ESPN

Beano Cook

  (3:06 PM)

Good afternoon! We're late but we're here! This will be the last one until May. Ask whatever you want!

Ethan Buchanan Michigan [via mobile]

Do you think Notre Dame will be a bcs game next year? Do you believe Jimmy Clausen could be in heisman running?

Beano Cook

  (3:09 PM)

He's the key to the team. Clausen has to have a good year for ND to do well. These are the facts for 2009. It's obvoius Weis has to win at least 9 games. No coach in America is on the hot seat more than he is. Look at the sked ... they have more material than 9 of the 12 teams. Michigan State and Michigan, whether they have more or not remains to be sean. USC has more material but the game is at ND. If the Irish goes into the USC undefeated they will win and have a shot at the title.

Alex (Tuscaloosa)

Who is going to give Alabama its best run for the SEC West? LSU or Ole Miss?

Beano Cook

  (3:11 PM)

I think the problem with any SEC team, it's awful tough to finish the season 13-0. LSU goes to Alabama but Bama has a shot. If Alabama was in the Big Ten they would go undefeated but their not. If you asked me how the following teams .. FL, Bama, LSU, Texas, OU and PSU .. which team has the best chance of finishing with a perfect record I would take Penn State. They have the best chance. Ivan Maisel, Sr. Writer for ESPN.com, thinks it would be Texas. But he agrees PSU would be No. 2.

Steiny (NYC)

What are your thoughts on the A-rod situation?

Beano Cook

  (3:13 PM)

Why be shocked? It's baseball. Youre talking to a person who lives in a city where there is complete apathy about the Pirates. The people who run baseball have no clue how to make it like the NFL. I do not blame Selig. Everybody blames him but it's the owners. If the owners in baseball were the owners in the NFL, the NFL would be in worse shape than the auto companies in Detroit.

chris (Clearwater, Florida)

How do you think Auburn will finish this season. After a bad 08 season I dont see it getting much better, what is your take?

Beano Cook

  (3:14 PM)

The Auburn administration is unrealistic. They play in the toughest conf. and they have to play Georgia, LSU and Alabama every year. That's awful tough. Alabama is going to dominate Auburn as long as Nick Saban is there.

Beano Cook

  (3:14 PM)

The Auburn officials should be ashamed of how they handled the Tuberville situation.

Bernard (Princeton, NJ)

What are your thoughts on National Signing Day? Overhyped OR a very exciting?

Beano Cook

  (3:17 PM)

It's overhyped because of all the media we have these days. Talk shows, USA today, the internet, etc. Years ago there would have been stories but not to this extent. You used to just know the guys in your area. You had no idea what players were coming out of California or Minnesota. Everything was regionalized. But then the internet and USA Today came along and changed everything. Is it overhyped? Yes. But there is interest for sure.

LW [via mobile]

Any predictions for tonight's college basketball matchups? UNC or Duke? UConn or 'Cuse?

Beano Cook

  (3:18 PM)

I think UConn will beat Syracuse. As for Duke-UNC. Home team. Always the home team in basketball.

Head (LaGrange, Georgia)

Is Lane Kiffin Good or Bad for Tennesse?

Beano Cook

  (3:20 PM)

I think Kiffin should not say anything for awhile. Nothing. He's done a good job getting Florida and Alabama mad. I understand he wants to be enthusiastic. But if he thinks it was tough in the NFL, that was kindergarten compared to the SEC. Case in point, at the end of the year if Tampa is playing New Orleans and both teams are 5-10, nobody cares let alone the players. If Tennessee plays Auburn and they are both 4-7, it still matters. That's the difference. The pro players will play not to get hurt. The college players will play their hearts out to win.

Eddie (TX) [via mobile]

are you surprised about brett favre? do you think he'll actually stay retired this time?

Beano Cook

  (3:21 PM)

Not surprised. If he played next year, great. If not, so what. I watch the NFL as a nice way to spend a Sunday afternoon but it's not life and death. I just don't understand why folks would want to watch an NFL game over a college game. I really don't know if he will stay retired or not.

Natalya, Astoria [via mobile]

Hi Beano! Love the segment you do for ESPN Motion! Did you happen to watch the grammy's on Sunday? I'd love to get your take

Beano Cook

  (3:21 PM)

No! No.

Beano Cook

  (3:21 PM)

I was mad because Cold Case was pre-empted.

Mike (Maple Shade, NJ) [via mobile]

Beano, it looks like the Big East is going to be a crapshoot in 2009! Who do you believe will come out on top? Thanks!

Beano Cook

  (3:22 PM)

Yeah, in other words it's the weakest confernece. No idea who will win.

Dj Cuse

Any chance for good ole Bobby to make one last run at a title before he hangs up the 80 year old cleats?

Beano Cook

  (3:23 PM)

You have to think FSU has super matieral. The problem is his last game of the regular season is Florida in Gainseville. Florida will dominate. Florida is now USC.

Beano Cook

  (3:23 PM)

Meyer is the best coach in the country.

Beano Cook

  (3:23 PM)

Has the greatest player in college football in Tim Tebow.

TJ, Vermont [via mobile]

I saw you reference FDR once... who, in your opinion, is the best President in U.S. history?

Beano Cook

  (3:24 PM)

Lincoln. Jefferson. FDR. My top 3.

ken

With the huge expectations on the Gators next year, would 1 loss, say at LSU, likely take them out of any title picture. If they don't go undefeated next year, will it be one of the biggest letdowns in recent memory?

Beano Cook

  (3:24 PM)

It didn't in the past and they had huge expectations then. A SEC team and Big 12 team and a USC team .. they could all have a loss and still play for the title. The problem is Florida has some tough rough games next year.

Kristen, Brewster, NY [via mobile]

I just watched a LeBron commercial for State Farm which made me think... if you were a famous athlete, what product would you endorse Beano?

Beano Cook

  (3:25 PM)

They already named a product after me .. Beano! It prevents gas. If you want to prevent gas, buy Beano! I eat Corn Flakes everyday so maybe I could replace Phelps on the box. When I get in a bathing suit, I look like Moby Dick.

Jay (Atlanta, Georgia)

What will Tim Tebow have to do this upcoming season to prove to the scouts that he can be a good QB in the NFL? And do you beleive he can be a good QB at the next level.

Beano Cook

  (3:26 PM)

I don't know what he could do. I really don't. No matter what happens in the pros, he will always be one of the greatest to ever play college football.

NR [via mobile]

just curious Beano... how many views do your ESPN motion clips get? I bet it's a million!

Beano Cook

  (3:28 PM)

Thanks! I appreciate the kind words. I think it varies. It's not a million. But management seems to be happy or else I'd get fired.

David (Dallas)

If Tebow wins his 2nd Heisman and 3 out of 4 national championships, will he go down as the greatest player in college football history?

Beano Cook

  (3:29 PM)

He would have to be considered. I think he is Top 5 right now. I think the greatest is probably Red Grange. He also played defense. Guys like Grange and Nagurski played both ways. I'm not saying he couldn't play defense .. I'm sure he could .. but in today's world would he be fast enough? The biggest change in the game over last 40 years is the speed. If you don't have speed, don't show up.

Allie, Rocky Hill, CT [via mobile]

are you on facebook? I would love to be your friend!

Beano Cook

  (3:30 PM)

I don't know. Am I? You're talking to a guy who knows nothing about the internet. Maybe I am. I have no idea.

Beano Cook

  (3:30 PM)

I'm 77 years old. I don't even have a cell phone. If you call and I don't answer I'm either not home or dead.

Randy, Kansas [via mobile]

who will win the NCAA basketball tourney this year?

Beano Cook

  (3:31 PM)

If I had to pick a team right now .. North Carolina I guess. Maybe UCLA.

Beano Cook

  (3:32 PM)

What Jim Calhoun has done at UConn is also pretty unbelievable. UConn used to lose to Brown..

John [via mobile]

will you be watching daytona on sunday? do you think jimmie johnson will win his fourth-straight this year?

Beano Cook

  (3:33 PM)

I look upon those races like a marriage. You remember the beginning and the end and a few exciting moments inbetween. So the answer is no. I've been there several times when I worked for CBS and it was a great experience in person.

Beano Cook

  (3:33 PM)

The greatest sporting event in the US is the NCAA Tournament. And the greatest day in sports is the semifinals. Four pep bands, two great games. Great scene.

Joey (SC)

Will South Carolina ever win a SEC title under Spurrior? Or is it time for him to go?

Beano Cook

  (3:34 PM)

It's tough. Very tough. They have to play Tenn, Florida, Georgia every year. I would say no. But if anyone can do it, it's Spurrier.

Chris, NJ [via mobile]

what's your favorite TV show????

Beano Cook

  (3:34 PM)

My favorite show right now is NCIS. We're talking about entertainment. The best 90 minutes on TV is CBS Sunday morning. The only other better entertainment is Casablanca.

Tom, Cali [via mobile]

what do you think of Obama's first days in office?

Beano Cook

  (3:35 PM)

Not going to get into politics! But I do know my taxes are going to go up.

john boise [via mobile]

Should the mountain west take boise state? would they help them become a bcs conference?

Beano Cook

  (3:36 PM)

I don't know about that. It sounds like a good move, but no idea. The MWC should have an automatic bid but greed will keep them out I think.

ken, CA

Beano, what gets you more interested, another exciting Big East/ACC Orange bowl, or the Pirates opening day game?

Beano Cook

  (3:37 PM)

Yeah, I'm counting the days until the Pirates open. I used to be a big fan but the people who run it drove me away. How can people with that much money be that dumb?

Beano Cook

  (3:38 PM)

Woops ... accidently deleted that question about Lincoln .. I asked him about the NFL draft.

dee,miami,FL

do you think miami have a chance for the acc championship

Beano Cook

  (3:39 PM)

I would think they have a chance. It's Miami. Sure. If my memory serves me, they have some games with Ohio State coming up.

Billy, Chicago [via mobile]

What is your favorite vacation destination?

Beano Cook

  (3:39 PM)

NYC.

Vince Los Angeles [via mobile]

So Beno you think florida would have beaten usc this year....I think usc is still usc

Beano Cook

  (3:40 PM)

That would have been their toughest game for sure. USC would have been favored by 2. If I had to bet my life on the game, I can't bet against Tebow. But SC would probably have been favored.

Trevor (Fishersville Va)

What is Virginia Techs chances this year?They are gonna return a lot of talent just like Alabama. Do you see their opening match up being a good game or a blow out?

Beano Cook

  (3:41 PM)

Tech could be Top 4 of 5 this year easily. Great Labor Day matchup. Ivan Maisel has already made plane reservations for that game from what I understand.

Chad (Las Vegas)

USC is USC. They play 1-2 tough games a year and lose to someone they aren't suppose to every year. Until UCLA returns to the big time USC needs to schedule more and more tougher opponents or a 1 loss SEC or BIG 12 team will always get the nod over them.

Beano Cook

  (3:42 PM)

This is all true. The UCLA defeat kept them out of the title as well as Stanford, Oregon State. But they came within 30 seconds of winning 3 straight years. If you're a USC fan you can't really complain but you will. That's just how fans are.

Alex (Tuscaloosa)

How do you feel about the press Kiffin is bringing to Tennessee? Do you believe it will in any way help the competition of the SEC? In my opinion, he is becoming the Vince McMahon of college football, garnering enemies left and right just to sell tickets.

Beano Cook

  (3:44 PM)

I don't think what he says really has much impact. Putting clippings on the board for players to read happens all the time. But I don't think it really has much impact. Coaches never change. If coaches were dentists, we wouldn't have novocaine. They never used it before and wouldn't now.

Steiny (NYC)

What is the latest on Texas Tech and Mike Leach?

Beano Cook

  (3:46 PM)

Texas Tech got killed in the Cotton Bowl which was a letdown. Let's see what happens this year or if that was a one-year wonder. Can they compete against Texas, OK and those teams? I really don't know.

David (Dallas, TX)

If OU loses another BCS bowl game this year, (making it 6 of 7 years) how comfortable can Bob Stoops be about his job?

Beano Cook

  (3:47 PM)

I don't think he is in trouble. OU fans have had a good run. They've had a national title in this decade, played for the title a few more times, etc. A lot of schools would trade places with OU.

Chad (Las Vegas)

I am an LSU fan but does #1 in recruiting really mean anything? So much goes into a teams W-L record like chemistry, how does the player fit into that system, coaching. You can get all the 5 star recruits in the world but if you don't have the right system or coaching for that player they are worthless.

Beano Cook

  (3:48 PM)

Get excited. I don't know who these people are who rank the classes and what it really means. But let's hope its not the same people who got us in this financial mess we're in. Some of it is guesswork but from what I understand, Bama got everyone they wanted.

Steiny (NYC)

What are your thoughts on Miami cutting their ticket prices?

Beano Cook

  (3:50 PM)

That's a little surprising. The problem with Miami is it's not a state university so they don't have a huge alumni base. And a lot of the students go to the Northeast. And it's just not a good sports town. So put all that together.

John (Chicago)

Which teams do you think will win the 5 BCS games when all the dust settles next January? (I know it's early).

Beano Cook

  (3:52 PM)

That's tough to say. No idea who is going to play who. If you ask me about conferences .. Florida, Texas, USC, Penn State, ACC I have no idea and same for Big East.

ken

Hi Beano, Is Kifin in way over his head at UT, or his just insane with his ongoing antics?

Beano Cook

  (3:54 PM)

I don't think he's in over his head. I just think he has to realize that people are sensitive to criticsm or to being accused of something. He just has to watch what he says. If he loses a lot of games next year, the Tenn fans will say he should shut up but if he wins, they won't care what he says.

Tyler (Hastings, NE)

Beano, what are your thoughts on Pelini's first year in Lincoln? Do you think the Huskers can win the Big 12 North?

Beano Cook

  (3:56 PM)

He had a heck of a year. A heck of a year. Now the fans want more. The Gator Bowl was one of the best of the season. Just a great game.That does it for now. I won't be around again until May. I'll be around, just not chatting. But starting in May we'll do once a month until season starts and then weekly. 2009 is the 140th anniversary of college football and the 141st season! We now have to suffer through baseball and the worst thing ever happens on Saturday ... pitchers and catchers report. But we'll talk again in May!