert (marathon, fl paradise)

florid and lsu dismantled ohio state in consecutive titles games, so what was so special about usc crushing a team that already had it's tails between their legs?

Mark Schlabach

  (4:04 PM)

Different seasons. Different teams. I thought Ohio State played Texas very tough in the Fiesta Bowl and almost won the game. Penn State had been very good on defense most of the season.

Mike (Beverly, Ma)

Real class act that Tebow is... Gator chomping Nic Harris with the game well in hand. Just because you have a man crush like the rest of the media doesn't mean we are all tricked. The kid loves the spotlight. Vernon Davis of CFB.

Mark Schlabach

  (4:04 PM)

Ridiculous....

Bradford (Boise, ID)

Mark, what are your thoughts on Boise State for next year? And what are our chances of beating Oregon in the opener? Thanks.

Mark Schlabach

  (4:05 PM)

Lose Ian Johnson, but most of the offense is coming back. If they beat Oregon, which will be pretty good, they have a chance to go unbeaten in the regular season again.

Phillip

Mark. Have you spent those same 20 minutes with Colt McCoy?

Mark Schlabach

  (4:05 PM)

No, spent some time with him in Arizona before the Fiesta Bowl. Great kid, too.

Renegade

Ah, this is the same Nic Harris that kept getting in cheap shots and tried to tear Harvin's ankle off.

Mark Schlabach

  (4:05 PM)

Saw that....It was a pretty clean game on both sides, though.

Dave Alabama

Mark you had said that Alabama was going to beat Florida in the SEC championship. How sure are you of Virginia Tech beating Alabama in the season opener next year?

Mark Schlabach

  (4:07 PM)

I thought Alabama had a chance against Florida until the fourth quarter. Virginia Tech will be very good in 2009. Tyrod Taylor has to become a better passer during the offseason. Darren Evans is a very good running back. The defense is always going to be good under Bud Foster. Tide have to replace Andre Smith and Antoine Caldwell. New quarterback starting his first game. It will be close, but I like the Hokies' chances.

Blake(Miami)

Who do you think will win the Heisman next year?

Mark Schlabach

  (4:07 PM)

Early favorites: Tebow, Dez Bryant, Mark Sanchez (if he comes back), Jahvid Best. I'm sure other candidates will emerge, though.

Tim Oakland Ca

Who is the best RB in the nation going into next year?

Mark Schlabach

  (4:09 PM)

Jahvid Best, Shady McCoy (if he comes back), Charles Scott, Noel Devine, Kendall Hunter, Jacquizz Rodgers, just to name a few.

Mike (Beverly, Ma)

Renegade - it was no dirtier than the huge hit Major put on the defenseless OU reciever before the ball got there in the 1st QTR.

Mark Schlabach

  (4:09 PM)

I thought that was a clean hit. Vicious, but clean. Perfect timing.

Phillip (austin, tx)

Mark. Why do people defend Tebow and the Gator Chomp? I realize Nic Harris is no class act, But why must Tebow lower himself to that. I guess he waited until the game was in hand to do it, but still, in my eyes that almost makes it worse. Colt McCoy would never do that much less anyone who considered themselves a class act. I guess his nickname should be bobo after that clown act.

Mark Schlabach

  (4:10 PM)

Must admit I didn't see it happen. Nic Harris is a class act, though. He was really an interesting interview after the game.

Blake(Miami)

Mark in my question, you didn't mention McCoy, do you think he won't be a favorite to win the heisman going into next year?

Mark Schlabach

  (4:11 PM)

Sorry, McCoy and Bradford (if he comes back) would be at the top of the Heisman Trophy list (along with Tebow, Dez Bryant, etc.). I'm a little distracted trying to fix All-Bowl team at the moment. ...

Will J (Portland, OR)

Mark, are there some big OOC games next year, that you know of off the top of your head?

Mark Schlabach

  (4:14 PM)

BYU-Oklahoma in Dallas. Georgia at Oklahoma State. USC at Ohio State. Oklahoma at Miami. Virginia Tech and Alabama (in Atlanta). Utah at Oregon. Oregon at Boise State. Arizona at Iowa. There are others, of course....

Blake(Miami)

Where do you think Cosby will go in the draft after an amazing Fiesta Bowl?

Mark Schlabach

  (4:14 PM)

I think he'll make a very good slot receiver in the NFL. Great hands and runs great routes. Good speed. He's a great receiver.

Alex (VA)

With Texas, Texas Tech, Oklahoma State and Oklahoma all score under their averages (sometimes way under) in bowl games can we now say the Big 12 defenses were who we thought they were?

Mark Schlabach

  (4:15 PM)

They were what I thought they were in midseason. But Texas' defense and Oklahoma's defense played pretty well in BCS games.

Jeff (Rochester NY)

How about the Cornhusker - Hokie game in Blacksburg?

Mark Schlabach

  (4:15 PM)

Yes, very good game. I attended the game in Lincoln this year.

Zach(Tenn)

dose tennessee return to promenence within the next five to six years?

Mark Schlabach

  (4:17 PM)

With what they're paying Kiffin and his staff, I'd expect they're hoping for a big turnaround quickly. Have to find a consistent QB for starters. Didn't see a lot of talent on offense this year, so recruiting will be a priority.

Blake(Miami)

Mark, but what round do you think Cosby will be drafted in? First, second or third?

Mark Schlabach

  (4:17 PM)

You'll have to ask Todd McShay or Mel Kiper. They'd have a better idea than me. I'd be surprised if he wasn't a first-day selection. Not sure about a first-rounder, though.

Ed (Washington, DC)

Who are your preseason participants for the BCS Bowl games in 2009?

Mark Schlabach

  (4:17 PM)

Too early....Let's see who comes out and who stays.

Joe (Pittsburgh, PA)

Do you think McCoy would be better suited returning to Pitt to improve his draft stock?

Mark Schlabach

  (4:18 PM)

I'd come back for one more season. There are a lot of good running backs coming out. Shady is good, but another year wouldn't hurt. If they ever get a consistent quarterback at Pitt, he'll be much better.

Bradford (Boise, ID)

Mark, what are your thoughts on Sark and Holts headed up to UW? Can they turn the program around? Thanks.

Mark Schlabach

  (4:19 PM)

We'll see. Washington has been a sleeping giant for a while. They'll recruit California well. The Huskies will be better with Locker back.

chris(brooklyn ny)

Will Penn State ever get to elite status with the limited time left with joepa ?

Mark Schlabach

  (4:21 PM)

Were very close to elite status this year, until the Iowa loss. Big losses at WR and on the OL next year. But they have a chance to win the Big Ten again.

Blake(Miami)

Lets say that Mark Sanchez comes back, who do you think will have a better team, Texas or USC?

Mark Schlabach

  (4:22 PM)

I'd say Texas right now. Tougher schedule than USC, but still not sure how USC will replace all those All-Americans on defense.

john (cincinnati)

mark, if nd or ohio st played the same schedule as utah did this past season, either team would have been playing in the bcs title game, right???

Mark Schlabach

  (4:22 PM)

Not the Irish. They couldn't beat Syracuse. Utah beat four really good teams.

harry (henderosn)

tebow is overrated.....harvin was mvp..

Mark Schlabach

  (4:23 PM)

Harvin was the most explosive player on the field, even with a bum ankle. But Harvin couldn't wear down Oklahoma's defense like Tebow did. He made some amazing throws over coverage, too. Two bad interceptions in the first half, but he bounced back pretty good in the second half.

Mark Schlabach

  (4:23 PM)

Folks, have to run. Not sure when I'll be back to chat again, but enjoy the offseason! It's been a blast this year.