Lyric(Colquitt, Ga.)

Will Florida's easy schedule effect their chances of making it back to the National Championship game?

Graham Watson

  (2:02 PM)

Welcome to the chat. Let's get started. Florida's non-conference schedule isn't great, but I wouldn't call it easy. I think Florida International is going to be a lot better than many think and Troy and Florida State are always tough. And why should Florida make its non-conference schedule difficult when they play in one of the toughest conferences in the country?

Travis (Arlington, TX)

Who do you think TCU should schedule for their last non-conference game in 2009? Why? I'm hoping for a "big time"/notable opponent, given strength-of-schedule.

Graham Watson

  (2:06 PM)

I'm pretty sure it's going to be Houston if the negotiations work out. The thing is, with the MWC getting as much press as it's been getting, TCU can get away with having a cake non-conference schedule and rely on the conference schedule to give them enough of a push into the BCS automatic qualifying.

Robert (Mobile, Al)

Graham, Would you admit that Utah beating Alabama in the Sugar Bowl was a fluke? I am tired of reading these blogs that still have people refering to that game. Roll Tide!

Graham Watson

  (2:09 PM)

I'd say it was a fluke if it had been a close game, but Utah jumped out to a three-score lead on Alabama. Utah was the better team that day. The Tide didn't look prepared to play them at all. That's not surprising, really. Bama didn't get up to play Tulane and almost got beat in the beginning of the season. If Utah and Bama played 10 times, I'm pretty sure Bama would come out ahead, but on Jan. 2, Utah was fired up to play and Bama wasn't.

ken

Mike Leach to ND in 2010?

Graham Watson

  (2:09 PM)

I would be shocked to see that happen. The next ND coach will come from the South, but look east.

Sylvain (Calgary)

Hey Graham, Do you see recruits waiting longer every year because of the attention Pryor received last year?

Graham Watson

  (2:12 PM)

I don't think it's that, I just think that a lot of kids don't want to be pressure into making the decision on someone else's schedule. I honestly think a lot of kids believed that if you didn't sign by signing day, you weren't going to get a scholarship. Signing day is just the beginning of the signing period, but it's become so commercialized that many kids feel pressured into making a decision by then. While some of these kids might be doing it for attention, some just want to make the right decision.

ken, CA

To be fair about their non-conference schedule, FIU was a replacement for the Gators, they were supposed to start a home and home with USF this year, but it was delayed until next year and 2015

Graham Watson

  (2:13 PM)

And again, FIU is not a bad opponent. It won't beat Florida, but it will put up a fight.

Patrick (Mobile, AL)

Graham, what are they smoking down there at Texas Tech? What is this talk about firing leach if he doesnt sign the contract?

Graham Watson

  (2:18 PM)

I agree that that is totally ridiculous. This is obviously a case of two parties that don't have a great relationship and probably haven't had a great relationship for a long time. Leach is a quirky guy and probably tough to get along with. I agree with Leach's decision not to sign his new contract. Some of the language was total crap and they were trying to mess him over. If Texas Tech is happy being mediocre they should fire Leach.

Alec (Kansas City)

Is Mizzou's Gary Pinkel going to be able to get another RB signed for next year? If so, who?

Graham Watson

  (2:20 PM)

I'd love to see it be Bryce Brown, but that's blind optimism. I don;t know that they'll get another RB and I'm not sure if there's a big need this year. There's still a nice stable of back even without Drew Temple. Washington will be healed from surgery and then you have Moore as a solid backup if one of the freshmen doesn't beat him out.

Cosmo (Anytown, USA)

I want to go back to something you said last week. You referred to ND's 2009 schedule as being tougher than last year. Everyone, except you, has said that the 2009 is an even bigger joke than last year's. Can you elaborate on your comment?

Graham Watson

  (2:25 PM)

It's like the same schedule as last year and you'd hope these teams would be better than they were a year ago. Nevada has a great running game, and good running games gave ND fits last year. Who knows what to expect out of Washington and Wash State after awful seasons last year. SC will be good, BC and Mich State will be OK. I mean, we're not talking about old Notre Dame here. We're talking about a team that's won 10 games in the past two seasons. "Good schedule" is relative to how subpar they've been the past couple seasons. I've also said that this team has the ability to break into a BCS bowl this year. I mean, it's all lined up for them, the only thing standing in ND's way is its coaching.

Cody (Virginia)

Virginia Tech was a young team last year. Do you see them coming together and being a true contender this year?

Graham Watson

  (2:26 PM)

I it can get consistent quarterback play, sure. That and health was a problem last season. I think VT will be one of the top teams in the ACC to start the season. But can they get past East Carolina....

David

Do you think Duke has a chance to go 6-6 or 7-5 this season? Also, looking to 2010, how do you think they will fare?

Graham Watson

  (2:29 PM)

Duke has the non-conference schedule to at least go 3-1 to start the year (losing to Kansas). But can they find three more wins? Not sure. Maryland is winnable, but the other two winnable games I see - NC State and Virginia - are on the road. That's going to be tough.

Alec (Kansas City)

Follow up: I hear ya on the Bryce Brown optimism. Do you have any inside information or was that just a hopeful thought? Thanks for answering and for the chat.

Graham Watson

  (2:31 PM)

Just a hopeful thought. I know Mizzou is still recruiting him hard despite the fact that all signs point to him going to the SEC or ACC. I think Mizzou saw him not signing gave Mizzou a window, but it's a small window at best.

ray gordon reid port arthur tx 77640

question TO GRAHAM WATSON 2.25PM HI GRAHAM BYU OR UTAH MWC CHAMP 2O99

Graham Watson

  (2:31 PM)

Neither. I like TCU.

Morgan (Philly)

Do you see MWC joining the BCS conferences anytime soon? They had three ranked teams at the end of the season including undefeated Utah, TCU, and BYU.

Graham Watson

  (2:33 PM)

It probably won't be any time soon, but I think it's a strong possibility for the 2011 or 2012 season. The biggest thing for the MWC now is proving that last year wasn't a fluke. If they can consistently keep team in the Top 25 - and I don;t know why they couldn't - then there's no reason why they should be shut out of a guaranteed BCS bid. I do also think that the teams at the bottom - Wyoming, SD State and New Mexico - have got to pick it up with their new coaches.

Michael (Reading,PA)

Do you see Bosie State joining any BCS Confrence and leaving the MWC, anytime soon. I think that they should join the PAC 10, but that would actually give USC to compete with every year

Graham Watson

  (2:35 PM)

As of right now? No. There's been a lot of chatter about the Pac-10 expanding, but without a commissioner, those talks are pretty far off. It wouldn't surprise me if the Broncos tried to get on the Mountain West bandwagon, but I think that would take some time, too. If the MWC is going to expand, it will move from nine to 12, not nine to 10. So, you've got to identify those other candidates.

ray gordon reid port arthur tx 77640

QESTION TO GRAHAM WATSON AT 2.40 PM HI GRAMHAM HOW MANY MWC TEAMS RANKED TOP 25 NEXT YEAR

Graham Watson

  (2:36 PM)

To begin the season? probably three - TCU, BYU and Utah. To end the season, probably the same or just two of the three.

Justin (St. Louis)

Do you see teams like Florida playing Charleston Southern and Florida International just a tad ridiculous?

Graham Watson

  (2:39 PM)

Yes and no. I understand the reasoning behind an SEC team doing that with the brutal conference schedule. But yes, it's a bit ridiculous if you truly believe that you're one of the best teams in the country. If that's try, play the best teams you can. Now, as someone pointed out, USF was supposed to be in the schedule instead of FIU. OK. But I wouldn't mind seeing one major team on the non-conference be it Oklahoma or Cincinnati (just threw those out as examples). I mean, someone that people want to watch.

Jeff

How is OSU's new recruiting class?

Graham Watson

  (2:39 PM)

Which OSU? Oklahoma or Oregon?

David (Oakland, CA)

Hey Graham, Who do you have in your way too early top 5?

Graham Watson

  (2:40 PM)

I like Florida, OU, Texas, USC and Ohio State... Pretty much the same as every year :)

Vince (Boise)

Graham, what is your prediction for the BSU vs. Oregon. Remember, the game is at Bronco stadium (our grass is blue).

Graham Watson

  (2:43 PM)

That's a tough one. BSU is fierce on it home turf and it beat Oregon on the road last year. This is a revenge game, though, and Oregon will be highly motivated. The Ducks also will be healthy and one of the higher ranked teams in the country. I think this game is going to be a shootout, but until I study the starting lineups heading into game week, I'm not going to make a prediction.

Ryan (Kansas City MO)

Hey Graham, MWC fan in Big 12 country here. Are you planning on visiting any campuses for spring ball?

Graham Watson

  (2:43 PM)

Yep, just don't know which ones yet. The only one I know for sure is Boise State since I'll be up there for the basketball tournament anyway.

ken

What chatter have you heard about the Pac-10 expanding, and what schools are they looking at? I thought they liked their round robin and no championship game.

Graham Watson

  (2:46 PM)

They do. The Pac-10 is pretty set in its ways, but it also doesn't have a new commish, so there's no telling what changes might be on the horizon. There have been rumblings about expansion, but most have been unsubstantiated. It's just like the Big East. There's been a lot of talk about expansion there, but I don't see anything coming of it until the BCS evaluation period is over in a few years.

Dave, Philly

Hey Graham, What's your opinion on the Temple Owls for the '09 Season? Injuries and bad luck surely diminished chances this past year!

Graham Watson

  (2:49 PM)

Yeah, I hate that Adam DiMichele is gone, but Chester Stewart should be OK. The Owls have gotten better every season and the MAC is always up for grabs, especially in the East. I think the Owls go 2-2 in non-conference and I give them a shot against all of the East teams this season.

Ken, CA

Florida does have FSU on the schedule, last year they had FSU, Miami and Hawaii. Charleston Southern is like the West Carolina game last year, it is the 12th game fill in right before the FSU game that used to be an idle week. Getting bigger names on such a short basis is almost impossible

Graham Watson

  (2:51 PM)

It would almost be impossible anyway. I mean, how often do any of the power ever play each other in non-conference? Even after the Ohio State-Texas series, coach Mack Brown said he'd never do it again. There's no reason to sabotage your schedule early in the year if you can still get to the national championship based on the perception of your conference

ken

Which matchup (Conference, non-conference, or independent) are you most anticipating seeing on the 2009 schedule?

Graham Watson

  (2:53 PM)

There are too many to name right now. I know among the teams that I cover, I'd like to see both Boise State and Utah against Oregon. I'd say I'm looking forward to the BYUOU game, but I know OU has too much speed for BYU to keep up. And, of course, I'm looking forward to ECU going another round with VT and WVU. Now, that's just off the top of my head. I'm sure if I broke down the entire schedule there would be tons of great games to showcase.

Chris (Reno,NV)

If the MWC was to expand to 12 teams to include Boise State, what would be the other 2 schools they would consider?

Graham Watson

  (2:55 PM)

See, I don't know because there aren't enough consistently good teams in their immediate area. Like Fresno State might be a good fit, but it needs to get better over the next couple years. Of how about Houston? That also would be a good fit. Again, it's just speculation that they would expand. I would be surprised if the MWC stayed exactly the way it is. It's worked well for the past 10 seasons, why change it?

Travis (Arlington, TX)

Graham, why TCU for MWC Champion in 2009? I know the offense is bringing back just about everyone. However, I'm concerned with the first and last lines of defense (DT and S, more-so DT) holding up to what was accomplished this past season.

Graham Watson

  (2:58 PM)

True, they lost a lot on defense - seven guys, I think - but they do a lot of rotation and a lot of the backups got a ton of minutes last season. After TCU won eight games two years ago, did anyone think the defense would be as good as it was on 2008? I really think the expectation now is too high. TCU doesn't have to be No. 1 in total defense to win the MWC. It just needs to be consistent and while some great players are gone, there are a lot of guys who are just as good waiting in the wings.

Jared (Wyoming)

Who are your contenders for the title spot?

Graham Watson

  (2:59 PM)

I think Florida and OU have to be the frontrunner with their QBs returning. Florida will be the favorite because of all the talent it returns, but OU a close second. And let's not rule out Texas. It lost some good players - Orakpo, Cosby - but like the other teams mentioned, it has the talent to reload.

Graham Watson

  (3:00 PM)

All right. My time is up, but I appreciate everyone for stopping by. Have a great weekend.